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Triumph Over Tragedy: Virtual Field Trips on 9/11 and Other Tragic Events in History

Field trips are a student favorite. They can, however, be expensive and impractical. Thanks to technology, kids can still visit museums, historic landmarks and other significant places for free, and from the comfort of the classroom. 

Come September, the country will remember those who lost their lives during the terrorist attack on 9/11. Encourage students to be part of the remembrance by taking a virtual tour of the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. Teachers can expand on the theme through online exploration of some of history's other tragic events. 

Here are five virtual field trips sharing the theme of "Triumph Over Tragedy." Use them to teach about how groups of people can be torn apart, but will never be broken.
 

  1. 9/11 Memorial and Museum:  Take the Google Maps virtual tour of the monument, the World Trade Center site and the 9/11 Museum. Students will be able to see panoramic images of the north and south pools of the memorial and read the names of those lost during the tragic attacks. 
  2. The National WWII MuseumThis museum offers interactive, fast-paced virtual tours that are videoconferenced and broadcast live into classrooms across the country. The tour, guided by the museum educator, lets students analyze maps, photographs, posters, speeches and other artifacts from a conflict that had far-reaching global impact. 
  3. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum: Students can follow a young child, Daniel, his family and their experiences during the Holocaust. This is a good virtual tour for younger students and is presented in a way that children can understand.
  4. Trail of Tears: With this Prezi presentation, teach about the history of the Trail of Tears. Watch videos, learn important facts and follow the story of the forced relocation of thousands of Native Americans during the presidency of Andrew Jackson. 
  5. Underground Railroad: Go on a virtual field trip and visit sites of the Underground Railroad located in Bedford, Massachusetts. From the classroom, students can see the sights, learn about the history and impact of slavery and more. 

Related resources

September 11 Lessons and Resources

Teaching the Holocaust: Lesson Plans


Article by Kassondra Granata, EducationWorld Contributor
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