STEAM Lesson Plan on 9/11 for Grades 4-5

This Very Tree: A Story of 9/11, Resilience, and Regrowth

A powerful tale that inspires discussion and reflection on courage and recovery for young learners

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This Very Tree: A Story of 9/11, Resilience, and Regrowth" offers a poignant narrative that intertwines the events of 9/11 with themes of resilience and hope, making it a powerful resource for homeschoolers. Through the story of a young survivor and a symbolic tree, this book teaches important lessons about overcoming adversity and the strength of community, fostering meaningful discussions about history and emotional growth.

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Learning Objectives

Understand the historical significance of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and their impact on the nation.
Analyze primary and secondary sources related to 9/11 using critical thinking and historical inquiry skills.
Demonstrate interdisciplinary connections between STEAM subjects and how they can be applied to historical events.
Practice effective communication skills through group discussions and presentations on the topic of 9/11.
Reflect on the importance of community and global awareness in responding to crises.

Assessment Methods for Homeschooling

Family Discussions: After each lesson, have a family chat to gauge understanding and encourage sharing of ideas.
Creative Presentations: Use simple rubrics to assess how well the content is conveyed through creative storytelling or drawing.
Observation: Observe children during play or informal discussions to assess critical thinking and communication skills.
Personal Reflections: Encourage kids to write or talk about what they learned regarding community and global awareness.
Hands-on Activities: Engage in STEAM projects as a family, using participation and enthusiasm as informal assessment criteria.

Examples of Optional STEAM Activities for Grades 4-5

Here are some exciting and engaging activities that tie into the topic of 9/11 while incorporating STEAM subjects. These hands-on experiences are perfect for sparking creativity and critical thinking!

Artistic Interpretation of History (Art & History): Have students create a large mural that represents the timeline of events on 9/11. This can include key moments, emotions, and symbols. Encourage them to use various materials like paints, markers, or collage elements to express their understanding of the impact of that day.
Building Resiliency (Engineering & Social Studies): Challenge students to design and build models of community centers or memorials that promote healing and unity. They can use recycled materials to construct their models, incorporating features that would help bring people together.
Math in Tragedy (Math & Critical Thinking): Create a math problem-solving challenge where students can utilize statistics related to the events of 9/11, such as numbers of people involved or the distance between significant locations. This could involve creating graphs or pie charts to visually represent the data.
Voices of the Past (Technology & Language Arts): Encourage students to research and record personal accounts through interviews or storytelling. They can use technology to create a multimedia presentation, combining audio recordings with images and text to share the perspectives of those affected by the events.
Science of Light (Science & Art): Explore how light and water create rainbows, linking this natural phenomenon back to themes of hope that emerged after 9/11. Students can conduct experiments with light refraction and create their own rainbow art pieces, symbolizing resilience and positivity.

These activities will not only deepen students' understanding of 9/11 but will also make learning participative, fun, and impactful!

Lesson Sequence (5E Model)

Engage

Activity: Watch a short, age-appropriate video about the events of 9/11.

Objective: To introduce the topic and spark curiosity.
Duration: 10 minutes
Standards Alignment: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.4.1, NGSS Science and Engineering Practices

Discussion: Facilitate a conversation about the initial reactions and thoughts.

Objective: Engage students by connecting the event to their world.
Duration: 15 minutes

Explore

Activity: Analyze primary sources like photos, news clips, and survivor stories.

Objective: Develop critical thinking and historical inquiry skills.
Duration: 30 minutes
Standards Alignment: C3.D2.His.3.3-5, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.1

Hands-On Activity: Create a timeline of events leading up to and following 9/11 using paper and markers.

Objective: Visualize the sequence of events and practice chronological thinking.
Duration: 20 minutes

Explain

Activity: Discuss the science of building structures and how they are designed to withstand impacts, using simple materials like toothpicks and marshmallows to build a model tower.

Objective: Understand the engineering and scientific principles involved in building design.
Duration: 30 minutes
Standards Alignment: NGSS 3-5-ETS1-1, Common Core Math Standards

Discussion: How did 9/11 change building designs and safety protocols?

Objective: Explore the real-world impact of the event on engineering and architecture.
Duration: 15 minutes

Elaborate

Activity: Co-op or individual project to create a presentation on the different ways communities responded to 9/11, incorporating elements of art by creating posters or digital slides.

Objective: Interdisciplinary approach to learning and enhancing communication skills.
Duration: 45 minutes
Standards Alignment: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.5.5, National Standards in The Arts

STEAM Activity: Use math skills to analyze the structural integrity of various designs, comparing their ability to withstand weight and force.

Objective: Apply mathematical concepts to real-world problems.
Duration: 30 minutes
Standards Alignment: Common Core Math Standards

Evaluation Options

Activity: Exit tickets where students write one thing they learned and one question they still have.

Objective: Assess understanding and identify areas for further exploration.
Duration: 10 minutes

Presentations: Student/s present their projects, followed by Q&A sessions.

Objective: Assess communication skills and depth of understanding.
Duration: 60 minutes
Standards Alignment: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.5.4, C3 Framework

Written Reflection: Students write a short essay on the importance of community and global awareness in responding to crises.

Objective: Encourage reflective thinking and personal connection to the topic.
Duration: 20 minutes
Standards Alignment: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.1, National Health Standards

Integration / Activities

Engage with Everyday Materials

Building Models: Using toothpicks and marshmallows for engineering.
Artistic Posters: Creating visual presentations with markers, paper, and digital tools.
Math in Real Life: Simple calculations to assess structural integrity.

Conclusion

This lesson not only equips students with an understanding of a significant historical event but also integrates essential STEAM principles that foster critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills in a home learning environment.