To Kill a Mockingbird: On Trial

This WebQuest was created to accompany the reading of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. It corresponds with the symbols, themes and central ideas throughout the book, along with the books relevance in history and to today's society. These activities will focus on interpreting the novel and relating it to events in the 1930s as well as current events. 

Introduction

What are the symbols used in the book?

What are the themes and central ideas of the book?

How does the author develop these throughout the book? 

How does this relate to other events happening in the 1930s?

Does it relate to events happening today?

Is this book relevant to today's society?

Students will work individually to complete this WebQuest. They will read To Kill a Mockingbird and discover the true meaning of the symbols and depict the themes and central ideas. They will write a paper detailing the symbols, themes, and central ideas of the book and how they build up throughout the text. They will then create a presentation as if they are a lawyer defending Tom Robinson in today's court room. They will use facts from the 1930s through today that are based on the themes in the book in order to prove his innocence. The student will then complete a 1 page argumentative essay on whether or not To Kill a Mockingbird should still be read in the classroom. This is a 3 part assignment that will require thoughtful reading and a deep understanding of the text, along with extensive research on historical and current events.

You will read To Kill A Mockingbird and take notes as they are reading. You will need to note symbols, themes and central ideas you come across throughout the book, along with how the author develops these throughout. 

1) You will need to write a paper on these literary elements. You need to analyze in detail the development over the course of the text, including how details of To Kill a Mockingbird interact and build on one another to shape and refine the theme(s) or central idea(s); provide an accurate summary of the text based upon this analysis. 

2) After these literary elements have been established, pretend that you are a lawyer. The year is 2018, and the Tom Robinson case is coming to court as if it is a current trial. It is your job to defend Tom Robinson and prove he is innocent. While you are defending Tom, you need to establish how you understand that this could be a case that was on trial the 1930s, but it should not be a trial happening in 2018. Use the themes of the book to guide you through this presentation. They are the basis of this trial. You will need to go through the steps listed below:

2a) You should watch these videos to broaden your knowledge of the book and of the historical context surrounding the setting of the book. 

https://www.pbs.org/video/american-masters-mark-childress-on-to-kill-a-mockingbird/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgC09oMIwLc

2b) Once you have an idea about the context of the setting of the book, begin your presentation on the events in the 1930s. Explain why this case may have been tried then and why he might have been found guilty.  (Must include details on Jim Crow laws and the Scottsboro Trials)

2c) Then do more research on events that have happened since 1930 to progress the United States from this way of thinking. Here is a timeline of some events to get you started https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/black-history-milestones. (Must include reference to Martin Luther King, Jr. and one other Civil Rights Movement activist that you feel brought about major changes)

2d) End the presentation persuading the "court" (classroom) as to why Tom Robinson is innocent and should be freed.

2e) Students should some sort of visual aid throughout the presentation and state their sources throughout. 

3) Students will individually submit a 1 page paper on whether or not they believe this book should be read in school. They should conduct research on why schools have removed it from their curriculum and why some continue to read it. Then they should pick a stance and support it with details. 

View assignment 1 rubric here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jctkMgh2jViurgx0u-hotfQxdjcWrz5cUOK4-zO5T3s/edit?usp=sharing

View assignment 2 rubric here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KC99XfRf1yFo_8gC323bXAmefNXt50q5tzC3rjwGt8M/edit?usp=sharing

View assignment 3 rubric here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1X7qvhIWc47-rYHHu7R3o5AmlikmdMBaOQH0uFZ0uj5Y/edit?usp=sharing

From this WebQuest, you should have learned

• Symbols, themes and central ideas in To Kill a Mockingbird and how the author developed them. 
• The historical context of the setting of To Kill a Mockingbird.
• Similarities and differences in American society (politically, socially, and culturally) from the novel's setting to today 
• an understanding as to why this book should be or shouldn't be used in the classroom to keep society progressing, along with an understanding as to why you read it and what you learned

Something to Think About: We studied the theme of racism in society from the past to the present. What about the future? Consider the United States in 10, 15, or 20 years. How will racism look then?

Standards being used: