Tom Robinson was only one man in Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, but he represents many people throughout history who have not found justice in the American justice system. Language arts students discuss the theme of social justice with a novel review activity that culminates in a final essay about how the book's setting affected the ill-fated trial of Tom Robinson.

Concepts

to kill a mockingbird, social justice, racism, harper lee

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Additional Tags

english language arts

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Instructional Ideas

• Use the lesson in a broad unit on social justice and improving one's community
• Have learners research additional examples of false imprisonment

Classroom Considerations

• Lesson is designed to take place at the end of a novel unit
• Requires access to the Internet to view the introductory video

Pros

• Encourages class members to connect literature with their real lives
• Addresses the literary themes of To Kill a Mockingbird as well as word choice and language

Cons

• None

Common Core

RL.9-10.1 RL.9-10.2 RL.9-10.3 RL.9-10.4 L.9-10.4.a L.9-10.4.d