COMMON CORE UNIT:
A Close Reading of George W. Bush’s 9/11 Address to the Nation
UNIT SUMMARY This unit has been developed to guide students and instructors in a close reading of Bush’s 9/11 Address to
the Nation. The activities and actions described below follow a carefully developed set of steps that assist students in increasing
their familiarity and understanding of Bush’s speech through a series of text dependent tasks and questions that ultimately
develop college and career ready skills identified in the Common Core State Standards.
Reading Tasks: Students will silently read the passage, first independently, and then following along
with the text as the teacher and/or students read aloud. The teacher will then lead students through a
set of concise, text-dependent questions that compel students to reread specific passages and discover
the structure and meaning of Bush’s Address to the Nation.
Vocabulary Tasks: Most of the meanings of words in this selection can be discovered from careful
reading of the context in which they appear. This practice is both called for by the standards and is vital.
Teachers must be prepared to reinforce it constantly by modeling and holding students accountable for
looking in the context for meaning as well.
Discussion Tasks: Students will discuss the passage in depth with their teacher and their classmates,
performing activities that result in a close reading of Bush’s text. The goal is to foster student
confidence when encountering complex text and to reinforce the skills they have acquired regarding
how to build and extend their understanding of a text.
Writing Tasks: Students will paraphrase different sentences and paragraphs of Roosevelt’s speech and
then write an analytical essay on their understanding of his Address to the Nation. Students will be
afforded the opportunity to rewrite their explanation or revise their in-class paraphrases after
participating in classroom discussion, allowing them to refashion both their understanding of the text
and their expression of that understanding.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Outline of Unit: This unit can be broken down into three sections of instruction and reflection on the part of students and their
teachers, followed by additional activities, some designed for history/social studies and some for ELA classrooms.
SECTION 1
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Students silently read Bush’s Address to the Nation
Then teacher reads the Address out loud to the class while students follow along in the text.
Students translate the first two paragraphs of the Address into their own words.
Students respond to guiding questions and tasks about the first two paragraphs, focusing on the following CCS
standards: RI.9-10.1; RI.9-10.2, 4 & 5; W.9-10.9; SL.9-10.1; and L.9-10.4-6.
After the discussion, students rewrite their translation.
Teacher concludes with a discussion of the 3rd & 4th paragraph.
SECTION 2
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
September 11: The Attack
Reassuring the American People
Students are re-acquainted with the first four paragraphs of the speech
Students read independently the remainder of the Address
Teacher reads the text of the remainder out loud to the class while students follow along in the text.
Students translate the reminder of the address into their own words.
Students respond to guiding questions regarding the remainder of the Address to the Nation, focusing on the
following CCS standards: RI.9-10.1; RI.9-10.3, 5 & 8; W.9-10.9; and SL.9-10.1.
Students revise their translation.
The lesson concludes with students writing a page length essay based on the structure of Bush’s argument, focusing
on the following CCS standards: RI.9-10.1, RI.9-10.6 & 8; and W.9-10.1, 4 & 9.
George W. Bush, Address to the Nation, September 11, 2001
Good evening.
Today, our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate
and deadly terrorist1 acts. The victims were in airplanes or in their offices: secretaries, business men and
women, military and federal workers, moms and dads, friends and neighbors. Thousands of lives were
suddenly ended by evil, despicable2 acts of terror. The pictures of airplanes flying into buildings, fires
burning, huge -- huge structures collapsing have filled us with disbelief, terrible sadness, and a quiet,
unyielding anger. These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our nation into chaos and retreat.
But they have failed. Our country is strong.
A great people has been moved to defend a great nation. Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of
our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they
cannot dent the steel of American resolve. America was targeted for attack because we're the brightest
beacon3 for freedom and opportunity in the world. And no one will keep that light from shining. Today,
our nation saw evil -- the very worst of human nature -- and we responded with the best of America. With
the daring of our rescue workers, with the caring for strangers and neighbors who came to give blood and
help in any way they could.
Immediately following the first attack, I implemented4 our government's emergency response plans. Our
military is powerful, and it's prepared. Our emergency teams are working in New York City and
Washington D.C. to help with local rescue efforts. Our first priority is to get help to those who have been
injured, and to take every precaution to protect our citizens at home and around the world from further
attacks. The functions of our government continue without interruption. Federal agencies in Washington
which had to be evacuated today are reopening for essential personnel tonight and will be open for
business tomorrow. Our financial institutions remain strong, and the American economy will be open for
business as well.
1A
person who
uses violence &
fear to achieve
political goal
2Deserving
to be
regarded with
contempt or
disgust
3Guiding
signal;
usually a light
4To
put into
effect
The search is underway for those who were behind these evil acts. I have directed the full resources of our
intelligence and law enforcement communities to find those responsible and to bring them to justice. We
will make no distinction between the terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbor them.
I appreciate so very much the members of Congress who have joined me in strongly condemning5 these
attacks. And on behalf of the American people, I thank the many world leaders who have called to offer
their condolences6 and assistance. America and our friends and allies join with all those who want peace
and security in the world, and we stand together to win the war against terrorism.
5To
express an
unfavorable
judgement
6Expression
Tonight, I ask for your prayers for all those who grieve, for the children whose worlds have been
shattered, for all whose sense of safety and security has been threatened. And I pray they will be
comforted by a Power greater than any of us, spoken through the ages in Psalm 23:
sympathy
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil for you are with me.
This is a day when all Americans from every walk of life unite in our resolve7 for justice and peace. America
has stood down enemies before, and we will do so this time. None of us will ever forget this day, yet we go
forward to defend freedom and all that is good and just in our world.
Thank you. Good night. And God bless America.
7Definite
decision
of
SECTION 1
(1–2 days)
September 11th: The Attack
Section 1 Activities
1. Teacher introduces the text and students read independently
2. Teacher reads the text out loud as students follow along
3. Students translate the text of the first two paragraphs into their own words in one or more sentences
4. Teacher guides discussion of the first two paragraphs. {see Central Concern #1}
5. Students rewrite their translation of Bush’s the first two paragraphs.
6. Teacher guides discussion of the 3rd & 4th paragraphs. {See Central Concern #2}
7. Wrap Up.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Central Concern #1 for guided discussion:
In the first paragraph, what does Bush tell us about recent events?
Text Under Discussion: “Today, our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate
and deadly terrorist acts. The victims were in airplanes or in their offices: secretaries, business men and women, military and
federal workers, moms and dads, friends and neighbors. Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of
terror. The pictures of airplanes flying into buildings, fires burning, huge -- huge structures collapsing have filled us with
disbelief, terrible sadness, and a quiet, unyielding anger. These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our nation into
chaos and retreat. But they have failed. Our country is strong. A great people has been moved to defend a great nation.
Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These
acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve. America was targeted for attack because we're the
brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world. And no one will keep that light from shining. Today, our nation saw
evil -- the very worst of human nature -- and we responded with the best of America. With the daring of our rescue workers,
with the caring for strangers and neighbors who came to give blood and help in any way they could.”
Guiding Questions
A. What does “terrorist” mean? What does Bush believe are the intended purposes of the attacks?
B. Who was affected by the terrorist attacks?
C. What does “despicable” mean?
D. What does “beacon” mean?
E. What does Bush mean by “the foundation of America?”
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Central Concern #2 for guided discussion:
What has actions have been taken since the attacks first occurred?
Text Under Discussion: “Immediately following the first attack, I implemented our government's emergency response plans. Our
military is powerful, and it's prepared. Our emergency teams are working in New York City and Washington D.C. to help with local
rescue efforts. Our first priority is to get help to those who have been injured, and to take every precaution to protect our citizens
at home and around the world from further attacks. The functions of our government continue without interruption. Federal
agencies in Washington which had to be evacuated today are reopening for essential personnel tonight and will be open for
business tomorrow. Our financial institutions remain strong, and the American economy will be open for business as well. The
search is underway for those who were behind these evil acts. I have directed the full resources of our intelligence and law
enforcement communities to find those responsible and to bring them to justice. We will make no distinction between the
terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbor them.”
Guiding Questions
A. What does “implemented” mean?
B. How did the attacks immediately our government structure?
C. What groups were involved in the initial response?
D. What other institutions within our country were impacted?
SECTION 2
(1–2 days)
Reassuring the American People
Section Two Activities
1. Teacher sets the scene for Roosevelt’s speech: conducts brief discussion of the 5th paragraph {See Central Concern #1}
2. Students read the remainder of the document independently
3. Teacher reads the remainder of the document out loud
4. Students translate the text of the last paragraph into their own words in one or more sentences
5. Teacher guides discussion of the remainder of the document {see Central Concern #2 & #3}
6. Students revise their translation of the last paragraph.
7. Students write a brief essay based on their reading and understanding to date. {see Essay Prompt}
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Central Concern #1 for guided discussion:
Who did Bush thank and why?
Text Under Discussion: “I appreciate so very much the members of Congress who have joined me in strongly condemning these
attacks. And on behalf of the American people, I thank the many world leaders who have called to offer their condolences and
assistance. America and our friends and allies join with all those who want peace and security in the world, and we stand
together to win the war against terrorism.”
Guiding Questions
A. What does “condolences” mean?
B. What does “condemning” mean?
C. Who is Bush thanking? What is he thanking them for?
D. Is Bush declaring an official war on terrorism?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Central Concern #2 for guided discussion:
What was Bush’s request of the American people?
Text Under Discussion: “Tonight, I ask for your prayers for all those who grieve, for the children whose worlds have been
shattered, for all whose sense of safety and security has been threatened. And I pray they will be comforted by a Power greater
than any of us, spoken through the ages in Psalm 23: Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil
for you are with me.”
Guiding Questions
A. Who is Bush requesting prayers for and why?
B. What is the irony of Bush including Psalm 23 in his speech?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Central Concern # 3 for guided discussion:
What does Bush resolve to accomplish?
Text Under Discussion: “This is a day when all Americans from every walk of life unite in our resolve for justice and peace.
America has stood down enemies before, and we will do so this time. None of us will ever forget this day, yet we go forward to
defend freedom and all that is good and just in our world.”
Guiding Questions
A. What does “resolve” mean?
B. What “enemies” is Bush referring to?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Essay Prompt: In the second half of his speech, Bush alludes to declaring a war on terrorism. How has he defended his argument
that war is needed? What evidence does he use to support his request? Is his evidence sufficient enough to justify a war
declaration?
Remind students of the work they already completed and encourage them to review their notes and access the information
they gathered to craft their response to this prompt. Emphasize that the essay should be well organized and effectively support
the point being made with carefully selected evidence.