A Gangs of New York Lesson Plan
‘America Was Born In The Streets.’


Grade Level: 9-12, college - Although the information provided in this lesson plan is appropriate for students from 9th-12th grade, only students over 17, or those with their parents permission, should watch Gangs of New York. This film contains high levels of violence and mature content, and is rated R.

Subject: History, Language

Keywords: Lesson Plan, Movies in the Classroom, 1863, Civil War Draft Riots, New York City, Manhattan, immigrants, Irish, English, gangs, survival, equality, history, slang, New World, gang warfare, murder, riots, New World, dialects, street slang, Ellis Island, records, pictures, written accounts, newspaper clippings, predecessors, Veteran’s Memories Project, heritage, Irish Potato Famine, immigration, emigrants.

Author: Sarah Lane

Affiliation: ClassBrain, Inc.

Date: 28 February, 2003

Duration: 1 to 3 class periods

Background:
Gangs of New York takes place in New York City during the crescendo of the 1863 Civil War Draft Riots. In the midst of urban unrest, in a section of lower Manhattan called ‘Five Points’, a young Irish immigrant named Amsterdam Vallon returns from forced labor to avenge his father’s murder. He befriends an anti-immigrant English gang leader called ‘Bill the Butcher,’ who teaches him how to fight and shares his secrets for survival. When a face from the past remembers Amsterdam, it’s only a matter of time before his identity is revealed and sparks begin to fly. The movie’s premise is Amsterdam’s fight for redemption, personal survival, and a place for his people in the New World.


Objective:
Watch the film Gangs of New York, 2002, directed by Martin Scorsese. Complete one or more of the following projects in conjunction with the movie. This film is not recommended for younger viewers. Check the Suggested Book List for post film resources.


Resources and Materials
Gangs of New York (movie)
Gangs of New York - Suggested Book List
ClassBrain’s Ellis Island Article
Veteran’s Memories Kit


Topics

Courtesy of HABS

LESSON PLANS
Where did you come from?

Project #1 The Goal of the Where did you come from? Lesson Plan is to have each student pick a relative they would like to learn more about. After reading ClassBrain’s Ellis Island article (from the Resources & Materials section of this Lesson Plan), have them use the learning links at the bottom of the page to conduct historical research on their chosen relative. They may collect records, pictures, written accounts, newspaper clippings, and anything else they would want to create a scrapbook with of their relatives’ life, and how they came to be an American. Whether they came through Ellis Island or by some other means, it’s important for students to recognize the struggles of their predecessors and the significance of their heritage.

Project #2 of the Where did you come from? Lesson Plan is to refer to the Veteran’s Memories Project Guidelines. Scroll down until you see the Veteran’s Memories Project Kit and click on the link. All necessary worksheets are provided.


Film Facts: Gangs of New York

Genre(s): Action, Crime, Drama

Rating: R

Family Rating: kids-in-mind

Running Time: 166 minutes

Primary Actors: Leonardo DiCaprio, Daniel Day-Lewis, Cameron Diaz

Director: Martin Scorsese

Music: Bono, Peter Gabriel, Howard Shore

Screenplay: Jay Cocks

Producers: (Primary) Alberto Grimaldi, (Associate) Gerry Robert Byrne, (Co-Producer) Laura Fattori

Studio: Mirimax Film Corporation


Related Internet Resources

www.gangsofnewyork.com