This years' 5th graders were born in 2002, with a few being born in 2001. Isn't that crazy? Many of my kids weren't even born when the World Trade Center was under attack.
I was in 10th grade chemistry and had a VERY frazzled teacher to begin with. All I remember was her turning on a large TV to the news in our classroom, and just panicking. I can't say I would do much better with my kids? But who knows. At the time my family lived near a small air force base in a suburb of Metro-Detroit, and they shut the entire city down. It was eerie. No one on the roads, no one outside of their homes. Silence. Families holding each other close reflecting on the horrible events that had happened. It was definitely a day I will never forget.
Despite my insecurities about discussing this horrible tragedy, I am always fascinated at the eagerness and empathy my students show when I do discuss it with them. They are all truly interested in learning more, knowing more, asking more, and truly wrapping their brains around the events of that day. They probe, they dig, and they question me until they've got nothing left. Every year I am truly amazed, and often wonder why I thought about not bringing the events up in the first place. It is important that we teach our students about these events that make up our history whether good or bad.
In the past I have come to this lesson OVER-PREPARED ready for a huge craft or lesson or some amazing project to reflect this event, but I find that when I read a favorite picture book (or 2), this always leads itself to a phenomenal discussion. A time to sit and discuss and reflect with my students. It really is all they want.
Just in case my students need more this year, I plan to come over-prepared in hopes, though, that our discussion will suffice.
Here are some AMAZING resources I have used in the past:
The book: "The Man who Walked Between the Towers". This book is SO wonderful. It's a Caldecott award winning story about tight-rope walker, Phillippe Petit, who threw a tightrope between the two towers of the Word Trade Center and spent an hour walking, dancing, and performing high-wire tricks.
I have also played the video version of the book, which my students loved.
Scholastic also offers a fabulous inferencing lesson, using this book HERE.
Another book I have read that my students enjoyed was:
"America is Under Attack, September 11, 2001: The Day the Towers Fell".
I love this book because of the way the author tells the story of the day, and the events that happened, all while weaving in emotional quotes and characters to connect with young readers.
This amazing resource was made last year by Natalie from What the Teacher Wants, and you can grab it HERE! I am so grateful for these, as my students really enjoyed interviewing someone in their family, and knowing my story as well.
I also plan to do a writing piece on heroes. I know our discussion will lead us to talking about heroes, and as we build a community and come together as a family in our classroom, it is so important that we reflect on character traits. I found this awesome website MyHero, whose philosophy is "celebrating the best of humanity to empower people of all ages to realize their own potential to effect positive change in the world."
There is an entire section devoted to teachers that is FULL of amazing resources to use with your students in your classroom. Check it out!!