3.10.11

On the 11th September 2001 the world was transfixed by events unfolding in New York. Ten years on and the impact of those events is still being felt across the globe. The anniversary of 9/11 and the months that follow is a good time to reflect on the events of that day and explore how the world has changed as a result. In particular, it is an important opportunity to help your students look forward and consider ways in which we might all make the world a better and safer place.

 

The 9/11 education programme website at www.911educationprogramme.co.uk has a number of resources to help you explore and reflect the consequences of 9/11 with your students. The citizenship topic How do we deal with terrorism? enables students to consider why people commit acts of terrorism, what alternative forms of legitimate action could be used, how different countries respond to acts of terrorism and the consequences of these responses. There also ideas in the whole school guidance section of the website which could be used as part of a citizenship programme.

 

In addition to this, it is worth looking at some of the other subject topics on the website which also focus on the aftermath of 9/11. For example the RE topic What really matters in relation to 9/11? looks at some of the key lessons that can be learnt from 9/11 and enables students to deepen their understanding of the different ways in which people are encouraged to be a force for good in the world.  The history topic How has 9/11 shaped your world? looks in detail at how 9/11 has affected different people’s lives including the opportunity for students to consider how it has affected their own lives.  

 

There is nothing to stop you adapting some of these materials for use in your own citizenship lessons. Alternatively, why not collaborate with some of your subject colleagues to plan a take a cross curricular approach to the teaching of 9/11? Think of the added impact this could have across your school and how memorable it would be for your students.