Summary

This documentary is about one woman's fight to introduce a bill in the Maine State Legislature that would require a waiting period before an 21 year old would be able to purchase a gun. Cathy's 18-year-old son committed suicide after purchasing a gun from a local Walmart. Cathy's life undergoes a dramatic change as she comes to grips with the personal loss and as she forges ahead with her mission. She goes from being an apolitical individual to a tenacious activist. She becomes familiar with the political process and all its challenges.
This documentary is a powerful tool in the classroom on many different levels. As students view the film, the following questions will help them to understand the basic information covered. Within the context of a larger unit on the Constitution, students will come to understand complex political processes through this real life example. Students will be able to identify their legislators and to be familiar with the role of special interest groups.
Prior knowledge gained from the lessons that precede the viewing of the film will help students connect the history of gun legislation in America to a specific situation occurring in Maine.

Lessons 1, 2 and 3 will be integrated throughout the context of the film.

New vocabulary and legislative phrases mentioned in the film need to be reinforced beforehand. This Literacy Activity prepares students for these terms and phrases.

Lesson 1.

Objectives:

• Students will view media and will write to acquire knowledge, clarify thinking, and synthesize information.
• Students will access online site in acquiring new information

Procedure:

Explain to students that they will be watching a film of a serious nature that deals with a young man's suicide and the attempts by his mother to introduce a bill that would require a waiting period before gun purchases. Explain that they need to focus, take notes, and be able to answer the following questions. (Teachers, make sure to view the film in its entirety before introducing to the classroom.)

Start at the beginning of the film and stop just after the text: " On May 23, 2004 Cathy Crowley's son, Larry, took is own life"- pause on the large photograph of her son.

1. Who is Cathy Crowley?  What was her life like before May 23, 2004? What changed Cathy's life?

When students have finished taking notes, give them a chance to write the answers in their Noteshare Notebook or a word processing program. Discuss the answers.

The only segment that may be difficult for students is the short piece just after the large photo of her son so fast forward or go to the scene index and click on:
 "Visit to Walmart"

2. Why did Cathy go to Walmart? What did they tell her?

At this point in the film, have students take the online Maine gun law quiz or pass the quiz out to everyone. The online quiz is located at : http://crime.about.com/library/blgunquiz_me.htm or download quiz.

After students have completed the quiz, discuss the answers. Ask them if they were surprised by the lack of gun laws in Maine and ask them for possible reasons why. Specifically address the two questions that need clarification.

Are background checks required at gun shows?
May the police limit carrying concealed handguns?

Have students reflect back at their research on gun laws in American and the timeline of gun legislation and see if there is any evidence of juvenile gun laws.

The Maine State Constitution Click on Article 1 Declaration of Rights and look for Section 16 states that, "Every citizen has a right to keep and bear arms and this right shall never be questioned."

Have students access the Maine gun Statutes

Pass out the Maine gun Statutes pdf or have them embed the file in their Noteshare Notebook  
Go over the specific Chapters. The provisions contain vocabulary that the students will need help understanding. A good literacy strategy for this would be the Triple Vocabulary.

Continue to lesson #2