TOURISM AT THE TOP OF THE WORLD TRADE CENTER

UNIT: History of the World Trade Center

GRADE LEVEL/S: 3-5

TIME NEEDED: 1 session

TEACHER: Laura Dunn Grodewald

LESSON TITLE: TOURISM AT THE TOP OF THE WORLD TRADE CENTER

CONTINUED ON THE NEXT PAGE

Common Core Standards

Key Questions/Issues Addressed

R 7 Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse media and formats, including

visually and quantitatively, as well as in words.

W 3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective

technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences.

Why do we buy souvenirs and hold onto physical remnants of a trip or event?

How do souvenirs help us remember a special event or trip?

What do souvenirs tell us about the places and events they came from?

Students will personalize the significance of objects and souvenirs from their own

visits to tourist sites.

Using artifacts and images taken from Windows on the World and the South Tower

Observation Deck, students will gain an understanding of the setting and significance

of two tourist attractions at the World Trade Center.

Memory, Observation Deck, Souvenir, Tourist, Windows on the World

Artifacts and souvenirs from Windows on the World in the 9/11 Memorial Museum

Collection. See Appendix A.

Artifact and image from the South Tower Observation Deck: Appendix B.

Photographs taken from the South Tower Observation Deck: See Appendix C.

Websites with written descriptions of Windows on the World:

http://nymag.com/news/9-11/10th-anniversary/windows-on-the-world/

Paper and pencils

Lesson Goals/Objectives

Key Terms

Materials


Windows on the World was a restaurant located on the 106 and 107th floors of the

North Tower. It was the highest grossing restaurant in the United States.

The South Tower Observation Deck was located on the 107th and 110th floors of the

South Tower. Visitors took an express elevator to the 107th floor to enjoy the indoor

view, food court, and simulated helicopter ride around the city. They could then take

an escalator to the outdoor deck on the roof.

The Observation Deck attracted 1.8 million visitors a year. Over its entire history from

December 1975 to September 10, 2001, approximately 46,350,000 visitors enjoyed the

views from the top of the South Tower.

1. Ask students to think about a time when they visited a tourist site, event, or

attraction and answer the following questions in small groups:

a. What objects come to mind when you think of the site?

b. Did you buy any souvenirs? If so, what did you buy?

c. Did you save anything from the visit? A ticket stub? A brochure?

d. How do these souvenirs or objects remind you of that specific place or event?

Note: If necessary, provide an example of a tourist attraction and model a response to a

question.

2. Have the small groups share out to the entire class.

3. Show students images of artifacts and souvenirs from Windows on the World

(see Appendix A) and the artifact and picture taken from the Observation

Deck (see Appendix B). Ask students to consider the following questions in a class

discussion:

a. Based on the objects you see, describe Windows on the World and the South

Tower Observation Deck.

b. What do you think tourists did when they visited these locations?

c. Why do you think they were such popular locations? Would you have wanted to

visit? Why or why not?

d. Which location do you think school groups visited more? Why?

4. Using the website in the Materials section providing firsthand descriptions of

the restaurant and maps of New York City, have students respond to the following

questions (via an essay or drawing):

Question topic A: What would the views of the city and surrounding areas from

these locations have looked like? Imagine and describe/depict a picture you would

have taken.

Question topic B: What souvenirs or objects would you have saved to remember

the visit to one of these locations? Describe them and explain why you have saved

these particular items.

Background for lesson


Instructional Activity/Procedures

5. Students share their drawings and/or written responses with the class. Compare

the students’ descriptions with the images taken from the Observation Deck in

Appendix B. Are they similar or different? How so?

Classroom participation and the final activity will highlight students’ ability to identify

how objects and memorabilia help us recreate the visual image and significance of a

place or event.

Create a class booklet of student responses to the question topics.

Students plan an imaginary trip to an existing tourist site and list the souvenirs and

objects they will save to remember the experience.


Evidence of Understanding

Extension Activities


Instructional Activity/Procedures (continued)

Artifacts from Windows on the World.All artifacts: Collection of 9/11 Memorial Museum.


APPENDIX A

Gift of David Emil.


Gift of David Emil.



Interior Map of Windows on the World. Collection 9/11 Memorial Museum. Gift of Sarrea and Paul Layton, sister and brother-in-law of Jay Robert Magazine

Interior of Windows on the World. Collection 9/11 Memorial Museum. Gift of Sarrea and Paul Layton, sister and brother-in-law of Jay Robert Magazine

APPENDIX A(continued)


APPENDIX A(continued)

Dinner Menu from Windows on the World. Collection 9/11 Memorial Museum. Gift of Sarrea and Paul Layton, sister and brother-in-law of Jay Robert Magazine



APPENDIX B

Ian Langworth on top of the South Tower. Gift of Barbara Langworth.


Gift of Karen and Joseph Tobia in memory of Port Authority Staff lost on 9/11.

Artifacts from the South Tower Observation Deck.Both artifacts: Collection of 9/11 Memorial Museum.


APPENDIX C Views from the South Tower Observation Deck.Gift of John and Catherine Lawrence/Richard Gross.

All images: Collection of 9/11 Memorial Museum.


Looking east towards Brooklyn. The Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges are in the foreground.

Looking north at Manhattan. The Empire State Building can be seen in the background.


APPENDIX C(Continued)

Looking south. The Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the Verrazano Bridge can be seen.

Looking west towards New Jersey.

Views from the South Tower Observation Deck.Gift of John and Catherine Lawrence/Richard Gross.

All images: Collection of 9/11 Memorial Museum.

NATIONAL SEPTEMBER 11 MEMORIAL & MUSEUM200 LIBERTY STREET, 16TH FLOOR, NEW YORK, NY 10281 P: 212-312-8800 F: 212.227.7931

911MEMORIAL.ORG

Documents

TOURISM AT THE TOP OF THE WORLD TRADE CENTER