The Learning Experience is an instructional resource series created by NMHS Unlimited and designed for teachers.

Through film, print, and multimedia resources, The Learning Experience is structured to provide educators with an integrated approach to teaching numerous subjects – including history, social studies, language arts, and more.

The Learning Experience also provides students with films, workbooks, and additional resources that are designed to engage their attention and interest. These materials incorporate lesson plans for grades K-12 based on the Common Core State Standards Initiative and correspond to grade appropriate College and Career Readiness (CCR) Standards. 

An underlying emphasis of the program also incorporates psychology, where students learn the underlying cognitive elements essential to the art of filmmaking, such as how to communicate emotion, influence perception, and shape a narrative.

The Learning Experience offers group training sessions and professional development support for teachers, as requested.

Mississippi Justice

Mississippi Justice is an educational film project based on actual events that occurred in 1951 in Mississippi’s rural Pike County. The storyline centers around a 20-year-old black female, Ms. Hattie Lee Barnes, who shot and killed a young blue-eyed, six-foot-tall, white male from a local prominent family. Charged with murder, Ms. Barnes was appointed the county’s newest, youngest, and most inexperienced public defender, Mr. Joe Pigott. In a span of only 20 days, Ms. Barnes was served an indictment, entered a not guilty plea, and found herself on trial for murder.

Produced by NMHS Unlimited, the film is factually based on documented trial records, extensive research, and interview as it depicts an extraordinary case filled with unexpected twists and turns!

Mississippi Justice, Then and Now: Straight Talk

To accompany the film, The Learning Experience offers Mississippi Justice, Then and Now: STRAIGHT TALK, which includes instructional materials for teachers and a companion workbook for students.

Teacher’s Resource Guide

The Mississippi Justice, Then and Now: STRAIGHT TALK teacher’s resource guide, an instructional supplement to the Mississippi Justice film, is designed as a platform to spark meaningful conversations and explore more deeply the criminal justice system and race relations – then and now. STRAIGHT TALK includes detailed, grade-appropriate College and Career Readiness Standards lesson plans and resources. This resource guide also incorporates the Common Core State Standards Initiative for students in grades 6 – 12.

Student Workbook

The Mississippi Justice, Then and Now: STRAIGHT TALK student version is designed as a companion workbook to the film. Created for students in grades 6 – 12, the book incorporates the opinions of three judges and an ex-offender on the state of the justice system. It is designed to encourage meaningful conversations and explore more deeply the criminal justice system and race relations – then and now.