Overview

This lesson allows students to examine the Scottsboro trial and compare it to the trial in To Kill A Mockingbird. They will complete three preliminary activities before the culminating assignment: a comparison/contrast essay between the two trials. All resources are self-contained within the webquest, including Web sites, activities, and rubrics for assessment. Teachers should allow 4-5 class periods for completion of the webquest, though students could access the webquest at home as well.

Curriculum Standards

Students will:

• Demonstrate understanding of the civil rights movement and the Scottsboro trial
• Use their understanding of To Kill A Mockingbird to assist them in writing an essay
• Utilize credible Web sites as research sources
• Synthesize information from these sources in creating a magazine cover, completing activities, and writing an essay

Skills Obtained

• Synthesis and evaluation of research material
• Active and close reading
• Comparison/contrast practice
• Practice with writing an essay
• Creating an image that reflects their work

Materials Needed

• Computers with Internet access
• Pens/pencils
• Notebooks
• Folder for each student

Anticipatory Set

• Students will utilize their comprehension of To Kill A Mockingbird to complete this webquest. They should see themselves as professional journalists researching for an article they will each write comparing the trial in the novel to the Scottsboro trial. All directions for the lesson are provided. Simply follow directions and links.
• The Lesson: WebQuest: The Trials of Our Times

This lesson was submitted by a team of teachers at Price Laboratory School in Iowa.