Dr. David Childs, Ph.D.
Northern Kentucky University
What happened on that day?
On Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001 the al-Qaeda terrorist network successfully executed attacks against the United States using four commercial airplanes. The airplanes were used as missiles to commit suicide bombings on several key buildings in the US. The most damage was done in New York as they completely destroyed the twin towers at the World Trade center. The attacks killed 2,996 people, injured over 6,000 others, and caused at least $10 billion in infrastructure and property damage. The death toll increased even after the initial attacks, as additional people died of cancer and respiratory diseases related to the debris from the destroyed buildings in the months and years following the attacks.
Where were you during 911?
For some, they were wrapping up the third period of seventh grade science class. Others were starting out their morning working at the office when they received “the call.” Still others were starting a routine day on their college campus. But for others, they have no recollection of the events, because they were not even born yet.
Lived Experience or Recent History
These events are for some people a lived experience in recent history and for others a historical event that they read about in history textbooks or learn of the events on an online resource. Many people across the US did not live through the events we know today as 911. Lauren Camera has written an article to this effect in USA Today entitled How to Teach 9/11 to Students With No Memory of It. Because we are in a time period where there are more and more people that do not have a vivid memory or lived experience of that time period, there will be more and more people who honestly do not know what happened unless they are taught information about 911. One of the important aspects of the field of history is that it reminds society of significant past events (Good and bad), events that had such an impact on people’s lives at the time that it would be a travesty for people to forget. September 11 is one of those events in history, that as long as the world exists, we should always remember.
Conclusion
For many, it is obvious why we should remember and continue to make it a part of the collective memory of the United States (Much like the American Civil War or World War II). But a number of today’s young people may sincerely not understand why it is so important. That is why a good social studies education is so essential today, indeed the job of the classroom teacher is evermore critical. In many cases, the first time students will hear about September 11 is from their social studies teacher. Below I have provided lesson plans and resources that teachers can use to teach students about 911 and even get the conversation started.
Lesson Plans and Teacher Resources
Lesson Plans
Lesson Plans- 911 Memorial Museum
Middle School Lesson Plans- 911 Museum
9/11 Lesson Plans- National Education Association (NEA)
9/11 Lesson Plans- Scholastic
9/11 Classroom Activities- Newsweek
9/11 Lesson Plans- Teacher Planet
9/11 Lessons- Education World
9/11 Lessons- Tomorrow Together
9/11 Lesson- Teach Hub.com
9/11 Anniversary Teaching Guide- Morningside Center for Teaching Social Responsibility
Footage/News Clips
Remembering 9/11: Watch Today Show’s live broadcast of Twin Towers on Sept. 11, 2001
9/11 FOIA Videos: Street-Level Footage, Aerial Shots (Viewer Warning)
Second Plane Hits South Tower
Remembering 9/11 | Archive Footage We Will Never Forget
Articles
Photos: Remembering those lost on 9/11
The Names on the Memorial
How to Teach 9/11 to Students With No Memory of It
The 9/11 Anniversary in the Classroom- PBS News Hour
While America Slept: The True Story of 9/11
References
September 11 Attacks- The History Channel
September 11 Attacks- Encyclopedia Britannica
History of the 9/11 Attacks
Discussion Questions
1. Where were you on September 11, 2001 when the terrorist attacks occurred?
2. Why do you think important events are often so quickly forgotten?
3. View some of the resources provided above (Articles, footage, news reports, images). What thoughts and emotions come to mind as you examine the material?
4. What are creative ways teachers might begin discussion about 911? For those currently teaching in the classroom, what are lessons or activities you have tried that have been effective in teaching about September 11?
This article is organized in a way that is easy to read and engaging. I like that it breaks down different aspects of 9/11 to help the reader understand 9/11 and also puts it into perspective when it comes to teaching students who were not alive when it happened. I believe that 9/11 is a very important topic to discuss with students because of its effect on America. This article really made me think about how I will relay such a heavy event to students who were not alive when it happened. I was only 3 but there is a weight in knowing it happened during my lifetime but when it becomes a date in the history books, how do we get students to understand its significance and importance? I think it’s important that we intentionally plan how we will portray the information of September 11th and this article got me thinking of and gave jme resources for doing so.
I was very young when this horrible even occurred. I do not remember anything from that day due to a concussion that caused some memory loss. For me, learning about this event was one of my favorite things to learn because of the intensity and closeness that the united states felt during this period. People fell together and became a single nation and even a family; trying to protect each other and help the best we could. I enjoyed following the information about this event my entire life, which is why when 9/11/2011 came around, I gained a whole new view of that day. On this day in 2011 I was adopted. Having this happen in my life honestly made me feel happy and yet guilty all at the same time. This day became a day that I was worried about telling people about my experience because I wanted to make sure I was not taking anything from all the people who got hurt or ended up dying. I hope to learn even more about this topic through my life, especially to talk to someone who first hand witnessed the tragedy.
September 11, 2001 I was four years old. I believe I was at daycare when the attacks occurred. I remember later on in life in elementary school learning about the attacks. I remember thinking how crazy it was that this event happened in my lifetime. I remember watching videos in class about the attacks as well. I think it is very important to teach students about September 11th, because it is part of the history of our country.
I really like this article! It is very useful to me as a future teacher in many ways. I will be able to use this article to help students understand 9/11. I really like the embedded link that leads to the article on how to teach students about 9/11 when they were not born yet, because I was born when 9/11 happened but I was only 2 so I do not have much memory regarding it.
I was only 4 years old when this happened, but I always ask my parents each year to tell me where they were when this event took place. More people, especially the younger generation, should be educated on why this day is so important. Though they were too young to remember, or not alive at that time, every US citizen should know about this historic and life-changing event.
Ok that is crazy what happened in London! From what I understand there was just a terror attack?? My sister literally just told me! Why are these happening so often?
I was less than 5 years old when 9/11 occurred, therefore I can’t personally remember the event but have heard stories from my parents and relatives. This is an event that is still very prevalent and will hold an important place in my classroom instruction. I think that important events are often so quickly forgotten because of the mass amount of media and events that are reported on everyday. People are constantly getting introduced to new topics and events, but this is why it is even more important as a future educator to implement and help students learn about this important event. Whenever I watch videos the towers, the people and the first responders I get emotional/sad; to think that this event actually happened in New York blows my mind. Visuals are an important aspect in student learning and when I teach this lesson to my future students I will use pictures, videos and audios to help convey the emotion and fear that occurred that day. Some ways that teachers could begin discussion on 9/11 could be by playing/showing pictures as the students are walking in, asking them about defining moments in American history, etc. There are many ways that this topic can be taught, but no matter how it is taught the important thing is that it is taught. We want students to understand the lived experience of September 11, 2001 rather than just the textbook version.
As I read the heading above I am one of those people. Granted, I know enough to be able to briefly explain to someone what 911 was if they asked me, however I don’t know enough to feel I am an expert who can honestly say I REMEMBER. I was born December 1998 which would make me almost three the day that changed our country’s view on our level of freedom and security forever. I feel that September 11, 2001, should be a day that is always talked about and remembered, not only because it was such a horrific day, but because it is a constant reminder to us that our freedoms are NOT free. As a future teacher, I feel it is important to make sure students are taught about this tragic time in our country’s history. With it being 18 years ago students of today will have no recollection of the day because they were not born. They did not witness it unfolding on their television screens. It is up to educators and their families to educate them on the, that through tragedy, brought our nation together. Immediately following September 11th many people all across the country banded together to show their patriotism which stemmed into an increased sense of nationalism all over the country. There are many resources available for teachers to create engaging lessons that will educate students about 911. These lessons can expand to include service learning projects that allow the students to understand the value of volunteerism within their own communities.
I don’t have any recollection of 9/11 when it happened. Some of my friends, however, do remember vivid parts of that day and my grandparents used to talk about it quite often. Though I don’t remember much, I am very aware of how big of an impact it has had on the country. Every year since then, on 9/11, it is taught in all schools in America, in all classrooms. Teaching students about that time and what was happening is very important. As teachers, we have the opportunity to teach our students to understand our country, and our world. We have the opportunity to teach them to be good people and make the world a better place, through the teaching of social studies and its events throughout time. We cannot be afraid to teach this, or topics like this, because it is an event that changed our country forever.
I remember that I was in 1st grade when 9/11 happened. I remembered that teachers ran into our room and was freaking out rolling a tv in our room to watch was happening. I don’t remember what I was feeling or what exactly was happening but I remember the panic that went through my school that day. I can’t give details like some people can and give step by step. I still can’ wrap my mind around the fact that something to that degree has happened in my lifetime. In the future, it will be challenging to teach students about something that hasn’t happened in their lives. However, I know there is many resources and lessons that I can use to help me in the future.