TUNNEL TO TOWERS 9/11 INSTITUTE™ 9/11 CURRICULUM
Non-fiction, 9/11 educational resources based on first-person accounts for grades K-12.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL GRADES K-2

Grades K-2
This unit is based on “My Buddy’s a Hero — And I Didn’t Even Know It,” the first book in the Discovering Heroes® series of books for kids. Designed by educators in the 9/11 community to increase awareness to September 11, 2001 and everyday heroes, this Guide includes background for teachers, ancillary social studies lessons and learning activities that are appropriate for grades K-2.
In the book, Grandpa, a retired lieutenant in the Fire Department of New York City (FDNY), shares his brave account of 9/11 with his grandchildren for the first time. Grandpa helped rescue the last man out alive from the ruins of the World Trade Center.
Scope & Sequence
See the Instructional Focus, Objectives, Unit Level Questions, Vocabulary, Ancillary Materials, ELA Connections, C3 Framework for Social Studies Standards.

Grades K-2
This unit is based on “Remembering Heroes,” the second book in the Discovering Heroes® series of book for kids. Designed by educators in the 9/11 community to increase awareness to September 11, 2001 and everyday heroes, this Guide includes background for teachers, ancillary social studies lessons and learning activities that are appropriate for grades K-2.
The main characters continue a journey to acquire knowledge of the heroes of 9/11 and the importance of remembering them. Students gain deeper meaning of the hero concept as it is presented and expanded through the chapters. Heroism and remembering are reinforced through the use of real people, specifically firefighters from FDNY’s Rescue Company 1 who made the ultimate sacrifice on 9/11 at the Twin Towers.
Scope & Sequence
See the Instructional Focus, Objectives, Unit Level Questions, Vocabulary, Ancillary Materials, ELA Connections, C3 Framework for Social Studies Standards.

Grades K-2
This unit is based on “9/11 Courage and Tributes,” the third book in the Discovering Heroes® series of books for kids. Designed by educators in the 9/11 community to increase awareness to September 11, 2001 and everyday heroes, this Guide includes background for teachers, ancillary social studies lessons and learning activities that are appropriate for grades K-2.
The main characters continue a journey to acquire knowledge of the heroes of 9/11 and the important tributes to their sacrifice so they will always be remembered.
Scope & Sequence
See the Instructional Focus, Objectives, Unit Level Questions, Vocabulary, Ancillary Materials, ELA Connections, C3 Framework for Social Studies Standards.

Grades K-2
This lesson and accompanying student activity was designed by educators in the 9/11 community to increase awareness to September 11, 2001 and everyday heroes among students in grades K-2. Students learn basic facts about America’s darkest day, color relevant art and turn seemingly random pieces of paper into their own sequential book about 9/11 for a keepsake. This thoughtful, engaging lesson and student activity is incorporated into our 9/11 Instructional Unit IV Grades K-2.

Grades K-2
This unit is designed to increase understanding about September 11, 2001 among elementary school students, grades K-2. This Guide includes ancillary social studies lessons, learning activities and background for teachers. From basic facts about America’s darkest day, to connections about community helpers and heroes, this unit will give students a strong foundational understanding of 9/11.
Scope & Sequence
See the Instructional Focus, Objectives, Unit Level Questions, Vocabulary, Ancillary Materials, ELA Connections, C3 Framework for Social Studies Standards.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL GRADES 3-5

Grades 3-5
This unit is designed to increase understanding about September 11, 2001 among elementary school students. This Guide includes background for teachers, ancillary social studies lessons and learning activities appropriate for grades 3-5. From basic facts about America’s darkest day, to comparing and contrasting first-person video accounts about the day, to learning about 9/11’s legacy of goodness, this unit will give students a strong foundational understanding of 9/11.
Scope & Sequence
See the Instructional Focus, Objectives, Unit Level Questions, Vocabulary, Ancillary Materials, ELA Connections, C3 Framework for Social Studies Standards.
Unit Resources
- Lesson 1: Video: Joseph Pfeifer
- Lesson 2: Video 1: Rudolph Giuliani
- Lesson 2: Video 2: Justin Tirelli
- Lesson 2: Video 3: Stanley Praimnath
- Lesson 3: Video 1: Ken Nacke
- Lesson 3: Video 2: Rick King
- Lesson 4: Video 1: John Kiernan
- Lesson 4: Video 2: Rick Thornton
- Lesson 4: Video 3: Frank Siller
- Lesson 5: Video: 9/11 NEVER FORGET Mobile Exhibit Tour Assembly
- 9/11 Pre-Assessment for the Class
- 9/11 Post-Assessment for the Class
- Answer Key for 9/11 Class Assessments

Grades 3-5
This unit is based on “My Buddy’s a Hero — And I Didn’t Even Know It,” the first book in the Discovering Heroes® series of books for kids. Designed by educators in the 9/11 community to increase awareness to September 11, 2001 and everyday heroes, this Guide includes background for teachers, ancillary social studies lessons and learning activities that are appropriate for grades 3-5.
In the book, Grandpa, a retired lieutenant in the Fire Department of New York City (FDNY), shares his brave account of 9/11 with his grandchildren for the first time. Grandpa helped rescue the last man out alive from the ruins of the World Trade Center.
Scope & Sequence
See the Instructional Focus, Objectives, Unit Level Questions, Vocabulary, Ancillary Materials, ELA Connections, C3 Framework for Social Studies Standards

Grades 3-5
This unit is based on “Remembering Heroes,” the second book in the Discovering Heroes® series of book for kids. Designed by educators in the 9/11 community to increase awareness to September 11, 2001 and everyday heroes, this Guide includes background for teachers, ancillary social studies lessons and learning activities that are appropriate for grades 3-5.
The main characters continue a journey to acquire knowledge of the heroes of 9/11 and the importance of remembering them. Students gain deeper meaning of the hero concept as it is presented and expanded through the chapters. Heroism and remembering are reinforced through the use of real people, specifically firefighters from FDNY’s Rescue Company 1 who made the ultimate sacrifice on 9/11 at the Twin Towers.
Scope & Sequence
See the Instructional Focus, Objectives, Unit Level Questions, Vocabulary, Ancillary Materials, ELA Connections, C3 Framework for Social Studies Standards.

Grades 3-5
This unit is based on “9/11 Courage and Tributes,” the third book in the Discovering Heroes® series of books for kids. Designed by educators in the 9/11 community to increase awareness to September 11, 2001 and everyday heroes, this Guide includes background for teachers, ancillary social studies lessons and learning activities that are appropriate for grades 3-5.
The main characters continue a journey to acquire knowledge of the heroes of 9/11 and the important tributes to their sacrifice so they will always be remembered.
Scope & Sequence
See the Instructional Focus, Objectives, Unit Level Questions, Vocabulary, Ancillary Materials, ELA Connections, C3 Framework for Social Studies Standards.
Middle School Grades 6-8

Grades 6-8
This unit is designed to increase understanding about September 11, 2001 among middle school students. This Guide includes background for teachers, ancillary social studies lessons and learning activities appropriate for grades 6-8. From basic facts about America’s darkest day, to comparing and contrasting first-person video accounts about the day, to learning about 9/11’s legacy of goodness, this unit will give students a strong foundational understanding of 9/11.
Scope & Sequence
See the Instructional Focus, Objectives, Unit Level Questions, Vocabulary, Ancillary Materials, ELA Connections, C3 Framework for Social Studies Standards.
Unit Resources
- Lesson 1: Video: Joseph Pfeifer
- Lesson 2: Video 1: Rudolph Giuliani
- Lesson 2: Video 2: Justin Tirelli
- Lesson 2: Video 3: Stanley Praimnath
- Lesson 3: Video 1: Ken Nacke
- Lesson 3: Video 2: Rick King
- Lesson 4: Video 1: John Kiernan
- Lesson 4: Video 2: Rick Thornton
- Lesson 4: Video 3: Frank Siller
- Lesson 5: Video: 9/11 NEVER FORGET Mobile Exhibit Tour Assembly
- 9/11 Pre-Assessment for the Class
- 9/11 Post-Assessment for the Class
- Answer Key for 9/11 Class Assessments

Grades 6-8
This lesson and accompanying student activity was designed by educators in the 9/11 community to increase awareness to September 11, 2001 and everyday heroes among students in grades 6-8. Students will be able to virtually interact with the 9/11 NEVER FORGET Mobile Exhibit, which is a tribute to all who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, and all who continue to lose their lives to 9/11-related illnesses.
HIGH SCHOOL GRADES 9-12

Grades 9-12
This unit is designed to increase understanding about September 11, 2001 among students in high school. This Guide includes background for teachers, ancillary social studies lessons and learning activities, appropriate for grades 9-12. From basic facts about America’s darkest day, to the aftermath of the attacks, globally and at home, this unit will give students a strong foundational understanding of 9/11.
Scope & Sequence
See the Instructional Focus, Objectives, Unit Level Questions, Vocabulary, Ancillary Materials, ELA Connections, C3 Framework for Social Studies Standards.

Grades 9-12
This lesson was designed by educators in the 9/11 community to increase awareness to September 11, 2001 and everyday heroes among students in grades 9-12. This remarkable story of survival and resilience is intended to teach students about the experiences of three people at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Two of the people were trapped for many hours and rescued and the other person is one of many of their rescuers. This thoughtful and engaging lesson will be incorporated into our 9/11 Instructional Unit IX Grades 9-12, due out shortly.

Grades 9-12
This lesson and accompanying student activity was designed by educators in the 9/11 community to increase awareness to September 11, 2001 and everyday heroes among students in grades 9-12. Students will be able to virtually interact with the 9/11 NEVER FORGET Mobile Exhibit, which is a tribute to all who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, and all who continue to lose their lives to 9/11-related illnesses.