Back to Projects

12 Angry Jurors

School: Four Rivers Charter Public School

City/State: Greenfield, MA

Grade(s): 9

Format(s): Program: Playbill

Subject(s): English Language Arts, Social Studies

Project Overview

This playbill was created by 9th graders at the Four Rivers Charter School in Greenfield, Massachusetts as a way to introduce audience members to their play.

Unlike typical programs, this one contains original student writing. The audience is captive – waiting quietly for the show to start – which provides a perfect opportunity to share information about the topic, the cast and other relevant details, and to highlight the work of students beyond the actual production.

This program includes an introduction to the play, which the students adapted from the movie 12 Angry Men, actor bios, information about writing workshops (and samples of what students wrote), and researched information about fair trials and the justice system.

How This Project Can Be Useful

  • Shows how a functional item such as a playbill can also be a means for sharing content knowledge
  • Highlights a product with a real audience – an audience that has an interest (and time) in reading the details shared
  • When considered together with the performing of the play, this product exemplifies an interdisciplinary investigation with a real purpose for a literal audience
  • Models the interdisciplinary combination of history, ethics and language arts

Common Core State Standards

Standard Long Term Learning Target
RL.9-10.3
  • I can analyze how complex characters develop, interact with other characters and advance the plot or theme.
W.6.1
  • I can write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.
W.8.3
  • I can write narrative texts about real or imagined experiences using relevant details and event sequences that make sense.
W.9-10.8
  • I can follow a standard format for citation.
W.9-10.9
  • I can select evidence from literary informational texts to support analysis, reflection and research.
L.9-10.3
  • I can use a style manual appropriate for the discipline and type of writing.
L.9-10.6
  • I can use resources to build my vocabulary.
WHST.9-10.8
  • EL has not created long-term learning targets for WHST standards.
WHST.9-10.9
  • EL has not created long-term learning targets for WHST standards.
Back to Projects