Remember
September 11
(6-12)
Everybody
Needs a Hero
(n28)
Subject
English,
social studies
Objective
Provide
opportunities for students to discuss the concept
of a hero in light of the events of September
11. Students will be able to reflect on questions
raised by this exercise in future study of literature
and history.
Time
Needed
One
class period with assignment given prior to class
Materials
Newspaper
and magazine articles
Lesson
A
week before September 11, assign students to examine
newspaper and magazine articles to find a story
about someone who performed a heroic deed or action.
The article may or may not be about someone from
September 11.
On September 11, students should bring the original
or a copy of the article along with a short summary
of why the student feels the action was heroic.
In class, students should be divided into groups
of 4 or 5. In the small groups, students should
share their articles and discuss why the individuals
are being described as heroic.
As a group, students should make a list of 5 attributes
that define heroes or heroic actions. The list
should be placed on chart paper that will be posted
around the room.
Large group should discuss the following questions:
1. What are the commonalities expressed in defining
a hero?
2. What are the differences in the lists that
seem particularly pronounced?
3. Is there a difference in heroes today than
in heroes from the past?
4. Are heroes important in our society today?
Why or why not?
5. How have the events of September 11 made us
think about heroes in our society?