Death and the Maiden Lesson Plan

The People vs. Roberto Miranda

Kind of Activity:

Performance

Objective:

to explore Roberto’s guilt or innocence in the context of a legitimate trial

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.4

Structure:

Paulina tells Gerardo that she wants to put Roberto on trial for his crimes against her. Of course, her treatment of Roberto does not resemble a trial in any way—he is tied up, forced to confess, and so on. Explain that today’s activity will involve creating a mock trial for Roberto.

Divide the class into two equal groups and assign each group randomly to either the prosecution or defense. Tell each group to craft opening and closing statements, choose which two...