Lesson Plan: The Kent State University Shooting

Overview

This lesson will cover the events surrounding the Kent State University shooting, where four students were killed and nine were injured by National Guardsmen during a student protest against the Vietnam War. Students will learn about the historical context of the protest, the events leading up to the shooting, and the aftermath.

Learning Outcomes

• Know the historical context of the Kent State University protest
• Understand the events leading up to the shooting
• Analyze the aftermath of the shooting
• Evaluate the impact of the shooting on the anti-war movement

Methodology

This lesson will be delivered through a combination of lecture, discussion, and group activities. Students will be encouraged to engage critically with the material and to draw connections between the events of the past and the present.

Resources/Materials

• Textbook: Kent State: What Happened and Why by James A. Michener
• Primary source documents: transcripts of eyewitness accounts, news articles, and government reports
• Audiovisual materials: news footage, photographs, and documentaries
• Whiteboard and markers
• Handouts: discussion questions, group activity instructions

Activities

• Lecture: The instructor will provide an overview of the historical context of the protest and the events leading up to the shooting.
• Discussion: Students will be divided into small groups to discuss the following questions: What were the main causes of the protest? What were the protesters hoping to achieve? What were the National Guardsmen's orders? What were the consequences of the shooting?
• Group activity: Each group will be assigned a different primary source document related to the shooting. They will analyze the document and present their findings to the class.
• Assessment: Students will write a short essay evaluating the impact of the shooting on the anti-war movement.

Assessment

Students will be assessed on their participation in class discussion and group activities, as well as their written essay.