The following 9/11 resources for K-12 teachers can help explain this somber day in U.S. history
Quiz: Which country has the largest Muslim population? 1) Saudi Arabia 2) Indonesia 3) Egypt 4) Iraq
If you guessed Indonesia, a non-Arab Asian country, you are correct!
OK, what’s with the geography lesson and why is this important?
Millions of Americans and their allies will commemorate the thirteenth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks that killed more than 3,000 Americans. This was the biggest terrorist attack against the U.S. since the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor during World War II.
Naturally, students have many questions and concerns: Who exactly attacked us? Why did they attack us? Will they attack us again?
While 9/11 is a day for mourning and reflection, it also can serve as a day for knowledge and tolerance.
With all of the content from blogs, pundits, and social media, finding non-hysterical, moderate, and unbiased information on 9/11 can be a daunting task.
How do you plan on teaching the events of 9/11? Share your views in the comments section below and join our growing network of ed-tech professionals on Twitter @eschoolnews.
(Next page: Helpful educator resources for 9/11)
For instance, while the 9/11 hijackers were Muslim Arabs from the Middle East (15 of the 19 were Saudi), did you know that Islam is a great monotheistic religion like Judaism and Christianity and that Muslims have been living in the U.S. since before gaining independence from Britain?
Did you know that while most Arabs are Muslim, most Muslims are non-Arab? Also, the majority of Arab-Americans practice Christianity, not Islam.
Teacher lesson plans can benefit from the following resources containing interactive multimedia and graphics.
Education World, the biggest free independent online resource for educators, has many tools to help educate students on what happened on 9/11 and offers additional information to help students cope with anxieties. The following sources are suitable for K12:
Dealing With Tragedy in the Classroom
A Brief Illustrated Guide to Understanding Islam, Muslims, and the Koran
The National September 11 Memorial & Museum website has several quality resources and lesson plans for K12 educators.
Check out lesson plans for the following:
For educators, faculty, and staff
Arab-Americans have a rich history in the United States and are represented in all industries including government, sports, and entertainment. Check out this list by the Arab American Institute. Some of the names may surprise you.
Sometimes laughter is a powerful remedy when dealing with pain and tragedy. While some of the language in this YouTube clip may not be suitable for a K-12 audience, educators, faculty, and staff may enjoy some comedic relief from the perspective of Arab and Muslim-Americans about 9/11 and identity issues.
Michael Sharnoff is Associate Online Editor of eSchool News. Follow him on Twitter @Michael_eSM.
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