Like many adolescent students, seventh-graders in Chester’s Black River Middle School read the “The Outsiders,” the classic teen novel by author S.E. Hinton. But after that, Chester students delve more deeply into the book and its themes, by working with their teachers and local police officers.
Team teachers Joseph Pizzo and Doreen Aiello invite two local police officers, who served as D.A.R.E. officers when the students were in sixth grade, to spend two consecutive class periods with the students. The exercise centers on the expectations of all citizens from all backgrounds, whether affluent or disadvantaged. The content of the novel, which features “have” and “have-not” teenagers caught up in tragic circumstances, is used to discuss conduct and school climate. A courtroom simulation is often included, and clips from the film of the book are shown as part of the presentations.
Alternative behaviors and choices are also explored, as students examine the conduct and choices of the main characters.
Information
Contact: Joseph Pizzo, Integrated Language Arts Teacher, Grade 7, [email protected]
Doreen Aiello, Integrated Language Arts Teacher, Grade 7 [email protected]
Submitted by the district .