Teaching 9/11 With Good Deeds

The shocking images and heartbreaking events of September 11, 2001 may still be vivid in the minds of most adults and maybe some older teenagers but for younger kids, the day, and the events that followed, are merely another chapter in the history book. 

Ledyard Middle School students were only 1- 2- or maybe 3-years old when two planes crashed into the World Trade Center in New York, into the Pentagon and in a field in Pennsylvania 11 years ago. That however, won’t stop the teachers and students from marking the tragic events with a pledge to do a good deed and become a better citizen today.

Principal Greg Keith said the school is adapting a plan from the website 911Day which says that “good deeds unite us on 9/11” and hopes to “teach others about the importance of setting aside time to help others in your community.”

Keith said there will be a banner in the cafeteria with the words "I will..." printed in the middle. Keith said students should fill the banner with their own messages.

He said some examples may be:

I will stand up for people being bullied.

I will be kind to someone in school I have never spoken with before.

I will work harder at everything I do.

I will be a good friend and listener.

I will give my time to someone who is in need.

I will practice hard.

The website has other resources and toolkits for planning a lesson or project to help youngsters understand the events of September 11. The website hopes to inspire a “movement built on people remembering through positive action” and you can logon to register your good deed here.