Just Mercy Lesson Plan

Victims' Rights Debate

Kind of Activity:

Group Work

Objective:

Students will research and debate the effects of the victims' rights movement on the American criminal justice system.

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.11-12.1, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.2, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.4, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.6

Structure:

Have students return to the section in Chapter Seven where Stevenson discusses the complications of the victims' rights movement and victim impact statements. After students have reviewed this, have them list the pros and cons Stevensons gives for having victims' identities enter the case. Essentially, students should discuss how this...