Covering 9/11 for kids is a sensitive but important topic. Here’s how to study September 11th for kids, including September 11 history, 9/11 lesson plans for high school, middle and elementary school, heroes of 9 11 for kids, 9 11 lesson plans activities and more to create a theme lesson study unit.
Teaching 9/11 For Kids History
When my daughter turned nine, I decided that it was important to have a larger discussion about the September 11 attacks (and look for better ways of teaching 9/11 for kids).
We’ve had some discussions about September 11th, but we’ve never really gotten into the full details.
But, I was concerned:
Since it is such a sensitive topic (and I have a very sensitive child), how can we learn about this historical event in detail without creating a sense of fear?
After doing some research, here are 9/11 for kids explanations, lesson plans, and activities that you might find useful in teaching September 11th (especially if you’re looking for 9/11 lesson plans for middle school and up) and helping kids better understand this tragic day in U.S. history.
Before we get to the lessons and activities, let’s talk about what happened on 911…
When was the World Trade Center attacked?
The World Trade Center was attacked on September 11, 2001. At 8:45 a.m., the first plane flew into the north tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. At 9:03 a.m., a plane hits the south tower. The twin towers attack was one of the worst days in U.S. history.
TEACHING 9/11 FOR KIDS
1. 9/11 Memorial Lesson Plans
The 9/11 Memorial & Museum offers lessons plans on the history and commemoration.
The 9 11 memorial museum also offers teaching guides and a guide for talking to kids about ground zero, facts about 9 11, picture of 911 memorial, and how remembering 9 11 each year is important.
The World Trade Center memorial offers good September 11 lesson plans for elementary students, middle school and high school.
You can also see a 9/11 timeline here.
Grades K-12
2. What Happened on 9/11?
Scholastic has lesson plans, news stories, videos, and book recommendations on 9/11.
This is a great place to start for a 9/11 history lesson, especially if you’re having a hard time finding September 11 lesson plans high school and middle school.
Grades 3-12
3. September 11 Lesson Plan on Peace, Tolerance and More
PBS has a list of lesson plans and information that deals with the topics of “peace, tolerance, war, patriotism, geography, and other related issues” that are good to cover with September 11 lessons.
4. Outlawing Hate
The Constitutional Rights Foundation (CRF) has a lessons and resources that outlawing hate, including specific events in history (like the 9/11 event).
Need more patriotic lesson plans?
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5. Helping America Cope
Helping America Cope is a free guide to help parents and children cope with the anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks, and covers dealing with continued threats.
They also have a free download, Helping Children Cope with the Challenges of War and Terrorism.
6. Victims of 9 11 and Stories of 9 11
Legacy.com provides a list of all of the people killed on September 11th, stories about some of them, and even includes an online book that you can sign with thoughts, stories, or photographs.
Important for the coverage of 9 11 remembrances.
7. Another Day That Will Live in Infamy
The New York Times provides a lesson plan where the students will read a news article on 9/11 and then spend time discussing and writing about the articles.
From the description:
Students are encouraged to share, through discussion and writing, their feelings about these and other acts of terrorism, as well related issues such as national security and media coverage of the attacks.
There are also extension activities for more learning also Interdisciplinary Connections for subjects.
Grades 6-12
8. Hooray for Heroes
Scholastic.com offers a lesson plan on heroes.
Grades 3-8
9. Preventing Attacks on the Home Front
CNN.com has a lesson plan for discussing an attack and then reviewing responses to it.
Older Students
10. Always Remembered, Never Forgotten
If you’re looking for a craft, check out this Always Remembered, Never Forgotten flag handprint craft.
You can also take a virtual tour of the Ground Zero Museum (World Trade Center Museum).
11. Read Children’s Books About 9/11
If you’re looking for kids’ books about September 11, check out this list.
These books are in no specific order and are not separated by age/grade, so please be sure to read the full description of the book to make sure that it is appropriate for your child’s age.
12. Teaching 9/11 for Kids
The National Education Association has a huge list of free resources on teaching 9/11 for kids to remember 9 11.
13. September 11: Proverbs of One World
Create your own personal memorial to September 11.
“Students create a book or bulletin board of proverbs that offer lessons connected to themes of freedom, tolerance, patriotism, diversity, and respect.”
HOW DO YOU COVER 9/11 FOR KIDS IN YOUR STUDIES?
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