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Overview
Our Just Mercy curriculum guide grounds students in the historical context of US racial segregation and the Civil Rights movement. It’s a powerful tool for teaching about Criminal Justice, Media Literacy, the US Court System, and US History.
Just Mercy has been recognized for the way the film expands our circle of empathy. Read the full Stanford study.
Teaching Tips
The Just Mercy Curriculum Guide and Student Learning Guide can be used with clips from the film or even film references rather than showing the entire film.
Literary Connections
Our curriculum guide for Just Mercy and the film itself pair well with Bryan Stevenson’s memoir which inspired the film, Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption. It is also available in a version adapted for young adults, Just Mercy: A True Story of the Fight for Justice.
Some educators combine this film and our film guide with To Kill A Mockingbird.
- Type: Narrative Feature Film
- Lesson Grades: 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, College
- Rating: PG-13
- Ages: 13–17, 18–24, 25+
- Run time: 120 or longer
Where to Watch
Watch it on Amazon and other streaming platforms. Or buy the Blu-ray or DVD.
Curriculum Guide
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Lesson 1 The “Nadir of Black History”
Subject: History, U.S. History
Lesson Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
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Lesson 2 The Case of Walter McMillian
Subject: English Language Arts, Film Literacy, Language Arts, Media Literacy
Lesson Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
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Lesson 3 A Long Path to Justice
Subject: Government, History, U.S. History
Lesson Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
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Lesson 4 Wrongful Convictions in Our Justice System
Subject: Civics, Government, U.S. History
Lesson Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Student Packet
We created an Independent Student Learning packet for this film as the resources released in 2020 and was designed to support distance learning.
Group Discussion Facilitation Guidelines
These tips can help you create safe space for classroom engagement on the themes and subjects of this film.
Glossary of Film Terms
The Glossary of Film Terms is useful for the Film Literacy lessons that are part of this curriculum guide.
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