role-play tasks

we write rubrics using imperative forms such as ‘Answer the questions’, ‘Read the article’, ‘Listen to the interview’

• Do they know or have they heard about anyone who has been shot? What happened? • Do they know about kids at school having guns or being involved in violent activities? What are these kids like? What happened? • What are their own fears and opinions about guns? • Have they ever been approached by anyone to buy a gun? How did they respond? How did they feel? • Have they ever seen a real gun? How did that feel and under what circumstances did this occur? • Do they feel any pressure to get involved with gun activity?

• Be close to your children, express affection, and share your values and high expectations for their success in school and life. • Discuss, clearly and honestly, tough issues, such as alcohol and illegal drugs, smoking, gangs, and sexual involvement. • Set and enforce reasonable standards of behavior, and praise good behavior. • Model positive behavior. • Monitor after-school time and locate after-school programs and mentors for your children. • Know who your children's friends are and discourage any involvement with gang members, gang clothing, or gang symbols. • Seek professional help if you suspect your child may be involved with, or threatened by, a gang.

take a self defense class;

About 80 percent of people killed with a gun knew the person who pulled the trigger.

If you're at school and a friend or another student takes out a gun;

FOR CHILDREN AGES 3-8, YOU MIGHT SAY: If you see a gun at a friend's house; • Get away from the gun. • Tell a grown-up. • Tell your friend not to touch the gun. • Call your mom or dad and/or go home. If you're in a house and hear gunshots; • Duck and cover. • Stay away from windows. If you're outside and you see a gun; • Do not touch the gun. • Leave the area right away. • Tell your parents or an adult.

Find out about gangs, gang recruitment, activities, signs, and colors. Then share the information, publishing an article in a school or local newspaper, or talking to community groups, parents, or groups of students.

Guns often escalate conflicts and increase the chances that you will be seriously harmed.

Tell a responsible adult (parent, neighbor, police officer) if you feel threatened • Avoid wearing gang colors, particularly in places where gang members hang out • Avoid obviously dangerous places where there is criminal activity • Avoid drug use • Avoid alcohol use • Avoid confrontations • Don't be a bully • Participate in positive activities and get home at a reasonable hour

Be aware of clothing, colors, and symbols used by gangs in your area, and avoid them.

Short Term: • In trouble with the law • Drop out of school. • Withdrawal from family. • Risk of injury in a "jump-in" by your own gang. • Drug trafficking/weapons. • Involvement in "dirty-work." Long Term: • Lose opportunity for education and employment. • Spend time in jail or prison. • Possibility of losing family and friends. • Risk of personal injury. • Risk your own family's life. • Endless amounts of threats, assaults and drive-by shootings.

Gang Recruitment Tactics Gangs pressure kids into gangs by using the following methods: • Peer pressure, offer protection. • Threaten safety of friends or family members. • Offer money for what appears to be simple activities. • Challenge kids to take risks. • Attend parties where gang related activities are occurring. • Family members already belong to a gang.

his can often result in sudden noncooperation, or worse, violent retaliation.

Expect your children to have respect for others, to obey authority, to be honest and to do one's best.

Give children responsibilities around the house, encourage work ethics and encourage children to seek jobs in the community.

The appeal of obtaining money fast can be overwhelming for children

Parents should form community groups that are willing to supervise children's activities

Children may join a gang as a means of protection from rival gangs. Children may view their neighborhood gang as a solution to the torment and threats from other gangs.

Children may be living in fear on a daily basis and see joining a gang as a solution to problems.

understand why young people today might be interested in joining gangs so we can be better equipped to speak to our children.