Update: The featured video above is from Sept. 4 and is still applicable. Watch the latest update "Students mourn 4 killed in Georgia school shooting as investigators explore past threats." Ask your students: How might gatherings like the vigil help people process such horrific events? What other actions do you believe need to happen once authorities are notified of a shooting threat?

Teachers: You may want to read 15 Tips for Talking with Children About Violence here. It is understandable for students to feel upset by the events in Georgia. Consider inviting your school counselor or administrator to your class to help facilitate the discussion, and let students know there are resources at the school including the counselor for them to speak with.

Students: It is very reasonable that you feel upset learning about the shooting at Apalachee High School. Talk with your teacher, school counselor/administrator, parent/guardian or friend if you're feeling upset. SAMHSA, the main national government resource and department on mental health, offers this guide for students: "Resources to help youth cope after a mass shooting."

SUMMARY

In Georgia, a 14-year-old opened fire at a high school, killing four people and injuring at least nine others. Police say they have arrested a student who is the suspect. Investigators said they did not know a motive yet about what was behind the 29th mass shooting the U.S. has endured this year.

View the transcript of the story.

News alternative: Check out recent segments from the NewsHour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.

WARM-UP QUESTIONS

1. What do we know about the shooting at Apalachee High School?
2. Where did the shooting take place (city/state)?
3. Why do you think some states charge minors as adults in certain cases?
4. Who were the individuals included in this story?
5. How did you feel listening to the personal comments from Sheriff Jud Smith of Barrow County, Georgia?

FOCUS QUESTIONS

What do you think needs to be done to prevent school shootings and gun violence in the United States? Who needs to be involved?

Media literacy:

• How do you think the news media should cover mass shootings, particularly school shootings?
• The News Hour refers to the 14-year-old alleged shooter as the "gunman." Do you agree with this wording? Why or why not? Would it be more accurate to use the word "boy" or "child"?

Alternative: See, Think, Wonder: What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What would you want to learn more about?

FOR MORE

Teachers: Consider teaching this lesson or parts of it applicable to your class: Lesson plan: How to talk as a class about gun violence in schools. The lesson follows the 2022 Uvalde, Texas, shooting and will be updated today (Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024).

What students can do: Read some of the excerpts from the Student Voice: Where students stand on gun violence piece below. Which excerpts resonated with you? Why?

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