MY CRAZY MEDIA LIFE
PROGRAMME 3: NOT ONE OF THE GANG
ACTIVITIES
Guidance
This web page contains links to other websites that are not under the control of and are not maintained by Channel 4 Television. Channel 4 Television is not responsible for the content of these sites and does not necessarily endorse the material on them.
Before viewing
In groups, ask the students to discuss what they know about gang culture. Maybe it is something they have direct contact with or maybe they have read or heard things on the news.
Activities based on the clips
To view 4Learning video clips you will need Windows XP/2000 and Windows Media Player 9, 10 or 11. Unfortunately, the clips are not supported on Macintosh computers.
The video clips may contain a few seconds of extra material at the beginning and end. We have therefore included opening and closing descriptions to help identify the intended scene.
Gang culture and family
Clip 1: 03:14 – 04:42
- In (Narrator): 'All around Somerleyton are the initials MZ…'
- Out (Narrator): 'This is Dexter's chance to prove he can escape his criminal past.'
What do you think of the notion that gang culture takes the place of family for many young people? Have you, or anyone you know, had any experience of gang culture? What sort of groups do you belong to? What's good about being part of a group?
Read this article incorporating the results of a poll about the gang culture:
www.guardian.co.uk/print/
0,,329724834-103539,00.html
Are you surprised at the findings? What do you think could be done to prevent young children joining gangs?
We learn that Charlie has been off school for one year
Clip 2: 08:36 – 10:20
- In (Narrator): 'A lot of kids X-it targets have been excluded from school.'
- Out (Narrator): 'Not going to school leads to boredom.'
Have you ever truanted from school? Why? Can you imagine what life is like for Charlie? What are the risks of a child that young being off school for a year? Read the information about truanting and attendance in the Background information. Are you surprised at the punishment given to parents? Do you think it is their responsibility to get a 15-year-old to school?
Jason tells us he wants to keep away from crime
Clip 3: 11:47 – 13:10
- In (Narrator): 'Losing his dad has made Jason determined to stay out of trouble.'
- Out (Dexter): 'Temptation, yeah, everyone's bringing temptation to me.'
How would you encourage Jason to stay out of trouble? Even Dexter says it's very hard to avoid the temptation of getting into trouble. Write him a message containing advice and encouragement.
Dexter gives his views on raising children
Clip 4: 22:04 – 22:42
- In (Dexter): 'Basically, I know how to raise my kids.'
- Out (Dexter): 'These are the main things a kid needs to be raised.'
Do you agree with Dexter's views on raising children? What else would you want to give a child apart from parents, a role model, support and love? What sort of parent do you think Dexter will be? Will his children have the same teenage life that he had? How do you see Dexter moving on now with his life?
