These ideas were originally shared at the A to Z Teacher Stuff Discussion Forums
Posted by Upsadaisy…
In the a.m. we are going to have an assembly, sing, and make a “circle of pride”. Each child will have a shoebox covered in white, with a single word of their choosing (signifying pride, patriotism, etc.) printed randomly all over. They will come up and add their shoeboxes to a circular shape structure. Then each grade will either – recite a poem, sing something, etc.
In the afternoon, we will all go out. Holes will have already been dug along our new fence. Each child will have a hibiscus to plant (this is a very small school of 80 kids). The older ones will help the younger ones to shovel their dirt back in around their bush. Along the fence above the bushes will be nameplates – decorated by each child, laminated – signifying their hibiscus. This could be done with just one tree or bush per child. There could be some sort of plaque placed in the ground next to it. Lots of variations. Sure, you could tie it into science – and social studies. Living things, pride, strength, growth and development, seeds, roots, etc.
Posted by Unregistered…
As a kindergarten teacher in Nothern NJ everyone single person was effected. My town is only 20 minutes from NYC. This year on September 11, I plan on honoring America. Wednesday I am going to read a patriotic book and talk about all the reasons why we love America. I have craft to do afterwards. Thursday I will talk about the flag and what it symbolizes and have the children make their own. The children are too young in my mind to know what happened but you are never too young to honor your country.
Posted by Unregistered…
I also teach first grade…right across the Hudson River from the WTC. My school does not have anything planned (other than a special morning prayer–it’s a parochial shcool), so I’m going to read a book, teach them the words to the Star-Spangled Banner, and do a red, white, and blue craft to hang in the hallway.
Posted by STOUT…
I have planned for my fifth graders to complete a quilt square using fabric paint or fabric pens. I have asked them to write or draw something to the children of those who were taken from them on 9-11. We will assemble to quilt and display it at the school for our memorial program on Wednesday. Then the quilt will be sent to New York.
Posted by Upsadaisy…
We have written about Why I Am Proud to be an American. We have decorated white-covered shoeboxes with words which signify pride and the American way (justice, freedom, bravery, etc.). These will be hot-glued together in a circle of peace under a large ‘replica’ of the Statue of Liberty (don’t know how art teacher is making this). I also found something at Eckerd’s – grosgrain ribbon bracelets in RW&B that say various things like God Bless America, USA, etc. (They were only .27 each!). My class is reciting a poem called Washington D.C. Another class is presenting the meaning of flag symbols, some are doing songs. We will sing outside and pledge allegiance to the flag then lower it to half-mast. We are all wearing RW&B that day.
Posted by Guest…
Our school has made a huge American flag to hang in the foyer of the school. The counselor asked all students to trace their hands on red paper, cut them out and those red hands make up the red stripes of the flag. My class is tie-dying shirts red, white and blue on Monday to wear to school on Wednesday. Our school has decided to “play the day down” and leave it up to individual teachers how they want to approach the day.
Posted by Unregistered…
I plan to work with my fourth graders to make flag mural. We’ll use white bulletin board paper and hand print the red stripes, then hand print the blue field leaving enough white to represent stars.
We also have black and white line art flags to color. I’m going to have them color the blue and red, then use the white lines to write a poem–“America Is…”
I also have a 9/11 book to share with the kids. We’ll talk about the heroes, not the bad guys, and about how they felt last year when it happened. I also plan to talk about tolerance with the kids.
Posted by Unregistered…
I teach fourth grade in a small town in Kentucky. We are physically very far away from New York City, but we still feel emotionally connected to the families of the victims of 9/11. Our school received an email asking everyone to wear red, white, and blue and to say the Pledge of Allegiance at noon on this September 11th. We are going to do that in our classrooms. The entire school is going to meet at the flagpole at a designated time and sing the Star Spangled Banner. I, personally, am planning to have my students write thank-you letters to fire fighters and police officers in our area.
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