NJ Educators Prepare 9/11 Curriculum

http://www.baristanet.com/2008/11/nj...11_curricu.php

Monday, November 24, 2008

New Jersey took the nation's lead last week as a group of teachers met to begin the process of designing a school curriculum addressing terrorism, and the impact of September 11. The sensitive topic led to many questions over how the information should be presented. From The Star Ledger:
Often at the center of the maelstrom was Paul Winkler, the director of the state's Commission on Holocaust Education, which wrote the Holocaust curriculum and is spearheading this initiative. It touched on a central question throughout the weekend of how to approach different subjects with different ages.

Other topics drew equally fragile discussions, with teachers trying to straddle the lines on how to teach about al Qaeda terrorists and those from on our own soil, be they bombers in Oklahoma City or the Birmingham church. And how should early acts of Revolutionary War aggression like the Boston Tea Party be characterized?

A powerful force in the room was Mary Ellen Salamone, a North Caldwell mother of three whose husband died in the World Trade Center.

In the years since, Salamone has been outspoken about how the attacks are taught in schools, and the group Families of Sept. 11th is a third partner in the curriculum effort.

"You don't want so much critical thinking that we forget the peaceful means that should be favored over terrorism," Salamone said. "Shouldn't we also draw contrasts to all the means of resolution?"
A final teacher's document, for use in elementary, middle and high schools, is expected to be ready by 2010, but will be a guide rather than required teaching.

Meanwhile, "security drills" may soon be added to fire drills in New Jersey schools.