New Jersey Commission on Holocaust Education - New 9-11 Curriculum Now Available

New, comprehensive K-12 curriculum for teaching children about the events and issues surrounding the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 were unveiled recently by the coalition, “4 Action Initiative,” of which the New Jersey Commission on Holocaust Education, is a partner. The program is called, “Learning from the Challenges of Our Times: Global Security, Terrorism and 9/11 in the Classroom.” Fifty lesson plans will be available to New Jersey teachers for the upcoming school year. Members of the group, “Families of September 11” and volunteer educators who helped design the lessons attended the announcement event, which was held July 14, 2011, at the Liberty Science Center, also a featured partner.

The curriculum is the product of the combined efforts of the Holocaust Commission, the Families of September 11 group and the Liberty Science Center. About 25 volunteer educators researched the topic and crafted K-12 curriculum under the guidance of the Holocaust Commission. Sixty-two New Jersey teachers representing urban, suburban and rural districts throughout the state taught the pilot lessons in their classrooms during the 2009-10 academic year. Their input was incorporated into the final curriculum design.

The lesson plan themes are:

Human Behavior
From Playground to World Stage: Aggression, Hostility and Terrorism
The Historical Context of Terrorism
9/11/01: A Contemporary Case Study
Consequences and Challenges in a Post 9/11 World
Remembrance and Public Memory
Building Better Futures: Narrative, Recovery and Responsibility

In total, there are 100 lessons. Fifty are now available on the Holocaust Commission website and in print form. The next 50 lessons will be available in pilot form during the upcoming school year, so that additional input may be received and the lessons can be finalized by next summer.

Dr. Paul Winkler, executive director of the NJ Commission on Holocaust Education, Acting Education Commissioner Chris Cerf and Dr. William Tansey, Liberty Science Center Board of Directors chairman

Dr. Paul Winkler, executive director of the NJ Commission on Holocaust Education, top row 4th left and Dr. Donna Gaffney, a founding member of the 4 Action Initiative coalition, top row 1st right, with educators who helped create and pilot the new 9/11 curriculum.

Dr. Donna Gaffney, a founding member of the 4 Action Initiative coalition, Maryellen Salamone, an advisory board member of Families of September 11, Aidan, Alex and Anna Salamone, and Dr. Paul Winkler, executive director of the NJ Commission on Holocaust Education stand on the observation deck of the Liberty Science Center, overlooking the New York skyline.

Anna Salamone tells why she believes the new 9/11 curriculum is important, while her brothers Alex and Aidan, and her mother Maryellen stand by. The family lost their father on September 11th.

Dr. Paul Winkler, executive director of the NJ Commission on Holocaust Education, discusses the new K-12 lessons with teachers who helped create and pilot the 9/11 curriculum.

WELCOME

The core mission of the New Jersey Commission on Holocaust Education is to promote Holocaust education in the State of New Jersey. On a continual basis, the Commission shall survey the status of Holocaust/Genocide Education; design, encourage nd promote the implementation of Holocaust and genocide education and awareness; provide programs in New Jersey; and coordinate designated events that will provide appropriate memorialization of the Holocaust on a regular basis throughout the state. The Commission will provide assistance and advice to the public and private schools and will meet with county and local school officials, and other interested public and private organizations, to assist with the study of the Holocaust and genocide.

About Us

We invite you to find out more, whether you require Group or Company specific information, simply explore the site using the links to the left.

Phil Kirschner, Esq.
Chairman
Dr. Paul B. Winkler
Executive Director

State of New Jersey
Commission on Holocaust Education
P.O. Box 500
Trenton, NJ 08625

(609)292-9274 phone
(609)633-8599 fax
holocaust@doe.state.nj.us

The New Jersey Holocaust Commission is an autonomous body operating under its own policies and positions. It acts as a resource to the Department of Education to assist schools with various aspects of meeting the requirements of the mandate to provide Holocaust and genocide education. The commission provides curriculum outlines and suggested activities; identifies and publicizes demonstration sites for other districts to contact; and recommends informational resources and materials for teachers and students to use in the state.