Modern Day Historical Fiction Unit: Towers Falling

Sometimes teaching History isn’t comfortable. It isn’t easy! Some aspects of History hit too close to home, and for a variety of reasons. Which is the very reason why we have to teach it. The newest Literature Unit here at Live Love Learn Gracefully covers a more modern part of history.

Towers Falling by Jewell Parker Rhodes is a fantastic novel about a young, homeless girl living in New York City. This novel discusses the events of 9/11, the aftermath, the idea of community, and homelessness in a well written story. Students will fall in love with the personalities of Deja and her friends, their differences, and their tenacious spirits.

Towers Falling Unit

This is a complete unit that will incorporate many different subject areas and a variety of activities for each. Below you will find a snapshot of the complete unit.

Writing: 

• After reading the poem “Homeless,” write a poem about your own life experiences.
• Research and write 1-2 paragraphs about the construction of the World Trade Center Towers.

Literature:

• Major v. Minor Characters
• Direct and Indirect Characterization with Foldable

History:

• Timeline of the Events that occurred on 9/11
• Research other attacks on the United States prior to 9/11

STEM:

• Research the construction of the Twin Towers
• Research the changes in architecture and the building of towers from Ancient civilizations to present.
• Build your own tower.

Projects:

• Draw, sketch, or paint a before and after picture of the New York Skyline.

These activities and so many more are included in the Modern Day Historical Fiction Unit: Towers Falling available at TpT.

 

As always feel free to check out the Towers Falling Pinterest board for more ideas and resources as you are reading through this fantastic novel.

Unique Hashtag: TowersLLLG

Pinterest Board: Towers Falling Unit 

 

 

 

 

I hope you enjoy this novel and this unit. Please let me know if you have any feedback or suggestions. I would love to hear what projects or activities you incorporated into your unit and how they turned out.