Teaching About 9/11

posted by: Alix | September 08, 2011, 05:31 PM

This Sunday is the ten year anniversary of the terrorist attacks that changed our country forever. In light of this milestone, many education experts have raised the question about how to address this tragedy and our ongoing wars with students, especially with those students who have no memory of the day. While there are no national or state guidelines for teaching this recent and still emotional part of our history, many teachers are, for the most part, on their own as they decide how to explain and teach these events to a broad range of students. If you are planning discussing the attacks with your students, there are some fantastic resources for reading, sharing and contributing.

The Department of Education has released several resources and curricula suggestions for teachers interested in addressing the issues. One lesson plan examines how "ordinary people acted in extraordinary ways" following the attacks, pointing to acts of kindness and charity and relating to being a good citizen in the wake of disaster.

The Morningside Center has also released suggestions for teaching 9/11 to younger students, including a book list for elementary-aged students. The resources reflect on tailoring your lesson plans to the age of your students and creating interactive and personal lessons for students to not only learn, but share their own thoughts on the issues.

The Fordham Institute recently released a comprehensive report that combines ten short essays by distinguished educators, scholars, and public officials from the 2003 report, "Terrorists, Despots, and Democracy: What Our Children Need to Know," and how they apply today.

Additionally, the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, the National September 11 Memorial and Museum, the Pentagon Memorial Fund and the Flight 93 National Memorial have sponsored a webinar conference for educators interested in discussing the events with their students. Discussions with content experts and workshop sessions are available online for free to educators in order to supply background information, and encourage conversations on how to document, preserve, and interpret recent history and current events.

Whatever your plans may be in discussing these topics, keep in mind that that these are some of the most critical issues affecting our country. While some may be controversial, it is extremely important to start an age appropriate dialogue with our nation's youth.

Do you plan on discussing 9/11 in your classroom? Do you have any suggestions on addressing the issues?
Comment below.

email to friend