Presents Clarence Earl Gideon's petition for counsel as a primary source document to be used in social studies units on the Bill of Right's Sixth Amendment. Examines the constitutional issues of due process and right to counsel. Outlines teaching activities that develop vocabulary and analyzes Gideon v. Wainwright as a case study. (CH)

Explains a lesson in which secondary social studies or history students research origins of the freedoms to assemble and petition the government. Points out that the lesson provides students with an opportunity to examine how these freedoms evolved since the American Revolution. Reports that students discuss how to protect these freedoms during…