9/11/2001: Lesson Plan Grades 3–4

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A Day for Reflection
Map It Out: After reading about the various observances to be held on September 11, 2002, invite students to plot the locations of the events on a United States map. Students can use colored pushpins to mark the locations of New York City, Washington, D.C., Somerset County (Pittsburgh), Pennsylvania, etc. Ask them to find the memorial service or observance that is closest to your city or town.

Best Way to Observe the Day? How is your community planning to remember the anniversary of 9/11? Invite your students to become reporters to find out. Starting at least a few days in advance, have students research the 9/11/02 observances to be held in your area. Students can read local newspapers, check community bulletin boards in grocery stores and other public spots, and ask parents, neighbors, and local business owners or clergy. You may wish to assign a few students to call the local parks department or Mayor's office. Students should ask what the observance will be (a candlelight vigil, prayer service, or reading of names, for example), when and where it will be held, and who is welcome to attend. Finally, compile the information in a master list to be shared with the community. Be sure to send copies home to students' families.

Kids Make a Difference
Memory Block(PDF): As students learned in this section of the report, many Americans turned to quilting as a way of remembering the heroes, victims, and feelings of September 11. Let this creative and healing project inspire your own class. Have students work through their feelings about the 9/11 tragedy and aftermath by creating simple paper quilt squares. Use the guidelines suggested on the reproducible to brainstorm ideas. Once students have completed their squares, paste or staple the squares to a large piece of poster board. Hang the "quilt" in your classroom as a memorial.

A Nation Recovers
Say "Thanks" Close to Home: Discuss with students the story on New York City's fire department. Ask: According to the article, how have these firefighters' lives changed in the past year? (They are more aware of the dangers they face every day; they are receiving terrorism-related training; they are recognized and thanked more frequently by members of the community.)

Point out to students that similar changes have taken place in fire departments nationwide — in rural and urban areas and in paid and volunteer departments. Show your local department that you appreciate their ongoing efforts by making and sending thank-you cards. In conjunction with upcoming Fire Prevention Week (the first week in October), invite a firefighter to speak to your class about his or her job.

What's Next for America?
Newsmaker Scrapbook: After reading the brief biographies of Colin Powell, Dick Cheney, and other leaders, have students select one newsmaker to follow. First, have each student get an inexpensive scrapbook or loose-leaf binder. Then, instruct students to look in daily newspapers, news magazines, and online for articles about their chosen newsmakers. Students should clip each relevant article and write a short summary of it; then they should place these items in their newsmaker scrapbook. Continue clipping articles through the school year for an interesting overview of the nation's key newsmakers. After several months, students can create time lines of important events from their newsmakers' lives from this period.

A Time for Tolerance
Book Review: Have students select and read a title from our list of books about tolerance and diversity. Then, write a review to share with others. Each review should include (1) the book's title and author; (2) a short summary of the book; (3) a description of any special features (glossary, graphs, interesting photos, etc.); and (4) the reviewer's overall opinion of the book, complete with supporting arguments. Ask your school librarian if you may create a special display featuring the listed books as well as some of the reviews so that others in your school community may benefit from the project.

Scholastic News: Games and Quizzes
Test your News IQ, travel with Mapman, pretend you are the President of the United States and more!

Activities: Journalism, Newspapers & Solving Mysteries
Printable activities including a mystery activity that students can bring home and solve with their familiy.

Art Activity Based on the Book Harold and the Purple Crayon, by Crockett Johnson
Let your toddler use her imagination with this colorful art activity based on the book Harold and the Purple Crayon, by Crockett Johnson. Introduces colors and color-mixing.

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