P age |1
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P age |2
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P age |3
Teacher’s Resources
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P age |4
Teacher Resources
Overview
Tha nk you for purchasing this unit plan for 12 Angry Men, whi ch can take approximately three weeks to
compl ete. For each i tem s tarred on the suggested timeline (*), you will find an a ctivity i n the bundle you
purcha sed from my s tore. Some will be accompanied by teacher i nstructions i n the Teacher’s Materials
s ecti on. Others are s tand-alone printables you will find in the Student Resources s ection. The Student
Res ources are designed so that you ca n either hand them out one-at-a-time or print them all out to make a
Student Pa cket for the unit.
Thi s three-week plan ca n easily be extended by i ncluding a ny other classroom l essons you normally use, such
a s daily bell-ringer a ctivities, voca bulary a nd/or s pelling lessons, S.S.R., etc.
Thi s plan does not require s tudents to complete a ny reading independently outside of cl ass. You could
reduce the length of this unit by a sking students to read parts of the play on their own for homework.
Skills
Developed
Included
Activities
Note: Thi s packet does not include a copy of the 12 Angry Men but numerous websites have copies of the
text a va ilable for free:
12 Angry Men - Google Docs Version
12 Angry Men - Photocopy of Script
Rea d and interpret drama
Ci te textual evidence i n a nalysis
Identify character tra its and how characterization i s used to further plot
Dra w i nferences from the text
Uti l ize background knowledge a nd context clues to formulate logical predications
Communicate with others about how sections of text s upport vi sualization
Understand how comprehension of key voca bulary i ncreases comprehension

12 Angry Men PowerPoi nt Presentation

Student Jury Duty Summons

Wi ngman Worksheet

12 Angry Men Anti ci pation Guide

Understanding Jury Duty Vi deo Follow-Along Notes (using “Oregon Jury Ori entation Vi deo”:
"Jus tice for Al l - a juror orientation vi deo"

El ements of a Courtroom Worksheet (not i ncluded in packet, included as s tand-alone page)

A Jury of Your Peers? Activi ty

Meet the Jurors of 12 Angry Men Acti vi ty

The Judge’s Instructions Acti vity

El ements of the Court Quiz

Act I Fol low-Along Questions

Act I Pl a y vs . Film Venn Diagram

Keeping Tra ck of Evi dence Acti vity

Act II Follow-Along Questions

Act II Fi lm Follow-Along Notes

Exhi bit A – Fl oor Pl an of Defendant’s Apartment (not included i n packet)

Act I a nd II Quiz

Prota gonist/Antagonist Investigation Acti vity

Act III Follow-Along Questions

Words i n Context Activi ty

12 Angry Men Es s ay

12 Angry Men Cros s word Review

12 Angry Men Fi nal Test
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P age |5
Suggested Timeline
Week
One
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Hand out
Jury of Your
Peers? Activit y and
Discussion*
The Judge’s
Instructions
Activit y*
Elements of a
Courtroom Quiz*
Watch Act I of 12
Angry Men film.
Finish reading Act I
Meet the Jurors
of 12 Angry Men
Characterization
Activit y*
Assign Roles and
arrange classroom
Play vs. Film Venn
Diagram Activit y*
12 Angry Men
packets
Friday
P rior t o
B e ginning
Unit :
Jury
Service
Summons
Anticip ation Guide*
Serving on a Jury
Video Follow-Along
Questions and
Discussion of Video*
HW:
Elements of a
Courtroom
Worksheet, Quiz on
Elements of a
Courtroom
Vocabulary
Thursday
Week
Two
Revie w Play vs. Film
Venn Diagram
Keeping Track of
Evidence Activit y*
Begin reading Act
II
Answer Act II
Follow-Along
Questions*
HW:
Work on completing
Act II Follow-Along
Questions
HW:
Meet the Jurors
of 12 Angry Men
Characterization
Activit y, if not done
in class. Quiz on
Thursday
Begin reading Act I
Answer Act I
Follow-Along
Questions*
HW: Study for
tomorrow’s quiz.
HW: Act I FollowAlong Questions
Note: If you
choose not to show
the film, you could
use this day for
SSR, other ELA
activit ie s and/or
working on the
Keeping Track of
the Evidence
Activit y.
HW:
None
Finish Act II
Complete and
revie w Act II
Follow-Along
Questions
Begin Act II of 12
Angry Men film
Act II Film
Follow- Along Notes
Activit y*
HW:
Act I and II Quiz
Tomorrow
Copyright © 2016 Fun, Fresh Ideas for Your Class
Finish Act II of 12
Angry Men film
Act I and II Quiz*
Protagonist/
Antagonist
Investigation
Activit y*
Begin Act III
Finish Act III
Answer Act III
Follow-Along
Questions*
Complete and
revie w Act III
Follow-Along
Questions*
HW:
Work on completing
Act III FollowAlong Questions
Begin Act III 12
Angry Men film
HW:
Finish Protagonist/
Antagonist
Investigation
Activit y
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P age |6
Week
Three
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Finish watching Act
III of 12 Angry
Men film.
Introduce 12 Angry
Men Essay
Assignment*
Computer Lab Day:
Typing 12 Angry Men
Essay
12 Angry Men Test
12 Angry Men Final
Revie w Jeopardy*
Test*
HW:
Revie w Act III
Follow-Along
Questions
Words in Context
Activit y*
Independent work
on essay
HW:
Final 12 Angry Men
Test Friday
HW:
None
Copyright © 2016 Fun, Fresh Ideas for Your Class
HW:
Final 12 Angry Men
Test Friday
Not e : Addit ional time
during Wednesday
or Thursday can also
be used as CatchUp Days
Final 12 Angry Men
Test Friday
HW:
None
Not e: Addit ional
time during
Wednesday or
Thursday can also
be used as CatchUp Days
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P age |7
JURY DUTY SUMMONS
Teacher Instructions: Print one SUMMONS TO APPEAR FOR JURY DUTY for each of your
students and pass them out to them the day before you begin your 12 Angry Men unit as a way
to build excitement. Have them fill out the dates, location (your school or your classroom), time
(your class start time), and their Juror Number (either a randomly selected number or the
number of the juror they will be portraying when you read the play). If students state that they
don’t understand, explain that this is ok, many adults aren’t quite sure what to do when they
get summoned to jury duty and that they will learn all about it in this unit.
SUMMONS
TO APPEAR FOR JURY DUTY
YOU ARE HEARBY SUMMONED FOR JURY SERVICE
IN THE COURT OF THIS CLASSROOM.
Your service begins on the following date: _____/_____/_____ and will continue
until the completion of any trial(s) for which you are selected. Some trials are
short, so you may serve time on more than one jury. Other trials are longer, so
your service may continue beyond one day.
PLEASE ARRIVE AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATION AT THE TIM E LISTED IN
ORDER TO BEGIN YOUR SERVICE.
Location:_________________________________ Time:____________________
JUROR # __________
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P age |8
TEACHING SUGGESTIONS FOR 12 ANGRY MEN ACTIVITIES
12 Angry Men Anticipation Guide:
1) Read each of the statements on the Anticipation Guide aloud to your class. You can display
the Anticipation Guide using the 12 Angry Men PowerPoint Presentation.
2) Allow students time to think about each statement and then check whether they agree or
disagree with it. Make sure they are marking their responses in the “BEFORE READING” section
of the table.
3) After each statement or at the end, go back and survey students to see their answers. (Note:
To turn this activity into a more physical one, have students get out of their seats and move to
one side of the room or the other depending upon their answer.) Ask students to share their
reasoning for each response.
4) Let students know that each of the ideas will be explored in the play they are going to be
reading and that their opinions may or may not change as they read. Explain that first, however,
they are going to learn a little bit more about the setting in which the play occurs (a jury room
after a court case).
A Jury of Your Peers? Activity:
1) Using the 12 Angry Men PowerPoint Presentation, introduce the vocabulary terms: jury and
peers to your class and discuss why the concept of a jury of your peers is so important.
2) For this activity, pass out one “A Jury of Your Peers? Crime Cards” to each student (or, if
desired, one to each group of students if you choose to make this a group activity).
3) Instruct them that today, instead of being on the jury, they are going to pretend to be the
lawyers choosing a jury. They are the defense attorneys for a person who is accused of the
crime on the card. Once they understand the crime, explain that they now must choose the 12
people they most want on their jury.
4) Depending upon the level of your class, discussion can be held about different reasons why
people might select different people (i.e. If the crime is drunk-driving, a lawyer might not want
someone who had lost a loved one in a drunk-driving accident in case they might not be able to
be fair in the case.).
5) Use the 12 Angry Men PowerPoint Presentation to describe each of the jurists. (Note: Due to
copyright laws, no photographs of individuals are included in the PointPoint Presentation or the
accompanying activity sheet. It might be interesting, however, to include photos representing
each of the people described in the activity to add another discussion point – “Do we judge
people based on their appearances? Is this right or wrong?” to your lesson.)
6) Have students read through each juror’s description and then complete the questions asking
them which individuals would make up their jury. Have class discuss who they chose to serve on
their jury and who they would definitely not include on their jury and why.
Meet the Jurors of 12 Angry Men Activity:
1) Using the 12 Angry Men PowerPoint Presentation, introduce the jurors from 12 Angry Men.
The students should follow along in their worksheets.
2) As you introduce the characters, make sure that the students understand the bold and
underlined words, as they provide important characterization of each juror. (Note: If desired,
these words could become part of a vocabulary lesson, being added to the court themed words
already presented).
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P age |9
3) The students should then work independently or with a partner on reading the
action/statement of jurors and using their descriptions to predict which juror is most likely to
have done/said each example. Class should then discuss their predictions and how they used
the description of the characters to make their decisions.
The Judge’s Instructions Activity
1) Read the judge’s instructions from the beginning of 12 Angry Men aloud to the class. (Note:
Another option is to show the beginning of either the 1957 or 1997 version of the film.) Use the
12 Angry Men PowerPoint Presentation to display the text.
2) Go over the relevant vocabulary words with your students and have them copy the
definitions into their packets.
3) Discuss with the students what tone the author has created by starting the play with these
instructions.
Assigning Roles and Arranging the Classroom
1) This play is best read with students seated with their desks either in a large circle or with
desks facing/touching each other as if the table in the play. Students who do not have roles can
sit outside the circle/table and can either take turns reading roles or can complete the 12 Angry
Men Wingman Activity Sheet (This sheet is also perfect for shy students who do not feel
comfortable or flat out refuse to read a role. It keeps them involved and engaged without
forcing them to participate in the actual reading of the play.).
2) This play is idea for classrooms with students who require differentiation because there are
roles that are less involved than others. The foreman, Juror #2, Juror #5, Juror #6, and Juror #11
all have far fewer lines than Jurors #3, 8, and 10 who have very involved and energetic
interactions. The latter roles are better suited for more adventurous students who like to
perform.
3) If possible, print off copies of the play in advance and have one copy for each role with the
role’s lines already highlighted. Give the students three to five minutes to look through the act
they will be reading that day to familiarize themselves with their lines and ask any questions
about words they don’t understand.
4) While reading, have the students read the lines, but you (or another student) read the stage
directions. If the stage directions require students to get up and move – have your students do
that if they are willing, discuss how seeing the action helps our comprehension of what is
happening during the scene.
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P a g e | 10
Act I, II, and III Follow-Along Questions
1) These questions can either be answered together as a class while performing the play in
order to ensure all students are comprehending or independently by students after they are
done reading each scene.
2) Questions reinforce basic comprehension as well as provide opportunity for inference and
prediction.
3) Allow time to go over and review correct answers with students to ensure all students have a
strong handle on what has happened in each act.
Act I Play vs. Film Venn Diagram Activity
1) Have students work on this activity while watching the film as a way to ensure that students
are paying attention and remaining focused.
2) After stopping the film, give students 5-10 minutes to work with partners or in groups to
share answers.
3) As a great summarizing activity, complete a large venn diagram on the front board together
as a class, allowing students to provide the answers the wrote on their papers.
Keeping Track of Evidence Activity
1) Give students five minutes to complete this task on their own, using the play to help them.
2) Share answers as a class, returning to the text as necessary to ensure that correct answers
are given and all evidence is provided.
3) When evidence has been recorded on the sheet, discuss with the students whether or not
they believe the evidence is pointing towards the defendant being guilty or not guilty of the
crime.
Act II Film Follow-Along Notes
1) Have students work on this activity while watching the film as a way to ensure that students
are paying attention and remaining focused.
2) Inform students that they should be looking for anything that was the same between the
play and the film, anything that was different, and if they can’t find either of those , that they
can document moments in the film that seemed more interesting or important to them when
they saw it in the film than it seemed when they read it/listened to it in class.
3) Afterwards, have students share and discuss their responses.
Protagonist/Antagonist Investigations
1) Using the 12 Angry Men PowerPoint Presentation, introduce (or review the concepts) your
class to the vocabulary terms – PROTAGONIST and ANTAGONIST. Have students discuss which
character in the play is the protagonist and which one is the main antagonist.
2) Have students look at the example that has been done for them. Review the steps they will
need to complete their tables, looking for each juror, deciding (based on their
actions/statements) whether they are an ally (a helper) to the protagonist or one of several
antagonists, and how to find examples from the text to support their answers.
3) Alone or in partners or groups, give students time to complete the activity. Note: This could
also be given as a homework assignment.
4) Review examples as a class having each group share several of their examples if time allows.
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P a g e | 11
Words in Context Activity
1) Read the instructions aloud to the class. They will be using context clues to determine what
words with multiple means are really saying in important passages from the play.
2) Allow students to work in partners or teams on this activity.
3) As an extension of the activity, break class into four groups. Have each group explain why
they chose the way they did on a large chart paper and present their decision to the class.
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P a g e | 12
Jury of Your Peers? Crime Cards
A 19-year-old man is accused A 35-year-old woman is
of drunk-driving and running accused of shoplifting $2,500
his car into a parked car. No worth of jewelry and other
one was injured.
accessories from a
department store over a
two-week period.
A 28-year-old man is accused A 40-year-old woman is
of stealing a car. He tells you, accused of murdering her
his lawyer, that he is guilty. abusive husband. She tells you
that she did kill him, but she
did it to save her own life.
A 50-year-old man is accused
An 18-year-old man is
of stealing over $10,000 accused of killing someone as
from his job. He swears that part of a gang initiation. He
he is innocent.
tells you he didn’t do it, but
you don’t know if you believe
him.
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P a g e | 13
Name_____________________________________________________Date_____/_____/_____
Wingman Worksheet
Directions: You are not reading today, so your responsibility is to pay specific attention to what
your classmates are doing and saying. Using what you observe, answer the following questions.
1. Which two classmates seem to be doing the best at reading their role? What are they doing
that is making their reading so engaging?
Student’s Name
Student’s Name
What is s/he doing well?
What is s/he doing well?
2. What would you say is the most important moment from the play that you heard today?
Why was this moment so important?
The most important moment from today’s reading …
It was important because…
3. Based on today’s reading, what do you think is going to happen next in the play? Why are
you making that prediction?
The most important moment from today’s reading …
It was important because…
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P a g e | 14
Name_____________________________________________________Date_____/_____/_____
Elements of the Courtroom Quiz
(24 points)
Directions: Match the description of each person you will find in a courtroom to their title:
_____ 1. this person’s job is to ensure that the trial is fair
a. plaintiff
_____ 2. one who brings the suit to court or the state
b. court reporter
_____ 3. one who is being sued or who is being accused
c. judge
_____ 4. people who will provide information about the case
d. defendant
_____ 5. the communication link between the jury and the court
e. witnesses
_____ 6. the person who records everything that is said in court
f. bailiff
7. Why might someone be excused from jury duty?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
8. What are the two types of evidence that may be presented during a trial?
_____ 9. You are not allowed to do the following things if you are on a jury except:
a. post information about the trial on your Facebook page
b. watch news or read newspaper articles about the case
c. talk about the case with the other jurors and alternate jurors when you are
together in the jury room
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P a g e | 15
_____10. Judge’s Bench
_____11. Witness Stand
A
_____12. Court Reporter
H
I
_____13. Prosecuting Attorney
J
_____14. Jurors
C
_____15. Jury Box
L
G
_____16. Defendant/Accused
B
_____17. Defense Table
K
E
F
_____18. Prosecution Table
_____19. Visitors’ Gallery
_____20. Judge
D
_____21. Witness
Directions:
Write “T” if the statement below is true or “F” if the statement is
TRUE
or FALSE
false.
_____ 22. It is important to keep an open-mind while serving on a jury.
_____ 23. The person who presides over the jury’s deliberations is called the judge.
_____ 24. You take an oath to tell the truth when going through the jury selection process.
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P a g e | 16
Name_____________________________________________________Date_____/_____/_____
Acts I and II Quiz
(20 points)
Directions: Choose the letter that best answers each question below.
_____ 1. At what time of year does the play take place?
a.
winter
b.
spring
c.
summer
_____ 2. Before the jurors leave the courtroom, who gives them final instructions?
a.
the prosecuting attorney
b.
the foreman
c.
the judge
_____ 3. Who is the defendant and for what is he being tried?
a.
a young man being tried for the murder of his father
b.
a boy being tried for murdering the old man downstairs
c.
a man being tried for murdering his son
_____ 4. What is the “burden of proof?”
a.
the responsibility of the jury to come up with the right verdict
b.
the responsibility a person has to prove they are innocent
c.
the principle that states the defendant does not have to prove anything
but the prosecution must prove guilt
_____ 5. How do most of the jurors seem to feel when they first enter the jury room?
a.
tired, uncomfortable and eager to return with a guilty verdict
b.
willing to do whatever is necessary to reach the correct verdict
c.
eager to return a fair verdict and energized to do that
_____ 6. Why do the jurors vote before discussing any of the evidence at the start of Act I?
a.
to get an early idea on what everyone thinks about the case
b.
the judge tells them to
c.
its obvious everyone thinks the defendant is guilty
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P a g e | 17
_____ 7. Based on how important their testimony was to the jury, who are the two most
important witnesses in the case?
a.
an old man who lives in the apartment downstairs and a woman who
lives across the street
b.
a young boy next door and his mother
c.
the policeman and the doctor
_____ 8. According
a.
b.
c.
to the evidence, what weapon is used to kill the victim?
a switchblade knife
a butcher knife
a handgun
_____ 9. Why does the alleged eyewitness say she was awake at the time of the murder?
a.
it was too cold to sleep
b.
the el train was too noisy
c.
it was too hot to sleep
_____ 10. What is the defendant’s alibi?
a.
He claims to have been at the store buying a knife.
b.
He claims to have been at a ball game.
c.
He claims to have been at the movies.
_____ 11. At the beginning of Act II, Juror #9 (the old man), changes his vote from guilty to not
guilty. What reason does he give for the switch?
a.
He thought the defendant was not guilty.
b.
He thought Juror 8 was brave for standing alone against the rest and
wanted to hear more.
c.
He just wanted to get the whole thing over with.
_____ 12. What does Juror #9 say makes him believe that maybe the old man just wanted a
little bit of attention and respect?
a.
Because Juror #9 is old too and knows how the old man feels
b.
Because he knew the old man and was friends with him
c.
Because he could tell the old man was lying because he didn’t like the
defendant
_____ 13. What phrase did the defendant say that Juror 3 doesn’t think anyone ever says
unless they really mean it?
a.
“I’m going to kill you!”
b.
“I hate you!”
c.
“I wish you were dead!”
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P a g e | 18
_____ 14. Why doesn’t Juror #8 believe the old man could have heard the boy yell, “I’m going
to kill you!”
a.
The el train was roaring past his window at the time.
b.
He was old and hard-of-hearing.
c.
Juror #8 knows he was lying.
_____ 15. What does the experiment with the map of the apartment and timing the old man’s
walk from his bed to the front door seem to prove?
a
That the defendant was innocent
b.
That the defendant was guilty
c.
That the old man probably didn’t see the defendant running out of the
apartment building 15 seconds after his father’s body hit the floor
_____ 16. Which juror has not shown any signs of changing his vote from guilty to not guilty?
a.
Juror #3
b.
Juror #5
c.
Juror #8
_____ 17. Which of the following words best describes Juror #3
a.
Calm, thoughtful
b.
Angry, upset
c.
Uncaring, bored
_____ 18. What is the diagram of the apartment that the jurors look at when discussing the
old man’s statements called in a court case?
a.
Witness testimony
b.
Physical evidence
c.
Murder weapon
_____ 19. What does Juror #8 say that makes Juror #3 so angry?
a.
Accuses him of being the murderer
b.
Tells him he thinks that the defendant is guilty
c.
Accuses him of voting guilty just because he wants to see the defendant
die, not because he truly believes he’s guilty
_____ 20. Why is Juror #3 embarrassed when he yells, “I’ll kill him! I’ll kill him!” at Juror #8?
a.
Because he really means it
b.
Because he doesn’t really mean it, which proves he was wrong earlier
when he said that no one says something like that unless they mean it
c.
Because he is a calm man who hates losing his temper
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P a g e | 19
Name_____________________________________________________Date_____/_____/_____
Final Test
(40 points)
Directions: Choose the letter that best answers each question below.
_____ 1. What reason did the defendant give for the fact that his knife was missing?
a.
he said that his father had taken it earlier in the day
b.
he said that he had probably lost it through a hole in his pocket
c.
he said that he had given it to one of his friends
_____ 2. What importance do the parts in the play where the men vote play in 12 Angry Men?
a.
They show how the power is slowly changing from the “guilty” votes to
the “not guilty” votes.
b.
They show how broken the jury system is in our country.
c.
They show how easy it is to change someone’s mind.
_____ 3. Some of the jurors had a personal prejudice towards this case. Which best describes
the personal prejudice of Juror #10?
a.
age prejudice
b.
gender prejudice
c.
racial prejudice
_____ 4. What is the defendant’s alibi for the crucial time when the murder took place?
a.
he says he was dancing at a large dance hall
b.
he has no alibi
c.
he says he was at the movies (but can’t remember what movies he saw)
_____ 5. Which juror is the main antagonist?
a.
Juror #3
b.
Juror #8
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c.
Juror #6
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P a g e | 20
_____ 6. What physical disability did the old man who lived downstairs from the defendant
have?
a.
poor eyesight
b.
poor mobility – walked with a cane or a walker
c.
poor hearing
_____ 7. How did the jurors try to get an accurate estimate of the time of the events
described by the old man?
a.
asked each juror to remember what they heard the old man say
b.
asked the foreman to read the transcript of the testimony
c.
acted out the series of events while timing them with a watch
_____ 8. What was the female eyewitness doing when she saw the murder in the apartment
across the street?
a.
washing dishes in the kitchen sink
b.
lying in bed reading a book
c.
tossing and turning in bed while trying to fall asleep
_____ 9. The “not guilty” verdict means that all the jurors were convinced that the defendant
did not commit the crime.
a.
True
b.
False
_____ 10. Which of the following seems to be true about the wound that killed the
defendant’s father?
a.
It was self-inflicted (the father gave it to himself).
b.
It had to have been made by someone taller than the victim.
c.
It was likely made by someone holding the weapon in a strange way
_____ 11. Which one of the following is true about the location of the apartment where the
murder was committed?
a.
very close to the el train
b.
very close to a big airport
c.
a quiet, calm apartment building
_____ 12. What was Juror #3 doing that made Juror #8 angry, causing him to exclaim, “This
isn’t a game!”
a.
playing hangman
b.
doing a crossword puzzle
c.
playing tic-tac-toe with Juror #12
_____ 13. What was the murder weapon?
a.
a switchblade knife
b.
a handgun
c.
a hunting knife
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_____ 14. What fact finally convinces the remaining jurors to vote “not guilty?”
a.
the fact that the eyewitness saw the murder through the windows of a
passing el train
b.
the fact that the alleged eyewitness has poor vision, and may not have
clearly seen what she claims to have saw
c.
the fact that the murder weapon is not as unusual as the prosecuting
attorney made it out to be
Directions: Match the description of each person you will find in a courtroom to their title:
_____ 15. this person’s job is to ensure that the trial is fair
a. plaintiff
_____ 16. one who brings the suit to court or the state
b. court reporter
_____ 17. one who is being sued or who is being accused
c. judge
_____ 18. people who will provide information about the case
d. defendant
_____ 19. the communication link between the jury and the court
e. witnesses
_____ 20. the person who records everything that is said in court
f. bailiff
Directions: Answer each of the following short answer questions using complete sentences.
21. What is a reason why a lawyer might not choose someone to serve on their jury?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
22. Why does our legal system depend on a jury to make decisions regarding guilt and
innocence instead of just letting a judge do it on their own?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
23. Why are you not allowed to post on Facebook or Twitter, read newspaper articles about
the trial or watch news on TV about the trial if you are serving on the jury?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
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Directions: Match each of the letters below to the part of the courtroom they illustrate.
_____24. Judge’s Bench
_____25. Witness Stand
H
_____26. Court Reporter
K
J
_____27. Prosecuting Attorney
L
_____28. Jurors
C
_____29. Jury Box
I
A
_____30. Defendant/Accused
D
_____31. Defense Table
G
B
F
_____32. Prosecution Table
_____33. Visitors’ Gallery
_____34. Judge
E
_____35. Witness
TRUE or FALSE
36. What is one reason why the jury box is located where it is in the courtroom?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
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Directions: Answer each of the following short answer questions using complete sentences.
37. What is one way readers can tell that this trial is taking place during the s ummer?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
38. Who do you think was the most important juror in the play? Why do you feel that way?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
39. Who is the main antagonist of 12 Angry Men and how do you know that?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
40. Do you think the jury saved an innocent man or let a guilty man go free? Support your
answer with at least two reasons from the text.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
BONUS:
For up to 3 bonus points, on the back of this test write about what you think was the most
important moment in play and why this event was so critical to the text.
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Answer Keys:
Elements of the Court Room Quiz (24 Points)
1. c, 2. a, 3. d, 4. e, 5. f, 6. b, 7. answers may vary (juror is biased, juror breaks the rules, attorney doesn’t
think juror will be fair, etc.), 8. testimony, physical evidence, 9. c, 10. i, 11. j, 12. c, 13. l, 14. c, 15. b, 16. f,
17. k, 18. e, 19. d, 20. a, 21. h, 22. t, 23. f, 24. t
Acts I and II Quiz (20 Points)
1. c, 2. c, 3. a, 4. c, 5. a, 6. a, 7. a, 8. a, 9. c, 10. c, 11. b, 12. a, 13. a, 14. a, 15. c, 16. a, 17. b, 18. b, 19. c,
20. b
Final Test (40 Points)
1. b, 2. a, 3. c, 4. c, 5. a, 6. b, 7. c, 8. c, 9. b, 10. c, 11. a, 12. c, 13. a, 14. b, 15. c, 16. a, 17. d, 18. e, 19. f,
20. b, 21. answers may vary, 22. answers may vary, 23. answers may vary, 24. j, 25. l, 26. a, 27. I, 28. c,
29. d, 30. f, 31. c, 32. b, 33. e, 34. h, 35. k, 36. answers may vary but should deal with being centrally
located, close to the witness box and judge, etc., 37. answers may vary, 38. answers may vary, 39.
answers may vary, 40. answers may vary
Serving on a Jury Video Follow-Along Questions
1. The Founding Fathers included trial by jury as a right in the Uni ted States Declaration of
Independence, and the United States Constitution.
2. Answers will vary.
3. Answers will vary.
4. In a criminal case, the state charges a person (defendant) with violating a criminal law. A civil case is a
dispute between two people or businesses.
5. The procedure of prosecuting and defense attorneys choosing jurors for a trial
6. Answers will vary. Student answers should indicate understanding that a juror should not be biased
one way or the other before the trial begins.
6. Answers will vary, but could include listen attentively, take notes, watch the lawyers and the person
testifying, follow judge’s directives, etc.
7. All jurors should talk, discuss, share their thoughts and information about the case fairly and politely.
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8. You must be a U.S. citizen, 18 years of age or older, a resident of the county in which the case is being
held, a registered voter, have a driver’s license or state ID card.
9. True
10. Answers will vary, but should address the larger ideas: We need juries to serve justice, ensure
fairness, and make sure another U.S. citizen is given their rights. They were making a difference, they
would want someone like them on the jury if they were on trial.
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Student Resources
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Understanding Drama Unit
Name_______________________________Period_____
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Anticipation Guide
Directions: Read each statement below. If you agree with it, put an “X” in the
AGREE box. If you disagree with it, put an “X” in the DISAGREE box. Be prepared
to discuss your choices!
Before
Reading
Agree
After
Reading
STATEMENT
Disagree
Agree
Disagree
Everyone is prejudiced against someone.
Getting to the bottom of a complicated issue can’t
be done quickly. It takes time and patience.
One determined person can have a lot of power
over other people.
It’s okay to believe in some stereotypes.
First impressions of people are usually correct.
It’s okay to bully someone into agreeing with you if
you know you are right.
Where a person grows up tells you a lot about who
that person is and whether or not you can trust
them.
Did your opinion change on any of these questions from before to after our unit?
Why do you think that happened? ______________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
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Serving on a Jury
Video Follow-Along Questions
Directions: What the video about what happens when a person is asked to serve on a jury.
Answer the following questions answered in the video.
1. How did our Founding Fathers demonstrate that they felt a trial by jury was an important
right for an American citizen to possess?
2. Why do you think some people might think that jury duty is an inconvenience?
3. What were some of the emotions or feelings some of the jurors in the video felt?
4. What is the difference between a criminal and a civil case?
5. What is “VOIR DIRE”?
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6. What might be some reasons a prosecuting or defending attorney might dismiss a juror from
a case?
7. What does the video state a juror should be doing during the case?
8. What should happen at the end of the trial when the jurors meet in private?
9. What are three things you must be or have in order to be selected for jury duty?
10. Why did the jurors in the video say they felt it was important to serve on a jury?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
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A Jury of Your Peers?
One of our constitutional rights state that if we are accused of a crime, we are entitled to a
lawyer and a court case heard by a jury of our peers. But what does that mean?
JURY: _________________________________________________________________________
PEERS: ________________________________________________________________________
Why do you think our founding fathers thought it was a good idea for court cases to be decided
by a jury of peers instead of by just a judge?
Directions: You have been given a card indicating a crime. Imagine yourself as the lawyer,
defending the person that has been charged with the crime. Choose 12 people (from the 18
potential jurors listed below) based on their profiles that you would like to have on your
jury. Write a few sentences below the profile of each of the 12 jurors that you have chosen,
giving the reason why you would choose them to be on your jury. Complete the two boxes
below first.
I am defending a person accused of:
I already know I definitely don’t want anyone one like this on my jury:
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Directions: Look at each person and read their profile. As you do, decide whether or not you
want them on the jury that will decide whether your client is guilty or not guilty.
Remember – you can only choose 12 people!
1. 35 year old Hispanic man, works in construction, has never been married, has
two children
2. 60 year old African American female, recently retired from teaching, likes to
travel, lives in an apartment near the police station, has 10 grandchildren.
3. 19 year old African American college student, works part-time at Starbucks, his
mother is a police officer.
4. 28 year old stay at home mom who is supported by her wealthy, hardworking
husband,- she has never been employed. Although she doesn’t work, maids and
nannies take care of the housework and children.
5. 25 year old Chinese man, was just fired from his job at Pizza Hut, has a sister
who was recently arrested for armed robbery.
6. 54 year old Caucasian man with one arm. He lost his arm as a result of being a
victim of a crime.
7. 32 year old Caucasian woman, has five children, her husband is a minister of a
church in Middletown. She likes to bowl and volunteers at the church in her spare
time.
8. 21 year old African American computer software clerk, goes to college full
time, his father is the owner of a local funeral parlor.
9. 75 year old Caucasian male, lost his youngest son to a drunk driver ten years
ago, is retired and likes to watch “American Idol”
10. 23 year old Hispanic female, has a 3-year-old son, doesn’t have reliable
daycare and has hinted that her son’s father is “shady.” She has tattoos on her
neck, but you can’t read what they say.
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11. 41 year old African American male, was a police officer wounded in the line of
duty, he now works as a substitute teacher
12. 38 year old African American male, his wife works at a daycare center, he
works at a substance abuse center with teenagers.
13. 18 year old Caucasian female, dropped out of high school when she was 16 to
care for two children. She is currently taking GED classes during the day and
works at McDonalds and night.
14. 25 year old Caucasian unemployed man, still lives at home with his parents,
likes to read comic books and going to the movies by himself. He spent time in a
juvenile facility when he was younger.
15. 22 year old African American male, just finished his undergraduate degree in
Physics, is travelling to Japan in a week. Lives in an upscale neighborhood and
went to an expensive private school.
16. 45 year old recovering alcoholic, until recently hasn’t been able to keep a job
or home. After getting help through his church, has been able to begin to get his
life together.
17. 23 year old female, college graduate, originally from Mexico, works for a car
dealership.
18. 58 year old Native American man, owns a restaurant, likes to watch Law and
Order, SVU in his spare time.
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A Jury of Your Peers? (cont.)
Which 12 people would you want on your jury? Why them?
Jurist #:_____
WHY?
Jurist #:_____
WHY?
Jurist #:_____
WHY?
Jurist #:_____
WHY?
Jurist #:_____
WHY?
Jurist #:_____
WHY?
Jurist #:_____
WHY?
Jurist #:_____
WHY?
Jurist #:_____
WHY?
Jurist #:_____
WHY?
Jurist #:_____
WHY?
Jurist #:_____
WHY?
Which 3 jurists (people on a jury) would you definitely NOT want on your jury? Why?
Jurist #:_____
WHY?
Jurist #:_____
WHY?
Jurist #:_____
WHY?
More Important Vocabulary
PROSECUTION: _________________________________________________________________
DEFENSE: _____________________________________________________________________
Why might a defense lawyer choosing jury members NOT want people who have been victims
of crimes on the jury? Why might the prosecuting lawyer WANT those people on the jury?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
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P a g e | 37
Meet the Jurors of 12 Angry Men
Directions: Listen as your teacher reads the descriptions of the 12 characters you are about to
get to know in this play. Then, based on these descriptions, predict which one of the following
characters will do the following actions or say the following lines. Explain your reasoning in the
space provided. An example has been done for you.
Juror #1
Juror #2
Juror #3
A small, petty man who is
impressed with the authority he has
and handles himself quite formally.
Not overly bright, but dogged.
A meek, hesitant man who finds it
difficult to maintain any opinions of
his own. Easily swayed and usually
adopts the opinion of the last
person to whom he has spoken.
A very strong, very forceful,
extremely opinionated man within
whom can be detected a streak of
sadism. A humorless man who is
intolerant of opinions other than his
own and accustomed to forcing his
wishes and views upon others .
Juror #4
Juror #5
Juror #6
Seems to be a man of wealth and
position. A practiced speaker who
presents himself well at all times.
Seems to feel a little bit above the
rest of the jurors. His only concern is
with the facts in this case, and he is
appalled at the behavior of the
others.
A naïve, very frightened young man
who takes his obligations in this
case very seriously, but who finds it
difficult to speak up when his elders
have the floor.
An honest but dull -witted man who
comes upon his decisions slowly and
carefully. A man who finds it
difficult to create positive opinions,
but who must listen to and digest
and accept those opinions offered
by others which appeal to him most.
Juror #7
Juror #8
Juror #9
A loud, flashy, glad-handed
salesman type who has more
important things to do than to sit on
a jury. He is quick to show temper,
quick to form opinions on things
about which he knows nothing. Is a
bully and, of course, a coward.
A quiet, thoughtful, gentle man. A
man who sees all sides of every
question and constantly seeks the
truth. A man of strength tempered
with compassion. Above all, a man
who wants justice to be done and
will fight to see that it is.
A mild, gentle old man, long since
defeated by life and now merely
waiting to die. A man who
recognizes himself for what he is
and mourns the days when it would
have been possible to be
courageous without shielding
himself behind his many years.
Juror #10
Juror #11
Juror #12
An angry, bitter man. A man who
antagonizes almost at sight. A bigot
who places no values on any human
life save his own. A man who has
been nowhere and is going nowhere
and knows it deep within him.
A man who speaks with an accent
and who is ashamed, humble,
almost subservient to the people
around him, but who will honestly
seek justice because he has suffered
through so much injustice.
A slick, bright advertising man who
thinks of human beings in terms of
percentages, graphs, and polls and
has no real understanding of
people. A superficial snob, but
trying to be a good fellow.
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Meet the Jurors of 12 Angry Men (continued)…
1. This juror is going to scream, “I’ll kill him! I’ll kill him!” about another juror.
I think it will
I think this because…
be Juror #:
2. This juror spends most of his time angry because he might miss the show he has tickets for
that night.
I think it will
I think this because…
be Juror #:
3. This juror explains that he probably understands one of the witnesses better than the other
jurors do because of his age.
I think it will
I think this because…
be Juror #:
4. This juror says, “It’s not so easy for me to raise my hand and send a boy off to die without
talking about it first.”
I think it will
be Juror #:
I think this because…
5. This juror says, “Look, you know how those people lie...they don’t know what truth is …That’s
how they are. You know what I mean? Violent! Human life doesn’t mean as much to them as it
does to us.”
I think it will
I think this because…
be Juror #:
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The Judge’s Instructions…
“Murder in the first degree—premeditated homicide—is the most
serious charge tried in our criminal courts. You’ve heard a long and
complex case, gentlemen, and it is now your duty to sit down to try and
separate the facts from the fancy. One man is dead. The life of another is
at stake. If there is a reasonable doubt in your minds as to the guilt of the
accused … then you must declare him not guilty. If, however, there is no
reasonable doubt, then he must be found guilty. Whichever way you
decide, the verdict must be unanimous. I urge you to deliberate honestly
and thoughtfully. You are faced with a grave responsibility. Thank you,
gentlemen.”
Important Vocab Word
Definition
premeditated
homicide
reasonable doubt
verdict
deliberate
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Act I Follow-Along Questions
1. Based on the way she delievers her instructions, do you think the judge believes the
defendant is guilty or innocent? How can you tell?
2. How might the room the jurors have to talk in and the weather effect their conversation and
the way they feel about the case?
3. What do we know about the crime before the first vote is taken?
4. The first vote is _____ GUILTY, ____ NOT GUILTY.
5. Juror # _____ was the only person to vote ____________________.
6. What was his reason for voting this way?
7. How do the other jurors react to his decision?
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8. What comments do these jurors make about the defendant?
Juror #7
Juror #3
Juror #4
9. Why does Juror #5 react the way he does when Juror #10 talks about the accused?
10. Why is the switch-blade knife an important piece of evidence?
11. What is the dramatic climax of Act I?
12. If you were one of the jurors, how would you vote the second time?
GUILTY
or
NOT GUILTY
Why?
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Play vs. Film Venn Diagram
Directions: As you watch the film version of 12 Angry Men, keep track of things that you found
only in the play or only in the film, as well as items that were in both versions of the story. Be
prepared to share your findings with your classmates.
PLAY
FILM
BOTH
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Keeping Track of the Evidence
Directions: Look back over the text and write down the evidence that the jurors bring up in
their conversation. Some of it has been included for you already.
Old Man’s Testimony
Woman Who Was
Lying in Bed’s
Testimony
 said she saw the boy
murder his father
The Defendant’s
Background
 knew how to use a
switchblade knife
The Knife
 shopkeeper who sold it
said it was “one of a kind”
 a switchblade
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Act II Follow-Along Questions
1. Who do the jurors think changed his vote? Why do they think that?
2. Who actually voted “not guilty?” Why did he change his vote?
3. Why is Juror #4 so convinved that the woman’s testimony is so persuasive?
4. What does the discussion about the el train call into question about the old man’s
testimony?
5. When Juror #9 suggests that the old man may have lied, what explanation does he give?
6. Why do you think Juror #5 decides to change his vote from “guilty,” to “not guilty?”
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7. Is it ever proven that the boy did not yell, “I’m going to kill you!”?
YES
NO
8. Do you think Juror #8 deliberately provokes Juror #3 into threatening to kill him? Why?
9. How is the ending of Act I similar to the end of Act II?
10. Do you think the defendant is innocent or guilty based on what you have heard so far?
Why?
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12 Angry Men , Act II Film Follow-Along Notes
Directions: As you continue to watch the film, keep track in each of the squares below of
moments you noticed were the same, moments that were different, and scenes that seemed
more important and/or interesting when you saw them in the film than when you read them in
the play.
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Protagonist/Antagonist Investigation
Most fictional texts (short stories, novels, plays, etc.) involve conflict between a protagonist and
at least one antagonist.
A PROTAGONIST IS:
AN ANTAGONIST IS:
In 12 Angry Men, ____________________ is the protagonist in the play; and,
although several of the jurors act as antagonists, ____________________
emerges as the main antagonist of the protagonist. Look at the following example
of how Juror #_____ antagonizes Juror #_____.
JUROR
ALLY OR ANTAGONIST?
EVIDENCE
Juror #3
ALLY
He shouts at Juror
#8, “I’ll kill him!
I’ll kill him!”
or
ANTAGONIST
Using your play to support your answers, complete the chart on the following page.
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JUROR
ALLY OR ANTAGONIST?
Juror #3
ALLY
EVIDENCE
or
ANTAGONIST
Juror #5
ALLY
or
ANTAGONIST
Juror #7
ALLY
or
ANTAGONIST
Juror #10
ALLY
or
ANTAGONIST
Juror #11
ALLY
or
ANTAGONIST
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Act III Follow-Along Questions
1. The result of the third vote is _____ guilty, _____ not guilty.
2. Which jurors change their vote?
3. What important piece of evidence does Juror #5 contribute that discredits an important
piece of witness testimony?
4. Why does he say he is he qualified to speak about this topic?
5. In what way is Juror #7’s willingness to change his vote in Act III consistent with his behavior
in Act I and Act II?
6. Why does Juror #11 get so angry at Juror #7 for changing his vote the way he does?
7. The result of the fourth vote is _____ guilty, _____ not guilty.
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8. Why do the other juror’s turn their back on Juror #10?
9. Do you think Juror #3 was pressured into changing his vote? Why do you feel that way?
10. What do we learn about Juror #3 as he changes his vote?
11. How will the jury vote in this case?
GUILTY
or
NOT GUILTY
12. Did the jury prove that the defendant was not guilty? Explain.
Do you think the defendant is guilty or not guilty? Explain.
Do you think the jurors made the right decision? Why or why not?
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Words in Context Activity
You have just finished reading 12 Angry Men. As you have read, you have seen and discussed
how important words can be. Some words have more than one meaning. When you read, you
must choose the meaning the fits the context, or surrounding words. For example, the word
“EL” may mean “an L-shaped hallway in a building,” but when the jurors in the play use the
word they mean, “an elevated train.”
DIRECTIONS:
Read each of the passages from the play below. Then, choose the phrase that best defines
the underlined word in the passage and write the letter on the line. Finally, explain how you
used the clues in the passage to make your decision.
_____ 1. “NO. FOUR: I still believe the boy is guilty of murder. I’ll tell you why. To me, the
most damning evidence was given by the woman across the street who claimed she actually
saw the murder committed.”
a.
b.
c.
to stop the flow of something, usually water
to condemn
to doom something or someone to hell
What clues in the text helped you reach your answer?
_____ 1. “NO. EIGHT: She testified that in the midst of tossing and turning she rolled over and
looked casually out the window. The murder was taking place as she looked out, and the lights
went out a split second later.”
a.
b.
c.
by chance
informally
carelessly
What clues in the text helped you reach your answer?
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_____ 3. “NO. FOUR: I believe I can recount it accurately. She said that she went to bed at
about eleven o’clock that night. Her bed was next to the open window, and she could look out
the window while lying down.”
a.
b.
c.
to count over again
retell a series of events
to tell someone about something that happened to you in the past
What clues in the text helped you reach your answer?
_____ 4. “NO. TEN: A kid kills his father. Bing! Just like that. Well, it’s the element. They let
the kids run wild.”
a.
b.
c.
a simple substance, like water
a necessary part, like tires on a car
natural surroundings, where and how someone is raised
What clues in the text helped you reach your answer?
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Understanding Prejudice Essay
Prompt: Prejudice can influence people to act in certain ways. Throughout 12 Angry Men,
readers encounter numerous examples of prejudice. Often, the jurors based their decisions not
entirely on the evidence they were presented with in court, but rather, because of their own
prejudices. In this essay, you will identify three different examples of prejudice exposed in the
play and describe how this prejudice effects the decisions made by the jurors. The rubric below
describes how you will be graded and the graphic organizer on the following page will help you
plan out your essay.
Criteria
Strong (5-4)
Focus & Content Paper clearly outlines 3
examples of prejudice
shown in the play and how
each of those examples
influenced the decisions
made by a character.
Satisfactory (3-2)
Lacking (1-0)
Paper outlines 3 examples of
prejudice but fails to clearly
explain how this prejudice
influenced the character to
make decisions.
Paper is missing the required
number of examples or lacks
support in how they
influenced the characters.
Organization
Paper is 5 paragraphs in
length. Each paragraph is at
least 3-5 sentences long.
Paper is 3-5 paragraphs in
length and paragraphs are at
least 3-5 sentences long.
Paper lacks required number
of paragraphs and/or
paragraphs are of
insufficient length.
Style
Your voice is clear
throughout the paper. You
avoid contractions, slang, or
text-speak.
Your voice is present but not
strong. The paper is written
informally.
Your voice is not present in
the writing. The paper is
written with significant use
of contractions, slang, etc.
Conventions
Spelling, capitalization,
punctuation, comma usage
are all exemplary. Few to no
errors.
Some spelling, capitalization,
punctuation, comma usage
errors exist, but they do not
detract from meaning.
Your paper is challenging to
read because of the
numerous convention
errors.
Total: _____ / 20 = _____ %
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Planning Your Understanding Prejudice Essay
Juror who
displays
How the character demonstates How this prejudice effects their
prejudice and
prejudice in the play…
decision making…
act it takes
place in..
Juror
No. 9
He judges the old man based on his Because of his prejudice, Juror #9
outfit, his age, and the way he
is more willing to believe that the
acts and decides he is old, lonely,
old man’s testimony about seeing
and may have given testimony just
the defendant run out of the
to have people listen to him.
apartment building might not be
true.
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P a g e | 55
12 Angry Men Crossword Vocabulary Review
WORD BOX
plaintiff
defendant
judge
witnesses
bailiff
court reporter
jury
peers
prosecution
defense
premeditated
homicide
reasonable doubt
verdict
deliberate
protagonist
antagonist
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P a g e | 56
Across
2. to discuss something carefully and consider all information before deciding
3. The character or characters who try to stop the protagonist from reaching their
goal; they struggle against the protagonist
5. to think or plan out what you are going to do before you do it
7. The main character; the hero; the person who has to overcome the main conflict to
reach their goal
9. the decision of guilty or not guilty by the jury
11. people who will provide information about the case
13. the communication link between the jury and the court
14. murder
15. a group of 12 people who swear to find a person innocent or guilty after fairly
listening to evidence in a trial
16. the one who brings a suit to court or the state
Down
1. the side in the court case that is accusing someone of a crime, they want the person
to be found guilty because they believe the evidence proves he/she is
4. the side in the court case that is trying to keep the person accused of a crime from
being found guilty, they believe the evidence shows that the person is NOT guilty
5. people that are basically equal to you
6. this person's job is to ensure the trial is fair
8. if a jury, after hearing the evidence finds it believable that the person isn’t guilty or
that someone else could have done it – they should vote not guilty
10. the person who records everything that is said in court
12. the one who is being sued or who is accused of a crime
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