Reactions in Kyrgyzstan

Overview: How are teens in Kyrgyzstan responding to the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States? Have students conduct further research about conflict in Kyrgyzstan's history and write journal entries discussing their feelings about the tense situation in Kyrgyzstan.

Curriculum Connections: International Relations, Media Literacy

After students read the CNNfyi.com Student Bureau story, "Kyrgyzstan: Students sympathize with American tragedy," and ask the following questions:

1. Direct students to a map of Asia to observe Kyrgyzstan's location. You may want to send them to the Holt, Rinehart and Winston World Atlas map of Asia.

2. Why does the article state that Krygyzstan knows terrorism and war well? If you were a Kyrgyz teenager, how might the possibility of conflict where you live shape your emotions? What percentage of the Kyrgyzstan population is Muslim? What happened at the American University of Kyrgyzstan the night after the September 11th attacks? How have some Kyrgyz teens reacted to these attacks?

3. Refer students to the Web sites below and their textbooks to learn more about conflicts in Kyrgyzstan's history. Have students conduct further research and explain the nature of conflicts between Krygyzstan and Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Afghanistan .

4. Using what they have learned in their research, have students write journal entries discussing their feelings about the tense situation in Krygyzstan. Invite students to share their journal entries. Ask: Do you think the terrorist attacks in the United States has influenced your viewpoint towards other countries that live in conflict? Discuss.