It can be hard to discuss September 11, 2001 with our younger students. As teachers, we want to be sensitive about such an upsetting moment in history while still providing an opportunity to remembrance. This week we are spotlighting a children’s book that can be used as a gentle way to discuss the Twin Towers and September 11th in the classroom. The Man Who Walked Between the Towers tells the true story of an amazing tightrope walk that took place between the towers. This book can be used to teach students about historical events while also remembering the towers. - Jodi and the Starts With a Story Team
SUMMARY
The Man Who Walked Between the Towers tells the story of Philippe, a street performer who walked on a wire between the twin towers in New York City. Philippe loved to ride a unicycle and juggle fiery torches, but his true passion was walking and dancing on a rope between two trees. One day, he looked at the towers and thought that the space between them would be a perfect place to walk across a wire. He disguised himself and friends as construction workers, and snuck into the towers to set up the rope. After a long night of preparation, Philippe walks out onto the wire. The people below are amazed at the sight, but the police arrest him when he gets off. A judge sentences him to perform for children, and Philippe gets to continue spending his time doing what he loves.
USE THIS BOOK TO TEACH:
It is important that students have opportunities to practice their strategies and skills on nonfiction text. The Man Who Walked Between the Towers lends itself to so much instruction! Whether your students need to practice their reading comprehension skills or a specific style of writing, this book serves as a great mentor text. Check out some of our lesson ideas below:
- Help students to practice analyzing the setting of this book.
- Discuss different types of genre and work as a class to identify the genre of the story.
- Engage students in informational and opinion writing.
- Practice writing poems with students.
- Introduce the different types of sentences and identify them in the text.
- Review action verbs and proper nouns.
- Discuss new vocabulary.
- Explain the importance of perseverance and bravery.
NO-PREP PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES:
If you are looking for “ready to go” activities for the first day of school, be sure to check out the book companion. With it you’ll receive all of the following resources to align with this specific book:
- comprehension questions
- 30 writing prompts with themed paper
- vocabulary activities
- word study print & go activities
- ideas for grammar lessons with focus sentence printables
- social emotional learning discussion topics
- graphic organizers to target specific comprehension skills and strategies
If you are looking for a resource to teach The Man Who Walked Between the Towers in your classroom, you will want our Starts With a Story Book Companion. Our goal with these book companions is to help make planning read alouds easier for teachers!
GET THE PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES
ADDITIONAL BOOK SUGGESTIONS
You and your students will also love these similar books:
- Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet
- Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall
- Planting Stories by Anika A. Denise
- Owl Moon by Jane Yolen
TRY OUT A SAMPLE COMPANION
It's hard to explain how amazing the Starts with a Story book companions are because there is just so much goodness included in each one. It's best if you experience using one for yourself. Sign up below & we'll send you an entire book companion to try out for FREE!
