Just Mercy Lesson Plan

Witnessing Capital Punishment

Kind of Activity:

Research

Objective:

Students will read/listen to firsthand accounts of witnessing the death penalty to further explore the topic.

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.11-12.2, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.11-12.9, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.1

Structure:

Instead of the usual death-penalty debate that happens in high school and college classrooms, this activity will have students explore firsthand accounts of witnessing the death penalty. Begin by having students return to Stevenson's own account of witnessing an execution in Chapter Four. What are some of the details he finds important? What is his emotional response?...