Let your students decide the verdicts! Ten scripts incorporate details of each crime into a trial format, allowing the story to unfold, with the audience having the option to serve as the jury. The format, with each verdict detailed in a separate section, allows the students to discuss the probable trial outcome, sharpening critical thinking skills in the process. Based on actual trial transcripts, students will be inspired to investigate the crimes and issues more fully.

Features:

An introduction about using Readers Theatre

10 reproducible scripts

Suggestions for presentation, props, and delivery

Opportunities for the audience to serve as the jury

A historical photograph for each script





Scripts:

A Deadly Secret: The Lincoln Assassination Conspiracy Trial

A Woman's Right: The United States vs. Susan B. Anthony

She Took an Axe: The Commonwealth of Massachusetts vs. Lizzie Borden

Say It Ain't So: The State of Illinois vs. Eddie Cicottee et al (The Trial of the White Sox Scandal of 1919)

A Perfect Crime: The People Against Nathan Leopold, Jr. and Richard Loeb (The Sentence Hearing)

Taking the Test: The State of Tennessee vs. John Thomas Scopes (The Scopes Monkey Trial)

An Arrogant Man: The Trial of David C. Stephenson, Grand Dragon of the Ku Klux Klan

In Defense of Home: The People of Michigan vs. Ossian Sweet et al

Evading the Truth: The United States vs. Al Capone

When the Bough Breaks: The State vs. Hauptmann (The Trial of Bruno Richard Hauptmann for the Kidnapping and Murder of Charles A. Lindbergh, Jr.)







Award Winner!

Winner of the AEP (EdPress) Distinguished Achievement Award for "She Took an Axe" (as "Murder on Second Street" in Read magazine, Weekly Reader)