September 11th changed the United States in many ways, making it an important part of U.S. history that upper elementary students should understand. However, the difficult and heartbreaking events of that day can make it challenging to know how to approach the topic with 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students.
Below, you'll find 7 ways to honor September 11th—from activities that avoid discussing the events themselves to options that provide a more detailed look at what happened. Choose the Patriot Day ideas that feel right for your students and your classroom!
1. Interview A Friend or Family Member
Today’s students were not alive to experience September 11, 2001, but most have an adult friend or family member who remembers that day. Have students interview someone who remembers 9/11 to learn about their personal experience and perspective.
This gives students the opportunity to learn about history through a firsthand account - and to learn that historical events impact those who live through them.
For a no prep version of this activity, use this September 11th interview resource. It includes worksheets with interview questions and post-interview reflection questions.
2. Join Others in Pledging to do a Good Deed on Patriot Day
If you want to commemorate September 11th without going into detail about what happened, shift the focus to the kindness, courage, and unity that emerged in the hours and days after the tragedy.
In 2009, September 11th was officially designated as a National Day of Service and Remembrance in hopes that people would turn the day of tragedy into a day of doing good. While September 11th was a heartbreaking day, it also inspired countless acts of courage, compassion, and service.
As a class, brainstorm ways you can do something kind or helpful in honor of September 11th. Then, join others in pledging to do a good deed.
3. Learn About American Symbols
If discussing the events of September 11th isn't appropriate for your students, you can still honor the day by learning about important American symbols and monuments. Consider exploring:
- the American flag
- the Liberty Bell
- the Statue of Liberty
- bald eagles
- Uncle Sam
- the White House
- Mount Rushmore
- the Washington Monument
- the Lincoln Memorial
For a no prep activity that will keep students engaged and busy for many days to come, check out this American Symbols resource. It has short reading passages about each of the symbols listed above and a variety of activities to help students dig deeper into each symbol.
4. Watch a Video
There are several short videos available that introduce students to the events of September 11th in an age-appropriate way.
For example, this 8-minute video is narrated by kids and explains what happened on September 11, 2001. However, it is still very serious, includes real footage, and discusses the tragic loss of life, so preview it carefully to make sure it is appropriate for your students. (Note: This video was created for the 20th anniversary of 9/11 and includes brief references to the COVID-19 pandemic and other events happening in the world at that time.)
5. Read About the Events of 9/11
Videos can be a powerful way to introduce September 11th, but seeing real footage can make the experience more intense for upper elementary students. If you're looking for a gentler way to teach about the events—or want students to strengthen their reading comprehension skills at the same time—this resource gives you a ready-to-use alternative.
The resource includes a one-page reading passage about the events of September 11th, written in language appropriate for upper elementary students. Students then have several opportunities to engage more deeply with what they read, including:
- Reading comprehension questions that check understanding and provide test-taking practice
- A reading response activity that encourages students to think beyond basic recall
- A scaffolded constructed response that guides students through writing a thoughtful paragraph
- A memorial design activity that gives students a creative way to reflect on and honor September 11th
With everything you need in one resource, you can teach about September 11th while incorporating meaningful reading comprehension, written response, and critical-thinking practice.
6. Write a Thank You Letter to First Responders
In the aftermath of September 11th, many first responders immediately put themselves in danger to help others. Some of these brave men and women lost their lives while doing so.
Use Patriot Day as an opportunity to teach 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students about the important role first responders play in our communities. Have students write a thank-you letter to first responders in your community to show their appreciation for the courage and service they provide.
If your students need help getting started, these thank-you letter templates provide structure while encouraging them to include specific, meaningful details. And because the templates aren't specific to September 11th, you can use them throughout the year—for example, to write thank-you letters to veterans for Veterans Day, or to a school nurse for Nurse Appreciation.
7. Design a Memorial
In the years since September 11th, people have created memorials in many different ways to honor the people who lost their lives and remember what happened. Show students examples of some of these memorials and discuss how each one uses a different design or idea to remember and honor others. Then, challenge students to design their own September 11th memorial and explain the meaning behind their design.
Some examples you could share with students include:
- Tower of Voices – A 93-foot-tall memorial at the Flight 93 National Memorial featuring 40 wind chimes, one for each person who lost their life aboard Flight 93.
- Tribute in Light – Two beams of blue light that shine into the sky each year on the evening of September 11th.
- Birthday Roses – A single rose is placed next to each victim's name at the 9/11 Memorial on their birthday.
- 9/11 Memorial & Museum – Show students a time-lapse of the construction of the memorial and museum to help them see how the site was transformed into a place of remembrance.