FAMOUS CRIMINALS
Famous Criminals: Myth vs Reality
Some criminals become famous long after their crimes have been committed. Books, films and the media often create a certain image of these people, but the reality is not always the same as the myth.
In this activity, you will become an expert on one famous criminal:
- Bonnie and Clyde
- Frank Abagnale Jr.
- D.B. Cooper
- Cassie Chadwick
Your task is to learn about your criminal, using the text and the video provided and then teach your classmates about them.
step one: Become an Expert
You will receive:
one text
one short video (below step one)
Read the text and watch the video carefully. As you work, take notes about the most important information.
Focus on:
Who was the criminal?
What crimes did they commit?
Why did they become famous?
Myth vs Reality
What do people believe about them?
What was actually true?
What happened to them in the end?
Work independently and make your own notes.
Bonnie and Clyde
Frank Abagnale Jr.
D.B. Cooper
Cassie Chadwick
Step three: Prepare Your Presentation
Using your notes, prepare a short verbal presentation.
Your presentation should be approximately 2–3 minutes long.
Try to:
- speak clearly
- use your own words
- explain the most important facts
- avoid reading directly from the text
Remember: your goal is not to tell your audience everything. Your goal is to help them understand the most important facts about your criminal.
Step four: Teach Others
You will join a new group with students who studied different criminals.
Each student will present their criminal to the group.
While one student presents, the others should listen carefully and take notes.
Remember:
You are the expert on your criminal. Your classmates can only learn about your criminal if you explain it clearly.
Step five: Listen and Learn
While listening to the presentations, complete the table, using pen and the printed chart provided by your teacher.
| Criminal | Crime | Why famous? | Myth vs Reality | What happened in the end? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bonnie & Clyde |
|
|
|
|
|
Frank Abagnale Jr. |
|
|
|
|
|
D.B. Cooper |
|
|
|
|
|
Cassie Chadwick |
|
|
|
|
By the end of the activity, you should know the most important facts about all four criminals.
Step six: Reflection
Answer the questions below using complete sentences.
1. What did you learn about your criminal?
Write a short paragraph (4–6 sentences) explaining:
what crimes they committed,
why they became famous,
the myth surrounding them,
and what happened to them in the end.
Try to use:
criminal
crime
famous
myth
reality
consequence
2. Which criminal do you remember best from the presentations?
Write a short paragraph (4–6 sentences) explaining:
who the criminal was,
what crime they committed,
why they became famous,
and why you found them memorable.
Try to use:
presentation
criminal
crime
interesting
memorable
because