in Reading and Writing Legal History: Privacy & Reproductive Rights 
Lesson 6
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 use the experience reading and analyzing the Vullo article and case law in order to explore writing and researching legal history, and learn how to write about court decisions and legal precedent.
This lesson plan meets the following guidelines of New York State’s Common Core Social Studies Framework (2017):
- Industrialization and Urbanization: 11.5b
- Social and Economic Change/Domestic Issues: 11.10b
- Foundations of American Democracy: 12.G1b, 12.G1d, 12.G1e
- Civil Rights and Civil Liberties: 12.G2a, 12.G2c, 12.G2d
Unit Overview PDF
Court Structure Chart PDF
Unit Recommended Resources & References PDF
Lesson Resources
People v. Sanger and the Birth of Family Planning Clinics in America by Maria T. Vullo
Griswold v. Connecticut Supreme Court Opinion
C-SPAN Landmark Case: Griswold v. Connecticut
Roe v. Wade Supreme Court Opinion
C-SPAN Landmark Case: Roe v. Wade
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-USZ62-138888.
| Legal Precedent and History – Relevancy of Past to Present Lesson 5 | 
|---|
 
            
        