Investigating Flight 93 Lesson Suggestions

What to Expect

Below you will find our content recommendations for each grade level and then all the content with thought provoking questions to help guide conversation within the classroom

 

Educational Content Specific Recommendations

This is the content that we recommened for each grade level based on difficulty and maturity level.

Grades 9-12

For Grades 9-12 we recommend:

Option 1:

The Moment of Remembrance Video; This video will show the ringing of the bells and the reading of the names of the passenengers and crew of Flight 93.

After watching the Moment of Remembrance Video have students think about the following questions:

• Have students individually or in groups research about a specific passenger or crew and present on them.

• How can you as a student remember the people we’ve lost not only on September 11th but in general?

Option 2:

Investigation Video Series; This video will foster critical thinking from students throught the research of primary sources.

After watching the Investigation Video Series have students partipate in one of the follow options:

Activity 1: Divide students into three groups. Each group will analyze one of the three primary source materials (Videos and Web Page): 

• Seating Chart and Phone Calls  
• Flight Data Recorder 
• Cockpit Voice Recorder 

After analyzing each document and watching each video, regroup and facilitate a conversation based on the questions asked during the program, including the following central question:

• What do you believe happened on Flight 93 the morning of September 11, 2001? 

Activity 2: Provide all sets of primary source documents for all students to analyze. Have students write a summary report on what they learned from their research.

Activity 3: Have students watch Be the Next Hero: The Investigation of United Flight 93, a video from the FBI, which focuses on employees at the Pittsburgh FBI and their response to the hijacking, crash and investigation of Flight 93. Have students write a summary report about what they learned from both videos. 

 

Option 3:

Write to Remember

Grades 6-8

For Grades 6-8 we recommend: 

Option 1:

Moment of Remembrance Video; This video will show the ringing of the bells and the reading of the names of the passenengers and crew of Flight 93.

After watching the Moment of Remembrance Video have students think about the following questions:

• Have students individually or in groups research about a specific passenger or crew and present on them.
• How can you as a student remember the people we’ve lost not only on September 11th but in general?

Option 2:

Virtual Tour Video; This video will highlight the features at Flight 93 National Memorial

After watching the Virtual Tour Video have students think about the following questions:

• What part of the memorial is the most meaningful to you and why?
• What part of the memorial do you think means the most to the family members of the passengers and crew of Flight 93?

Option 3:

How We Remember Video; This video features several family members and their perspective on their family members and September 11th

After watching the How We Remember Video have students think about the following questions:

• How do you remember and honor your loved ones who have passed?
• How do you want to be remembered?

Option 4:

Write to Remember 

Grades 4-5

For Grades 4-5 we recommend:

Option 1:

Moment of Remembrance Video; This video will show the ringing of the bells and the reading of the names of the passenengers and crew of Flight 93.

After watching the Moment of Remembrance Video have students think about the following questions:

• Have students individually or in groups research about a specific passenger or crew and present on them.
• How can you as a student remember the people we’ve lost not only on September 11th but in general?

Option 2:

Virtual Tour Video; This video will highlight the features at Flight 93 National Memorial

After watching the Virtual Tour Video have students think about the follow questions:

• What part of the memorial is the most meaningful to you and why?
• What part of the memorial do you think means the most to the family members of the passengers and crew of Flight 93?

 

 

Moment of Remembrance Video:

 

• 

  Moment of Remembrance

  The Moment of Remembrance is meant to observe the September 11 attack, recounting the events of that day while honoring and reflecting on those who were lost in New York, Arlington, and Stonycreek Township. Witness the reading of the 40 passengers and crew members names and the ringing of the Bells of Remembrance.

  Duration:

  20 minutes, 16 seconds

 

Investigation Video Series:

 

• 

  Introduction Investigation

  Introduction to the Investigation Video series

  Duration:

  1 minute, 30 seconds

 

• 

  Investigation - Phone Calls and Seating Chart

  This video touches on the roles of the phone calls made from Flight 93 and the seating chart.

  Duration:

  3 minutes, 44 seconds

 

• 

  Investigation - Flight Data Recorder

  This video will explain the importance of the recovery of the Flight Data Recorder

  Duration:

  6 minutes

 

• 

  Investigation - Cockpit Voice Recorder

  This video will explain the importance of the recovery of the Cockpit Voice Recorder

  Duration:

  5 minutes, 28 seconds

 

Education Materials

• Cockpit Voice Recorder
• Flight Data Recorder
• Phone Calls and Seating Chart
• Crew and Passengers
• September 11 Timeline
• Story of Flight 93
• Glossary
• Recommended Reading

Investigation Video Series Resources

On the right, please have students use these resources and web pages to aid in their research and conclusions.

 

Virtual Tour Video:

Click here to see the segmented version of the Virtual Tour

 

• 

  Flight 93 Virtual Tour

  Join National Park Service Rangers and Gordon Felt the brother of Flight 93 passenger, Edward P. Felt for a guided tour of the Flight 93 National Memorial. This is designed for students and people who want to know more about the memorial. This program will discuss how the memorial honors the forty crew and passengers of Flight 93.

  Duration:

  24 minutes, 46 seconds

 

How We Remember Video:

 

• 

  How We Remember Video

  This video will show family members of the passengers and crew share their perspective on their loved ones.

  Duration:

  1 minute, 30 seconds

 

Additional Educational Materials

• 

  Write to Remember

  Designed to encourage students to write stories focused on lessons learned from Flight 93 Story and the passengers and crew members.

• 

  Learn more about September 11.

  Educational Resources

  Explore the stories and people of Flight 93 and September 11 in more depth.

• 

  Educational Videos

  These videos help teachers and others teach the sensitive events of 9/11