Ann Bodnar teaches fifth grade at Clinton School in Maplewood, New Jersey. She faced an especially hard challenge as she planned a lesson reflecting on 9/11. Her school's community lost 11 people on that September day.

"I thought it would be meaningful to focus students' thoughts on the choices they have made over the last year," Ms. Bodnar told Scholastic News Online. "Our hope is for students to feel they have the ability to change things for the better."

The 9/11 School Day
During morning art class, students designed journals. Abi Ibinkunle drew an image of a firefighter for her journal's cover.

"I chose to have a firefighter, because they helped from the very beginning," she said.

The students will use these journals for personal sketches and reflections over the coming weeks.

Following art, students returned to their classroom for a discussion about making choices.

"All kinds of choices were made by people on September 11, 2001," Ms. Bodnar told them. "Let's take a moment to talk about the choices we have made over the past year."

"I remember last year when the school put together a package for the workers at Ground Zero," replied Brittney Jackson. "It was also great to get back a letter from the firefighters thanking us."

"Yes, it was nice that as busy as the firefighters were, they made the choice to write and thank us," Ms. Bodnar responded.

"Before 9/11, when I said the Pledge of Allegiance, it felt like a routine that started the school day," said Abby Powell. "Now, I've made the choice that it really means something to me when I say it."

"People seemed to be nicer to each other after 9/11," chimed in Matthew Nelson. "I guess that's a choice we can all make each day."

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