Each year, I do a little something to educate my first graders about 9.11. I feel that it's part of our country's history {sadly} and that they need to know about it. I obviously do not get into great detail when explaining what happened to them, but make it kid-friendly so they understand.
I start by showing them a Powerpoint of some pictures of NYC before/after. I have a teaching friend whose husband went to NYU. These slides obviously lead into discussion. Next, I read September 12 We Knew Everything Would Be All Right. This is a FANTASTIC book, written by 1st graders. It's a must have for any K-2 classroom!
We talk more about what happened and heroes and bravery. We discuss all the people that came to the rescue {police, firefighters, volunteers, the military, and regular people}. This year, I had students do a writing activity titled, "My Hero Is..." Because it's early in the year, and we are just now getting into Writing Workshop, I decided to have my students copy the same thing onto their papers: "My Hero is...everyone that was brave on September 11." This writing page is included in a great pack, which can be found here.
After finishing the writing, students got to work on their firefighter crafts. I feel like they all did their absolute best on this project because they knew it was important.
On September 12th, we did a little more discussing and completed a Patriot Day book, which can be found by clicking here. I loved how simple and kid friendly it is!
We also watched The Man Who Walked Between the Towers {Scholastic DVD}. Here are a few more books that I like to read on/around September 11th:
Although our little ones were born before this horrible tragedy occurred, it is something that we will never forget.
xo
Megan
I start by showing them a Powerpoint of some pictures of NYC before/after. I have a teaching friend whose husband went to NYU. These slides obviously lead into discussion. Next, I read September 12 We Knew Everything Would Be All Right. This is a FANTASTIC book, written by 1st graders. It's a must have for any K-2 classroom!
We talk more about what happened and heroes and bravery. We discuss all the people that came to the rescue {police, firefighters, volunteers, the military, and regular people}. This year, I had students do a writing activity titled, "My Hero Is..." Because it's early in the year, and we are just now getting into Writing Workshop, I decided to have my students copy the same thing onto their papers: "My Hero is...everyone that was brave on September 11." This writing page is included in a great pack, which can be found here.
After finishing the writing, students got to work on their firefighter crafts. I feel like they all did their absolute best on this project because they knew it was important.
On September 12th, we did a little more discussing and completed a Patriot Day book, which can be found by clicking here. I loved how simple and kid friendly it is!
We also watched The Man Who Walked Between the Towers {Scholastic DVD}. Here are a few more books that I like to read on/around September 11th:
Although our little ones were born before this horrible tragedy occurred, it is something that we will never forget.
xo
Megan
2 comments:
Pinning your ideas for next year... I wasn't sure how to address it with my kiddos this year, but I desperately wanted to. Thanks for sharing!
Andrew
Mr. First Grade
Pinning your ideas for next year... I wasn't sure how to address it with my kiddos this year, but I desperately wanted to. Thanks for sharing!
Andrew
Mr. First Grade
Post a Comment
Thanks for your comments!