September 11th & the 5 Themes of Geography Lesson - Patriot Day - Google Digital Resources
This lesson on Patriot Day explains the tragic events of September 11th through the lens of the five themes of geography and honors the victims of the terrorist attacks. The activities are engaging for students, and the guided 5-E format is easy for educators to use.
Begin with a warm-up activity called “To Tell the Truth,” which introduces Patriot Day. Then, review each of the five themes: Location, Place, Region, Movement, and Human-Environment Interactions. Fill-in-the-blank notes accompany the lesson to facilitate understanding. Students will view a news story and complete a "5 W's" chart about September 11th.
Next, engage students in a “Geography Scene Investigation (GSI)” that challenges them to apply the five themes of geography to understand how the terrorist attacks affected the United States. The lesson also includes a printable “Walk-Around” poster version of this activity.
Finally, conclude with “Think About It…” questions to summarize the key ideas. The lesson features both printable and interactive digital versions of all materials. It is suitable for traditional in-class learning as well as digital 1:1 classrooms. Everything you need is included!
Includes Google Resources: Digital & Print
- Guided 5-E Slides Lesson
- Fill-in Notes
- Investigate GSI Activity
- Printable Poster Set
- Answer Keys
- Teacher Reference Guide
5-E Guided Lesson:
- Engage: “To Tell the Truth” Warm-up Activity
- Explore: Vocabulary & Fill-in Notes
- Explain: Big Ideas Activity - The 5W's of 9/11
- Elaborate: ”GSI: Geography Scene Investigation" Activity
- Evaluate: “Think About It” Summary
Aligned with Social Studies Standards: CCSS, TEKS, ELPS, and NCSS
Total Pages: 77
Time: 90 minutes
Grades: 5-12