S.E. Hinton's The Outsiders is the anchor text in a unit that asks readers to reflect on their own identity, their place in their family, in groups with which they identify, and in school. 

Students discuss bullying. They listen to or read the story "Kids Join Gangs to Beat the Bullies." Students role-play bullying situations and discuss possible outcomes. Role play ideas and the link for the story are included with the...

Students breakdown different types of youth crime/gangs. Students evaluate the power of peer pressure. Students identify and offer advice for dealing with peer pressure. Students encounter the theory of phenomena.