7th Grade UBD - Unit 3 - Terrorism

 List at least four questions you have about what terrorism is and why it exists. Which question do you consider most important to answer? Explain the reason(s) for your choice. (5 minutes)

 Work with a neighbor and compare your answer with theirs. What things are the same and what things are different? (3 minutes)

Reading Activity- Eyewitness To History 8

Video- War On Terrorism

 In a attack against the United States, terrorists hijacked commercial passenger jets and cashed them into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, killing thousands of innocent people.

 Terrorism seeks to hurt a few people and to scare a lot of people in order to make a point.  It is an unlawful act of violence.  Intimidates governments or societies.  Goal is to achieve political, religious or ideological objectives.

 After the 9/11 attack, people in Israel lined up to donate blood, light candles, grieve the dead, and fly the American flag.  A national day of mourning was declared as all Israeli flags are lowered to half mast, in respect and sympathy for the American tragedy.

 The Israeli government was among the first to offer a search and rescue team to help with the rescue efforts.  Streets in Tel-Aviv and Jerusalem were renamed “Pentagon Rd.” and “New York St.”.

 Every decent, honest person should ask why.  Why are these people celebrating the death of so many innocent people?  How can they be so happy just because American citizens died?  Where does this hatred come from?

 What is it?  Where does it come from?  Why is it used?  How can we prevent it?  What do we fear about terrorism?

 Is an unlawful act of violence.  Intimidates governments or societies.  Goal is to achieve political, religious or ideological objectives.

 Terror has been used to achieve political ends and has a long history.  As a resistance to Roman occupation, terrorists killed Roman soldiers and destroyed Roman property.  Terror was used to resist occupation.

 Anarchists were seen in the late 19th century.  Individual terrorism:  The use of selective terror against an individual in order to bring down a government, ex. Lincoln assassination.  Propaganda by deeds …terrorists acts  Terrorism became tool of communication, propaganda.

 Primary prevention:  Education!!!  Understand the differences in cultures, religions, beliefs and human behaviors.  Think of the peace, freedom and equality of all human beings, not just “my group of people.”  Eliminate the root of terrorism.

 Secondary prevention:  Establish surveillance and a monitoring system on terrorism attacks.  Improve protective systems for citizens.

 Firearms  Explosive and Incendiary Devices  Chemical Agents  Biological Agents  Nuclear Weapon

 Terrorism is an unlawful act.  Terrorism has a long history of being used to achieve political, religious and ideological objectives.  Terrorism can be conducted through firearms, explosive devices and biological, chemical, nuclear materials.  The risk of dying from terrorism is much lower than that from motor vehicles, smoking, and alcoholic beverages.

Reading Handout- Understanding Others

Quotes Activity

 What has been the “muddiest” point so far in this lesson? That is, what topic remains the least clear to you? (4 minutes)

 Work with a neighbor and compare your muddiest point with theirs. Compare what things are the same and what things are different? (3 minutes)