Legal Decision Reading and Case Brief: Roe v. Wade

in Reading and Writing Legal History: Privacy & Reproductive Rights
Lesson 4

Created by Dr. Julia Rose Kraut, Inaugural Judith S. Kaye Teaching Fellow

NYS Common Core Grades 11 & 12: United States History and Government Participation in Government and Civics

In a series of lessons, taught together or individually, students will gain a greater understanding of the legal history of reproductive rights and privacy while also learning how to read and analyze court decisions and to incorporate law and legal history into future research projects.

The purpose of this lesson is to explore reading legal decisions and writing case briefs through Roe v. Wade, a case dealing rights to privacy and due process, as well as make connections to People v. Sanger from previous classes to reinforce the role of Margaret Sanger in the legal history of reproductive rights and protections. 

This lesson plan meets the following guidelines of New York State’s Common Core Social Studies Framework (2017):


Unit Overview PDF

Court Structure Chart PDF

Unit Recommended Resources & References PDF


Lesson Resources

Roe v. Wade Supreme Court Opinion

Roe v. Wade Oral Arguments

C-SPAN Landmark Case: Roe v. Wade 


Case Brief Structure PDF

Case Brief Worksheet PDF


The Historical Society’s website contains a wealth of related resources, including mini-biographies of judges involved in the case.

People v. Sanger and the Birth of Family Planning Clinics in America 
Judicial Notice Article

Hon. Frederick E. Crane
Court of Appeals Judge
Wrote the majority opinion of 
People v. Sanger

Hon. Frank H. Hiscock
Court of Appeals Judge
Concurred with majority opinion

Hon. William S. Andrews
Court of Appeals Judge
Concurred with majority opinion

Hon. Benjamin N. Cardozo
Court of Appeals Judge
Concurred with majority opinion

Hon. Emory A. Chase 
Court of Appeals Judge
Concurred with majority opinion

Hon. Frederick Collin 
Court of Appeals Judge
Concurred with majority opinion

Hon. John W. Hogan
Court of Appeals Judge
Concurred with result

Image Citation: Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, LC-U9- 32955-26.

Legal Decision Reading and Case Brief: Griswold v. Connecticut Lesson 3
Legal Precedent and History – Relevancy of Past to Present Lesson 5
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