Title: “Things Are Rough All Over

L. Morley

8^th grade ELA

PEARLS Hawthorne School

lmorley@pearls.ypschools.org

Introduction:

“You know what a greaser is?” Bob asked. “White trash with long hair!”

“You know what a Soc is?” I said, my voice shaking with rage.

“White trash with Mustangs and madras!”

These famous quotations from the novel The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton, shape for readers the reality behind the impact of gang violence. The characters in the novel experience what life is like as a gang member in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Social class issues, peer pressure, prejudice, and broken down family lives contribute to the many reasons why such characters succumb to gang life. Why has gang violence become such a widespread problem? How have gangs influenced the lives of teenagers living in New York? Why do teenagers in New York feel a need to join such dangerous groups?

You have been recently hired by the New York “SAGV Group” (Students Against Gang Violence) to research and report to middle school students, on the impact of gang violence among teenagers. In the words of Johnny Cade, you will be motivating fellow adolescents to “Stay Gold!”

Task: As a member of the SAGV Group, you will be responsible for investigating the reasons why teenagers join gangs and how teenage residents of New York State have been affected by their involvement with gangs. As a society, how can we prevent the growing popularity of gang involvement? What are the necessary approaches to take to ensure safety among all teenagers? In small groups of 3-4 students, you will be responsible for creating a policy to be implemented into your school community, which will ensure that all students will “Stay Gold” by taking various approaches to preventing the involvement in gang activity.

Your “TUFF” Task:

1. Research / Problem Solving – Public Policy Analyst (PPA Worksheets)

2. Create a large poster or collage for your campaign against gang violence. Be sure to include your research findings in your poster (Ex: statistics, quotations, visuals, facts, etc…)

*Create a slogan!

3. Prepare a 2-3 page fact sheet (bullet form) or essay explaining how gang violence is something that has taken a toll on our society. Make references to The Outsiders as well as to various articles on gang violence in New York State, to demonstrate the severity of gang involvement among teenagers. What is your group’s solution or method to stop the growing trend of teenage gangs? What are some preventative measures a school community can take to ensure the safety of their children?

*This project will be showcased in the form of an oral report. Professional delivery is a MUST! Be sure to follow the rubric that follows to ensure mastery.

Process: Be sure to use the following PPA Steps (Complete all worksheets)

*The steps will be modeled for you to ensure understanding and clarity.

* On the bottom of each page, you will see a link for the designated worksheet, be sure to complete and print!

1. Define the Problem

2. Gather the Evidence

3. Identify the Causes

4. Evaluate an Existing Policy

5. Develop Solutions

6. Select the Best Solutions

*Internet Research: Using the “Google” search engine, research: Gang violence in New York State. There are various articles and informative websites which provide useful information about the topic.

(EX: www.nyscenterforschoolsafety.org/gangs.doc , www.nytimes.com, www.nationalgangcenter.org, www.gripe4rkids.org/his.html, etc..)

*This is an extremely important part of the process. You need to use your critical thinking and problem-solving skills to come up with realistic solutions in the campaign against teenage gang violence. Also, teamwork is necessary to ensure that each step of the process is completed satisfactorily. Assigning roles within your group (Team leader, time keeper, recorder / typists, lead spokesperson, etc…) will ensure that all team members have an active and important role in the establishment of your SAGV- Campaign!

*Poster / Collage: Your presentation must have an attractive and engaging visual to accompany the wisdom and knowledge your group will be presenting to the class. Paper will be available for you or you may bring in your own. Markers and crayons will be available for use, as well as tape and glue. The computers will be available for you to print out visuals; however, it is recommended that you bring them already printed out from home.

-You need a “SLOGAN” – as a group, use your creativity and linguistic skills to come up with a catchy phrase / title. (“SAGV” should be mentioned somewhere on your poster)

*Fact Sheet / Essay: The written component of this project must be typed, in black ink, and 12 font (Comic Sans or Times New Roman). If your group constructs a fact sheet, it must be in bullet form and have bolded headings for the categories you are focusing on. If you are composing an essay, be sure to have a clear cut introduction with a thesis statement, detailed body paragraphs, and a powerful conclusion. Be persuasive!

- You must include a “Works Cited” page to follow your fact sheet or essay, to credit the sources in which you have received the information for your project. Click on the following hyperlink to learn how to properly cite your sources: MLA Citation Style

Evaluation: Your group will be assessed using the following rubric:

Research

*Problem well identified and thoroughly researched

*All six steps of the PPA are thoroughly addressed

*Problem identified and reasonably well researched

*All six steps of the PPA are addressed.

*Problem identified with limited research.

*All steps of the PPA are addressed

*Problem identified but research is lacking

*Incomplete work

Written Component

*Well organized, demonstrates logical sequencing and sentence structure

*Very persuasive and convincing

*Well organized, but demonstrates illogical sequencing or sentence structure at times.

*Persuasive and convincing

*Well organized, but illogical sequencing and sentence structure.

*Weakly persuasive and convincing

*Weakly organized.

*Not persuasive or convincing

Presentation

*Social problem introduced with authority based on information

*Professional delivery is outstanding

*Audience is actively engaged in presentation because real-life connections are made

*Every member in group participates in presentation.

*Social problem introduced with some authority

*Professional delivery is good

*Generate questions and responses.

*Most members of group participate.

*Students state the social problem

*Professional delivery is adequate

*Students require prompts to generate questions

*Limited participation within the group

*Teacher generates discussion or probes the presenters frequently.

*Professional delivery is poor

*Visual is poorly constructed.

Visual

*Attractive and engaging visual is displayed and explained.

*A clever slogan is evident on the poster / collage.

*”SAGV” is written or mentioned somewhere on the poster / collage.

*Visual is nicely constructed.

* A slogan is evident on the poster/ collage.

*”SAGV” is written or mentioned somewhere on the poster / collage.

*Visual is decent but could use more development.

*A slogan is evident but is not coherent or well connected to the topic.

*”SAGV” is not clearly stated or mentioned on the poster / collage.

*There is no visual or it is poorly developed. More time and effort is clearly needed.

*There is no slogan on the poster/ collage.

*”SAGV” is not mentioned or written anywhere on the poster / collage.

Conclusion: This interactive research project provides students with the chance to participate in an authentic / real world investigation about the realities of gang violence. Students will be able to explore how gangs have affected teenagers across New York State. Using their knowledge of how gang life impacted the characters from The Outsiders, students can make solid connections and incorporate realistic ways in which their school community can prevent current students from participation in gangs.

*Congratulations! Your “Tuff” task has been successfully completed! Continue to “stay gold” and be an advocate for “SAGV.” (Students Against Gang Violence)

Standards: The following project supports New York State Learning Standards for English Language Arts:

1. ELA Standard 1: Students will read, write, listen, and speak for information and understanding.

2. ELA Standard 2: Students will read, write, listen, and speak for literary response and expression.

3. ELA Standard 3: Students will read, write, listen, and speak for critical analysis and evaluation.

4. ELA Standard 4: Students will read, write, listen, and speak for social interaction.

Resources Used:

www.google.com

http://www2.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/products.html

http://www.valeriewiener.com/books/youthgangs.html