Ground Zero by: Alan Gratz by Alyssa DePaolo

Ground Zero by: Alan Gratz by Alyssa DePaolo https://padlet.com/adepaolo2/ivrj8u0qaqt5nt03 Literature Project en-us 2022-04-14 01:35:07 UTC 2022-04-20 18:25:32 UTC hello@padlet.com adepaolo2 https://padlet.com/adepaolo2/ivrj8u0qaqt5nt03/wish/2143275126 2022-04-14 02:14:14 UTC https://padlet.com/adepaolo2/ivrj8u0qaqt5nt03/wish/2143275126 adepaolo2 https://padlet.com/adepaolo2/ivrj8u0qaqt5nt03/wish/2143277389 2022-04-14 02:16:08 UTC https://padlet.com/adepaolo2/ivrj8u0qaqt5nt03/wish/2143277389 Three Books by Alan Gratz adepaolo2 https://padlet.com/adepaolo2/ivrj8u0qaqt5nt03/wish/2143281184 2022-04-14 02:19:14 UTC https://padlet.com/adepaolo2/ivrj8u0qaqt5nt03/wish/2143281184 adepaolo2 https://padlet.com/adepaolo2/ivrj8u0qaqt5nt03/wish/2143281419 2022-04-14 02:19:25 UTC https://padlet.com/adepaolo2/ivrj8u0qaqt5nt03/wish/2143281419 adepaolo2 https://padlet.com/adepaolo2/ivrj8u0qaqt5nt03/wish/2143281698 2022-04-14 02:19:36 UTC https://padlet.com/adepaolo2/ivrj8u0qaqt5nt03/wish/2143281698 adepaolo2 https://padlet.com/adepaolo2/ivrj8u0qaqt5nt03/wish/2143281864 2022-04-14 02:19:44 UTC https://padlet.com/adepaolo2/ivrj8u0qaqt5nt03/wish/2143281864 Alyssa DePaolo adepaolo2 https://padlet.com/adepaolo2/ivrj8u0qaqt5nt03/wish/2143290754 In small groups, students will discuss what the term "Ground Zero" means to them. What significance does the term 9/11 have? What do you know about the country Afghanistan?

After discussing what they know about these concepts, students will write down some questions and what they would like to understand more of from discussing these topics. ]]> 2022-04-14 02:27:43 UTC https://padlet.com/adepaolo2/ivrj8u0qaqt5nt03/wish/2143290754 Alyssa DePaolo adepaolo2 https://padlet.com/adepaolo2/ivrj8u0qaqt5nt03/wish/2143324149 1. What was the World Trade Center like before 9/11? What events occurred on September 11th, 2001? Who was responsible for the attack?

2. Learn about the country Afghanistan - culture, geography, people, war events, and history.

3. How did the attack on the World Trade Center lead to the United States involvement in the war in Afghanistan?

4. How did counterterrorism measures evolve in the immediate aftermath of 9/11?

5. President George W. Bush's Operation: Enduring Freedom - War in Iraq/Afghanistan ]]> 2022-04-14 02:58:05 UTC https://padlet.com/adepaolo2/ivrj8u0qaqt5nt03/wish/2143324149 Alyssa DePaolo adepaolo2 https://padlet.com/adepaolo2/ivrj8u0qaqt5nt03/wish/2143324455 1. After reading the first chapter, what do you learn about Brandon's character? Why is he joining his dad to work on this day? What date and year is it during Brandon's story?

2. What do you learn about Reshmina in Chapter 2? Where and when does her story take place? What are some cultural differences in Reshmina's story compared to Brandon's story?

3. Why is Reshmina interested in the translator who accompanies the American soldiers while in her village? Are their opportunities to work when she becomes a woman in her culture? What does her family expect her to do when she becomes a woman? Discuss what you think Reshmina means when she says, "And without a dream, without ambition, what point was there to living?" (pg. 44).

4. Reshmina's brother, Pasoon, is angry and refuses to help the American solider like the rest of his family. Pasoon decides to join the Taliban and says, "If I'm going to die one way or another, I might as well die fighting" (pg. 134). Do you agree with Pasoon's way of thinking or should he stay back with his family and help the American solider? Explain.

5. Reshmina searches for Pasoon to a cave and finds many weapons from different countries. Reshmina thinks, "What would happen if the big countries stopped selling weapons to the little countries? How would Afghanistan and Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and Iran and the countries around them fight each other and the rest of the world?" (pg 149). Think about that statement. If big countries, like the United States, stop selling weapons to smaller countries, like Afghanistan, do you think there would be no war? Why or why not?

6. Discuss the differences between the two phone calls Brandon had with his father (pg 152, pg 185). What has changed? (pg 185). What does Brandon's father have Brandon promise him?

7. Reshmina states, "But sometimes what was right and what was easy were two different things" (pg. 195). Fossils are "forever stuck in the past" and the Kochi way of life is "living the same life". Compare these statements she makes in the chapter to what Reshmina knows now that she has to do. ]]> 2022-04-14 02:58:21 UTC https://padlet.com/adepaolo2/ivrj8u0qaqt5nt03/wish/2143324455 Afghanistan from National Geographic Kids. adepaolo2 https://padlet.com/adepaolo2/ivrj8u0qaqt5nt03/wish/2143327279 This article provides information about Afghanistan as a country, including the culture, people, geography, and history.
https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/geography/countries/article/afghanistan

Article: https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/u-s-led-attack-on-afghanistan-begins
Regarding the War in Afghanistan]]> 2022-04-14 03:01:07 UTC https://padlet.com/adepaolo2/ivrj8u0qaqt5nt03/wish/2143327279 Alyssa DePaolo adepaolo2 https://padlet.com/adepaolo2/ivrj8u0qaqt5nt03/wish/2143334535 What Were the Twin Towers?
by Jim O’Connor (2015)
This short text covers the factual account of the building, business, and commerce of the World Trade Center before the attacks in 2001. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/317937/what-were-the-twin-towers-by-jim-oconnor-illustrated-by-ted-hammond/]]> 2022-04-14 03:08:37 UTC https://padlet.com/adepaolo2/ivrj8u0qaqt5nt03/wish/2143334535 Alyssa DePaolo adepaolo2 https://padlet.com/adepaolo2/ivrj8u0qaqt5nt03/wish/2143337170 1. Book - 911: The Book of Help by: Marc Aronson

2. Website - 9/11 virtual field trip: https://911memorial.org/learn/students-and-teachers/virtual-field-trips

3. Book: Towers Falling by Jewell Parker Rhobes

4. Website: https://www.911day.org]]> 2022-04-14 03:11:18 UTC https://padlet.com/adepaolo2/ivrj8u0qaqt5nt03/wish/2143337170 Alyssa DePaolo adepaolo2 https://padlet.com/adepaolo2/ivrj8u0qaqt5nt03/wish/2143350569 Don Brown's America Is Under Attack: September 11, 2001: The Day the Towers Fell ]]> 2022-04-14 03:24:55 UTC https://padlet.com/adepaolo2/ivrj8u0qaqt5nt03/wish/2143350569 Sam Rukin sarukin https://padlet.com/adepaolo2/ivrj8u0qaqt5nt03/wish/2145573396 “It isn’t me against the world, Brandon realized. It’s everyone working together. And not against the world either, but for each other.” (Pg. 294)]]> 2022-04-16 16:56:11 UTC https://padlet.com/adepaolo2/ivrj8u0qaqt5nt03/wish/2145573396 Sam Rukin sarukin https://padlet.com/adepaolo2/ivrj8u0qaqt5nt03/wish/2145573924 The WTC: The tallest buildings in the world 1973, and the 1993 bombing. Students will learn about the WTC complex, its importance in the city of New York as well as the rest of the United States. They will also learn about the first attempt to bring the towers down in 1993.]]> 2022-04-16 16:57:29 UTC https://padlet.com/adepaolo2/ivrj8u0qaqt5nt03/wish/2145573924 Sam Rukin sarukin https://padlet.com/adepaolo2/ivrj8u0qaqt5nt03/wish/2145574837 1) The US and the Taliban vs. the USSR
2) Who did 9/11? Osama Bin Laden and Al Qaeda
3) The war in Iraq/Afghanistan. Afghanistan at war, from Alexander The Great to the United States. ]]> 2022-04-16 16:59:47 UTC https://padlet.com/adepaolo2/ivrj8u0qaqt5nt03/wish/2145574837 Sam Rukin sarukin https://padlet.com/adepaolo2/ivrj8u0qaqt5nt03/wish/2145576887 1) Pg. 15: You're playing one minute and the next you're fearing for your life. How might that constant worry/fear feel?
2) Pg. 43: Is a baby being used to gunfire a world you would want to live in or be a part of?
3) Pg. 47: Why is hope so dangerous and painful in Reshmina's world? How would not being allowed to have hope affect you?
4) Pg. 87: Why would the US supply Afghans with anti-USSR textbooks? Do you think that similar things still happen today?
5) Pg. 101: Throughout the book, even before the revealing ending, the author made connections of thought or action between both characters. Why did he choose to do so?
6) Pg. 135: Reshmina and her family mention several times that Afghanistan could sprout and grow if only they were left alone. How might the lonely cedar cone Reshmina finds be a metaphor for Afghanistan?
7) Pg. 142: Is joking about 9/11 or other tragedies ever okay? Does time passed make it okay?

]]> 2022-04-16 17:04:34 UTC https://padlet.com/adepaolo2/ivrj8u0qaqt5nt03/wish/2145576887 Sam Rukin sarukin https://padlet.com/adepaolo2/ivrj8u0qaqt5nt03/wish/2145577243 1) United 93 (Movie). Ending scene where passengers fight back and attempt to regain control of the plane. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5i-tvvHX68&t=328s&ab_channel=ThomasT
2) The Patriot Act (History Channel) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KP9VklrXPZs&ab_channel=HISTORY

3) 9/12/01 Newspaper (New York Times) https://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/12/us/us-attacked-hijacked-jets-destroy-twin-towers-and-hit-pentagon-in-day-of-terror.html

4) News Coverage Youtube Videos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89G749GrtBQ&list=PLHBSA-Wg6P1p0o9m8_pRBjQ3WQAG3fcdp&index=1&ab_channel=DANNOTCH%27SNEWSVIDEOS

5) President Biden Delivers Remarks on Ending the war in Afghanistan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdh4EQLkrZ0&ab_channel=CNBCTelevision

]]> 2022-04-16 17:05:24 UTC https://padlet.com/adepaolo2/ivrj8u0qaqt5nt03/wish/2145577243 Sam Rukin sarukin https://padlet.com/adepaolo2/ivrj8u0qaqt5nt03/wish/2145577761 Brandon and Reshmina blame themselves for things that aren't directly their fault. Do you ever unfairly blame yourself? Why might you do so? Write a short personal narrative about a time where you unfairly/wrongly blamed yourself. ]]> 2022-04-16 17:06:39 UTC https://padlet.com/adepaolo2/ivrj8u0qaqt5nt03/wish/2145577761 Sam Rukin sarukin https://padlet.com/adepaolo2/ivrj8u0qaqt5nt03/wish/2145579266 Contact and Interview a 9/11 Survivor:

Through the use of the World Trade Center Survivors Network, the teacher will compile a list of survivors and their contact information. Students will be placed in pairs and will be tasked with interviewing a survivor through Zoom. Students will need to create interview questions, record the interview (video or audio), as well as write a personal reflection/article about the interview and its contents. ]]> 2022-04-16 17:10:04 UTC https://padlet.com/adepaolo2/ivrj8u0qaqt5nt03/wish/2145579266 Sam Rukin sarukin https://padlet.com/adepaolo2/ivrj8u0qaqt5nt03/wish/2145579988 This book is a simple read that allows students to peer into the vastly different yet eerily similar lives that the two characters, Brandon and Reshmina live. The book details the events of 9/11 and the War in Afghanistan in a personal manner that allows the reader to personally and emotionally connect to the events. ]]> 2022-04-16 17:11:36 UTC https://padlet.com/adepaolo2/ivrj8u0qaqt5nt03/wish/2145579988 Alyssa DePaolo adepaolo2 https://padlet.com/adepaolo2/ivrj8u0qaqt5nt03/wish/2146266540 As you have read in Alan Gratz Ground Zero and through your research, September 11, 2001 was a tragic day that will forever be remembered. As Americans, we continue to learn from the challenges of our times and continue to try and move forward. What changes have been made in this country since 9/11 regarding policy, government, human and social, etc.? Were all of these changes good, bad, or both? Provide evidence to support your arguments. ]]> 2022-04-17 22:41:37 UTC https://padlet.com/adepaolo2/ivrj8u0qaqt5nt03/wish/2146266540 Alyssa DePaolo adepaolo2 https://padlet.com/adepaolo2/ivrj8u0qaqt5nt03/wish/2146266860
Take a Stand Project:
After learning about September 11 events and the war in Afghanistan. The students will be introduced to four different positions and asked, "What is the best position for the United States and NATO to take in Afghanistan and Pakistan?".

The four positions that are presented with a description:

Position 1: Send more U.S. and NATO troops to Afghanistan.
Position 2: Provide the military effort to Pakistan instead of Afghanistan.
Position 3: Focus on regional negotiations instead of a military solution.
Position 4: Withdraw U.S. and NATO troops from Afghanistan.

Students will have time to read the description of each position and then decide what position they would take. They will be asked to form their groups based on the position they chose and the class will conduct a debate. Before the debate, students will have time to work with their groups in class. During this time, students will develop their arguments and research for evidence to support their arguments. After three days of preparing, the class will conduct a in class debate.

Closing: Students will be asked to write a short essay answering the prompt: Which out of the four positions is the best? Why? Explain.

]]> 2022-04-17 22:42:22 UTC https://padlet.com/adepaolo2/ivrj8u0qaqt5nt03/wish/2146266860 Alyssa DePaolo adepaolo2 https://padlet.com/adepaolo2/ivrj8u0qaqt5nt03/wish/2146266975 In Ground Zero, Alan Gratz provides a narration to learn about 9/11 and the War in Afghanistan while also writing it so a young person (at least 6th grade) can understand. At first, I had a hard time understanding why the two stories were chosen for this book and how they truly connected, but I like how Gratz connected the two stories into one towards the end of the novel. ]]> 2022-04-17 22:42:38 UTC https://padlet.com/adepaolo2/ivrj8u0qaqt5nt03/wish/2146266975 Alyssa DePaolo adepaolo2 https://padlet.com/adepaolo2/ivrj8u0qaqt5nt03/wish/2146267326 I chose to read part of Reshmina's chapter "Ground Zero" because it brought many different points to light. The reader finds out that Reshmina, her family, and the villagers do not know the significance of September 11th, even 20 years later. The conversation continues to question why the American soldiers are fighting in Afghanistan if they were not responsible for the attack and why they are still here if they captured the individuals who were responsible. This part of the book allows the reader to reflect on war and the purpose of war. Americans go to war to fight for their country and protect their people, but maybe people do not think about the danger that declaring war puts on innocent people when American troops invade their country. Reshmina lost her sister because of the war. Reshmina lost her brother because of the war. And now, Reshmina lost her home and entire village because of the war. This passage, and Reshmina's story, makes the reader think if war does more harm than good. ]]> 2022-04-17 22:43:27 UTC https://padlet.com/adepaolo2/ivrj8u0qaqt5nt03/wish/2146267326 Alyssa DePaolo adepaolo2 https://padlet.com/adepaolo2/ivrj8u0qaqt5nt03/wish/2146556519 "And without a dream, without ambition, what point was there to living?" (pg. 44)]]> 2022-04-18 04:16:13 UTC https://padlet.com/adepaolo2/ivrj8u0qaqt5nt03/wish/2146556519 Sam Rukin sarukin https://padlet.com/adepaolo2/ivrj8u0qaqt5nt03/wish/2149115987 1) Malala, the girl who got shot for going to school (BBC). https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-24379018
2) What Happened in the Afghanistan: How it Started and How it Ended. (NYT)
https://www.nytimes.com/article/afghanistan-war-us.html ]]> 2022-04-19 18:53:12 UTC https://padlet.com/adepaolo2/ivrj8u0qaqt5nt03/wish/2149115987 Sam Rukin sarukin https://padlet.com/adepaolo2/ivrj8u0qaqt5nt03/wish/2149120128 1) The Library Bus by Bahram Rahman
" Pari can’t even read or write in Farsi yet. But next year she will go to school and learn all there is to know. And she is so lucky. Not long ago, Mama tells her, girls were not allowed to read at all."]]> 2022-04-19 18:56:14 UTC https://padlet.com/adepaolo2/ivrj8u0qaqt5nt03/wish/2149120128 Sam Rukin sarukin https://padlet.com/adepaolo2/ivrj8u0qaqt5nt03/wish/2150821371 2022-04-20 18:25:32 UTC https://padlet.com/adepaolo2/ivrj8u0qaqt5nt03/wish/2150821371