This helpful information is from PBS
The 9/11 anniversary in the
classroom
Teaching the events and aftermath of 9/11 can be challenging
because of the complex emotions it stirs up in both teacher and student and the
sheer size of the topic. Keeping this in mind, we have provided a one-page
background text for middle and high school students and a short list of
resources for the classroom. Within the resource collections you will find
articles, videos, lesson plans, interactive timelines, photo slideshows and
other rich content to choose from to meet the needs of your own classroom.
Background for students
Thirteen years ago on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, members
of the Islamic extremist group al-Qaeda hijacked four planes in a coordinated
terrorist attack. Two planes crashed into the Twin Towers in downtown New York
City, a third plane flew into the Pentagon building in Washington, D.C., and
the final plane was brought down by passengers, who had become aware of the
other attacks, in a field in Pennsylvania. 2,977 people died in the attacks,
including civilians, military personnel in the Pentagon and the emergency fire
fighters, police and medical workers who arrived at the scene.
In response to the attacks, President George W. Bush
announced that any nation that supported terrorism or was found to be harboring
terrorists would be considered an enemy of the United States.
At that time, the
government of Afghanistan was ruled by the Taliban, an extremist Muslim
political movement, who refused to shut down known terrorist training camps or
give up suspected terrorists to the United States. Within a month, the United
States invaded Afghanistan and began a war against al-Qaeda, its leader Osama
bin Laden and the Taliban government who protected them. U.S. Special Forces
found and killed Osama bin Laden in Pakistan in the spring of 2011.
The attack had a profound impact on the United States and
the rest of the world. The U.S. Congress designated Sept. 11 as “Patriot Day”
to remember and honor those who died. On this day, flags are set to half-staff
and many observe a moment of silence at 8:46 am, the time when the first plane
hit the Twin Towers.
Recommended resources for the
classroom
- An
in-depth FAQ about the
attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, with particular attention to the Twin Towers
and the 9/11 Memorial that stands in their place today.
- Two
interactive timelines that chronicle both
the attacks and the Ground Zero recovery. Note: Both timelines incorporate
videos and images from the attacks, so please view them first before
sharing them with students who may be upset by the content.
- This
special ten year anniversary collection on 9/11 provides
articles, videos and suggested resources from Frontline, NOVA and other
PBS programs.
- Reflections on the 9/11
Memorial In
this short video from NOVA Online, visitors weigh in on the design and
importance of the memorial. “It’s very moving, it’s graceful, and it’s
also dignified.
- In Remembrance: Teaching September 11 This collection of resources is recommended by
the U.S. Department of Education and explores topics and events
surrounding 9/11 as well as recommended strategies for educators on how to
teach 9/11 in the classroom.
