Zoot Suit Lesson Plan

Innocent and Imprisoned

Kind of Activity:

Individual Writing

Objective:

to discover real-life stories of people who have been wrongfully convicted; to practice creative writing skills by writing in their voices

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.3

Structure:

1. By the start of Act 2, Henry has been wrongfully imprisoned for many months. He has spent five months in prison since the trial and two months in jail awaiting the trial. The class already knows that Henry’s character is based on the true story of Henry Leyvas. Tragically, many other men and women have been wrongfully imprisoned throughout their lives as well. Tell students that they will be working...