Teaching kids about 9-11

New Jersey is believed to be the first state in the nation to produce a comprehensive kindergarten through 12^th grade curriculum to help educators talk to students about the September 11 tragedy.

Volunteer educators donated more than 1,000 hours of their time to produce the curriculum alongside the “Families of September 11”, Liberty Science Center, and the NJ Commission on Holocaust Education. More than 60 NJEA members across the state piloted the lesson plans during the 2009-2010 school year.

The lessons are grouped by theme:

• Human Behavior
• From Playground to World Stage: Aggression, Hostility and Terrorism
• The Historical Context of Terrorism
• 9/11/01: A Contemporary Case Study
• Consequences and Challenges in a Post 9/11 World
• Remembrance and Public Memory
• Building Better Futures: Narrative, Recovery and Responsibility

Watch NJEA’s Classroom Close-up, NJ’s coverage of the curriculum which includes interviews with NJEA members, administrators, Dr. Paul Winkler, executive director of the NJ Commission on Holocaust Education, and footage of children discussing the tragedy with educators.

Not only is the curriculum useful for educators, but it also can be a great resource for parents struggling to answer questions on the 10^th anniversary of the September 11^th attacks. For more information on the curriculum, visit http://www.state.nj.us/education/holocaust/news_topics_issues/911.html.

Other Resources

• The 10 Year Anniversary of 9/11/01: Stress, Trauma and Media Overload
• Creating a Safe Space in the Classroom: A Guide for Teachers and Schools
• Suggestions for talking to children about September 11th
• Webcast for secondary school students: What students need to know about 9/11: Ten years later