September 11, 2001, was a day that changed the course of history. Even though today’s students were born years after the attacks, the events of 9/11 continue to shape the world they live in. As educators, it’s important that we help our students understand this significant moment in history in an age-appropriate and meaningful way.
Why Teach 9/11 in Upper Elementary?
By the time students reach third through sixth grade, they’re ready to begin learning about historical events that carry both emotional and civic importance. Teaching about 9/11 gives students the opportunity to:
Understand history: Students learn why 9/11 is remembered every year and how it influenced life in the United States and across the world.
Build empathy: Stories of first responders, everyday heroes, and the resilience of communities allow students to connect with the human side of history.
Develop critical thinking: Exploring events like 9/11 helps students think about cause and effect, timelines, and the ways people respond to challenges.
Prepare for the future: Students will encounter 9/11 in middle school, high school, and beyond. Laying a foundation now helps them approach later studies with deeper understanding.
Making 9/11 Age-Appropriate
One challenge of teaching 9/11 in elementary grades is ensuring that students receive accurate information without overwhelming details. Using structured activities like close reading passages and guided writing ensures that students engage with the material thoughtfully and safely.
Classroom Resources to Support You
At Creative Primary Literacy, we’ve developed resources to help teachers introduce 9/11 in a meaningful, grade-level appropriate way:
Close Reading Activities (3rd–4th grade & 5th–6th grade):
These include teacher presentations, student reading passages, comprehension questions, grammar practice, multiple-choice quizzes, and even puzzles like crosswords and word searches. Each version is tailored to the reading level and maturity of your students.
Informational Writing Units:
Students take what they’ve learned and apply it to structured writing tasks. These units guide students step-by-step through researching, organizing, and writing informational texts about 9/11, helping them strengthen both their content knowledge and writing skills.
By combining close reading with writing, students not only learn about the events of 9/11 but also practice essential literacy skills that build confidence and independence.
Helping Students Remember and Reflect
Teaching 9/11 isn’t only about dates and facts—it’s about reflection. Our students learn that ordinary people can show extraordinary bravery, that communities come together in times of crisis, and that history is not just something in textbooks—it’s something that continues to affect the present.
Final Thoughts
When we take the time to teach about 9/11, we give our students tools to understand resilience, empathy, and history itself. With the right resources, you can guide your students through this sensitive but essential topic in a way that is educational, thoughtful, and empowering.
If you’re looking for ready-to-use, age-appropriate resources for your classroom, our close reading activities and informational writing units on 9/11 are a great place to start.
For 1000s more age-appropriate and engaging resources check out Creative Primary Literacy!