September 11
NEA
Guidance for Teachers and
Education Support Professionals
The
one-year anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001 will challenge
us to reassure students just as the new school
year begins.
Despite the anticipated onslaught of media coverage,
child specialists advise us to shield students
from the constant replaying of the horrifying
images.
- Create
a low-key day of learning, not a return to the
tragedy.
- Be
sensitive to developmental differences. Modify
any of our suggested lesson plans to fit the
developmental readiness of your students. You
know your students best.
-
Don’t force anniversary discussions or references
to the catastrophic events. Children who don’t
want to participate in 9/11 related activities
should be allowed to turn their attention to
something else.
-
Plan affirming activities – like planting memorial
trees, doing murals or collages, writing poems
or stories.
In
addition, we suggest that you pass along the following
information to parents of your students about
this first anniversary…
Advice
to Parents from the NEA
The
one-year anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, one of
the most horrific days in U.S. history, is right
around the corner. Teachers will be challenged
to reassure students just as the new school year
begins.
Instead
of encouraging students to relive the pain and
uncertainty following last year’s attacks on the
World Trade Towers and the Pentagon, teachers
suggest focusing on the lessons learned —
appreciating and getting along with people of
diverse backgrounds and cultures, the importance
of anger management and global awareness.
In
other words, a low-key day of learning, not a
return to tragedy.
Despite
the anticipated onslaught of media coverage, replaying
the horrifying images of that terrible day, teachers
and psychologists advise parents to shield their
children from this as much as possible:
- Keep
any remembrance simple, especially for younger
children who may fear the trauma will reoccur.
i.e. a moment of silence, a prayer, an acknowledgement
of how well they have done since Sept.
11.
- Limit
TV viewing and exposure to media reports.
- Follow
familiar, comforting routines.
- Provide
healthy snacks and integrate physical exercise
into the daily regime.
- Don’t
force anniversary discussions or references
to the catastrophic events. Children who don’t
want to participate in 9/11 related activities
should be allowed to turn their attention to
something else.
- Be
sensitive to developmental differences. Older
students respond to discussions, younger students
to drawing or imaginative play.
- Plan
affirming activities — like planting memorial
trees, doing murals or collages, writing poems
or stories.
- Immediately
stop any bullying or harassment activity.
Knowtheir limits and keep tabs on their own state
of mind.
Page for Remember September 11
Plans for K-2
Plans for 3-5
Plans for 6-8
Plans for 9-12