Dealing with Crisis: Teachable Moments in the Social Studies Classroom

September 11, 2001 is a day that will live in the hearts and minds of Americans for a long time. During the classes following the events, some teachers were asked by students about the events. Although some teachers may not have been specifically trained to deal with individual or societal crises, many were skilled at taking advantage of the teachable moment--the time when a teacher puts the daily plan on the back burner and helps students to understand what is most relevant and pressing in their lives. In this article, the author reports how some teachers used September 11 as a teachable moment. These teachers exemplify what social studies instruction should be: "to help young people develop the ability to make informed and reasoned decisions for the public good as citizens of a culturally diverse, democratic society in an interdependent world."