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Teachers' Advice
Teachers Suggest Appropriate Ways to Observe
One-Year Anniversary of September 11
By Karen Fanning
September 11, 2001. As the one-year anniversary of that fateful
day in American history approaches, teachers across the country
are making plans to remember the day's heroes and victims. How
will they mark the anniversary?
Some schools, like Presa Elementary in Texas, will renew their
patriotism with spirited celebrations. The school's Patriotic
Week will conclude with a parade of floats decorated by students
based on the theme of "American Spirit and Patriotism."
While some students will spend the day waving flags and pledging
their allegiance to our country, other schools have chosen to
observe the anniversary with a moment of silence. At that time,
they will reflect on the thousands of lives lost on September
11 and the families who were left behind.
As they look toward the future, students at Longwood Middle School
on Long Island, New York, will spend the day focusing on new life
and hope. Each fifth- and sixth-grade student will be given a
tulip bulb to plant in the school's memorial garden on September
11.
Other suggestions from Scholastic's teacher advisors include:
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Discuss the concept of heroism with your students. Ask students
to talk about the heroes in their lives.
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Ask students to write letters to their local firefighters
and police officers
thanking them for their hard work in keeping their community
safe.
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Lead students in singing a selection of patriotic songs.
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Invite a spokesperson from the military to talk about the
steps the U.S. military and government are taking to make
our country safe.
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Encourage students to wear red, white, and blue clothes.
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Ask students to write letters to schools in New York City
that were directly affected on September 11.
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Construct a banner that reads, "Freedom is..." and ask students
to jot down their ideas about what freedom means.
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Make a flag out of handprints.
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Read poetry that touches on the themes of patriotism and
heroism.
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Create a remembrance fence by decorating it with
red, white, and blue ribbons.
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