9/11 Activities & Freebies

September 9, 2012

 
I am linking up with Erica Bohrer to share my 9/11 activities!
 Last year I was in awe when I saw how poised and thoughtful my little firsties were when discussing this sensitive day. Many parents had already discussed the topic with their kids before they came to school so it gave us a great starting off point.
We first created a circle map on the board just sharing what we knew about the day.
After that we watched a short video. I can no longer find the link, but I saw that BrainPop has just created a great FREE video to explain 9/11 to kids.
(click the pic above to check out the video)
I then share with my kids my own personal memory of that tragic day and explain that the most amazing part was how the entire country came together to show their strength and pride.
Next, we discuss all the reasons we are proud to be Americans and record them on the board. After we have brainstormed a bunch of reasons, I usually remind my students that the U.S. symbol, the bald eagle, represents strength and freedom.
Then we will complete this cute little bald eagle craft:
and we fill out these little papers I made to hang on the wall with our eagles:

{click the image to download from googledocs}
 ((Many thanks to Melonheadz and Fancy Dog Studio for the graphics))

It is also an easy way to decorate one of my walls just in time for back-to-school night in a couple weeks!

That’s what we will be doing in good ole Ms. Moran’s room! What will you be doing to teach your students about 9/11????

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    • Brainpop is my hero!!! I use it all the time 🙂 And thanks, I was happy to find it on pinterest and it was easy enough to make… now lets hope my kiddos can both trace AND cut out their hands on construction paper!

      Reply

  • LOVE it! Thanks so much for the freebie! I've been thinking a lot about this over the weekend, trying to figure out exactly what I will be doing and if you don't mind.. this is on the list! I also read, September 12th, We Knew Everything Would Be All Right. If you haven't read it, here's the link to Amazon. 🙂 http://www.amazon.com/September-12th-Everything-Would-Right/dp/043944246X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1347156908&sr=8-1&keywords=september+12th+we+knew+everything+would+be+all+right
    Have a GREAT week!!!
    Maria
    http://curiousfirsties.blogspot.com

    Reply

  • Thanks for the "I'm proud to be an American freebie. We used it this week in my classroom on 9/11 for a writing activity. I shared with several other 2nd grade teachers who also used it. Love all the ideas I get from blogging. I am also working on a post with you idea I used. Thanks again.

    ilive2learnilove2grow 

    Reply