The following lesson activities are based on the article “Seattle Underbelly Exposed as Homeless Camp Violence Flares.”
Before Reading
Look at the six photographs accompanying this article. What do you notice? Are there any details you find striking?
After Reading
Answer the questions, supporting your responses by citing evidence from the text.
1. What is the Jungle? Where is it?
2. What kind of trouble have police and fire department crews had to face in the Jungle?
3. Why is Seattle being looked to as a model by some other cities?
4. What are conditions like in the Jungle, according to a report released last month?
5. What kind of mix of people did investigators and residents say live in the Jungle?
6. Why did Mayor Edward B. Murray say that the Jungle is really just a mirror of the larger world?
Going Further
Are there homeless people living in your community? What does your town or city do to support these people? Do research — in your local newspaper or by interviewing city officials or nonprofit organizations — to find out how big an issue homelessness is where you live and what is being to done to help.
Update | Our Student Council member Jane Michel also suggests questions for further research and debate:
Should the government create designated encampments for homeless people? What other benefits, if any, do you think should be given to the homeless population?
Related
Guest Post | ‘Sliding Into Homelessness': A Student Essay and Teaching Resources
E.L.L. Practice | Helping the Homeless
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