Lesson
The Selfless Courage of the Doolittle Raiders
In this lesson, students will learn about the actions of the Doolittle Raiders in April of 1942. They will understand how the pilots’ sacrifice and selfless actions helped to advance the cause of freedom. Through this example, they will understand how they can be more selfless in their own lives.
Founding Principles
Guiding questions
Walk-In-The-Shoes Questions
As you read, imagine you are the protagonist.
- What challenges are you facing?
- What fears or concerns might you have?
- What may prevent you from acting in the way you ought?
Observation Questions
- What was the Doolittle raid?
- What did the United States military hope this raid would accomplish?
- How did the selfless action of the Doolittle Raiders help the American war effort against Japan?
Discussion Questions
Discuss the following questions with your students.
- What is the historical context of the narrative?
- What historical circumstances presented a challenge to the protagonist?
- How and why did the individual exhibit a moral and/or civic virtue in facing and overcoming the challenge?
- How did the exercise of the virtue benefit civil society?
- How might exercise of the virtue benefit the protagonist?
- What might the exercise of the virtue cost the protagonist?
- Would you react the same under similar circumstances? Why or why not?
- How can you act similarly in your own life? What obstacles must you overcome in order to do so?
Learning objectives
- Students will explore the actions of the Doolittle Raiders.
- Students will understand how their selfless acts helped the American cause.
- Students will understand how they can be more selfless in their own lives.
Lesson Components
Standards
Advanced Placement
- Courage,
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