Literature Lesson Plans - Sykalo Eugen 2024
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander
Subject: Social Studies (Civil Rights, Race and Ethnicity in the US)
Grade Level: 11-12 (Note: Due to the book's complex themes and mature content, consider student age and maturity levels)
Time Allotment: 6-8 weeks (This can be adjusted based on class time and desired depth of study)
Learning Objectives:
- Students will analyze the concept of mass incarceration and its historical roots in the United States.
- Students will evaluate the impact of the War on Drugs and racial profiling on communities of color.
- Students will understand the concept of colorblindness and its limitations in addressing racial injustice.
- Students will identify and analyze the various ways people of color are disenfranchised by the criminal justice system.
- Students will participate in respectful discussions, debates, and written assignments that explore the book's arguments.
Materials:
- Copies of The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
- Whiteboard or projector
- Markers or pens
- Handouts for activities and assignments (key term definitions, discussion questions, graphic organizers, research prompts)
- Access to computers with internet for research (optional)
Lesson Procedures:
Week 1-2: Introduction and Historical Context
- Introduction: Introduce Michelle Alexander and the concept of mass incarceration. Briefly discuss the dramatic increase in prison populations in the United States since the 1970s.
- Historical Roots: Explore the historical roots of mass incarceration, including the legacy of slavery, convict leasing, and the War on Drugs. Discuss how these policies disproportionately affected communities of color.
Activities:
- Students can create a timeline that tracks the rise of mass incarceration in the United States and key events that contributed to it.
- Research and present on a specific historical figure or event related to the development of the carceral state (e.g., Richard Nixon's War on Drugs, convict leasing system in the South).
Week 3-4: The War on Drugs and Racial Bias
- The War on Drugs: Analyze the impact of the War on Drugs on communities of color. Discuss racial profiling, mandatory minimum sentencing laws, and the crack cocaine sentencing disparity.
- Colorblindness Critique: Explore Alexander's critique of colorblind racism and how it hinders efforts to address racial bias in the criminal justice system.
Activities:
- Students can compare and contrast sentencing guidelines for crack cocaine and powder cocaine, analyzing the racial implications.
- Hold a Socratic Seminar discussion on the concept of colorblindness and its limitations in achieving racial justice.
Week 5-6: The New Jim Crow and Disenfranchisement
- The New Jim Crow: Analyze how the criminal justice system functions as a new form of racial control, disenfranchising people of color through incarceration and felony disenfranchisement laws.
- Disenfranchisement's Impact: Discuss the impact of disenfranchisement on political participation and representation.
Activities:
- Students can create a graphic organizer that outlines the various ways people of color are disenfranchised by the criminal justice system (e.g., incarceration, fines, loss of employment opportunities, housing discrimination).
- Research and report on disenfranchisement laws in different states and their impact on voter turnout.
Week 7-8: Solutions and Discussion
- Solutions and Reform: Discuss potential solutions and reforms to address mass incarceration and racial bias in the criminal justice system.
- Contemporary Issues: Explore how issues like police violence and cash bail contribute to mass incarceration and disproportionately impact communities of color.
Activities:
- Have a class debate on a specific criminal justice reform proposal, with students researching and presenting arguments for and against.
- Students can write a persuasive essay advocating for a specific reform in the criminal justice system based on their understanding of the book.
Differentiation:
- Provide scaffolding and support for struggling readers through chapter summaries, key term glossaries, and discussion prompts.
- Challenge advanced students with independent research projects on specific aspects of mass incarceration or the impact on specific demographics.
- Offer a variety of response formats for assignments to cater to different learning styles (e.g., presentations, infographics, creative writing).
Assessment:
- Class participation in discussions and debates
- Historical context timelines
- Key term definitions
- Graphic organizers analyzing disenfranchisement
- Research presentations
- Persuasive essays or creative projects on criminal justice reform
Note: This lesson plan is a framework and can be adapted to fit the specific needs of your class and the time available. It is important to create a safe and respectful classroom environment for students to discuss sensitive.