September 11, 2001 was a tragic day in American history. The terror attacks remain a horrific memory for who were alive on 9/11.
However, there were many stories of heroism that deserve to be told. Todd Beamer was an American hero on Flight 93 on September 11th.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand a context for current events and understand the impact of historical events on society.
- Evaluate the courage of individuals who risked their lives to help others.
- Compare acts of heroism in many forms, from first responders to ordinary citizens who acted selflessly.
Todd Beamer Lesson Plan Bundle
This Todd Beamer lesson plan bundle integrates reading skills and social studies. It focuses on what is means to have bravery and how citizen heroes sacrifice their own safety for the good of others.
Todd Morgan Beamer (November 24, 1968 – September 11, 2001) was an example of heroism for all students to study. He was a passenger on United Airlines Flight 93, which was infamously hijacked during the September 11 attacks in 2001.
What will Students do in this 9/11 Lesson Plan?
Students will view videos of 9/11 imagery, the United Airlines Flight 93 crash sight, and a video for reading skills.
For older students (Grades 4-8), they will also hear audio of Todd Beamer’s famous 911 call in which he detailed his plans to overtake the terrorists. There are writing prompts for reflection during this activity.
This lesson bundle is appropriate for upper elementary and middle school. The reading skills will benefit students in grades 3-6.
Todd Beamer Lesson Plan, Click to View on TPT
BONUS 9/11 Activites
[Update] Todd Beamer Lesson Plan
The Todd Beamer lesson plan now includes three days of content to teach!
It is perfect for grades 3-6 who want to integrate social students and reading. Here are the resources you will receive in this this resource bundle:
- 3 days of 9/11 lesson plans
- Slideshow on Todd Beamer and September 11th
- Video: Context Clues and Main Ideas
- Video: 50-second first responder overview video
- Biography Reading Practice “Todd Beamer” (Fluency, Vocabulary, Comprehension)
- Quick write with writing stems, vocabulary, and guiding questions
- 6 Reading Skills Task Cards with Social Studies content
Social Studies Integrated with Reading Skills
Integrating social studies and reading skills is crucial for two major reasons:
- Improved Vocabulary: Combining social studies with literacy instruction helps students expand their vocabulary by exposing them to new terms and concepts related to history, geography, and culture1.
- Enhanced Reading Comprehension: Reading about social studies topics allows students to practice and improve their reading comprehension skills. They learn to understand and analyze complex texts, which is beneficial across all subjects.
Why an Activity Bundle for September 11th?
Understanding History: Learning about September 11 helps students understand a significant event in modern history. It provides context for current events and helps them grasp the impact of historical events on society.
Developing Empathy: By hearing stories of bravery and sacrifice, students can develop empathy and compassion. They learn to appreciate the courage of individuals who risked their lives to help others.
Recognizing Heroism: Teaching about the heroes of September 11 helps students recognize what it means to be a hero. They learn that heroism can come in many forms, from first responders to ordinary citizens who acted selflessly.
PREVIEW THE TODD BEAMER LESSON
View this 9/11 teaching resource on TeachersPayTeachers.
September 11th Activities
[UPDATED 9/10/2018] We’ve added one more set of activities for you and your students!
This September 11th reading activity bundles three different reading pages around one Todd Beamer reading passage.
It’s perfect for grades 3-6. You can use it in many different ways:
- Paired reading stations
- Take to your seat literacy centers
- Whole class 9/11 activity
- Group work
- 4 separate 30-minute reading lessons
The Todd Beamer Reading Passage is challenging and aligned to standards.
Texas Social Studies TEKS 3.14A:(14) Culture. The student understands the role of heroes in shaping the culture of communities, the state, and the nation. The student is expected to:(A) identify and compare the heroic deeds of state and national heroes, including Hector P. Garcia and James A. Lovell, and other individuals such as Harriet Tubman, Juliette Gordon Low, Todd Beamer, Ellen Ochoa, John “Danny” Olivas, and other contemporary heroes.
4th-Grade CCSS:RI4.3 Explain events, procedures, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text, including what happened and why, based on specific information in the text.RI4.4 Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words or phrases in a text relevant to a grade 4 topic or subject area.
Download & Buy the Todd Beamer Resources
The Todd Beamer Reading Skills is a social studies reading passage that integrates:
- Fluency practice
- Main idea questions
- Vocabulary building with synonyms
- Timed repeated reading
- Margin notes
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