Thematic Units - September 11th

Remembering September 11th

September 11, 2001, will be a day we never forget. As another anniversary of this event approaches, we begin to wonder how we will mark this historic day with our students.
The Teacher's Corner has put together a collection of resources and lessons to help you. The collection below ranges from specific ways to mark the anniversary, to learning more about the country of Afghanistan, to making the most of current events.
We hope you find these resources helpful and feel free to send us any we have not included.

Remember to keep all of the families affected by the events of September 11th in your thoughts and prayers.

You will find various Web Sites on the top portion of this page.
Further down, you will find Lesson Plans, Activities, Etc.


Web Sites (Contain Articles & Advice)

After September 11th
Teaching Resource for High School and College Classrooms.

Arts and Activities from America's Fund for Afghan Children (Children's Site)
Includes a word search, crossword, more. Also learn how your students can earn money to help Afghan children.

Children need 'reassurance' in face of Tragedy
(From CNN Education) BETHESDA, Maryland (CNN) -- How do you tell children about Tuesday's unprecedented tragedy? How do you reassure them while also trying to explain what happened? CNN's Kathy Slobogin talked to Dr. Jeffrey Mitchell, a certified trauma specialist and head of the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation. The non-profit group has trained thousands of disaster response workers.

Coping with America's Tragedy
(From Time.com for Teachers) Features articles on coping with tragedy.

Helping Children Handle Disaster-Related Anxiety
(From National Mental Health Assoc.) Find tips for parents of all aged children.

How Stuff Works
An in depth look at Sept. 11th.

Other Web sites with Teaching and News Resources About Sept. 11th
Resources from the Social Science Research Council.

One Year Later: Remembering September 11, 2001
Suggestions for Educators and Other Caregivers.

PBS Remembers September 11th
Learn more about the programs they will be offering.

Resources for Coping with the Events of September 11th
This site appears to have been geared toward answering student questions just prior to the September 11th event, but would still prove to be very useful.

The September 11th Anniversary: An Opportunity for Social and Emotional Learning
Find helpful tips and guidelines.

September 11 Anniversary and Your Kids
(From About.com) Anticipating the upcoming one year retrospectives on the September 11 attacks, fathers need to do some thinking and preparing to talk again with their children about terrorism, homeland security and personal safety. By: Fatherhood Guide Wayne Parker

September 11: Lessons and Resources for Classroom Teachers
Brought to you by Education World.

Special Report on Coping With Tragedy
(From Americanbaby.com) This site deals specifically with talking to younger children about this tragic event.

Spirit of America
(From Weekly Reader) Published after the attacks, these various articles and resources can be helpful for revisiting various aspects of the attack.

Suggestions for Adults Talking and Thinking with Children About the Terrorist Attacks
(From United States Department of Education) Written last September, these suggestions may still be helpful when dealing with the upcoming anniversary.

Suggestions for Educators Meeting the Needs of Students
(From United States Department of Education) Written last September, these educator focused suggestions may still be helpful when dealing with the upcoming anniversary.

Teachable Moments
The National Council for the Social Studies has provided a forum issues regarding the teaching of social studies as it relates to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States.

The National Center for Children Exposed to Violence : 9/11 Anniversary
A program of the U.S. Department of Justice, has been working to identify and resolve post-traumatic stress problems in children. Though much of the research has been with the children of New York, the lessons can be applied nationwide. On their Web site are guidelines for teachers and school administrators that include suggestions for observing the anniversary of September 11, memorial activities, and suggestions for talking with children.

Tragic Times, Healing Words
(From Sesame Workshop) It's never easy to know what to say to children in times like these. We have developed some suggestions for ways of talking to your child about the recent events.

Young Heroes of History
A collection of resources.

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Lesson Plans, Activities, Misc.

9/11 As History Grades Various
This site offers web-based tools, including curricula, resources and tips, to help students of all ages reflect on and to be intentional in their response to the anniversary.

9/11/2001: The Day That Changed America Grades Various
A resource brought to you by Scholastic. Begins Sept. 2nd and has online activities.

A Nation of Many Cultures Grades K-5
Invite students to create a visual representation of themselves to include their family, heritage, and interests. Use these creations to compare and contrast similarities and differences. Create a display of the art work in the form of a U.S. Flag.

A World At Peace Grades 2-6
Invite students to brainstorm the basic rights of people everywhere, explore in basic terms the United Nation's Declaration of Human Rights and UNICEF's Committee on the Rights of the Child, and then use international photography galleries as part of a multimedia creative writing assignment imagining a world at peace.

Afghanistan: Land in Crisis Grades All
National Geographic brings you lesson plans for all grade levels. They also provide a map of Afghanistan to download.

The American Flag Grades PreK-5
This lesson plan offers information on the American Flag, including its history, what the symbols represent, and the proper way to display it. Also provided is a list of links to flag and patriotic crafts for all ages.

American Flag ClipArt Grades All
Billy Bear has a variety of flags to print.

Another Day That Will Live in Infamy Grades 6-12
Helping Students Explore Their Feelings and the Facts about the Terrorist Attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001.

Backgrounder: Attack on the U.S. -- What happened? Grades Upper Elem.
How do you explain the terrorist attack on America? CNNfyi offers this guide below and a corresponding lesson plan for students, parents and educators.

Bulletin Board Grades Any
A bboard entitled "United we Stand."

Conflicting Views Grades 2-5
Use political maps of the world to provide geographical knowledge of Afghanistan, the United States of America, and other relevant countries. Learn the history of Afghanistan and the Taliban as they relate to U.S. foreign policy and actions. Using conflict resolution skills, brainstorm possible solutions to the conflict between the United States, Afghanistan, and the Taliban. Write an opinion paper on possible solutions.

Current Events Grades All
These lessons from AskERIC will help you use current events more effectively.

Dealing with Tragedy in the Classroom Grades 1-5
This lesson will help your 1st to 5th grade students cope with loss and learn how to talk to each other about their feelings. Your students will write letters to children of lost victims and learn about ways they can volunteer.

Economics Lesson Plans Grades All
A variety of lessons from AskERIC.

Emergency Preparedness Grades 6-8
Introduce students to governmental and humanitarian response mechanisms for natural and man-made disasters. Students research and report on a variety of organizations, including the Red Cross, FEMA, and more; as an extension, students learn about locally- and regionally-based resources, like the National Guard.

ESR's Suggested Lessons for Teachers Following the Attacks of September 11th, 2001
and the Bombing of Afghanistan
Grades Various
Find resources for the anniversary and other aspects of the terrorist attacks.

Hang a Flag Mural Grades All
Students create a mural that expresses their feelings and patriotism to honor the memory of those who gave their lives on September 11, 2001.

I Have a Metaphor Grades 5-9
In this lesson, students use Dr. Martin Luther King's message of unity regardless of race and religion. Use this lesson as a timely reminder that hatred toward anyone on the basis of race or religion is unacceptable.

KidsClick! Grades Various
Lesson Plans and Resources About Terrorism.

Memorial for September 11th Grades 6-12
The students will express their feelings toward the tragedy of September 11, 2001 by creating works of art.

Memorializing September 11, 2001 Grades 3-12
Students work in groups to create designs and/or models of monuments honoring the victims of the September 11, 2001, attacks. Students also compose and present oral explanations of their designs or models.

My Name Is Osama Grades 3 & Up
A short story about a young Iraqi boy opens up classroom discussion about the difficulties some immigrant children face, especially in the days after September 11. Student work sheet included.

News From Around the World Grades Intermediate
Students will access current events through the use of on-line newspapers from around the world. Students will use research skills to locate and report on news giving them a new awareness of global events.

Print & Color Grades Primary
A cute bear to print and color.

Proverbs of One World Grades 3 & Up
As a memorial to September 11, students create a book or bulletin board of proverbs that offer lessons connected to themes of freedom, tolerance, patriotism, diversity, and respect.

Remember September 11 Grades All
The NEA has established this great web site just for educators. Find over 100 lessons plans for all grade levels. The site is updated daily and you have the chance to submit your own ideas.

Remembering September 11th Grades Various
abcteach has some great printable activities.

September 11: Commemorating America's Civic Values Grades 5-12
In this lesson, students will commemorate the tragic events of September 11, 2001 by focusing on those civic values that enabled the American people to respond—both individually and collectively—to the horrific attacks of that day and to ultimately triumph over adversity. By examining what our nations’ Founders and others have said about civic values and then looking for examples of these values in the national reaction to September 11, students will be affirmed in their adherence to these values and inspired to live by them.

September 11 - First Year Anniversary Lesson Plans Grades Various
A collection of lessons that span grade levels and content subjects.

September 11: Lessons and Resources for Classroom Teachers Grades Various
Brought to you by Education World.

Speak Out Grades Various
At The Kids Corner, students have a chance to voice their thoughts.

Teacher Resources: Special Coverage of the Attacks in NY, DC Grades Various
PBS has compiled lesson plans that will help students better understand various aspects of this tragic event.

Teacher Vision: September 11th Grades All
A great collection of lessons and resources.

Teaching 9-11 Grades Various
Resources brought to you by The Clarke Center.

Teaching Tolerance Grades Various
A list of helpful links, lessons, and resources.

Terrorism Grades Various
Find related lesson plans and resources.

USA Today K-12 Education Grades All
The folks at USA Today have put together a great collection of September 11th - related activities and resources.

Use Literature to Teach Tolerance Grades All
Commemorate 9/11 by reading aloud each day that week a new children's book that focuses on the theme of tolerance. Book list included.

War Games Grades 6-12
Exploring the Potential of United States Military Action Against Iraq.

Write Letters to Commemorate 9/11 Grades All
Students commemorate the 9/11 anniversary by writing letters to fire, police, or emergency medical personnel in their communities or to the service men and women who fight terrorism overseas.

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