Task #1 September 11,th 10 years later

This picture is a true symbol of our country from 9/11!  From the ash, smoke and flames our flag still could be seen!!!

How can we as teachers discuss 9/11 with our students until we talk to ourselves!  I can still remember where I was and what it felt like to see the twin towers on the TV with smoke poring out of them and thinking dear Lord please help us.  I was in Maryland about two hours from Washington DC.  I was at the school I was teaching and had gone for a quick bathroom break only to enter the teachers’ lounge and see the first plane hit the first tower on the TV, I stood in disbelief and started to cry as the rest of my fellow teachers did also.  Our country was under attack!  I can remember when the 2^nd plane hit and the pentagon being hit.   We were even let out of school early because we were considered close to DC.  Our country was not ready for this evil.   How did we as a country make it through that?   We did with pride, hope, and love and lots of memories of those that lost their life so that we could see what our country was made of.  The picture above has always been my favorite symbol of 9/11.  When they thought we had nothing we had it all.  How can this flag symbolize so much to so many?  In the ash, smoke and dust this captured my heart.  So many people died and have died in the past for us as a country to raise this flag.  We are Americans!  We are all different and yet we love our country in so many different ways.    Children lost that day with us and no matter how hard it is for us to explain we must!   The people we lost have forever changes the lives for our children in ways we may never know.  It is our duty to explain that innocent Americans lost their lives because not all people live in a free country like we do.  They need to know that the people who died were loved by someone and it made them sad.  They need to know that we as a country may heal but, we will never forget and that is why we have a memorial in New York and that we still pray for our country to be safe for the future.

            I as a teacher of kindergarten students know that matters of the heart and mind do not always make sense so I would share the movie from Nick.News     http://www.nick.com/videos/clip/nick-news-what-happened-the-true-story-of-september-11th-full-episode.html

There are many books written for children that as a teacher you could read to your class.  I can remember reading this to my class when it first came out after 9/11.   Children need to be able to express how they feel and this does it well.  Share and allow your students to do the same but, remember we are in control of the material and information we share.  We wise when sharing 9/11 to young students and make sur you let them know they are safe!!