Curriculum

Teaching the Death of Bin Laden

By Liana Loewus — May 02, 2011 1 min read
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Last night’s killing of Osama bin Laden by the U.S. military is a momentous—and complicated—event that will shape our nation’s history. Students are bound to be talking about the news throughout the day, and more than just social studies and government teachers will need to address it in their classes.

The New York Times offers a host of ideas for how to teach Bin Laden’s death, including some discussion starters and a fleshed out lesson plan about al Quaeda and terrorism. The website also has a forum where students can post their opinions on questions such as whether or not Bin Laden’s death is cause for celebration.

Teachers might also want to consider showing how newspapers around the country and world covered the story on their front pages. (Though a caveat here: The Newseum’s site seems to be crashing.)

Any other suggestions on how to teach the news in schools?

A version of this news article first appeared in the Teaching Now blog.