H. S. I. (History Story Investigation)
Latin Kings: Friends of the Neighborhood
or
Public Enemies?
Priscilla Kron
AHTC
Summer Institute
To download this lesson in PDF format, click here.
Unit/Topic: 8th Grade – American
History, 50s & 60s
Abstract:
This lesson explores the
nature of inner-city gangs and our emotions surrounding them. Specifically it
asks students to examine a set of documents and reach an opinion regarding this
question: Are the Latin Kings friends of the neighborhood, public enemies, or
both?
á
Students will
study the Issue File consisting of five records. (primary
and secondary sources)
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Students will
complete a Record Log (document analysis) which covers
the five records.
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Students will
write an essay answering the above question, including evidence from the records.
Essential Questions/Enduring
Understandings:
1. What is the nature of gangs and how
do gang members view themselves?
2. How does society view gangs and
their members?
3. Are there multiple viewpoints that
are valid regarding gangs?
4. As historians, how do we judge an
issue using evidence from primary and
secondary sources?
Assessment:
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Students will
think critically about the role that gangs have played as our cities have
grown.
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During the
lesson, the students will examine primary and secondary sources related to the
Latin King gang by completing a type of document analysis form.
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After the
lesson, the students will use evidence from the sources to support their own
opinion regarding the role of the Latin King gang.
Setting the Purpose:
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Students will
have spent several days discussing developments and participating in activities
about the 1950s, including diversity issues, increase in employment and
disposable income, and cultural aspects of U. S. society.
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Students will
have been exposed to the growth in teen culture during the 1950s – dress,
music, behavior, consumerism.
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Students will
have discussed the nature of gangs, their evolution in the inner cities, their own feelings about gangs, and watched selected
segments from West Side Story.
Lesson Plan (Including Analysis of
Primary/Secondary Sources):
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Each small group
or pair of students will receive an Issue File which will include the Investigation
Instructions, five records related to the issue of the Latin Kings gang,
and copies of the Record Log. (see Annotated List
of Materials and Resources for the five records)
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As they read
each document in the Issue File, each student will fill out the chart labeled Record
Log (a modified document analysis form).
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After completing
the Record Log, the groups or pairs of students will discuss the question: Are
the Latin Kings friends of the neighborhood, public enemies, or both, in order
to begin thinking about ideas for their essay.
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As a culmination
of the lesson, students will write a short essay in response to the question
above. One criteria of the assignment is that they must use evidence from the
Records (as recorded on the Record Log) to support their opinion.
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A follow-up
class discussion might address the importance of considering multiple points of
view on issues and the need to substantiate opinions with evidence.
Annotated List of Materials and
Resources:
Record A: Excerpt
from the Almighty Latin King Nation Constitution
Record B: Excerpt
from an Interview, ÒThe Latin Kings SpeakÓ
Record C:
ÒChicago Latin King Leader ConvictedÓ
Record D:
Background on the Latin Kings
Record E:
ÒBuilding Peace, Unity, and Justice in GreensboroÓ