Lesson Plan - Stepping Up to Honor Heroes

Watch a Video: Remembering 9/11

After watching, discuss: Why is September 11, 2001, a very sad day in U.S. history?

Preview Words to Know

Project the online vocabulary slideshow and introduce the Words to Know. 

• first responders 
• terrorists

Set a Purpose for Reading

As students read, have them think about why people honor 9/11 first responders.

1. Why did emergency workers climb the World Trade Center stairs on 9/11 even though it was dangerous? Emergency workers climbed the stairs of the skyscrapers even though it was dangerous because they wanted to help the people inside. 

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2. According to the article, what do participants wear during a 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb? Why? During a 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, participants wear the names of firefighters who died on 9/11. That helps keep the memory of those people alive. 

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3. What can you learn from the map on page 4? From the map, you can learn the locations of the three terror attacks on September 11, 2001—New York City; Arlington, Virginia (near Washington, D.C.); and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. 

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FEATURED SKILL: Reflective Writing

Experts advise setting aside time for student reflection after exploring 9/11. Use the skill builder “Reflecting on 9/11” to have students think and write about what heroism means to them.

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