Remember September 11

(K-12)

Kindness Towers Here (n44)

Subject

English

Objective

To reinforce the concepts that each of us has an impact upon one another and that each of us can make a difference. To remind all members of the learning community that each person has a story to share. To practice all components of the writing process.

Time Needed

Materials

Lesson

At the start of this lesson, which truly could be modified for any grade level, students will be introduced to the project "KINDNESS TOWERS HERE"as a teacher-developed approach to commemorating September 11th. The unit will focus on the positive impact that each individual can have on others. It will demonstrate that we can be heroes in our own lives and in the lives of others when we make the choice to be kind. Students will be asked to consider John Donne's quote "No man (or woman) is an island". Discussion about the quotation and about students' recollections and feelings regarding September 11th will be generated.

Then students will work in triads for prewriting,the first step of the writing process.(Students may need a quick review of the writing process components at the beginning of the year.) Each triad will be given three different stories: one regarding the heroism surrounding September 11th, another about any random act of kindness and the last one would be a teacher-written model describing the kindness of a student. Students will read and discuss the stories. Then each student in the triad will orally share his/her own story regarding the kindness theme with the other members of the group. The listeners may direct follow-up questions to the storyteller which will assist each writer in developing the details for his/her story.

Next, students will work independently to write their first drafts of their own kindness stories.

Revising, teacher- and peer-conferencing, more revising and publishing the polished pieces will follow. The publishing segment will take two forms:

1. students will share their pieces aloud within the classroom and perhaps within the larger learning community and
2. students will display their stories in the shape of two towers either on the wall or on the cardboard structures. They might also be shared on parents' night and/or in the local newspaper. Teachers would also be invited to add their stories to the towers.

VARIATION: A multi-generational approach could also be applied to this project. High school students could collaborate with senior citizens at local senior centers or with younger students in elementary or middle school to complete the KINDNESS TOWERS HERE story towers.

*For extra credit, students will be invited to submit their own ideas for projects to further honor the people who lost their lives, the heroes of the tragedy and the American spirit.

Source: Karen Rezendes, Alternative Center for Education, Danbury, CT