Schooled Ya

✏️ For use with the YA version or the adult version of Bryan Stevenson's Just MercyThese slides include over 30 questions/prompts to get students thinking about issues presented in the text. There is at least one question /prompt for each of the 16 chapters, as well as the epilogue, and several for before students even begin reading the text. These can be used as a warm-up, or to break up the readings. They can also be printed for independent work as students read the text. Many can also be us

✏️ "The Rules weren't meant to be broken. They were meant for the broken to follow." -Jason Reynolds This quick assignment challenges students to think critically about the societal norms and unwritten rules that exist in their school, community, families, and society. It encourages them to consider the three rules presented in the text and to relate them to their own experiences. This is perfect for a sub day as it can be used as a stand-alone assignment and has everything the substitute and s

These learning stations are created as an introduction to the memoir, Just Mercy. In these six learning stations, students will be presented with components of the text that will front load concepts they’ll need to understand prior to reading so that they can better understand the text. They can also be used in conjunction with literature circles. These learning stations can be done in person, with students physically rotating from station to station, or they can be done digitally and submitted

This is digital handout to be used with Bryan Stevenson's TED Talk which can be found on YouTube. Included in the handout are four vocabulary questions: matriarch, exoneration, capital punishment, and mass incarceration. There are also nine additional guiding questions that ensure students have a fundamental understanding of Stevenson's assertions in his TED Talk. This can be used as a standalone lesson on social justice or in conjunction with Bryan Stevenson's book, Just Mercy. It is a great

This worksheet is designed to be used with the Fairfax Network interview of author Jason Reynolds, which can be found through this link on YouTube. The worksheet has 15 questions for students to follow along with during the 30-minute interview. I've also included an answer key although student responses may vary. This worksheet would be great at the beginning of a unit on Reynolds' work, especially Ghost, The Boy in the Black Suit, and All American Boys, as he briefly discusses those texts. I

This unit is designed specifically for Just Mercy and/or Stamped, however, it can be used in conjunction with any social justice unit. Students DO NOT have to read either text to be able to complete these activities, but they DO need to be aware of the social issues presented in order to build an effective Social Justice Public Service Announcement This unit is all online and is ready for students who are currently distance learning. All worksheets can also be printed if your school is currentl

To be used with the YA or adult version of Bryan Stevenson's, Just MercyIncluded in this set are 12 prompts in a Google Slideshow that are to be used to spark critical thinking in students. You can use distribute these via your LMS or they can be projected on the board. You can give students the option of responding to one of the twelve, or assign them all as they correspond to the the topics presented throughout the text. This is perfect for a sub day as it can be used as a stand alone quick

These learning stations are created as an introduction to the true story, The Devil's Highway. In these six learning stations, students will be presented with components of the text that will front-load concepts they’ll need to understand prior to reading so that they can better understand the text. They can also be used in conjunction with literature circles.These learning stations can be done in person, with students physically rotating from station to station, or they can be done digitally a

In preparation for Bryan Stevenson's Just Mercy, students will be challenged with ten thought-provoking questions about humanity, mistakes, the justice system, and their perspectives. Finally, they will be asked to reflect upon their own mistakes and a just punishment. This resource is a Google Doc that can be used digitally or printed out. It can take up to two class periods if you allow time for in-class discussions.

This student organizer is meant to be printed out for each student to use as they are studying Bryan Stevenson's Just Mercy. Alternatively, the Google Slides can be distributed electronically for students to complete. There is a Google slide that includes space for students to identify the author's claim and cite textual evidence, as well as interact with the text thoughtfully. There are ten prompts for students to choose from for each chapter. They include concepts such as tone, rhetoric,

This paragraph organizer allows students to deeply analyze the rhetoric (specifically ethos, pathos, and logos) Reynolds uses in his commencement speech at Lesley University. The speech can be found on YouTube. This includes a quick SOAP analysis and a paragraph organizer designed to guide students through the paragraph writing process. This can be used as a standalone lesson, or in conjunction with Reynolds's texts. Check out my lessons for Long Way Down!This can be used for distance or in-per

This is a culminating project for use after students have read Just Mercy. This resource challenges students to reflect on the societal issues presented in Just Mercy and includes directions for creating the PSA. The goal of this project is for students to see themselves as advocates for change. Included in this resource: 25 student-facing slides with directionsa PSA worksheet (Google Doc) for students to use as a guide/brainstorming sheet as they create their PSAThis resource can be used dur

This anticipation guide is designed for students to complete prior to reading Reynolds' Long Way Down.There are 10 statements included for students to respond to. This assignment would be great for students to prepare for a debate or oral presentation. This is perfect for a sub day as it can be used as a stand-alone assignment and has everything the substitute and students need to have a productive day!This version is a Google Doc so you can directly upload it to Google Classroom or Canvas, or

This is a character comparison digital organizer/worksheet for four of the main characters in the text: Mariam, Laila, Tariq, and Rasheed. It is designed to have students think critically about the character traits of each character, and challenges them to pull and cite quotes for each character. Furthermore, it prompts them to consider how the author juxtaposed these characters to further drive the plot. This organizer is extremely helpful for students who are preparing to write an essay on

These Bell Ringers are designed to get students thinking about the issues presented in Khaled Hosseini’s A Thousand Splendid Suns. There are over 15 questions, to be used on 15 different days to begin conversations with students. Each question has the chapter number included to prevent spoilers! You may wish to have students respond in a notebook or on a discussion board. Each one is designed to take about ten minutes to respond to. In addition, there are suggestions for notes for each part

This author study worksheet is a blank slate for any text! Buy this once and use it for multiple texts at multiple grade levels! Students can conduct their own research prior to reading a text to better understand the author's background. I highly recommend using this so that students can verify the authenticity of an author and help them better understand the author's point of view.In addition to the basic biographical questions, this worksheet asks students to reflect on what they have in com

These learning stations are created as an introduction to the text, Long Way Down. In these six learning stations, students will be presented with components of the text that will front load concepts they’ll need to understand prior to reading so that they can better understand the text. They can also be used in conjunction with literature circles.These learning stations can be done in person, with students physically rotating from station to station, or they can be done digitally and submitted

This author study worksheet is a straightforward way for students to get to know Jeff Kinney. It can be used with a simple Google search but most answers can be found directly from his website, WimpyKid.com. I recommend using this worksheet prior to reading any of his texts, especially the kid-approved, Diary of a Wimpy Kid series! Students can conduct their own research prior to reading his texts to better understand the his background. I highly recommend using this so that students can co

✏️ Use this package of over 15 chapter-by-chapter questions as you take your class through Bryan Stevenson's compelling story, Just Mercy. These short answer questions will inspire students to think deeply about the author’s themes. These slides include over 25 questions to get your students thinking critically about the issues presented in each chapter.In addition to working as homework assignments, the slides can also serve as small-group or full-class discussion starters, short-answer quizz

This assignment is designed to get students to focus on adjectives, common and proper nouns, and literary analysis. It is designed for students in grades 5-9, and more specifically for EL students. Please see the included worksheet for the digital/printable copy. There is also a slide is designed in case you’d like to simply copy and paste the questions on Google Classroom, Canvas, or another platform.