• Why was September 11, 2001, going to be a special day for Carlton and his fellow students at Emma E. Booker Elementary school?
• In the middle of the President’s visit, Carlton says “all of a sudden, President Bush was leaving.” As Carlton learned more about why the President had to leave, how does he describe feeling?
• In his 5th grade graduation speech, Carlton says that 9/11 made him a better person in three ways. What are the three things he mentions?
• Carlton says perseverance, which is the ability to continue doing something despite difficulties, has continued to help him as an adult. Can you think of a time in your own life where you were able to face a challenge that helped you to grow or to learn something new?

• Why was September 11, 2001, a noteworthy day for Carlton and his fellow students at Emma E. Booker Elementary school?
• In the middle of the President’s visit, Carlton says “all of a sudden, President Bush was leaving.” How does Carlton describe feeling as he began to learn about what happened on 9/11? What about his teachers?
• How did 9/11 influence his decision to attend West Point? Why was it important to him to become a Buffalo Soldier?
• What parallels does Carlton draw between his experiences navigating 9/11 and the present? What lessons does he say we can take from 9/11 and apply to today?

• Why was September 11, 2001, a noteworthy day for Carlton and his fellow students at Emma E. Booker Elementary school?
• How does Carlton describe the process of learning about what happened the morning of 9/11? How did being a 5th grader impact his understanding?
• Why did Carlton choose to attend West Point? Why was it important to him to become a Buffalo Soldier?
• What parallels does Carlton draw between his experiences navigating 9/11 and the present? Does anything he discusses resonate with your own experiences navigating the COVID-19 pandemic?

• Brielle talked about the way she grieved her father’s death and what helped her get through each day. What examples did she give?
• What is one way in which Brielle honors her father’s memory today?
• How does hearing one person’s story of this event help us remember 9/11? How can you help others honor and remember 9/11 in your own community?

• How did Brielle’s age impact her grieving process? How did she find normalcy after 9/11?
• Brielle said that her wedding date is a reminder that “life doesn’t work out the way you want it to but sometimes it works out the way it should.” What does this mean to you?
• What is one way in which Brielle honors her father’s memory today?
• 9/11 had a far-reaching impact around the world. How does hearing one person’s personal story change or deepen your understanding of the 9/11 attacks?

• What is one way in which Brielle honors her father’s memory? How was she influenced by his life and interests?
• Describe how Brielle approached the grieving process at 10 years old. How did this process change as she got older?
• Brielle said that her wedding date is a reminder that “life doesn’t always work out the way you want it to but sometimes it works out the way it should.” What does this mean to you? Could it apply to more recent events?
• After 20 years, why is it important to remember the personal impact of tragedies like 9/11? How might this change the way you interpret more recent tragedies?

• What kind of work were firefighters, like Lt. Joseph Leavey, doing at the World Trade Center?
• Cait said that hearing her father’s calm voice on the radio calls was a gift. How did this help Cait after 9/11?
• Cait’s father called her “his sunshine” and she described him as loving and supportive. Today, Cait creates a space where her own students can unleash their own “sunshine.” Who are the people in your life that support and encourage you?

• Cait said that hearing her father’s calm voice on the radio calls was a gift. How did this help Cait after 9/11?
• What was the purpose of America’s Camp and how did it impact Cait’s life?
• In what ways does Cait say her father influences the way that she teaches? How does her story demonstrate the impact that 9/11 continues to have 20 years later?

• How did hearing her father’s radio calls help Cait after 9/11?
• What were firefighters, like Lt. Joseph Leavey, doing at the World Trade Center on 9/11? Based on the radio calls, what challenges might they have been facing?
• What was the purpose of America’s Camp and how did it impact Cait’s grieving process? How does Cait try to embody her father’s legacy in her work as a teacher? How does her story demonstrate the impact that 9/11 continues to have 20 years later?

This story may not be appropriate for elementary learners. Please pre-screen and use at your discretion.

• How does Will describe the actions of the civilians he observed evacuating the World Trade Center on 9/11? What impact did that have on him?
• What impact did that have on him? How does Will describe conditions during the time he and Sergeant McLoughlin spent buried in the rubble of the Twin Towers?
• Will says, “20 years later, I think the story of September 11 is one of people helping people.” How does Will’s story reinforce this idea?

• How does Will describe the actions of the civilians he observed evacuating the World Trade Center on 9/11? What impact did that have on him?
• Describe the conditions Will and Sergeant McLoughlin faced during the time they spent buried underneath the rubble of the Twin Towers.
• Based on his experiences, Will says “20 years later, I think the story of September 11 is one of people helping people.” What do you think the enduring legacy of 9/11 is for your generation?

This story may not be appropriate for elementary learners. Please pre-screen and use at your discretion.

As you listen to Wesley’s story, think about the following questions:

• How did Wesley’s decision-making skills help him survive the attacks?
• What actions did Wesley take that showed courage or heroism?
• Wesley had the “great honor, on the first anniversary of 9/11, to read some of the names at Ground Zero.” What did the experience mean to him? How can you honor the anniversary today?

As you listen to Wesley’s story, consider the following questions:

• How did Wesley’s decisive actions help him survive the attacks?
• After the impact of the second plane into the South Tower, Wesley says, “Now I’m the person that everyone looks to, to tell them what’s going on.” Why did his role, as an FBI agent, change in this moment?
• What moments in Wesley’s story demonstrated courage or heroism?
• Wesley had the “great honor, on the first anniversary of 9/11, to read some of the names at Ground Zero.” What did the experience mean to him? Why is communal commemoration of the attacks still important today?

This story may not be appropriate for elementary learners. Please pre-screen and use at your discretion.

As you listen to Sonia’s story, think about the following questions:

• How was Sonia’s family life affected by 9/11?
• Sonia became a recovery worker after the attacks. How does she describe conditions at the World Trade Center site during the rescue, recovery, and clean-up?
• Sonia says, “9/11 didn’t end at midnight or a year later... 9/11 still goes on.” How does Sonia’s story show how 9/11 still impacts the world today?

As you listen to Sonia’s story, consider the following questions:

• How was Sonia’s family life affected by 9/11?
• Sonia became a recovery worker after the attacks. How does she describe conditions at the World Trade Center site and the mental health issues experienced by workers?
• Sonia says, “9/11 didn’t end at midnight or a year later... 9/11 still goes on.” What does she mean? How does Sonia’s story bring awareness to the ongoing repercussions of 9/11?

As you listen to Michael and Roselle’s story, think about the following questions:

• How did Michael, Roselle, and David work together to escape the World Trade Center? How did they help others?
• What are some words you might use to describe Roselle and her actions on 9/11?
• Michael talks about how many people showed appreciation for Roselle for “what she was and what she did.” How do you show appreciation for people who encourage or inspire you?

As you listen to Michael’s story, think about the following questions:

• How did Michael, Roselle, and David work together to escape the World Trade Center? How did they help others?
• Why do you think Roselle was honored several times after 9/11?
• In the years after the attacks, Michael has continued to speak about his experiences with Roselle on 9/11. Why do you think people continue to be so interested in his story?

As you listen to Michael’s story, consider the following questions:

• As Michael, Roselle, and David descended the stairs of the North Tower and escaped the World Trade Center, how were they able to help other evacuees?
• Why do you think Roselle was honored several times after 9/11?
• In the years after the attacks, Michael has continued to speak about his experiences with Roselle on 9/11. Why do you think people continue to be so interested in his story?

As you listen to Julie’s story, think about the following questions:

• What did you learn about Brian from listening to Julie’s story?
• What helped Julie move on and heal after 9/11?
• What does “living every day to its fullest” mean? Why is it important?

As you listen to Julie’s story, think about the following questions:

• When she describes Brian, Julie says, “I’ve never met, and I don’t think I’ll ever meet, anyone like him.” What details did you learn about Brian from Julie’s story?
• What helped Julie move on and heal after 9/11?
• What does “living every day to its fullest” mean to you?

As you listen to Julie’s story, consider the following questions:

• When she describes Brian, Julie says, “I’ve never met, and I don’t think I’ll ever meet, anyone like him.” What details did you learn about Brian from Julie’s story?
• According to Julie, what allowed her to heal and move on after 9/11?
• Why are individual remembrances important when discussing an event that killed so many people, like 9/11?

As you listen to Jon and Caleigh’s stories, think about the following questions:

• Jon and his wife, Erika, felt scared at the beginning of the story. How did they feel at the end?
• After Jon told his friends and family the story of Caleigh’s birth, he said, “We all started to heal a little bit that day.” Why do you think Caleigh’s story helped them heal?
• Last year, Caleigh led an assembly at her school to honor the anniversary of 9/11. What could you do in your school or with your family to remember the events of that day?

As you listen to Jon and Caleigh’s stories, think about the following questions:

• What obstacles did Jon and his wife, Erika, overcome leading up to Caleigh’s birth?
• When Jon describes sharing the story of Caleigh’s birth with friends and family, he says, “We all started to heal a little bit that day.” Why do you think Caleigh’s story helped them heal?
• Last year, Caleigh led an assembly at her school to honor the anniversary of 9/11. What could you do in your community to remember the events of that day? 

As you listen to Jon and Caleigh’s stories, consider the following questions:

• What obstacles did Jon and his wife Erika overcome leading up to Caleigh’s birth?
• When Jon describes sharing the story of Caleigh’s birth with friends and family, he says, “We all started to heal a little bit that day.” Why do you think Caleigh’s story helped them heal?
• Last year, Caleigh led an assembly at her school to honor the anniversary of 9/11. What could you do in your community to remember the events of that day?