• Replies 89 replies
  • Subscribers 19 subscribers
  • Views 12535 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related

Just Mercy Book Club // Grab your copy now, and join the conversation!

Kathy Hays

We are excited to announce our summer OER Conference for Social Studies Book Club pick! This month you are invited to join us in reading Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson, who happens to be our keynote speaker on August 3. He is the founder and Executive Director of the Equal Justice Initiative, a human rights organization in Montgomery, Alabama. Under his leadership, EJI has won major legal challenges eliminating excessive and unfair sentencing, exonerating innocent death row prisoners, confronting abuse of the incarcerated and the mentally ill, and aiding children prosecuted as adults.

Our community discussion about Just Mercy will be led by Jayson Wilkinson from the OER Project Team, and Hajra Saeed, BHP teacher in Long Beach, CA.  We’ll kick off with our first book club driving question on July 15 right here in this thread, located in the OER Conference for Social Studies discussion forum. We’ll post a new driving question each Thursday for three weeks leading up to the conference which takes place August 3-5. So don't wait, grab a copy of the book, bookmark this thread so you can return on the 15th, and prepare for some rich discussions with other members of the community. Let the reading begin! 

Just Mercy // Week One Questions

We are excited to start our book club conversation on Just Mercy as we make our way to Bryan Stevenson’s August 3rd keynote address in the OER Conference for Social Studies. Post your thoughts and answers to the questions below, or add your own question.  and  will be leading the conversation and will be checking in throughout the day to respond to the discussion.   

  • Did Just Mercy make you want to explore an aspect of the U.S. criminal justice system more closely? If so, what part and why?  
  • In Just Mercy, Stevenson tells us his story of growth and discovery in relation to his understanding of the U.S. criminal justice system. Have you had a similar journey in your own life? 

Post your comments below and let's get the conversation started!

Just Mercy // Week Two Questions

  • As you are reading Just Mercy, is there a quote that "sticks with you?" Why? 
  • Is there a specific call to action that can be taken from a reading of Just Mercy? If so, what is it? 

Let's continue the conversation by posting in the comments below.

Just Mercy // Week Three Questions

  • How do the topics and concepts in Just Mercy connect to your work with students? 
  • What lessons from Just Mercy or Stevenson are you taking with you as you prepare to welcome students back to our school communities in the fall? 
  • Do know of a specific person (whether they are a personal connection, colleague, or something else) that would benefit from reading and discussing Just Mercy with you? What makes you think that and what lessons might they learn?

Post your response to the questions in the comments below as we complete our final week of the Book Club. Be sure to join us for Bryan Stevenson's Keynote Address on August 3 at 9:00 AM PDT!

Top Replies

  • +9

    The quote that sticks with me is "We are all broken by something. We have all hurt someone and have been hurt. We all share the condition of brokenness even if our brokenness is not equivalent." It stuck…

  • +8

    For me, Just Mercy really pushed me to question my position in institutions. When I started teaching, I think I was comfortable just doing what I was told and keeping my head above water in my new school…

  • +8

    Is it possible that I jump on to the Just Mercy Train? I got to the station late, and would love to hop aboard if it is still an option. Can I hop aboard.  

Parents

  • Just Mercy // Week Three Questions

    • How do the topics and concepts in Just Mercy connect to your work with students? 
    • What lessons from Just Mercy or Stevenson are you taking with you as you prepare to welcome students back to our school communities in the fall? 
    • Do know of a specific person (whether they are a personal connection, colleague, or something else) that would benefit from reading and discussing Just Mercy with you? What makes you think that and what lessons might they learn?
  • in reply to Kathy Hays

    Just Mercy showed me that despite a system being broken the people within that system can still make a choice when it comes to Mercy and Compassion.  This is going to be very important as students return to school this fall.  Many people have had a difficult two years and our young people have been greatly affected by things they cannot control.  Some of them will come rushing back into the classroom this year looking to get back on track and others may still be facing struggles.  Regardless of what system the school puts in place to serve the overall school community I will still be able to make choices to show mercy and be compassionate for my students and their unique needs.  

    I have already shared Just Mercy with numerous other people in my life.  I am planning on using the book with my Civics students this year and I am going to advocate for it to be used for a school wide read where all students and staff will read the book and participate in group discussions about the impression it had on them. I think Just Mercy really sends the message that there are people in our lives who can benefit from us just being decent and giving them an opportunity for justice. 

  • in reply to Brian Moore

    That's exciting that you will be using this in your classroom. The AP English Language teacher began using this book as part of one of his units a couple of years ago. My daughter took his class and the book really resonated with her. The students had excellent class discussions as they read this book.

Reply
  • in reply to Brian Moore

    That's exciting that you will be using this in your classroom. The AP English Language teacher began using this book as part of one of his units a couple of years ago. My daughter took his class and the book really resonated with her. The students had excellent class discussions as they read this book.

Children
Don't forget
to register!
Sign up now