Pick an event that students have studied (e.g., World War II or Hurricane Katrina) and have them research art/music/literature that was created to express survivors' emotional reactions. Invite them to compare what they learned from looking at the art to what they learned from their textbook.

Assign students to research the science behind the use of art to help people heal from trauma.

Look at or listen to examples of art/music that are about trauma. This could include anything from fine art (e.g., Pablo Picasso's Guernica, a statue in front of city hall or a Langston Hughes poem) to pop culture (e.g., a dance routine from So You Think You Can Dance). Ask students to think about what these art forms are able to communicate that a news report or history book cannot.

Examine media forms that combine affective and cognitive elements (e.g., propaganda, some news reporting, some advertising, documentaries, late night talk show host monologues). Have students differentiate between the emotional and information-based appeals.

Have students research examples of music or art that are or were used to help a community heal (e.g., "Amazing Grace" being sung at a funeral, or the construction of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.).