The story: The Last Spin (print version)
A story about teenage street gangs and how they solve problems.
A WebQuest on teenage street gangs. Created by Nellie Deutsch of Integrating Technology
Introduction | Task | Resources | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Presentation | Reflection | Teacher | Feedback
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 fight to the end until one of them dies. They have both 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?
Introduction | Task | Resources | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Presentation | Reflection | Teacher | Feedback
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 collaborate and write a report that combines the separate reports
into one clear picture of what happened to Danny. 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 background information on teen gangs: Write a profile of Danny based on your findings.
Check the schools for information on how they deal with teen gangs: Write a plan on how to deal with the issue at school.
Speak to Danny's parents: Write an interview with his parents based on your findings on parental involvement or lack of it. How
can parents help? You may record the conversation or film it using video.
Speak to his girlfriend: Write the interview. Could she have prevented Danny from belonging to the gang? You may record the
conversation or film it using video.
Introduction | Task | Resources | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Presentation | Reflection | Teacher | Feedback
The following guidelines will help you and your team:
1. Organize yourselves in teams of four. Find out about team organization and work on the following page: http://www.nelliemuller.com/Task_and_group_work.htm
2. Make sure everyone on the team has read The Last Spin. You should refer to the story as you work on your project. Here is the link for the full story: http://www.nelliemuller.com/The.Last.Spin.by.Evan.Hunter.doc
3. Read the Task and divide your work among the team members. Each member will choose a reporters' task.
4. Follow the instructions for each reporter. You will find links for each reporter on the following page: http://www.nelliemuller.com/The_Last_Spin_Student_Task.htm
5. Follow the links on the task page as your write up your individual reports: Remember each member will be evaluated for team and individual work:
6. Edit your written reports as a team.
Hand in a collective first draft to the teacher. The final written team report should consist of 7 parts: http://www.nelliemuller.com/Thelastspin.writtenreport.htm
7. Check the team evaluation rubrics to find out how you will be graded for team work
8. Plan your presentation http://www.nelliemuller.com/Oral_Presentation.htm
Make sure that each reporter is ready to present his version of the story. Check the team evaluation rubric for your presentation.
9. You are encouraged to present your work in a creative way. You can use visual aids and other multimedia techniques like video, audio or PowerPoint presentations.
10. The grade is out of 100: 25 points for the individual report, 25 for the team presentation and 50 points for the team collaborative writing report.
11. Do not hesitate to ask questions throughout the project. Your teacher and I will be available. Please contact the author of the WebQuest for further questions, to add feedback or to make suggestions.
Introduction | Task | Resources | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Presentation | Reflection | Teacher | Feedback
A list of Internet resources for the task. If the websites are not longer available, please contact the webmaster and suggest others.
Translate the Story
Background information on teen street gangs:
2. http://www.gangwar.com/dynamics.htm
Prevention Programs
2. http://www.focusas.com/Gangs.html
What can schools and the community do?
1. http://www.ncjrs.org/html/ojjdp/jjbul2000_8_2/contents.html
2. http://www.gov.ns.ca/just/publications/documents/GangPrevention.pdf
What can families do?
1. http://www.gangsorus.com/parents.html
2. http://www.high-point.net/police/high_point_street_gangs.cfm
3. http://www.violencepreventioninstitute.org/youngpeople.html
Additional Information
Writing PowerPoint presentations: Effective Presentations
Writing a bibliography: How to write a bibliography and citations.
Introduction | Task | Resources | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Presentation | Reflection | Teacher | Feedback
Each team will be evaluated for individual and team effort.
The grading system for the project is outlined in the evaluation rubrics: http://www.nelliemuller.com/Evaluationrubricsforthelastspin.htm
25 points for the individual writing report, 50 for the
final team writing report and 25 points for the team presentation.
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?
Write a team summary , fill in an individual reflection with your comments on the WebQuest, and submit an evaluation on the project.
Introduction | Task | Resources | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Presentation | Reflection | Teacher | Feedback
Each team will present their findings and possible solutions in a creative way. This can be done by video or PowerPoint
presentations. It's important to plan carefully so that the presentation is persuasive, creative and appealing. Check the
Evaluation Rubrics for the Team Presentation on how you will be evaluated. The best report will appear in the special edition
of the paper.
Introduction | Task | Resources | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Presentation | Reflection | Teacher | Feedback
Last updated February 22, 2005 by Nellie Deutsch
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