REMEMBERING SEPTEMBER 11
Discussion Questions, Small Group Activities, and Writing Assignments
By Laura Greenwald, Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies

Objective:
This lesson plan serves as a basis for discussion and reflection on the five-year anniversary of September 11, 2001. It consists of four parts which can be used separately or together:

• How has America Changed? Students will be presented with discussion questions that encourage an exchange of views on the impact of 9-11 on America.
• The Gettysburg Address: The group activity focuses on the symbolic and historic importance of the Gettysburg Address, which will be read during the anniversary ceremony.
• Writing a letter to the future: In addition, students will express in writing their feelings about 9-11, the war on terrorism, and implications for future generations.
• NewsHour with Jim Lehrer Conversations: Students will analyze The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer interviews related to the commemoration of 9-11. The goal of this lesson plan is to develop students' critical thinking skills with an emphasis on comparing and contrasting viewpoints, summarizing main ideas, understanding attitudes, note-taking, forming opinions, supporting an argument, and drawing inferences.

Procedure:
Depending on the size of your class, students may work in small groups of three or four before the class joins together in a larger discussion. Each student should receive a handout with the discussion questions and group activity. First, place students in small discussion groups so they can become familiar with the issues and develop their opinions. Students should write short answers to the discussion questions based on the small group interaction. Then, join the class together for a larger discussion.

Discussion Questions

1. Describe your immediate reaction to September 11 on the day of the attacks. Where were you on September 11?

2. How has September 11 impacted your life and your community? Do you think America is more or less vulnerable now? Explain.

3. How should future generations be educated about September 11? In your opinion, will Americans' perceptions of the attacks change as time passes?

4. How has September 11 impacted American culture? For example, how have movies and TV programs been affected? Do you think movies and TV programs should emphasize more patriotic themes? Explain.

5. How best can Americans commemorate September 11? Should September 11 be a national holiday? Why or why not?

6. Where did you get the news on September 11 -- from cable news, network news, newspapers, and/or magazines? Evaluate media coverage of September 11 and the war on terrorism.

Small Group Activity - The Gettysburg Address

Procedure:
Inform the students that the Gettysburg Address will be read at the September 11 anniversary ceremony. Provide students with historical background on the Gettysburg Address (recommended site: PBS' The American President). Place students in small groups and ask them to read the Gettysburg Address together. Tell them to discuss its main themes with their partner(s). Ask students to list at least four reasons why they think the Gettysburg Address is appropriate for the September 11 ceremony. Students can make comparisons about the state of mind of Americans during the Civil War and five years after the September 11 attacks.

Homework Assignment - Writing a Letter

Procedure:
Ask students to think about how future generations will be educated about September 11. For homework, students should imagine that they are writing a letter to their grandchildren. Tell them to describe how September 11 impacted their generation. What would they tell future generations about September 11? In a one-page letter, students should describe their feelings about September 11, the war on terrorism, and the national mood five years after the tragedies. Students may share their letters with other students in the "Sept. 11, Five Years Later" discussion at http://www.newzcrew.org between August 28 and September 25, 2006. You may encourage your students to participate in this forum, powered by content from the Online NewsHour.

Viewing Activity for NewsHour interviews - How Has America Changed?

Procedure:
Beginning on September 3, The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer will run a series of discussions with artists, writers, teachers and other thinkers about how America has changed since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 (click here for archived conversations). Teachers can tape the discussions and play them in class. Using the worksheet, students will compare and contrast the NewsHour guests' opinions on the impact of 9-11 on American society, lessons learned, and whether we are winning the war on terrorism.

Note-taking skills: For each interview, students should summarize the NewsHour guest's views on the following topics:

· Personal experience -- how 9-11 changed their lives
· Impact of 9-11 on American society and culture
· Lessons learned since 9-11
· Vulnerability of America
· Freedom in America
· Tolerance in America
· The importance of institutions -- government, military, religious, etc…
· Effects of war on terrorism on American democracy?
· Are we winning the war on terrorism?

After viewing the interviews, lead a class discussion on the main themes of each interview referring to the topic list. In addition to summarizing the views of the NewsHour guests, students should also be encouraged to express their own views.

Writing assignment:
Students will write an essay addressing the question "How has America changed since September 11?" Students should incorporate into their essays the views of NewsHour guests through comparison and contrast of perspectives on the impact of September 11 on American society. They can turn in their essays for possible publication on NewsHour Extra at [extra@newshour.org] or they share their essays with other students in the "Sept. 11, Five Years Later" discussion at http://www.newzcrew.org between August 28 and September 25, 2006. You may encourage your students to participate in this forum, powered by content from the Online NewsHour.

Author Laura Greenwald teaches English for International Relations at the Johns Hopkins University Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) in Washington, DC. She has a Master's Degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from the Monterey Institute of International Studies and a Master's Degree in International Relations from Johns Hopkins University SAIS. She has a B.A. in International Relations from Johns Hopkins University.

To find out more about opportunities to contribute to this site, contact Leah Clapman at lclapman@newshour.org