Teacher Information

This Year 9 Crime Stoppers teaching and learning program expands the notion of involvement and taking responsibility in terms of the harmony and cohesiveness of a community. Students explore and gain an understanding of the ways in which they can contribute in a positive way to the community they belong to.

Students apply knowledge in a skills-based teaching and learning environment to enhance and refine their understanding and appreciation of active citizenship. The premise is an inquiry-based program.

The notion of belonging to a community that is valued and protected is paramount. Students are given opportunities to identify how they can play a positive role in protecting society.

The Year 9 Crime Stoppers teaching and learning program contains 10 lesson plans and all associated resource sheets. Each lesson plan contains: teaching and learning experiences, resource sheets, assessment items, focus questions, and expectations and goals. Over 18 resource sheets are included such as bystander effect explosion chart, campaign planning checklist, crime story map, role play planning and “Who are you going to call?”

  •  Lesson 1: Crime Stoppers – why is it so important? (Optional) 
    • Brainstorm prior knowledge of Crime Stoppers
    • How does a citizen report a crime to Crime Stoppers?
    • Why Crime Stoppers is so important to WA and Australia
    • What is the positive change that Crime Stoppers has influenced in our community and nation?
    • Has Crime Stoppers made the wider community a safer place to live and work?
    • Review all Australian Crime Stoppers websites and campaigns
  • Lesson 2: How did the police system begin?
    • The history of police
    • What was in place before police forces were established?
    • Why was the police force established?
    • To what extent do police play a role in society?
    • Is there a national police force in Australia?
    • Is there an international police force?
    • Does the role of police differ in countries around the world?
  • Lesson 3: The history of the Western Australian Police 
    • The history of the WA Police
    • The connection between the WA Police with Crime Stoppers
    • When would you call the Police and when would you call Crime Stoppers?
    • Class discussion: The police are the public and the public are the police
  • Lesson 4: Citizen: Australian citizenship
    • What is an Australian citizen?
    • What do you think are the responsibilities and privileges of an Australian citizen?
    • Do young citizens have the same responsibilities as adult citizens?
    • What is the relationship between police and citizens in society?
    • Class discussion: In order to police effectively and successfully, citizens are required to act dutifully in accordance with the police.
  • Lesson 5: Civic responsibility comes with belonging
    • What is citizenship?
    • How to become an Australian citizen
    • Benefits of becoming an Australian citizen
    • The diversity of Australian citizens
    • What is a ‘Citizen of the Year’ and what should we look for in a ‘Citizen of the Year’?
  • Lesson 6: Active citizenship – shaping our community
    • What does a safer neighbourhood mean to you?
    • Problems in your local community and neighbourhood
    • How can people feel safe in our local community?
    • Role play community problems and possible solutions
    • The relationship between local government and the needs of the local community
    • Crime Stoppers links to crime prevention (Eyes on the Street and Neighbourhood Watch)
    • What can you do to help crime prevention?
  • Lesson 7: The Bystander Effect – does it exist?
    • What is the Bystander Effect?
    • What are the origins of the Bystander Effect?
    • Case study: Kitty Genovese article
    • What is the Diffusion of Responsibility?
    • Diffusion of Responsibility in the context of the Bystander Effect
    • How does Crime Stoppers encourage taking positive action in our community?
  • Lesson 8: Australians making a difference
    • Explore and review the Gallery of Australian Biographies on the Australian Government’s Civics and Citizenship website
    • Select a historical figure from the website or a member of their community who has made a positive difference.
    • Collate research information into a presentation.
  • Lesson 9: We want change! Crime prevention
    • Research and create a campaign focused on enhancing community safety and crime prevention. Elements can include: preventing or reducing crime and anti-social behaviour, The Bystander Effect, improving community safety and security, and reducing the fear of crime
  • Lesson 10: Program reflection and review
    • Review the rationale for engaging in the program
    • Create a reflective summary of learning (eg journal writing, presentation, create an awareness poster, ICT presentation, topic test) of what has been learnt over the program.
    • What does Crime Stoppers mean to you?
    • What do I need to do if I see a crime being committed?

The teaching and learning experiences are aligned to the Australian Curriculum including the General Capabilities, and the Western Australian Syllabus.

Background

Overview

Crime Stoppers WA Ltd recognises that education is the key to creating change and enhancing community harmony.

Teaching staff from the Department of Education and Crime Stoppers WA Ltd have been working together to develop a series of three curriculum resources designed for students in the Early Adolescence phase of schooling.

The aim is to educate young people on good citizenship as part of their social and civic responsibility, and raise awareness of the important role that every person, including themselves, can play as a citizen in reducing crime.

Kinross College and Southern River College trialled initial materials in 2009 and remained extremely committed to the development of the final program.

This exciting new resource has been designed to explicitly show the curriculum connections to the Australian Curriculum and the Western Australian Syllabus. The curriculum design caters for flexible delivery and focuses on developing and enhancing skills through an inquiry-based approach.

Throughout this program students are provided with opportunities to understand and embrace the qualities of being good citizens, while also being empowered to develop a sense of pride in themselves, their school, their environment and their society.

Acknowledgments

Crime Stoppers would like to thank the following teachers and schools for their valuable input into
this resource:

Teachers

Matthew George, Emma Goggin*, Felicity Ivison, Luke Job, Gordon Middleton, Jo Murray, Kirsten Nangle, Nicola Newbegin, Glenn O’Rourke, Everal Pearse, Denise Schultz, Jo Tabb, Keith Turner and Selwyn William.

* denotes major contribution

Schools

Kinross College and Southern River College