A Day to Remember

September 11, 2001...

It was a beautiful morning.  Perfect weather outside.  Blue skies.  

I began teaching my first class the January before so I was truly in my first full year of teaching.  My great friend was getting married that weekend and several of my highschool girlfriends and I were flying out that Thursday to celebrate with her.  We were so excited and looking forward to some time together and being a part of my friend's big day.  

And then my principal knocked on my door and asked me to come into the hall.

When I got out there, his face told the story and seared into my brain a moment I will never forget.  It's probably what the generation before me feels when they talk about where they were when JFK was shot.  That's what I felt like.  

In that immediate moment, I didn't recognize the enormity and calamity of what had just happened.  

I went back in my classroom, pasted on a safe and happy smile, and taught my kiddos as if they were all that mattered to me in the world.  

Every year at this time, I feel the need to do the same thing.  Time has passed.  I can't say wounds have heeled.  Although I would like to imagine they have mended, I cannot imagine those people who were directly effected by the events that transpired that day will ever be the same.  My thoughts and prayers are certainly with them...always.

So with that, each year, I make a point in my classroom to pause on the core curriculum to honor and remember September 11th, now known as Patriot Day.  

Teaching third grade at the time allowed much more in depth conversations to be had about what had just happened.  It was relevant to the students because it was on tv and the internet and third graders had a greater understanding of it all...or at least what their parents had told them.  As the years have passed, and now teaching first grade, the activities I do and conversations I have with the littles, are very much centered around the idea of patriotism and honoring heroes rather than the events from that day.  

We listen to patriotic music (which everyone who hears my patriotic playlist laughs at me...but I'm ok with that) and learn the words to the National Anthem.  

We make a couple crafts like designing ribbons and people to show that while we are all different, 

we are still united.

We also create a mural using the lyrics of the National Anthem.

Students come to school wearing red, white, and blue and while they don't know it, all day long I flash back to that day years ago when I was called into the hall.  

Everyone may have their own political views and feelings about that day.  

For me, the message is simple.  

Honor those who worked so hard to save so many.

Remember those who lost their lives that day.

Empathize for those who lost someone they loved or knew that day.

Respect each other and take pride in our country.

Hug those in your life a little tighter.

I apologize for not posting sooner but if you're still in need for activities to do with your class tomorrow, check out my Patriot Day Mini Packet.

While it's an emotional day for many (myself included), I look forward to a day to celebrate our country with my firsties.  I'll be decked out in my patriotic colors, singing (off-key) the Star Spangled Banner, and wearing down my red, white, and blue crayons making some ribbons to honor the day.