Photography serves as a powerful window into the experiences surrounding the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York, offering visual narratives that capture the tragedy, resilience, and aftermath of that pivotal moment. Through the lens of these photographs, we gain intimate glimpses into the chaos, loss, and bravery witnessed on that day, from the crumbling towers to the faces of first responders and survivors.
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About the inquiry
Compelling Question
What Stories Do Photographs Tell?
Standards
D2.His.12.6-8. Use questions generated about multiple historical sources to identify further areas of inquiry and additional sources.
Instructional Snapshot
The class begins with a short discussion of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, then shifts to a guided photo analysis. Students first annotate images from the World Trade Center Source Set in expert pairs, noting details and connections. They then regroup to identify and share themes (such as fear, anger, or selflessness) that capture New Yorkers’ experiences. As a final step, students propose new titles for the photographs that reflect these themes. (Download the Word or PDF for more).
Formative Tasks
COLLABORATE: Annotate a series of photographs using a guided observation exercise.
DELIBERATE: Identify aspects of the image that support themes that “tell the story” of New Yorkers’ experiences on September 11th, 2001.
PRODUCE: Suggest new titles for each photograph that reflect an interpretive “telling” of New Yorkers’ experiences on September 11th, 2001.
Sources
Source: World Trade Center Series Source Set, Library of Congress
Summative Performance Task
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Taking Informed Action
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