Oklahoma City Bombing

Lesson Plan written by: Kelly Murray

I.                    Civic Ideals and Practices

C.     Locate, access, analyze, organize, synthesize, evaluate, and apply information about selected public issues- identifying, describing, and evaluating multiple points of view;

II.                 The students will be able to locate, analyze, organize, synthesize, evaluate, and apply information about the Oklahoma City Bombing and evaluate multiple points of view of the aftermath involving the suspects.

III.               The students will be able to think critically about the Oklahoma City Bombing using multiple sources of information and will then formulate answers to essay questions that will challenge them to take into consider multiple points of view.

IV.              History, Psychology

V.                 Lesson will last 1 day:

§         Introduction

§         I will ask the students if they know what historic event took place in Oklahoma City in 1995.

o       Bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building

§         Identify location on Map

§         PowerPoint explanation of horrific event

·        Multi-media Flashback

·        http://archives.cnn.com/2001/fyi/news/04/19/oklahoma.city/

§         I will then lead them into our next activity which will take place in the computer lab. 

o       Students will go to: http://archives.cnn.com/2001/fyi/lesson.plans/04/19/oklahoma.story.da/ 

o       Read CNNfyi article

o       Review questions listed

o       Perform independent research on topic

§         Class will return and be divided into 4 groups

§         Small Group discussions on CNN questions.

§         Followed by entire class “wrap up” discussion.

§         Take Home Assignment:

o       Answer questions 2 and 3 from the CNNfyi article in essay format.  This will challenge you to approach Attorney General John Ashcroft’s decision from multiple perspectives.  Think critically while formulating your answer. 

2. Who is Timothy McVeigh? Why do you think that Attorney General John Ashcroft has decided to let 250 survivors, family members and rescue workers watch his execution?

3. If you were a survivor, family member or rescue worker, would you want to watch McVeigh's execution? Many others also want to watch, and an Internet company has requested that it be allowed to webcast the event. The request was turned down by a federal judge, but the company plans to appeal. In the past, in various countries, citizens were required to watch public executions. What affect do you think that would have today? Do you think the execution should be available for the general public to view live? Why or why not? Explain your answer.

VI.              –What are some pivotal events that took place in the arrest of Timothy McVeigh?

-Choose one of the monuments located at the Oklahoma City National Memorial and explain its symbolism.

-Construct a timeline that highlights pivotal events that took place before, during, and after the Oklahoma City Bombing.

-What do you think the difference is between the Oklahoma City Bombing and 9-11 in relation to how the U.S. citizens reacted to such horrific events?

-Determine one way you think the tragic event of the Oklahoma City Bombing could have possibly been prevented.