Merrick Avenue humanities students learn from interactive 9/11 display

In remembrance of 9/11, all seventh-grade students at Merrick Avenue Middle School interacted in a humanities lesson delivered by English and social studies teachers.

During their humanities block, students participated in a gallery walk and discussion about ordinary, heroic citizens’ efforts to aid those affected by the tragedy, and later, the artwork that was created to memorialize the day.

The students will analyze images of art and memorials using a technique from the National Constitution Center’s exhibit, “9/11: A Nation Remembers.” The images displayed are from Duke University’s “Flesh & Metal, Bodies & Buildings: Works from Jonathan Hyman’s Archive of 9/11 Vernacular Memorials.”

Principal Dr. Taryn Johnson explained, “students learned about America’s social and cultural responses to the events of this day by analyzing the public memorials created across the American landscape in the days, months and years after the attacks. These displays continue to serve as a symbol of enduring hope.”

“One of the central themes of the lesson is reflective of the values we embody as members of the Bellmore-Merrick community and as Americans — in times of tragedy and difficulty, we seek to help each and to connect with kindness and caring,” said Kate Caporusso, social studies chairperson.

English chairperson Adeline Atkins added, “this lesson demonstrates how we collectively respond to tragedy — on 9/11 and the days and months afterward, we banded together to help one another. These images and stories about those who came to the aid of others and the artwork that was later created is a beautiful example of who we are and how we express our shared humanity.”

Eighth-grade students also explored the theme of connecting with kindness and caring as they looked at ordinary heroes.

“Students examined the story of the boat lifters and the town of Gander as case studies of these groups in their social studies classes,” added Caporusso.