Ten year old Deja is starting fifth grade at a new school. Things are tough at home: Pop is always sick and sad, Ma is always at work, and Deja is always taking care of her little brother and sister while Pop is asleep. Her new school is different from anywhere else Deja has been, and the education of recent history that Deja receives will change her life and the lives of her friends and family forever.
Students will identify themes in Towers Falling and illustrate examples from the text.
Storyboard Text
HISTORY IS RELEVANT
What happened on September 11, 2001?
IDENTITY AND PATRIOTISM
I am an American.
I am an American.
I am an American.
It is often difficult for children to understand what history has to do with them and why they have to learn about it. One of the main themes is that history is alive, personal, and relevant. Deja sees this first hand when she learns how September 11th had an impact on so many, including her father, herself, Miss Garcia, Sabeen, and Ben.
Deja and her friends are all from different backgrounds, and heritage is important and celebrated in Deja’s school. Deja learns to embrace these differences while also developing a deep sense of pride in her country and being an American.