Bring the Courtroom to Your Classroom with a Mock Trial of The Giving Tree
Looking for a fresh, dynamic way to teach persuasive writing, literary analysis, and public speaking? Step into the world of courtroom drama with a Mock Trial Activity based on The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein! This engaging, standards-aligned simulation turns your ELA classroom into a courtroom, where students put the Boy on trial for being a bad friend to the Tree.
Why a Mock Trial?
Mock trials aren’t just fun—they’re powerful tools for critical thinking and collaboration. This activity encourages students to dig deep into character motivation, explore moral responsibility, and back up their claims with textual evidence. Whether they’re defending the Boy’s actions or making a case for his guilt, your students will build key skills while engaging with literature in a whole new way.
What’s the Case?
The Charge: The Boy is on trial for being a bad friend to the Tree.
Was he selfish and exploitative, or simply growing up and taking what was freely offered? It’s up to your student attorneys to argue the facts—and your jury to decide the verdict.
Student Roles That Bring the Trial to Life
Each student steps into a real courtroom role:
Attorneys (Prosecution and Defense): Craft compelling arguments and question witnesses.
Witnesses: Step into character and bring testimony to life.
Judge: Keeps the courtroom in order and ensures a fair trial.
Jury: Listens closely, deliberates, and renders the final verdict.
Bailiff: Maintains order and leads the trial proceedings.
This role-based learning fosters empathy and accountability while helping students see literature through multiple perspectives.
What’s Included?
Everything you need to make your classroom courtroom-ready:
✅ Complete teacher instructions (with sample images for setup)
✅ Editable jury duty notices to assign roles (mail these to your students to generate excitement)
✅ Mock trial prep slides to guide each stage
✅ Student outline for building their case
✅ Printable trial script to structure the courtroom dialogue
✅ Courtroom posters (horizontal & vertical) to set the scene
The Skills They’ll Build
This isn’t just about putting a fictional character on trial—it’s about building real-world competencies:
🧠 Critical thinking: Interpreting actions and motivations
📝 Argumentative writing: Crafting and delivering persuasive statements
🎙️ Public speaking: Practicing poise and presence in front of peers
📚 Literary analysis: Using textual evidence to support claims
💬 Collaboration: Working as a team toward a common goal
Who Is It For?
Perfect for upper elementary and middle school, this activity is designed to be flexible and accessible for a wide range of learners. Whether you’re teaching argumentative writing, or simply want to energize your classroom with a hands-on project, this mock trial delivers unforgettable engagement.
Final Verdict?
If you’re looking to combine literature with real-world skills in a way that students will remember long after the trial ends, this mock trial activity is the perfect case to bring before your class. The courtroom is open—let the trial begin! Click here for the product download!
