EDITED 5/19/2017: After receiving an overwhelming response from this unit and way more requests for the quiz than I can keep up with, I have now made it (plus an answer key) available for sale in my Teachers Pay Teachers shop. (Grab it HERE for only $2.00.) There are still LOTS of FREE resources – including all the handouts and activities I use with my students (updated 2017) – posted below. *Thank you for supporting me and my blog!!
I’m wrapping up one of my favorite mini units on the play “Twelve Angry Men” this week and thought I’d share my lessons and activities with you in case anyone is looking for something quick to get them from one snow day to the next (lucky!) and introduce some important concepts in a fun/interactive way. I’ve included my complete lesson plan and all handouts for you for FREE. (Daily plans are based on a 90 minute block.) Enjoy!
DAY 1:
Distribute 12 Angry Men Anticipation Guide. Give students time to answer the questions and record their thoughts in the “Before Reading” column.
Full class discussion – have students move to different sides of the room if they agree or disagree with each statement; call on individuals to defend their position to the class. (Alternate idea: Draw a line with tape on the floor with one side being “Agree” and one side being “Disagree.” Have students stand in the appropriate spot on the scale depending on how strongly they feel about an issue.)
Bring class back together for a brief overview of the US Judicial system. Have them define the terms “reasonable doubt,” “unanimous verdict,” and “burden of guilt” in their journals.
Distribute 12 Angry Men Packet for students to use throughout the unit.
Homework: Students should access the article “10 Supreme Court Cases Every Teen Should Know” on Blackboard & use it to answer the “Pre Reading” questions in their packet. *The article was originally published in September 2007 as a two-part article in The New York Times Upfront Magazine.
DAY 2:
Discuss students’ reading from the night before (“10 Supreme Court Cases Every Teen Should Know”) and review judicial system terminology etc. from last class.
Distribute scripts and read character descriptions together. (Note: I have a class copy of scripts that I’ve used for years, but you can find several free versions online as well.)
Hand out “Jury Duty Notices” to 12 jurors and assign readers for stage directions, judge, and guard. Have students create a chart on the back of their packets to keep track of who is reading what part and a brief description of each character. (Note: I’m pretty careful about how I choose who will read which part. I want to select students that will *enjoy* reading and acting in the class, get into their role, etc. Good readers/actors make or break this unit! That said, I’m also very intentional NOT to stereotype my kids or make it look like I’m assigning parts based on their real personalities etc. For example, it’s fun to make one of the nicest people in the class read for Juror #3 if you think he/she will get into it.)
Set up classroom to look like a deliberation room with one long table (desks pushed together) for 12 jurors. Read the opening stage directions and discuss their importance.
Read “Twelve Angry Men” Act 1 aloud stopping to discuss as needed. Students not on the jury should follow along on the script and answer study guide questions in their packets as we read.
Homework: Finish Act 1 Study Guide Questions and be prepared to discuss next class.
DAY 3:
Journal Prompt: Imagine that you are a news reporter. Using the information gathered about the trial in Act 1 of “Twelve Angry Men,” write an article describing the events of the trial — What happened? Who was involved? Who testified? What evidence was laid out? Remember that this should be written in NEWS format and only the facts should be presented. (This could also be collected and graded as a Quick Write if you want more opportunities to assess students.)
Share journal entries and review Act 1 Study Guide questions.
Jurors take their seats at the “deliberation table” to continue reading Act 2 & 3 aloud stopping to discuss as needed. Students not on the jury should follow along on the script and answer study guide questions in their packets as we read. Finish the play.
Homework: Finish Act 2 & 3 Study Questions and be prepared to discuss next class.
DAY 4:
Journal Prompt: Now that we are finished reading, imagine that you are the Foreman and you must write up a report for the judge delivering and explaining your verdict. Outline the evidence that gave the jury “reasonable doubt.” Explain the process the jury took in order to reach a unanimous verdict. (Again, this can easily be collected and graded.)
Share journal entries and review Act 2 & 3.
Revisit the “Anticipation Guide” and have students fill in the “After Reading” column on the chart. Discuss how the students’ opinions have changed (or been reinforced) by the play.
Homework: Finish packet and study for quiz next class!
Day 5:
Students attach “Anticipation Guide” to “12 Angry Men Packet” and turn in (50 pts.)
Quiz on “Twelve Angry Men” (60 pts.) *NOW AVAILABLE FOR SALE (only $2) in my Teachers Pay Teachers shop HERE.
Distribute MOCK DEBATE activity. Discuss assignment and allow groups to meet for preliminary planning.
Homework: Finish individual contribution to mock debate activity (source + notes) for next class.
Day 6:
Groups meet to share research and prepare for mock debate (approximately 45 minutes).
MOCK DEBATE (30 minutes)
Final discussion.
And that’s it! There is really nothing special about any of this, but my students always get really into it and enjoy it. I use it as an opportunity to review research skills (in the mock debate) and introduce persuasion which will be our next major writing unit. It also nicely sets us up to discuss some of the themes of justice etc. in our next novel which will be Of Mice and Men and reviews some of the dramatic elements we will cover in Romeo and Juliet later in the year.
Happy (Teaching) Tuesday!
E
I like this. Things that get the students up and working and thinking usually end up working well.
Have you read How Children Succeed? I’m working through it slowly, but it’s impacting some of the things I am doing/want to do in my classroom. It’s not a super involved activity like this one, but my juniors are getting ready to analyze their personality profiles and write a paper that assesses how their traits impact learning and their future goals. I’m excited to see how it turns out.
I would love to get your lesson plan and materials for such a personality based activity! It sounds really amazing!
As with the others, I would love a copy of the quiz. This is my first year teaching this, and i am looking forward to it.
I would love to learn more about this lesson. Would you be willing to share?
Thanks,
Kim Kuhns
kkuhns@cgsd.org
Good Afternoon,
Thank you so much for such a great lesson plan idea for 12 Angry Men. Can you please email the copies of the quiz for the play.
Thank you,
Kimberly
Brilliant! I would also like the quiz please. Thank you very much.
Great Idea! Thanks for sharing. I would also like a copy of the quiz please.
Great idea! I was hoping the lessons wor last a bit longer:can I have an email of the quiz please?
Wrong email sorry
Hey! I love this unit! I’m looking forward to incorporating a lot of this into my 10th grade unit! I would love a copy of your quiz if you’re willing! Thanks so much! (michellerannells@mcpsva.org)
Love the lesson. Can’t wait to incorporate anecdotal, empirical, and logical evidence into this.
This was an awesome lesson! I would also like to have the quiz. Thank you!
Me too please! And do you have an answer key? Swednadiian_chick@hotmail.com
Than you a ton!!
I’d like to thank you for making this available for anyone wishing to use it.
I am a first year drama teacher, and this is a tremendous help. I would love to get a copy of the quiz, if possible. Thank you so much.
I’m really looking forward to using some of your material in the upcoming weeks. Could I have the quizzes you mentioned, please? Thank you for sharing your work!
Thank you for sharing your 12 Angry Men lessons. I have taught the play before and my students really enjoy it. Next time, I will definitely use your anticipatory guide! Could you please email a copy of the quiz you mentioned in your plans. Thanks.
Excellent! Thank you for sharing. Could you also email the quizzes you mentioned? Very impressive. 😀
I would also love a copy of the quiz. Thank you!
I was super hesitant to teach this play being a first year teacher and students already moaning and groaning with the possibility of it (they hear it’s awful from their peers.) But THIS sounds like so much fun for them! We did a hot seat interrogation session for Macbeth after King Duncan was killed, and they absolutely loved that 🙂 I’m sure they will have just as much fun with the mock debate too! Thank you for posting this!
I just want to say thank you for posting your materials. This is my first time teaching this play, and I absolutely love your unit. These are really great ideas and will make my prep so much easier. Thank you!
This is really
Your materials for Twelve Angry Men are fantastic. I cant wait to start this unit tomorrow. Thank you!!
Great quality material! I’m impressed! I’m starting a unit on Twelve Angry Men in April, and it all seems to fit my students needs! Thank you!
*Please email me for copies of the quiz
(I’ve also written you an email! — I’d reeeaally like to check your quiz!)
Great material! Thank you! Is it possible to please get the quiz and the answer keys to the quiz and the other sheets?
Thanks so much for posting your materials! Would you please send me a copy of your quiz? Thanks so much!
Thank you for your excellent resources. I really appreciate it! Please send me a copy of your quiz. Thanks again.
What an awesome unit! Thank you so much for sharing it. Would you mind forwarding a copy of the quiz to me? I would greatly appreciate it!!
Can you please email me a copy of your quiz, this lesson sounds great!
Lovely lesson plans with fresh ideas.. I love teaching this unit. Students get into the idea of being on a jury. Please send me a copy of the quiz.
I would love to have a copy of your quiz.
I love your lesson. I am new to teaching high school level ELA, more specifically, alternative high school, and think that my students would enjoy this unit. I would like a copy of your quiz as well. Thanks so much!
Could I get a copy of any quizzes that go with your 12 Angry Men Unit? Also, do you have a site with other unit plans for 9 – 11 grade or a creative writing class unit?
Just like everyone else, I’d like a copy of the quiz and answer key.
Thanks, Ginny Brown
I am a first year English teacher and I LOVE your work here! I read several of your blogs and they were so encouraging! This Twelve Angry Men unit is fantastic, my students are starting it this week. I’m excited to see how the mock debate goes. Could I trouble you to send me the quizzes you mentioned above?
Thanks!
Hi! Not sure if you will see this now, but would love a copy of the quiz too. Thano you so much. This is great
Thank you for that lesson plan!
Can you please email me the quiz?
Thanks!
Love this! Could I get a copy of the quiz please? Thank you!!!
I would also like the quiz, please.
This is absolutely wonderful! I am a first year teacher, and I too would like a copy of the quiz.
Thanks!
I would like a copy of the quiz, please! Thank you for sharing your lessons. My kids are eating this up!
I would also like a copy of the quiz!
Hello,I check your blogs named “Drama and Persuasion Mini Unit with “Twelve Angry Men” – Teaching Sam and Scout” regularly.Your humoristic style is witty, keep it up! And you can look our website about free ip proxy.
This is great! Thank you. You really should package this all together for a $5 complete unit on TpT. I would have gladly paid for that.
Love your materials and am using them in my 7th grade class. However, your packet refers to 3 acts – all of my materials only have 2 acts. What version of the play are you using?
There are only 2 Acts in this play, so I’m confused about you doing 3. Am I missing something?
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