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Dear Friends,
Twenty-five years ago, this patch of sky over Lower Manhattan was filled with smoke. Today, One World Trade Center rises above green trees and a bright blue sky, a living picture of what renewal looks like. And in classrooms across the country this fall, every student was born after 9/11. For them, that day is history, not memory, and how we teach it shapes how they understand their neighbors, their country, and one another. That makes teaching it accurately, and with care, more important than ever. To support educators in this work, we are pleased to share the following updated and new resources.
Updated 9/11 Lesson Plans
Our newly updated Lesson Plans on 9/11 and its Impact on America and Beyond, designed for grades 7–12 and college classrooms, are now available in three formats to fit any teaching schedule: a comprehensive 5-day unit, a condensed 3-day version, and a focused 1-day lesson. Each includes discussion questions, activities, educator resources, and guidance for teaching this sensitive topic in a way that prevents the bullying of Muslim, Sikh, Arab, and other minority students, which often spikes after classroom discussions of 9/11. Access all three here.
New Islamophobia Presentation with Notes and Handout
To understand the experiences of Muslim students, we have also produced a new PowerPoint presentation titled Honoring Our Shared Humanity: Understanding and Addressing Islamophobia and Anti-Arab Bias in Our Schools, tracing their historical roots and examining their contemporary manifestations, political, institutional, and interpersonal, along with practical guidance for responding as an upstander. The presentation comes with complete notes for each slide and an accompanying handout titled Educator Response Scripts for Everyday Moments for your use in classrooms. Access it here: www.ing.org/islamophobia
New Resource for Your Own Understanding of Islam and Muslims
Last week we released the most comprehensive revision of our Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Islam and Muslims, doubling the collection to some 200 questions across nine subject categories. Written for readers who are curious, uncertain, or even skeptical, the answers engage even the hardest questions honestly and without evasion, from what Sharia actually is to Islamic teachings on war and peace and what it means to be both Muslim and American. They are a valuable companion for educators preparing to teach about 9/11 and its aftermath. Access them here: www.ing.org/faqs
Bring Our Trainings and Speakers to Your School or District Community
Beyond these resources, ING offers live trainings and presentations through our speakers bureaus, delivered in person or virtually by trained, certified speakers on Muslims and their faith, Islamophobia, religious diversity, civic pluralism, and intercultural understanding, for schools, universities, workplaces, law enforcement agencies, healthcare systems, and community organizations nationwide. To learn more or request a presentation, visit Schedule Speakers.
With gratitude for your partnership in education and understanding,
The ING Team