Response to
War
Suggestions for Teachers
During times of crisis, teachers are often confronted with a variety of
student reactions ranging from fear to curiosity to lack of interest. The
following suggestions have been gathered and distilled from experienced
teachers and may be helpful as events develop in our recent national crisis.
Provide opportunities for students to talk about what has happened
and how it affects them. Encourage students to also talk with their
friends out of class, and, especially for younger students, with their
families. A guided discussion activity is provided in War in Iraq—How Do You Feel? What Do
You Think?
- Be aware that families may have shielded their children from
certain information. You may have students that are finding out
about traumatic events for the first time at school. This can
put teachers in a difficult situation as they struggle to both
respect family wishes and help students cope with the realities
of the events. It can be helpful to communicate with parents to
let them know how the school is responding and, if necessary,
how particular students are affected.
- Keep yourself informed. Guard your students against rumors and
misinformation. Students need to be able to look to their teachers
as purveyors of reliable information. It is better to tell students
that you don't know an answer to a question than to offer speculation
that they could misinterpret as fact. Suggest ways that the class
can work together to gather accurate information and find the
answers to questions. Two Web Lessons provide media-literacy activities:
Fact Finders—The Media During
Times of Crisis.
- Provide balance and perspective through discussions, and through
sharing age-appropriate information. Sharing your initial feelings
and reactions about the war in Iraq can be helpful to the students,
but it is also important to provide a range of perspectives about
the events and issues. Share your expertise in helping them better
understand the issues, historical perspectives, and facts. Handling Controversy provides suggested
strategies for teachers to use with students.
- Help students understand that their safety and future is foremost
in the minds of the people making decisions, the civilians who
work in law enforcement and public safety, and the military.
- Challenge expressions of stereotyping and scapegoating. Guard
your students against jumping to conclusions about Middle Eastern
people and religions.
- Help students understand that there are many different viewpoints
about the war in Iraq and what should be done about it. They will
continue to hear many opinions from the media, politicians, citizens,
and the international community. Encourage secondary students
to use critical-thinking skills to form their own opinions. Demonstrate
to younger students that opinions are different than facts.
- Consider having guest speakers that can provide answers to your
students' questions:
* Representatives of the Islamic community.
* Experts on Middle Eastern studies.
* Experts on foreign policy from local universities.
To ensure a balance of differing perspectives, invite a panel of
speakers.
- While it is beneficial to identify and respond to "teachable
moments" based on external events, it is also beneficial to encourage students
to maintain their scholastic and extracurricular routines. Remember that
students are not adults and need a structured and normal environment to feel
secure.
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