Starter:Monday, 04 January 2021

1. Think of something(s) you believe in and write these

down.

2. How far will you be willing to go to stand up for

something you believe in?

Nicky Cruz: The Gangster Who Cried

Learning Objectives:“How did David Wilkerson and Nicky Cruz use their choices to change the world?”

I can…

Have I achieved these? (Tick/ cross)

How do I know I have achieved today’s LO’s?(What do I know now? What has today’s lesson

taught me?)

Explore the life of Nicky Cruz and identify why he joined the Mau Maus.

Explore work and life of David Wilkerson and consider the impact of his work on the notorious Brooklyn street gangs.

Evaluate the question, “How can a religious experience transform the life of an individual?”

Stick your LO sheet in your book

This lesson links to our

❑Previous lesson – looking at people who have fought for justice. Exploring the concept of fairness and equality

❑Future learning – this lesson links to the next topic in year 8 we will be studying about Forgiveness and reconciliation and at GCSE we look causes of Crime and the aims of punishments

KEY WORDS FOR THIS LESSON

Examples of religious experiences;

• Numinous- a powerful feeling that you are in the presence of something greater than you,

something that is sacred, for example in a church or looking up at the stars.

• A vision- when you see the figure of someone holy, for example going to Lourdes and seeing Mary.

• Conversion Experience- When your set of beliefs are changed due to experiencing something sacred

and holy,

• Revelation- Where you feel that a prayer has been answered for the best, for example praying an

ill person in your family will get better, and they do.

Religious Experience: this is an experience which someone feels they have had a direct or personal experience/connection/contact with or of God. A religious experience could be a dream or vision where God speaks to a person, or it could be a miraculous healing.

Task 2: Write down the definition and examples in your book

The man on the left is named

Nicky, we are going to learn about

his life.

■ Looking at this picture what do

you think his story is?

■ Be as imaginative as possible.

Task 3

Who is Nicky Cruz?

He was born in 1938 in Puerto Rico. He was born to a Satanist family into a home where his parents brutally abused him, his mother saying that she did not want him and his father locking him in a room full of pigeons.

Satanist – Nicky Cruz’s parents practiced brujeria (witchcraft) and were followers of spiritism ("espiritismo"). They mentally abused him; his own mother would call him "Son of Satan". When he was 15 years old Nicky was sent to New York to live with his older brother. As a result of being unhappy at home, Nicky run away.

Task 4: Answer the questions below, give reasons to support your views.

Nicky ran away from home because he was unhappy.

1. Is this the best thing to do when a child is unhappy? Why?

2. What could Nicky have done instead?

3. What could happen to Nicky while on the run?

Mau Maus – Nicky joined a gang called the Mau Maus. Six months later Cruz was made the leader of the gang, and under his rule, they were known as one of the most dangerous and feared gangs of New York. They ruled the streets with robberies, gang fights and killings.

The media makes it seem attractive to be in a gang

and the youth think it's cool

They want to feel powerful They want to

have status

They are looking for

protection, security or safety

They are looking for

friendship or their friends

are in a gang

They feel peer pressure to join

They want attention

and to be accepted

They want money or other

material items

They want to feel like they

are part of a family

They do not have a mentor to help guide

and support them

Why do young people join gangs?

Task 5:Now read the rest of the storey of Nicky Cruz in The Gangster Who Cried

(the information is attached)

Extension task

Create a WANTED poster for Nicky while he was in

the gang, what will you put on?

1. Explain how Nicky become the leader of the gang?

2. Describe how being in a gang changed Nicky’s life

3. Who was David Wilkerson?

4. What qualities can you describe him (David Wilkerson) as having?

5. Do you think he made the right choice to work with the gangs?

A Transformed LifeEventually Nicky Cruz has a religious experience which transforms his life and makes him change his mind to become a Christian. He has worked in several youth outreach programmes and helped to transform the lives of many former gang members and other living on the streets. In 1964 He set up his own ‘Outreach for Youth’ Home in California. His story has been portrayed in the film Run Baby Run and The Cross and the Switchblade.

TASK

1. What type of religious experience does Nicky Cruz have?

2. What lessons can be learned for the story of Nicky Cruz?

3. How would you describe David Wilkerson?

Let’s Get Ready for the Assessment

You have 20 minutes to go over the work we have completed over

the last five weeks. The next slide will give you some questions

for reflection make sure you can answer these.

You will then be given the time to complete the assessment

question.

Quick Revision -20mins

✓ Can you talk about each individual and explain their story?

✓ Do you remember the dates/place of birth?

✓ What is their respective religions?

✓ What did each of them do?

✓ What happened to them as a result

✓ How did they put her beliefs into practice?

✓ What did justice mean to them?

✓ Do you agree that they are individuals who used their

choices to change the world?

Over the last 5 weeks we have studied the life and work of the following people

St Teresa of Calcutta

David Wilkerson and Nicky CruzMalala Yousafzai

St Oscar Arnulfus Romero

Rosa Parks and Civil rights Movement

Assessment

❑ You have 50 minutes to complete the assessment tasks set. Make you’re

your answers are well explained so that you can gain the higher mark for

each questions

❑ You must remember to point evidence/example and explain your 4 and 5

mark questions

❑ Use the prompts provided to help you answer each question