Life Before and After September 11 Activity

Students read 3 brief paragraphs on 9/11 and the memories of a high school senior on 9/11. They then answer 5 discussion questions and determine from 15 statements/scenarios which refer to life before 9/11 and which represent life after 9/11 (the answers are included). For the discussion questions, my students typically answer them individually or in a pair prior to having a whole class discussion on them. This also includes 10 interview questions students can ask someone they know about the impact 9/11 had for them immediately, in the short term, and today. ***Updated to include 4 discussion questions regarding President Bush's first two addresses to the nation.*** 

Sample questions include: 
--Compare and contrast what you think it meant to be a patriot before and after the events of 9/11.
--Discuss any differences in how we see the world and how the world sees us since September 11.
--A few hours after the first plane hit and there was more information available, did your thought process or emotional reaction change? If so, how?
--Were you scared?
--Identify the greatest similarity and greatest difference in Bush’s two excerpts.
--Why didn’t President Bush wait until 8:30pm to address the nation?

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