Rebuilding
The World Trade Center Site: A 9/11 Tribute
Project URL:
http://www.teachnet-lab.org/ps101/chornik/wtc/wtcindex.htm
How it works:
This unit serves to memorialize the victims and heroes of the
September 11 attack on the World Trade Center. It focuses on
rebuilding, developing hope for the future, and "creating beauty
and inspiration out of the ashes." Although designed for fifth
graders in the New York City public school system, the activities may
be adapted for older students and can also memorialize victims and
heroes in other cities. Students develop the concept of what a
memorial is, evaluate proposed designs for structures to be built at
the World Trade Center site, use drawing and painting tools to design
their own structures, learn writing and word processing skills to
describe their designs, and develop the concept of area as they
determine the number and size of the structures that can be
accommodated at the WTC site.
Standards addressed:
Students read, write, listen, and speak for literary response,
expression, critical analysis, and evaluation as they evaluate
and discuss criteria and design descriptions. They
participate in group meetings; demonstrate a basic understanding of
the rules of the English language in written and oral work; analyze
and revise work to improve its clarity and effectiveness;
develop eye-hand coordination and visualization skills by designing,
constructing, and measuring structures; develop concepts of area of
plane figures and surface area of solid figures as part of the
construction phase; and develop a sense of pride and accomplishment
through their work.
Materials
used:
Required materials include computers with Internet access,
printer, and word processing, drawing and painting applications, as well as geoboards, rubber bands, boxes of various
shapes and sizes, and rulers.
The students:
Rebuilding the World Trade Center Site: A 9/11 Tribute was created for
fifth graders but is appropriate for students in grades five through
twelve. The students attend P.S. 101 in Brooklyn, New York, and the
classes are heterogeneously grouped. Because of the cooperative
learning activities, students of varying abilities and skill levels
work well together.
Overall value:
In this unit, the Internet is used as a research tool providing the
most current information regarding the rebuilding of the World Trade
Center site. This results in students becoming motivated learners.
Additionally, they gain confidence by working in cooperative
groups and develop pride while developing and describing their own
designs. The resultant designs were submitted to Mayor Bloomberg and to
Cable News Network, showing the students that their ideas and contributions
can make a difference in our society. This sense of pride and empowerment
fosters a sense of hope for the future by stressing the idea of rebuilding the WTC site instead of focusing on
the horrific events of 9/11.
Tips:
Teachers should
pre-screen online images and text and only present material that is
appropriate for the age and maturity level of their students.
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Carolyn Hornik has been a New York City public school teacher for twenty five years (12 years as a classroom teacher in third, fourth, and fifth grades and 13 years as a technology coordinator.)
She teaches in-service courses for the New York City Board of Education After School Professional Development Program and on-line courses for new teachers through
Teachers Network.
Chornik@aol.com
Estimated Class Periods To Complete: 10
or more
Subject: English, Social Studies
Beginning Grade Level: 4
Ending Grade Level: 8
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