Home · For Teachers · Examining Truscott and Olson
9-10
Examining Truscott and Olson
Project type: Assignment
Related topic:
Death Penalty Debate
Death Penalty Debate
Subjects
History
Social Studies
English Language Arts
Social Studies
English Language Arts
Summary
Students will examine two famous Canadian death penalty cases and express their findings in writing.
Duration
2 lessons
Purpose
To investigate the cases of Steven Truscott and Clifford Olson in relation to the death penalty debate
Before Exploring
Ask students to share stories of times in their own lives when they were accused of something they didn’t do. How did they feel? What were the consequences, if any? Were they eventually exonerated?
Outline the Opportunity
Direct students to the topic Death Penalty Debate on the CBC Radio and Television Archives Web site. Allow students to browse for one lesson. Students should include the Additional Clips, Did You Know?, and Links sections of the topic in their research. Have students take notes about information relating to Steven Truscott, Clifford Olson, and other important events and people relating to the death penalty debate in Canada.
Using their information, students will write an opinion piece in which they defend a thesis that either supports or opposes the death penalty. They can cite the Truscott and Olson cases and other information they found on the site in their arguments.
Revisit and Reflect
Have students explain their position to the class, sharing some of the arguments they used to support their position in their paper. Encourage discussion among students with different opinions. Ask: Whose arguments are particularly persuasive? Why? Were there any arguments that would make you change your mind? Which ones? Why were they persuasive?
Extension
Students can research other high-profile Canadian criminal cases, such as Paul Bernardo or David Milgaard, and report to the class about how these cases influenced the death penalty debate in Canada.
