by Luke S.

Alamo Heights English students aren’t just learning their grammar this year—they’re going on trial! Mr. Campbell has introduced a trial activity in his classes, putting a character from The Outsiders, the book they’re reading, on trial.

“We put one of the characters from the book on trial,” Mr. Campbell, Alamo Heights English teacher, said enthusiastically. He does this because when students read the book, they develop stronger feelings for the characters, and the story becomes more engaging and meaningful.

“The idea of the lesson is that you’re meeting the character before you meet them in the book,” Mr. Campbell said joyfully. By meeting characters in the trial, students get a good idea of what the book is about and who the characters are, as well as their actions or decisions.

Most people might think that holding a trial in English class would be useless. However, Mr. Campbell explained: “It’s a storytelling exercise where the lawyers are telling the story.” Storytelling skills can be very useful in life. According to Indeed.com, storytelling creates a connection with an intended audience, which can be extremely valuable in business.

According to Ford Jones, a judge in the trial, there was also a jury that decided the verdict. This means Ford Jones wasn’t the only person with an opinion on whether the defendant was guilty—there was a group of people who voted as well.

The trial isn’t just about teaching students how a trial works; it’s also designed for students to have fun. “Students should have fun while learning,” Mr. Campbell said. Many students dislike school because they rarely get to have fun. Giving students a chance to actively participate in something engaging, like learning how a trial works, can brighten up their day.

“They’re something that a student always remembers,” Mr. Campbell said happily. This demonstrates how students will remember a unique classroom experience, whether they loved it or not. When students remember something from a class, it shows the lesson had a serious impact on them.

Whether serving as a defendant on trial or as a jury member deciding the defendant’s fate, the trial activity brings smiles to students’ faces and introduces them to The Outsiders in a memorable and exciting way.