Monday, September 24, 2012

September 28

READ-A-THON
Bring your novel to class (the one you checked out from the library last week)
Fill out the reading log
Answer the following question: "Describe the main character both physically and psychologically

Vocabulary quiz

Homework:
MOCK TRIAL
Over the weekend, print the case and 
re-read the witness statements for your side (Defense or Prosecution)

The main idea of the play Twelve Angry Men is that we need to think before we make big decisions in life. We will continue this unit this week and next as we work on our own mock trial.  Get ready to play the parts of lawyers and witnesses. This is a blast!

Here's the case of Beck Martin vs. The State of Utah

As we read through the case today, I want you to keep track of specific details from the witness statements.  At the end of the week, you will be writing opening statements and cross examination questions, and you can't write effectively without specific details.
(The ,+and here is similar to the grammar sentence we had at the beginning of the period today.  Can you explain why?)

Here's a list of the vocabulary for Friday's quiz.  It is taken from the case we are studying
Vocabulary found in Beck Martin vs. The State of Utah

Thursday, September 20, 2012

September 20, 2012

Today we will finish the movie Twelve Angry Men.  The question we are considering today is "Why are the men angry?"
Juror 3 is angry--why?
Juror 10 is angry--why?
Juror 7 gets angry
Juror 11 gets angry at Juror 7
Even juror 9 gets angry once.
It's also interesting to consider why some of the other jurors don't get angy.

If you've been absent, here's an online text of the entire play that you will need to read to catch up:
Twelve Angry Men

In the next few days we will be working on our own mock trial.  Get ready to play the parts of lawyers and witnesses.
Here's the case of Beck Martin vs. The State of Utah

Monday, September 17, 2012

Monday, September 17, 2012

12 Angry Men Vocabulary--test Friday

At the beginning of the trial the judge tells the members of the jury that it is there responsibility to "separate the facts from the fancy."  How does one do that?  Jury 10 says that it's possible to overthink these things and that they all know, deep down, that the boy is guilty.  The point of the play is that we must think through these things if we are to come to just decisions or sometimes innocent people are sent to the electric chair.  And yet, there is a decent chance that if the jury in this play acquits the boy (let's him off), they will be letting a dangerous criminal go.  Tough decision, huh?

The Prosecution's Case

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

September 12, 2012

Today's assignment:
List the jurors
And briefly summarize their feelings concerning the accused's guilt.  Give an example from the play
1
2
3

4

5
6
7
8

9
10

11
12

Monday, September 10, 2012

September 11, 2012

Journal Writing Assignment:

Write one paragraph:
In the United States, civil trials  and murder trials have a different standard for determining guilt.
In a civil trial, if the judge is 51% sure you did it, you're guilty.
In a murder trial with a jury, the standard is "beyond reasonable doubt."  In your mind, just what is "reasonable doubt"? 

September 10, 2012

Journal Writing Assignment:

What was your favorite assignment ever in school?
Explain what you liked about it?

Write a minimum of 5 sentences.
Then underline the sentence that you think is the best