Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/45361
A glimpse at the victims Sixth-graders in Monica Stewart's class at Los Amigos Elementary School have seen stories about the 9/11 anniversary on TV and know people died, but are hazy about details. After being provided with a synopsis of what occurred from their teacher, they still find it hard to fathom that terrorists would intentionally kill thousands of people. Their teacher doesn't sugarcoat what happened, but she doesn't dwell on the gory details, either. Her goal is to teach about 9/11 in a historical, factual way, and then segue into stories of heroism that she hopes will be inspirational to her students, who were babies when 9/11 happened. The children look at the faces of five ABOVE: Billy Gene Coffey teaches a lesson on 9/11 at Norman Glick Middle School, Modesto. "ordinary" people who became heroes that day. All of them died while rescuing oth- ers. They include a police officer and a fire- fighter, workers in the Twin Towers, and a passenger on Flight 93 who tried to retake the plane that many believe was headed for the White House, but instead was brought down in a Pennsylvania field. "They were just five heroes out of many," Stewart tells her students. "Their stories Resources for teaching about 9/11 National Museum of American History: In collaboration with other organizations, the museum hosted a conference titled "September 11: Teaching Contemporary History." It is available online along with links to teaching materials from the Smithsonian Institution and others. smithsonianconference.org/september11 National September 11 Memorial and Museum: The website offers educational materials and a teacher's guide for teaching about 9/11 along with webcasts with experts discuss- ing the event. www.911memorial.org September 11 Education Trust: This site, founded by families of 9/11 victims, has curriculum and materials that can be purchased online with units created to help students under- stand the event. www.learnabout9-11.org New Jersey Curriculum: Has lesson plans on 9/11 and materials covering terrorism and living in a post 9/11 world. www.state.nj.us/education/holocaust/news_topics_issues/911.html >>9:31 AM SPEAKING FROM FLORIDA, PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH CALLS THE EVENTS IN NEW YORK CITY AN "APPARENT TERRORIST ATTACK ON OUR COUNTRY." Education Week reports fewer than half the states include 9/11 as something that should be taught in high school social studies standards. are sad, but they are also courageous and inspirational. I'd like you to describe the emotions that come to mind after hearing their stories." The youngsters speak in somber voices. "I feel sad for people who risked their lives to help others," says Fernando Carbajal. "They wanted to live." Isabel Dorn tells classmates that she feels bad for the children whose parents walked into the Towers to rescue others, but never returned. "Imagine your mom or dad walking in there," she says. "People risked their lives and died. I would have wanted to help, too." Other students tell Stewart they are sad thinking about how difficult it must have been for passengers on the plane to call loved ones and say goodbye, knowing they were about to die. "We must be thankful and cherish our families every single day," says Stewart, who asks students whether they also felt inspired to help others after hearing these stories. Students raise their hands and say yes, they are. >>9:37 AM HIJACKERS ABOARD FLIGHT 77 CRASH THE PLANE INTO THE PENTAGON IN WASH- INGTON, D.C., KILLING 59 ABOARD THE PLANE AND 125 MILITARY AND CIVILIAN PERSONNEL INSIDE THE BUILDING. 9:30AM >>9:42 AM FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY, THE FAA GROUNDS ALL FLIGHTS OVER OR BOUND FOR THE CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES. 9:45AM 20 California Educator / October 2011