12 Angry Men: Proposing Jury System Reform
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12 Angry Men: Proposing Jury System Reform

Grade 12English1 days
★★★★★
5.0 (1 rating)
This project challenges 12th-grade English students to analyze the American jury system through the lens of "12 Angry Men" and propose meaningful reforms. Students will identify biases and complexities within the judicial system, research real-world problems, and connect them to themes in the play. Ultimately, they will advocate for change by writing a letter to a senator, proposing actionable solutions to address a specific issue within the jury system. The project encourages critical thinking, persuasive writing, and civic engagement.
Jury SystemBiasAdvocacyJudicial Reform12 Angry MenThematic AnalysisLetter Writing
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we, as advocates for justice, address biases and navigate the complexities within the jury system to propose meaningful changes to our legal representatives?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • How does bias impact the judicial system?
  • What are the benefits and drawbacks of the jury system?
  • How can one effectively advocate for change in the legal system?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Students will be able to identify and analyze themes in "12 Angry Men."
  • Students will be able to write a letter to a senator.
  • Students will be able to identify a problem with the judicial and jury system.
  • Students will be able to propose a change to the judicial and jury system.
  • Students will be able to advocate for change in the legal system.
  • Students will be able to understand the complexities within the jury system.
  • Students will be able to understand how bias impacts the judicial system.
  • Students will be able to summarize "12 Angry Men" objectively.
  • Students will be able to evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of the jury system

Common Core Standards

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.11-12.2
Primary
Determine two or more themes or central ideas of a text and analyze their development over the course of the text, including how they interact and build on one another to produce a complex account; provide an objective summary of the text.Reason: This standard directly aligns with the project's focus on analyzing themes in "12 Angry Men" and summarizing the text.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Mock Jury Deliberation: Real-World Case

Simulate a jury deliberation with a twist: students must decide a real-world case based on limited information, mirroring the challenges in '12 Angry Men.' This activity sparks debate about biases and the pursuit of justice, prompting them to question the system's fairness and consider potential reforms.

The 'Problem Wall': Identifying Systemic Flaws

Create a 'Problem Wall' where students anonymously post issues they perceive in the judicial system based on personal experiences or observations. As a class, they categorize and prioritize these problems, selecting the most pressing ones to address in their letters. This crowdsourced approach empowers students and ensures relevance to their lives.
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Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Identifying Real-World Judicial Problems

Students will research and identify a specific problem within the judicial or jury system that resonates with the themes explored in "12 Angry Men." They will gather evidence from reputable sources to support their claim that this problem exists and has significant consequences.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Brainstorm potential problems in the judicial/jury system (e.g., racial bias, economic disparities, jury selection issues).
2. Select one problem to focus on and conduct preliminary research to determine its prevalence and impact.
3. Gather evidence from at least three credible sources (e.g., academic journals, government reports, news articles) to support your problem statement.
4. Write a 500-word problem statement, clearly articulating the issue, its consequences, and the evidence supporting your claims.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA research-backed problem statement, including evidence from at least three credible sources, detailing the issue and its impact.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsCCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.11-12.2 (Determine two or more themes or central ideas of a text and analyze their development; provide an objective summary): Builds on the previous activity by applying the themes from the play to real-world issues in the judicial system.
Activity 2

Connecting Themes to Real-World Problems

Students will connect the problem they identified in the previous activity to one or more themes from "12 Angry Men." They will analyze how the play illustrates or comments on the issue, drawing parallels between the fictional scenario and the real-world problem.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Review your thematic analysis of "12 Angry Men" from Activity 1.
2. Identify themes from the play that relate to the problem you identified in Activity 2 (e.g., if your problem is racial bias in jury selection, relevant themes might include prejudice, justice, and reasonable doubt).
3. Write a 750-word analytical essay that explores the connections between the problem and the themes, using textual evidence from the play and real-world examples to support your analysis.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityAn analytical essay that connects the chosen problem to themes in "12 Angry Men," using textual evidence and real-world examples to support the analysis.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsCCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.11-12.2 (Determine two or more themes or central ideas of a text and analyze their development): Connects the problem identified to the themes in "12 Angry Men," demonstrating an understanding of how the play reflects or critiques real-world issues.
Activity 3

Proposing Solutions for Change

Students will develop a specific, actionable proposal for addressing the problem they have identified. The proposal should include concrete steps that a senator could take to address the issue, as well as a rationale for why these steps are likely to be effective.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Research potential solutions to the problem you identified in Activity 2.
2. Develop a specific, actionable proposal that a senator could implement to address the problem.
3. Outline the steps involved in your proposal, including who would be responsible for each step and the resources required.
4. Write a 500-word proposal, clearly articulating the problem, your proposed solution, and the rationale for its effectiveness.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed proposal outlining specific steps to address the problem, including a rationale for their effectiveness and potential challenges.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsCCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.11-12.2 (Provide an objective summary of the text): Provides a clear and actionable proposal for addressing the identified problem, demonstrating critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Activity 4

Letter to a Senator: Advocating for Change

Students will write a formal letter to a senator, advocating for the implementation of their proposed solution. The letter should clearly articulate the problem, explain its connection to themes in "12 Angry Men," and persuasively argue for the adoption of their proposal.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Review your problem statement, thematic analysis, and proposed solution from Activities 2-4.
2. Research the senator you plan to write to, including their background, committee assignments, and past positions on relevant issues.
3. Write a formal letter to the senator, clearly articulating the problem, its connection to themes in "12 Angry Men," and your proposed solution.
4. Revise and edit your letter for clarity, conciseness, and persuasiveness.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA well-written letter to a senator, advocating for a specific change to address a problem in the judicial or jury system.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsCCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.11-12.2 (Provide an objective summary of the text): Focuses on crafting a persuasive letter to a senator, advocating for the proposed change with clear, concise language and compelling evidence.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Judicial Advocacy and Thematic Analysis Rubric

Category 1

Advocacy and Analysis

Focuses on the student's ability to identify a real-world judicial problem, connect it to themes in '12 Angry Men,' propose a solution, and advocate for change through a letter to a senator.
Criterion 1

Problem Identification and Evidence

Clearly articulates a problem within the judicial/jury system, supported by credible evidence.

Beginning
1 Points

Problem is unclear or unsupported by evidence. Lacks credible sources.

Developing
2 Points

Problem is identified but lacks sufficient evidence or credible sources.

Proficient
3 Points

Clearly articulates a problem with supporting evidence from credible sources.

Exemplary
4 Points

Articulates a compelling problem with strong supporting evidence from multiple credible sources. Demonstrates a deep understanding of the issue.

Criterion 2

Thematic Connection

Effectively connects the identified problem to themes in "12 Angry Men."

Beginning
1 Points

Fails to connect the problem to themes in "12 Angry Men."

Developing
2 Points

Attempts to connect the problem to themes in "12 Angry Men," but the connection is weak or unclear.

Proficient
3 Points

Connects the problem to relevant themes in "12 Angry Men" with some supporting analysis.

Exemplary
4 Points

Insightfully connects the problem to multiple, relevant themes in "12 Angry Men," providing a nuanced analysis with textual evidence.

Criterion 3

Persuasive Advocacy

Crafts a persuasive and well-reasoned letter to a senator advocating for the proposed solution.

Beginning
1 Points

Letter is poorly written, unpersuasive, and lacks a clear argument.

Developing
2 Points

Letter is somewhat persuasive but lacks clarity or sufficient reasoning.

Proficient
3 Points

Crafts a persuasive and well-reasoned letter that clearly advocates for the proposed solution.

Exemplary
4 Points

Crafts a highly persuasive, well-reasoned, and eloquent letter that demonstrates a deep understanding of the issue and effectively advocates for the proposed solution.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

How has your understanding of the judicial system and your role as a potential advocate for change evolved throughout this project?

Text
Required
Question 2

To what extent do you believe your proposed solution could create meaningful change in the judicial system?

Scale
Required
Question 3

Which aspect of the project (identifying a problem, connecting to themes, proposing a solution, writing the letter) was most challenging, and why?

Multiple choice
Required
Options
Identifying a problem
Connecting to themes
Proposing a solution
Writing the letter