Multimedia: Audio or Video Lesson Idea

Lesson Idea Name: Never Forget: 9/11

Grade Level/Content Area: 5th grade/Social Studies
Content Standard Addressed:
SS5H7 Trace important developments in America from 1975 to 2001.
b. Describe the events of September 11, 2001, and analyze their impact on American life.

ISTE Technology Standard Addressed:
Creative Communicator: 1.6.a. Students choose
the appropriate platforms and tools for meeting
the desired objectives of their creation or
communication.
What would you like students to know and be
able to do by the end of this lesson:
Students will be able to analyze the impact of
September 11, 2001 on the lives of Americans.

What is the student learning goal for this lesson idea?

Essential Questions: What makes a date important to people?
a. What impact did September 11th have on our country and its citizens?
b. How should the country decide how to remember the events of September 11th?

Learning Goal: The learning goal is for students to be able to describe the events of September 11, 2001 and
analyze their impact on American life.

Selected Instructional Software Tools: Audacity, Voice Memos Flip

Description of Software:
Audacity is a free and open-source digital audio editor and recording application software. Audacity
can be used to record and edit sounds. It's a cross-platform audio editor that helps students record live
audio through a microphone or mixer, mix sounds together, and more. Audacity can be a great way
for students to tinker with audio engineering tools and improve their tech skills. They can use the
technology they download to manipulate existing audio and record new pieces, or they can use their
creativity to do something unexpected.
Voice Memos is a free app and offers all the features you need to turn your mobile device into a
powerful audio recorder. Using your device's in-built microphone or a compatible external
microphone, Voice Memos lets you initiate your recordings on the go. The app's editor allows you to
trim parts you don't like and customize your recording the way you want. And since Voice Memo
belongs to Apple it means that it offers direct access to iCloud allowing you to seamlessly sync your
recordings across different devices.
Flip is an excellent video discussion platform that teachers can use to empower students’ voice and
boost their creative thinking. Creating videos on Flip is both fun and engaging. Students not only
record videos but also apply various editing features, effects, and annotations to make their videos
much more expressive.

URL(s) to support the lesson (if applicable): https://www.audacityteam.org/,

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/voice-memos/id1069512134, https://info.flip.com/

Bloom’s Taxonomy Level(s):

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 Multimedia: Audio or Video Lesson Idea

☐ Remembering ☒ Understanding ☒ Applying ☒ Analyzing ☒ Evaluating ☒ Creating

How do you plan to implement this lesson and integrate the technology? Check all that apply:

☐ Teacher-led: There is no student voice and choice in the activities. Students are guided by the
teacher's direction and expectations. Learning activities are assigned to the student and mostly
practice based.

☒ Student-Led: Students are given voice and choice in the activities. They may select the topic of
learning and/or determine the tool they will use to meet the learning goal. The teacher facilitates
the learning as the students direct their own learning processes.

☒ Problem-based and/or Publishable: Students are solving problems and completing projects to
demonstrate their learning. Additionally, the projects can be shared outside of the classroom.
(Note: This objective could be reached by displaying the project on the school’s morning newscast,
posting the project to the classroom blog, presenting it to another class, or publishing it via an
outside source.)
Lesson idea implementation:
Hook: Students will listen to the teacher’s podcast on 9/11.
Procedure: Give students 10 minutes to watch a video(s) of first-person accounts of the attacks and
their aftermath. Facilitate a class discussion using guided questions, such as:

 What did you learn about 9/11 from the person’s story?
 Why do you think the 9/11 Museum took video of people talking about their experience on
September 11?
 How do first-person accounts help us learn about history?
 What questions do you still have after hearing the person’s story?

Tell students they will be interviewing adults about their memories of 9/11. They should decide ahead
of time how they will record the interview. Students may choose Audacity, Voice Memos, Flip or a
digital tool of their choosing as long as the teacher gives approval. Brainstorm with students a list of
questions they might ask, such as:

 Where were you when you heard about the 9/11 attacks?
 What went through your mind?
 What memory of that day has stuck with you the most?
 How has the world changed as a result of 9/11?
 How has 9/11 affected your life?

Students will work alone, or with a partner, to create an interview template they can use to guide their
interviews. A sample will also be provided if needed.

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 Multimedia: Audio or Video Lesson Idea

After conducting interviews, the students will share the first-hand accounts with the class. Students
might transcribe the interviews and compile them into a book that everyone in the class can read. Or
you can make all of the recordings available to the class. Discuss:

 How are the first-hand accounts similar?

 How are they different?
 How do these accounts contribute to our understanding of 9/11?

Students will be assessed by teacher, themselves, and a peer:

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 Multimedia: Audio or Video Lesson Idea

Managing student learning: Students will shift from passive learning to active learning throughout

the lesson. Time limits, discussion time, and work time in class will be monitored by the teacher.
Students must complete an interview template prior to conducting interviews.
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Reflection: Be sure to mention one specific UDL principle you
are focused on in this lesson – Multiple Means of Engagement, Multiple Means of Representation,
or Multiple Means of Action & Expression.
The ultimate goal of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is for all learners to become “expert
learners.” Expert learners are purposeful and motivated, resourceful, and reflective about their
learning. Audio podcasting is a strategy well-aligned with all three principles of UDL, providing
students with options for engagement, representation, and expression. This lesson provides students
flexibility in the way they respond or demonstrate knowledge and skills, and in the ways students are
engaged. When students are given the opportunity to produce their own podcast, they are able to make
connections, transform knowledge, and articulate the reasons behind their creative choices. Their
learning becomes a long-lasting, authentic, and memorable experience.
Reflection: Elementary students today were not alive when the 9/11 attacks occurred. Their parents
however lived through it. They can probably remember in infinite detail where they were, who they
were with, and what they were doing when the towers were hit. Interviewing them will give
students a meaningful, insightful glimpse into history. I am looking forward to hearing their podcast
interviews.

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 Multimedia: Audio or Video Lesson Idea

TFrazier, 2022