Just Mercy Lesson Plan

Studying Mass Incarceration

Kind of Activity:

Group Work

Objective:

Students will research and present on various topics related to mass incarceration in America.

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.11-12.1, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.11-12.7, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.4, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.5

Structure:

In the introduction of Just Mercy, Stevenson provides a number of sobering facts about mass incarceration in the United States. Begin the activity by having students discuss some of these. Ask them if they knew anything about mass incarceration before beginning the book.

Next, tell them that they will go deeper on this subject by studying facts about mass...