Gene V. Gandelman
Lesson Ten: Our City Has Problems
Objective To teach students to think about problem solving and improving their community.
What are some of the things that ruin life in the City? What are some of the conditions we live with which need change or improvement?
Have the class discuss what’s wrong with city life today. The teacher will make a list on the board. You may need an extra blackboard.
Discuss why today’s urban problems exist, how they began, who they affect, and the need to address them. Take them one at a time i.e. ghetto life, poverty, crime, violence, etc. Talk about possible solutions and what the city, state or federal government could do.
Writing Activity #1
You have been asked to deliver a speech to the Democratic or Republican National Convention about the needs in New Haven and other cities across America. What are the most serious problems and needs? Why is it vital what we do something immediately? What will happen if we do nothing? Make your case convincing. The whole country is listening to you including the President and other influential politicians.
Writing Activity #2
Choose one of the serious social problems facing urban America today. Write an essay including a history of the problem, root causes, effect on people, possible solutions and the result of both doing nothing and doing something.
Writing Activity #3—Writing from personal experience
Take an incident or experience that you have seen or been involved in that you still remember well. Perhaps you witnessed an act of violence or were the victim of a crime. Write about the experience. What was it like to be a victim of someone else’s force or insensitivity? How and why did it happen? Could you have prevented or avoided the experience? How would you advise others who may become a victim? What did you learn from the experience?
Writing Activity #4
Think about a serious problem facing your community. Write a letter to your local newspaper detailing why the problem must be immediately dealt with. Try to win public support from the readers who might join with your cause. Be convincing with your letter and offer solution(s) to the problem.
