| Full lesson | Create for a teacher a set of content for giving a lesson, beginning with the lesson plan. Each new block of materials must begin with an H1 heading (other subheaders must be H2, H3, etc). When you describe required pictures, write those descriptions in curly brackets, for example: {A picture of a triangle} |
| Which subject | History |
| What topic | Film and 9/11 |
| What length (min) | 50 |
| What age group | Doesn't matter |
| Class size | 6 |
| What curriculum | |
| Include full script | |
| Check previous homework | |
| Ask some students to presents their homework | |
| Add a physical break | |
| Add group activities | |
| Include homework | |
| Show correct answers | |
| Prepare slide templates | |
| Number of slides | 10 |
| Create fill-in cards for students | |
| Create creative backup tasks for unexpected moments |
Film and 9/11
History
Grades 9-12 (typically ages 14-18)
50 minutes
6 Students
This lesson corresponds to the US national History curriculum which emphasizes the analysis of historical events and their representation in media, encouraging critical thinking and media literacy.
| Step Number | Step Title | Length | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction | 5 min | Brief overview of the lesson’s topic. What happened on 9/11? Quick discussion to gauge prior knowledge. |
| 2 | Film Overview | 10 min | Introduce selected films about 9/11, discussing their themes and significance. Provide handouts. |
| 3 | Film Clips Viewing | 15 min | Show clips from the selected films. Pause at critical moments for brief discussions. Relevant analysis questions to be filled out. |
| 4 | Group Discussion | 10 min | Facilitate a discussion on students' reactions to the clips. Focus on themes of tragedy, heroism, and media representation. |
| 5 | Reflection Activity | 5 min | Ask students to write a short reflection on how films influence their understanding of historical events. |
| 6 | Homework Assignment | 5 min | Assign students to write a 1-2 page response on a film not covered in class that relates to 9/11, focusing on its themes and portrayal of the event. Explain that homework will be checked but not presented in class. |
"Good morning, everyone! Today, we’re diving into a very impactful topic—Film and 9/11. Can anyone tell me what they remember about September 11, 2001? [Pause for responses] Great! It’s important to reflect on the events of that day and how they've shaped our culture, especially in film. By the end of our lesson, you’ll be able to analyze how films depict those events and the broader themes of tragedy, heroism, and patriotism.”
"Let’s start by discussing some films that address 9/11 and its aftermath. I have handouts for you that include summaries and questions to think about. The films we’ll focus on are ‘United 93,’ ‘World Trade Center,’ and ‘Fahrenheit 9/11.’ [Distribute handouts]
These films approach the events from different perspectives. For instance, ‘United 93’ is a real-time account of the flight hijackings, while ‘Fahrenheit 9/11’ critiques the governmental response to the attacks. I want you to think about the themes presented in these films as we watch clips today.”
"Now, let’s watch some selected clips from these films. We’ll pause at certain points to discuss what we’ve just seen. Watch closely for how the filmmakers depict the themes of tragedy, heroism, and how they represent media's role in this historical context.”
[Show the first clip from ‘United 93’ and pause.]
“What did you think about this scene? How did it make you feel? [Pause for responses] Let’s fill out the first section of your handout based on this clip.”
[Continue with the subsequent clips from ‘World Trade Center’ and ‘Fahrenheit 9/11’, pausing for discussion after each one.]
“Now, let’s gather for a group discussion. Reflecting on the clips we’ve watched, what are your reactions? How do the themes of tragedy and heroism come through? And how does the media play a role in shaping our perception of these events? [Encourage all students to share their thoughts and facilitate the discussion]
It's important to engage critically with these films to understand not just the stories they tell, but also their impact on our thoughts about 9/11 and American society.”
“Let’s take a moment to wrap up our discussion with a reflection activity. Please take out your notebooks and write a short paragraph on how viewing these films has influenced your understanding of the historical events of 9/11. What emotions did the films evoke?
You have five minutes to complete this. Remember, this isn't just about summarizing what happened, but reflecting on how film can shape historical understanding.”
“Before we finish up, let’s talk about your homework assignment. I want you to write a 1-2 page response on a film that we've not covered today, but that relates to 9/11. Focus on the significant themes in that film and how they relate to the events of that day.
This will help you further analyze the cultural impact of 9/11 through cinema. I’ll collect your homework next class, and please note that you will not need to present it aloud. You’ll simply be assessed based on your writing and insights."
"Thank you for participating today. Make sure to reflect on these themes as you complete your homework. See you next time!”
| Slide Number | Image | Slide Content |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | {Image: A skyline of New York City} | - Introduction to the impactful topic of Film and 9/11. - Discussion of personal memories of September 11, 2001. - Importance of reflecting on the events and their cultural impact, particularly in film. |
| 2 | {Image: Movie posters of 'United 93', 'World Trade Center', 'Fahrenheit 9/11'} | - Overview of key films related to 9/11: - ‘United 93’ (real-time account). - ‘World Trade Center’ (survivors’ perspective). - ‘Fahrenheit 9/11’ (critique of government response). |
| 3 | {Image: A film projector or movie theater} | - Viewing selected clips from the films: - Focus on themes of tragedy and heroism. - Media's role in representing significant historical events. |
| 4 | {Image: Scene from 'United 93'} | - First clip discussion: 'United 93'. - Emotional responses and reflections on the scene. - Fill out the first section of handout based on the clip. |
| 5 | {Image: Scene from 'World Trade Center'} | - Middle clip discussion: 'World Trade Center'. - Engaging thoughts on themes seen in this clip. - Continue filling out handouts. |
| 6 | {Image: Scene from 'Fahrenheit 9/11'} | - Final clip discussion: 'Fahrenheit 9/11'. - Discussion about media representation. - Complete handouts with insights from the clip. |
| 7 | {Image: Students in a group discussion} | - Group discussion prompts: - Reactions to the clips viewed. - Exploration of tragedy, heroism, and media's influence on perceptions. |
| 8 | {Image: A student writing in a notebook} | - Reflection activity: - Write a short paragraph on how the films influenced understanding of 9/11. - Focus on emotional impact and reflections on historical understanding. |
| 9 | {Image: Homework assignment on a desk} | - Homework Assignment: - Write a 1-2 page response on a relevant 9/11-related film. - Emphasis on analyzing significant themes. |
| 10 | {Image: Thank you note or final slide} | - Thank you for participating! - Encourage ongoing reflection on themes discussed. - Reminder about the homework submission next class. |
How do you think the portrayal of heroism in these films compares to real-life accounts of bravery shown during 9/11?
If you were a filmmaker, what unique perspective would you want to showcase in a film about 9/11?
What role do you believe media played in shaping public perception of the events on 9/11, based on what we've discussed today?
Reflecting on the emotional impact of the films, which film do you think had the strongest effect on you and why?
How do you think the themes of tragedy and patriotism in these films resonate differently with audiences who experienced 9/11 and those who learned about it afterward?