The 5 Ws of 9/11 Spider Map

Ten year old Deja is starting fifth grade at a new school. Things are tough at home: Pop is always sick and sad, Ma is always at work, and Deja is always taking care of her little brother and sister while Pop is asleep. Her new school is different from anywhere else Deja has been, and the education of recent history that Deja receives will change her life and the lives of her friends and family forever.

America changed on September 11th, 2001. While it is a crucial and important time in the history of the country, teachers often struggle on how to broach the subject with their students in a sensitive, age appropriate manner. One way to talk to children about September 11th is to focus on all of the amazing people who risked or sacrificed their lives to save others. The young adult version of The Red Bandanna is the beautiful true story of Welles Crowther, a regular 24 year old man whose name and acts of heroism will be remembered for many years to come.

Too often, our students are disconnected from the world events around them. Help your students become more aware as citizens with our current events activities and lesson plan ideas!