Introduction
Danny is a teenager who willingly accepts his gang's proposal to settle a problem with the enemy. He and Tigo, a rival member of another gang, meet face to face to resolve their gang's conflict. Danny and Tigo will have consented to use one gun in a Russian Roulette confrontation.
- What are teenage street gangs?
- How do street gangs solve problems?
- What are some violent and non violent ways teenagers solve problems? Which are more acceptable in your society?
- How can parents, friends and schools help?
Task
You are reporters for a national teen magazine. Your editor has asked you to find out why a teenager called Danny committed suicide. Your mission is to cover the story from four angles. Each reporter will concentrate on one aspect of the story.
After each reporter has collected the information, the team will work together to create one report.
The team will decide which people in Danny's life might have had the best chance to save him: his parents, school, girl friend or friends. The team will present their findings on teenage street gangs to the editor of the paper.
Check for information on teen gangs.
The following questions may help you:
1. Define teen gangs
2. Provide some statistics on teen gangs
3. What preventive measures are taken to fight teen gangs?
4. Describe the gangs mentality.
]5. Give reasons for joining a street gang
6. How do they communicate their message?
7. Describe one type of a gang
Reporter 2
Check for information on how schools deal with teen gangs.
The following questions may help you:
1. Define teen gangs
2. Provide statistics on teen gangs at schools
3. What characterizes gangs at school?
4. Give examples of school involvements regarding teen gangs
5. What could be the reasons for greater gang prevalence in some schools?
6. Interview someone at FHS
7. What is Youth Crime Watch Program? Describe its basic philosophy?
What role did Danny's parents play in his gang involvement?
The following questions may help you:
1. Define teen gangs
2. Why do youth join gangs?
3. How can parents spot gang signs?
4. How can a parent protect their child from gang involvement?
Reporter 4
Your responsibility is to provide illustrations for the article.
The following suggestions may help you:
1. Re-tell the story "The Last Spin" in a comic strip format.
2. Find clip art that will illustrate the characters, setting and mood.
3. Create a Facebook-type page for Danny
Process
Resources for Reporter 1:
1. http://www.safeyouth.org/scripts/teens/gangs.asp
2. http://associations.smsu.edu/nogangs/everything.html
4. http://www.gangwar.com/dynamics.htm
5. http://www.ecis.com/~noslo/gang.html#Background
6. http://associations.smsu.edu/nogangs/
7. http://www.geocities.com/Athens/4111/nogangs.html
8. http://www.stedwards.edu/educ/eanes/whatare.html
Resources for Reporter 2:
1. http://www.ncjrs.org/html/ojjdp/jjbul2000_8_2/contents.html
2. http://www.stedwards.edu/educ/eanes/schools.html
Resources for Reporter 3:
1. http://www.gangsorus.com/parents.html
2. http://www.high-point.net/police/high_point_street_gangs.cfm
3. http://www.safeyouth.org/scripts/faq/protectgang.asp
Resources for Reporter 4:
1. Comic Creator: http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/comic/
2. Story Map: http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/storymap/
3.
Conclusion
Street teen gangs are a national problem that need the public's attention. Which people in Danny's life might have had the best chance to save him: his parents, school, girl friend, or friends?
Teacher Page
http://www.nelliemuller.com/The_Last_Spin_WebQuest.htm
Curriculum Standards:
Students will conduct research on issues and interests by generating ideas and questions, and by posing problems. They will gather, evaluate, and synthesize data from a variety of sources (e.g., print and non-print texts, artifacts, people) to communicate their discoveries in ways that suit their purpose and audience.