Certain events in life get burned into our brains in a way that we will never forget. For example, I remember working in the college newspaper office when Reagan got shot, on the phone when I learned my father had died, and teaching in the computer lab on September 11, 2001, the unbelievable day that gripped our nation. Similar to the kid in my story, I was a teacher with my fourth graders who witnessed a crying assistant running through the room, which was a common crossway between halls.
The assistant stayed with my students while I left for the library where I found multiple teachers and staff members huddled around a TV set watching an airplane fly into one of the Twin Towers. Then, to make matters worse, we spotted a second plane flying too low to miss the other one.
Being in Memphis, I did not have students pulled out of the classroom to mourn loved ones, but that was not the case for my niece's future husband. His story about his dad was the impetus for my 9-11 story.
Through my fictional character, I told the story of the fate of those in the Twin Towers of New York City. As with my character, Josh's personal story had a better ending for him, although terrible for many others.
You can teach about 9/11 with this no-prep historical fiction reading passage and questions based on real events from September 11 or Patriots' Day through 9/11 worksheets. This historical fiction story comes complete with vocabulary words, discussion questions, a research question or writing prompt, and an answer key. Teaching is a breeze with my easy use reading passage that is available in print or as a digital resource. Best for grades 4 - 7.
Inside this engaging, print and go historical fiction story, you'll find:
- 4-page Historical Fiction Story
- 1-page Epilogue and Author's Note at the End of the Story
- 15 Vocabulary Words
- Enrichment Vocabulary Word Sentence Prompt
- Vocabulary Sentence Matching
- 7 Discussion Questions
- A Research Question
- Complete Answer Key
- Printable PDF. file
- Link to Google Slides
- Easel Worksheets
If you are unfamiliar with my writing, check it out with this sample from the story.
I felt the air escape from my lungs as if I’d just been punched in the gut. My dad’s office was on the 80th floor of the North Tower. He was a heavy man who suffered from Diabetes. In his poor shape, I felt certain he’d have trouble climbing down eighty flights of stairs to leave the building. “Could he have taken the elevator down to the lower floors and gotten out?”
Read what teachers, like you, have said about this September 11 Reading Passage.
Awesome Blossoms
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I loved this and we used it for our reading the week of 9/11. It was easy to add questions and ideas that I needed to cover. My kids were captivated by the story."Erine A.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Just what I need for my kids to understand what happened before they were born."
Thanks for reading,
Joyce
