Lesson Introduction: Justice and Bias in To Kill a Mockingbird
Setting the Scene
Objective: Engage students in a thought-provoking exploration of justice and bias in Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird
Opening Activity: "Justice Scales"
Materials Needed:
- A balance scale (real or a visual representation)
- Question slips (pre-made)
- Sticky notes
- Markers
Instructions:
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Visual Setup: Display the balance scale in front of the class. On one side of the scale, place the word “Justice” written on a sticky note, and on the other side, place the word “Bias.”
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Group Discussion:
- Begin with a brief discussion about the concepts of justice and bias. Ask students to share their understanding of both terms. Write key points on the board.
- Pose the question: “Can justice exist without bias?” Encourage students to consider moments in their lives or in society where they felt justice was served and instances where they perceived bias undermining that justice.
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Question Slips Activity:
- Hand out the pre-made question slips to each student. Each slip should contain a different prompt related to justice and bias (e.g., “Describe a time when you witnessed unfairness.” or “What does 'justice' mean to you?”).
- Students will write their responses on the back of the slip and then come up to place them on the side of the scale they believe aligns with their answer: "Justice" or "Bias."
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Group Reflection:
- After all responses are posted, have a quick debrief as a class about the balance of responses. Are they more on the side of justice or bias? Why do they think that is?
- Transition into the lesson on To Kill a Mockingbird, highlighting how the novel addresses these themes. Introduce key characters and events that exemplify justice and bias, such as the trial of Tom Robinson.
Quote Reflection
To deepen the conversation, introduce a powerful quote from the book or a relevant quote about justice.
Example Quote:
"The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience." – Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird
- Divide students into small groups and ask them to discuss what this quote means in the context of the book and their previous discussions about bias and justice.
Conclusion
By framing the lesson with a visual representation of justice and bias and prompting personal reflection, students will be more prepared to delve into the complex themes of To Kill a Mockingbird. This introduction not only engages them but sets a collaborative tone for the analyzing of literature as it relates to real-world issues.
Prepare for the Next Lesson
Ask students to think about how justice and bias play out in contemporary society, preparing them for a discussion on how these themes in To Kill a Mockingbird resonate today.
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