SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - As we look back to the terror attacks on the nation 10 years ago, we must look forward by teaching those who don't remember.
For many of us, the 9/11 terror attacks are something burned forever in our minds. But kids in school right now are trying to understand what happened that day 10 years ago.
Ask about the day the towers fell and Isabella Fernandez, who was seven-years-old at the time, will tell you about the dust, the airplane parts in the family's living room and most especially, the holes. “I had a friend who lived in Tribeca. She said, 'oh, a plane went through and there's holes on both sides of either twin tower, so I went through the day with this image of the twin towers with holes on both sides," recalled Fernandez.
Now 17, and a senior at a New Jersey all-girls prep school, Fernandez is experiencing 9/11 in a new way.
As a part of history, she's studying it in class, in the context of global security and terrorism.
“It's important, not only to look at the event, but to understand the history and the consequences,” says Fernandez.
Though 9/11 is increasingly taught in schools, New Jersey's 9/11 curriculum is the first known to be sanctioned by a state education department for grades Kindergarten through 12. With more than 100 possible lesson plans on the subject, younger kids may learn about bullying and power. While older ones study topics like the allure of terrorism, its history, grieving and also remembering.
It was developed by educators like Reba Petraitis. “How can we make this world a better place that future generations can live in peace? That was a major request coming out of the families of 9/11 when they asked us to write this curriculum,” said Petraitis.
Several widows who lost husbands in the attacks also helped out to create part of the curriculum for the New Jersey school system. They wanted to be sure the personal stories were included in the lesson plans.
In Utah we called several different school districts to find out what kids are learning about 9/11.
The Canyons says teachers can incorporate the 9/11 anniversary into their lessons... and the district has put together resources to help them.
The Jordan District teaches a complete social studies package on 9/11 - it is introduced in the third grade.
The Granite District has a number of resources for teachers, but they can decide what they teach; as long as it is age appropriate.
