A lesson in history

By Michael McManus
CNN NEWSROOM

CLARKSTON, Georgia (CNN) -- In Ms. Lenski's high school history class, students haven't cracked a book in weeks, but that's with the teacher's permission. Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, the Clarkston High School history class has turned into a real-time lesson in history.

"I felt as though this was a prime opportunity," Cristy Lenski says.

She said she feels this topic was perfect for the class she was teaching. "That's what social studies is, this is who we are as a nation."

She starts the class out by reading the front page of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution newspaper, then the students write down opinions, thoughts or concerns and the discussion begins. Comments about a possible war seem to be the main interest of the day.

"When we go to war, everything is not going to be the same," says student Ikran Ahmed. "The economy will change, the way we live, the future."

VIDEO In this classroom, students close their books and open their minds to discuss the terrorist attacks. CNN's Michael McManus reports (September 28) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)

Ahmed is Muslim and expected her classmates to blame her for what happened. Instead at this school of 2000 pupils, students were comforting, but also inquisitive.

"They asked me a lot of questions; they were very interested in what the Muslim religion was all about," Ahmed says.

The student body of Clarkston High School in the suburbs of Atlanta is made up of over 50 nationalities so many opinions are represented.

"Before this happened, we did not talk in that class." says Tilmon Gaddy Jr., 16. "But since this happened, we've been communicating more."

The support the students' give each other during class is tangible. When one of the students broke down crying while telling the class about his father's death during the Sudanese civil war, Tilmon was one of the first voices to come to his comfort and defense.

EXTRA INFORMATION Backgrounder: Attack on the U.S. -- What happened?   Backgrounder -- Information on Afghanistan, Pakistan, bin Laden

"He's very strong because the way he held his own right then and there and being emotional in front of others," Tilman says. "Everybody does that every time they come to this class."

Charlie Henderson, principal of Clarkston, says he agrees. "The students will bond a little bit better because you're getting a varied set of opinions from each one of the students." Lenski has no plans on ending the discussion anytime soon and many at the school say this lesson in reality might just go on the rest of the school year. But that's ok with the students. Many say they not only understand the events of the last few weeks better, but each other as well.