Lesson Plan: Defining Terrorism

Subject: Social Studies Topic: People in Society, Economy, and Business Desired Outcome: I can use my knowledge of current social, political, or economic issues to interpret evidence and present an informed view. Level: Third Level (Scottish Curriculum)

Duration: 60 minutes

Resources: - Whiteboard or flipchart - Markers - Handouts with definitions of terrorism - Newspaper articles or online news sources discussing current social, political, or economic issues related to terrorism

Introduction (5 minutes): 1. Greet the students and briefly explain the topic of the lesson: “Today, we will be discussing the concept of terrorism and its impact on society, economy, and business.” 2. Ask the students if they have heard or read about any recent incidents or issues related to terrorism. Allow a few students to share their thoughts.

Activity 1: Defining Terrorism (15 minutes): 1. Divide the students into small groups of 3-4. 2. Provide each group with a handout containing different definitions of terrorism. 3. Instruct the groups to discuss the definitions and come up with their own definition of terrorism. 4. After 10 minutes, ask each group to share their definition with the class. 5. Facilitate a class discussion to compare and contrast the different definitions, highlighting the key elements that define terrorism.

Activity 2: Interpreting Evidence (20 minutes): 1. Distribute newspaper articles or online news sources that discuss current social, political, or economic issues related to terrorism. 2. Instruct the students to read the articles individually and underline any evidence or information that helps them understand the issue better. 3. After reading, ask the students to discuss in pairs or small groups the evidence they found and how it relates to the issue of terrorism. 4. Encourage students to critically analyze the evidence and consider different perspectives. 5. Select a few groups to present their findings and interpretations to the class.

Activity 3: Presenting an Informed View (15 minutes): 1. Ask the students to individually reflect on the evidence they have analyzed and form their own informed view on the issue discussed in the articles. 2. Instruct the students to write a short paragraph explaining their view, supporting it with evidence from the articles. 3. Allow a few students to share their views with the class, encouraging respectful discussion and debate.

Conclusion (5 minutes): 1. Summarize the main points discussed during the lesson, emphasizing the importance of using evidence to form informed views. 2. Encourage the students to stay informed about current social, political, and economic issues and to critically analyze the evidence presented in the media. 3. Thank the students for their participation and conclude the lesson.

Note: It is important to approach the topic of terrorism with sensitivity and ensure a safe and inclusive learning environment. Encourage students to express their opinions respectfully and remind them of the importance of understanding different perspectives.