NEA Guidance for Teachers and
Education Support Professionals

The one-year anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001 will challenge us to reassure students just as the new school year begins.

Despite the anticipated onslaught of media coverage, child specialists advise us to shield students from the constant replaying of the horrifying images.

• Create a low-key day of learning, not a return to the tragedy.
• Be sensitive to developmental differences. Modify any of our suggested lesson plans to fit the developmental readiness of your students. You know your students best.
• Don't force anniversary discussions or references to the catastrophic events. Children who don't want to participate in 9/11 related activities should be allowed to turn their attention to something else.
• Plan affirming activities - like planting memorial trees, doing murals or collages, writing poems or stories.

In addition, we suggest that you pass along the following information to parents of your students about this first anniversary...

Advice to Parents from the NEA

The one-year anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, one of the most horrific days in U.S. history, is right around the corner. Teachers will be challenged to reassure students just as the new school year begins.

Instead of encouraging students to relive the pain and uncertainty following last year's attacks on the World Trade Towers and the Pentagon, teachers suggest focusing on the lessons learned — appreciating and getting along with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures, the importance of anger management and global awareness.

In other words, a low-key day of learning, not a return to tragedy.

Despite the anticipated onslaught of media coverage, replaying the horrifying images of that terrible day, teachers and psychologists advise parents to shield their children from this as much as possible:

• Keep any remembrance simple, especially for younger children who may fear the trauma will reoccur. i.e. a moment of silence, a prayer, an acknowledgement of  how well they have done since Sept. 11. 
• Limit TV viewing and exposure to media reports.
• Follow familiar, comforting routines.
• Provide healthy snacks and integrate physical exercise into the daily regime.
• Don't force anniversary discussions or references to the catastrophic events. Children who don't want to participate in 9/11 related activities should be allowed to turn their attention to something else.
• Be sensitive to developmental differences. Older students respond to discussions, younger students to drawing or imaginative play.
• Plan affirming activities — like planting memorial trees, doing murals or collages, writing poems or stories. 
• Immediately stop any bullying or harassment activity.Know their limits and keep tabs on their own state of mind.

Home Page for Remember September 11

Lesson Plans for K-2

Lesson Plans for 3-5

Lesson Plans for 6-8

Lesson Plans for 9-12