(Courtesy: New Jersey State Department of Education): A wealth of valuable resources exist on the Internet for teachers who wish to teach 9/11 -- background materials, photographs, primary source documents, secondary documents. Newspaper reports of the event from all over the world, lesson plans, and other helpful documents are available from many, many sources. Here are the popular websites we have found on 9/11:
http://usinfo.state.gov/is/international_security/terrorism.html. The website of the U.S. Department of State which includes key documents, background studies, fact sheets and other very useful stuff for teaching 9/11.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/September_11,_2001_attacks The free encyclopedia includes 21 pages of a valuable background essay on the incident plus many links to useful primary and secondary sources.
http://www.linking.to/September11/. A rich resource from the BBC which again includes more than twenty pages of descriptions and links to other sources. Very valuable.
http://cnnstudentnews.cnn.com/2001/fyi/lesson.plans/09/11/towers.pentagon/ CNN has a very good lesson plan with some resources. http://www.esrnational.org/sp/we/analyze911.htm The web site of Educators for Social Responsibility. Suggestions for study about the War on Terror, Afghanistan, 9/11, discrimination and hate crimes.
http://americanhistory.si.edu/september11/. The site of the Smithsonian Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. Pictures of highlights of the Museum's collection of artifacts relating to 9/11.
http://www.interactivepublishing.net/september/. The Interactive Publishing Company's site which includes a detailed timeline of 9/11 plus pictures and downloadable materials from world press sources.
http://www.choices.edu/twtn.cfm?id=61. This is the Brown University Program site for Choices, their widely used social studies unit plan source. Many links to valuable sources.
http://www.dhs.gov. The US Department of Homeland Security's website. This contains many useful primary documents regarding the US government's response to and terrorism.
Other Helpful Resources History in the Making
Thoughtful lessons to help students think critically about the events of 9/11. Includes a teaching guide and take-home pages for generating individual thought and group discussions. Developed by the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.Download Toolkit for History in the Making
9/11: Stories of Survival and Loss
Developed for high school educators. A comprehensive in-classroom program for use with the compelling video of the same title. Includes step-by-step guidelines for discussion and activities. Developed by the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.Download Toolkit for Stories of Survival and Loss
The World Trade Center: Rescue, Recovery, Response
Designed to be used with a tour of the New York State Museum, this guide is useful for teachers everywhere by outlining classroom activities that teach about the rescue, recovery and response. Download Guide for Rescue, Recovery and Response
America Responds
Shortly after 9/11, PBS developed resources to help educators teach students of all ages about peace, war, patriotism, geo-politics, and other related issues. To review the entire list of compelling topics and teaching guides, Go to America Responds
America Responds to Terrorism
From the Constitutions Rights Foundation, topics and study guides geared specifically to 9/11, along with related topics such as terrorism and analyzing rumors vs. myths. Go to America Responds To Terrorism
The 9/11 Commission Report: National Commission On Terrorist Attacks Upon The United States
Following the attacks, the U.S. Gov’t commissioned an independent, bipartisan commission to prepare a complete account of the circumstances surrounding 9/11. Submitted in 2004, the Commission was also mandated to provide recommendations designed to guard against future attacks.Go to The 9/11 Commission Report
The September 11th Education Trust
Published by Social Studies School Service, The September 11th Education Program: A National Interdisciplinary Curriculum, features seven teaching units designed to help students reflect on the impact and legacy of September 11, 2001. Relying on open-ended inquiry, activities also prompt students to interpret primary source materials including photographs, video footage, and oral histories; and to document their findings by means such as Google Earth and a timeline. Two DVDs supply interviews with survivors, rescuers, victims' relatives from the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and hijacked airliners, and political leaders (including Secretary of State Clinton and Mayor Rudy Giuliani). A binder includes complete lesson plans and reproducible handouts. Grades 6–12. September 11th Education Trust. ©2009.To learn more and to download the free Remembrance Program, visit www.learnabout9-11.org
General Educational Toolkits
In addition to learning about 9/11, here are additional toolkit resources you can use to teach the merits of community service and to help you plan for service events.
Serve.gov Service Project Toolkit
Have an idea for a service project like getting a group together to volunteer at a homeless shelter, or reading to kids at your local library? To learn how to turn your idea into a successful service project by using these do-it-yourself toolkits.Click Here for the Project Toolkits.
Youth Service America Service Learning Modules
Youth Service America provides an array of interesting and socially relevant service-oriented topics. Click Here to See the Complete Service Learning List.
The Corporation for National and Community Service
Through its Senior Corps and AmeriCorps programs, millions of Americans of all ages and backgrounds engage in service to meet community needs. Click here to find “best practice” resources for planning and organizing programs and events.Go to "Best Practice" Resources.