WebQuest

Eva Varga-Jackson

Teenagers and Crime in the Bronx

Introduction: The main character of Monster, Steve Harmon, is caught at a crime scene because he happens to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. During his trial, he raises several questions about how the media portrays young men.

Before we discuss our assignment, let us examine how we feel about this issue.

1. Are you aware of any incidents where young men were arrested because they were hanging out at “the wrong place at the wrong time”?

2. Have you read about anyone who was assumed guilty before proven innocent?

3. Why would someone feel uneasy about moving into certain parts of New York State?

4. Are all groups of people getting a fair share on the six o’clock news?

5. What is your message to the newscast of any television channel about young people?

6. How do the media treat your particular group?

7. How is this treatment different from the treatment of any other group you know?

8. Why do you think it is important to be aware of this?

It is probably safe to say that some groups have not gotten fair treatment in the media.

Our class will conduct a research using various sources: news articles, a movie, and Monster, to examine how inner-city youngsters are portrayed.

Task: Your team of three students will

• reflect on the plot of Monster
• view Twelve Angry Men
• study the links I have provided for you, and two on-line articles of your own choice to prepare a power-point presentation on how the media portrays inner city boys. Your peers who are not in this class are your audience.

Links you must use:

Bashing Youth

Perception of Youth

Drive-by Journalism

Your assignment is due on ___________

Process: Summarize your research on the following six PPA worksheets:

a. Define Problem

Worksheet # 1

b. Gather Evidence

Worksheet #2

c. Identify Cause

Worksheet #3

d. Evaluate present Policy

Worksheet #4

e. Develop Your Own Solutions

Worksheet #5

f. Choose the Best Solution

Worksheet #6

With your team, prepare a power-point presentation with no more than 15 slides. Use worksheets #1 to #6 to guide you through selecting the best graphs and most appropriate terms. Use the link below to help you set up your power point presentation.

PowerPoint

Sources

1. Worksheets for Six Steps of PPA

2. On-line resources provided by teacher

3. On-line resources volunteered by students

Evaluation

Rubric

State Standards

Conclusion

We have added to the information Mr. Myers has provided us through his book, Monster, by researching five sites about how various types of the media contribute to the crime rate in the Bronx. Thus, we have a better understanding of Monster’s frustration throughout the trial, his parents’ confusion, and the lawyer’s reaction at the end of the story.

The power-point presentation pulled the team members together in combining their findings and opinions in a graphic from. The activity guided them to discuss, evaluate, and compromise.

We are all looking forward to the next reading and project.