Lesson Plan Title: Black Lives Matter and Case Studies

Date: TBD

Subject: ELA A30 Grade: 12

Topic: Current events relating to the themes of the book; Black Lives Matter movement and
case studies of police shootings

Essential Question:

Estimated duration of lesson: 65 minutes without documentary. Documentary adds another

70 minutes with watch time and follow-up discussion.

Materials: Novel Brother by David Chariandy, youtube video on Black Lives Matter, Links to
information on case studies, loose leaf for students to take notes, link to documentary and
student journals

Stage 1- Desired Results – you may use student friendly language

What do they need to understand, know, and/or able to do?
By the end of this lesson students will have a deeper and more holistic understanding of the Black
Lives Matter movement and will be able to identify how the novel relates to these relevant issues.
They will know at least 2 specific case studies that tie these themes and issues into a
contemporary scope, and will be able to translate the skills of a case study to other issues they
may/will encounter in the news/media later in life.

Broad Areas of Learning:

Sense of self, Community, and Place
Engaged Citizens

Cross-Curricular Competencies:
Developing Identity and Interdependence
Developing Literacies
Developing Social Responsibility

Outcome(s):

CR A 30.1
CR A 30.2

PGP Goals:

1.3 a commitment to social justice and the capacity to nurture an inclusive and equitable
environment for the empowerment of all learners;
2.1 knowledge of Canadian History, especially in reference to Saskatchewan and Western Canada;
2.4 ability to use technologies readily, strategically and appropriately
2.5 knowledge of a number of subjects taught in Saskatchewan schools (disciplinary/
interdisciplinary knowledge); and
4.3 the capacity to engage in program planning to shape ‘lived curriculum’ that brings learner
needs, subject matter, and contextual variables together in developmentally appropriate,
culturally responsive and meaningful ways
Stage 2- Assessment
Assessment FOR Learning (formative) Assess the students during the learning to help determine
next steps.

Formative assessment will again be done through class polls and teacher recognition of individual
comprehension level based on contribution and overall demeanor.

Exit slips could also be performed throughout this lesson should it span over the course of several
class periods.

Teacher will gage class awareness of the application of information and skills throughout the case
studies, as this practice with case studies will be of direct help when the assessment piece is
introduced later in the unit.

Assessment OF Learning (summative) Assess the students after learning to evaluate what they
have learned.

There will be no graded piece of summative assessment for this lesson as it focuses on the facts
and events of real cases. Instead of forcing students to regurgitate facts about the case studies,
students will be asked to journal about their thoughts and reflections on the case studies and/or
documentary. This will allow the teacher to gage how well the students are grasping the reality of
these themes and concepts.
Stage 3- Learning Plan

Motivational/Anticipatory Set (introducing topic while engaging the students)

Teacher will begin the lesson by prefacing the following youtube clip on the Black Lives Matter
movement. Students will be prompted to remember the events and themes of the novel as they
watch this clip relating to contemporary social issues.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMedqlxbFfM

Main Procedures/Strategies:

Group Discussion (15 minutes):

Teacher led class discussion on how this movement relates to the themes in Brother.

Case Study #1- Trayvon Martin (20 minutes)

https://www.cnn.com/2013/06/05/us/trayvon-martin-shooting-fast-facts/index.html
Exploration of the facts and timelines surrounding this case will be led by teacher. Again, links will
be made to the events and themes from the novel

Case Study #2- Andrew Loku (20 minutes)

http://nationalpost.com/news/toronto/the-life-and-bloody-death-of-andrew-loku
Exploration of the facts and timelines surrounding this case will be led by teacher. Again, links will
be made to the events and themes from the novel

Emphasis will be given to validity and bias of the sources of this data when looking at these case
studies. Students will be encouraged to think back to the lesson on lenses and bias to help with
their understanding of trusting reporting.

Optional Supplementary Instruction/Information (40 minute video + 20 minutes discussion and

decompression. 10 minutes journaling to follow)—
Stay Woke: The Black Lives Matter Movement Documentary (full) https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=eIoYtKOqxeU

This resource can be incorporated should class/unit time allow. Showing this full documentary
will help students more thoroughly grasp and understand the movement, but omission of the
documentary from the lesson/unit plan will not be detrimental to learning.

Adaptations/Differentiation:

Any student who requires assistive technology will be permitted, and encouraged, to use it
throughout the course of the lesson and the research activity.

Any EAL students or students with exceptionalities who may be struggling with terminology or
concepts will be offered additional one-to-one explanations with the teacher at lunch or after
school, or will also be given options to either pair up with a peer who could help them or to use
technology to more thoroughly understand what is being talked about.

Closing of lesson:

Teacher will close the lesson by either linking the documentary back to the themes discussed, or
by reiterating how the themes of the novel are tied to real life issues.