Oklahoma Social Studies USH.C.9.1.A
The Standard
- USH.C.9
- Analyze contemporary turning points of 21st century American society.
- USH.C.9.1
- Assess the significant events of the George W. Bush administration.
Summarize the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, including examples of heroism and efforts to combat terrorism (e.g., creation of the Department of Homeland Security, passage of the PATRIOT Act).
Oklahoma Academic Standards for Social Studies (2026) · USH.C.9.1
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students describe what happened to the four hijacked planes and where they crashed. They give an example of heroism and explain how the government responded through the PATRIOT Act and the Department of Homeland Security.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student can place the attacks at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. They can describe what Flight 93 passengers did, explain that the PATRIOT Act expanded investigative powers, and identify the Department of Homeland Security's role in coordinating security.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think Flight 93 hit a building rather than crashing in a field after passengers fought back. They may also confuse the PATRIOT Act with the law that created the Department of Homeland Security.
How to Assess It
- On an exit ticket, ask students to name the three crash locations, describe one act of heroism, and explain what each government response did.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs four flight cards and a blank U.S. map; have them mark each crash site and write a factual caption.
Read a one-page PATRIOT Act summary, then ask: What security goal and what privacy concern did lawmakers have to weigh?
Have students match cards for the PATRIOT Act, Homeland Security, Flight 93 passengers, and first responders to descriptions of their actions.
Show a current TSA checkpoint sign; ask students to identify two steps passengers take and why airports use them.
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Related Standards
- USH.C.8.4.C
Evaluate the rise of domestic terrorism as exemplified by the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building.
- OKH.C.8.5.A
Identify the effects of the domestic terrorist attack on the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City.
- OKH.C.8.5
Analyze Oklahoma’s response to acts of domestic terrorism.
- USH.C.5.3
Summarize the United States of America’s reactions to the events of the Shoah (Holocaust).
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