I’m sure you remember exactly where you were when the twin towers were hit. I certainly know I do! However, today’s students were not yet even born on this day. That’s why every year I was in the classroom I wanted to do something to help students remember and understand why September 11, 2001, (or Patriot Day) is so special and needs to be respected and honored.
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Processing All the Information
Everything that happened on September 11 can be a lot for a child to process. That’s why I created these flip books to help students take notes or draw about what they are learning. Due to the wide open nature of this download, it’s appropriate for grades 2-8. Please click here or the image below to grab a copy to use with your classroom or homeschool students.
September 10 “Homework”
On September 10, my students will receive a homework assignment – to ask someone in their family where they were on 9/11 and their thoughts on that day. This will give me insight into what my students already know, and it will help students who have no/little knowledge get some information before we start our lesson in class.
You can see the flipbook I use as “homework” here – 
**Please be sensitive to the fact that not all families will have the time to complete this activity or some may not want to. If this is the case, you may decide this is not a topic appropriate for your classroom. Or you may want to invite guests in for students to “interview” if a family member or friend is unavailable. In today’s world, even a a virtual guest could work!
Book Idea
On September 11, I am going to start by reading 14 Cows for America. As a 6th grade teacher I was introduced to this book by my school’s librarian.
It’s the story of a man who was studying in New York City during the attacks. When he went home, he told his people all that had happened. They then decided to share 14 of their sacred cows with the American people. It shares the true character and kindness that so many people felt or gave during one of our country’s most difficult times. I believe it would work well for students grades 2 and up.
Writing Component
In order to help my students process what they are learning – particularly since this can be such a hard topic, I like to use this flip book. It allows them to write or draw about what happened at the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, with Flight 93, and also lets them process today’s 9/11 Memorial. You can click here or on the image below to see this download –
Book Suggestions
Other Ideas
Use this bundle of EDITABLE patriotic puzzles to bring plenty of patriotism into your school day. You can edit all of the puzzles to match any topic you want. Click here or on the image below to grab your discounted bundle now!
Even More Book Ideas
- September 11 Then and Now (True Books)
- America Is Under Attack: September 11, 2001: The Day the Towers Fell (Actual Times)
- The 9/11 Dogs (Harpertrue Friend – A Short Read)
- What Were the Twin Towers? (What Was?)
- September 12th: We Knew Everything Would Be All Right
- I Survived the Attacks of September 11th, 2001 (I Survived, Book 6)
- 10 True Tales: Heroes of 9/11 (Ten True Tales)
- September 11 Then and Now (True Books)
A HUGE thank you for this post! It must have been this post I saw a year ago, because I remember getting 14 Cows from the library and reading it to my class. I've been looking for the Reader's Theater script for weeks and couldn't find it. I am SO glad I came across this on Pinterest just now. THANK YOU for providing this wonderful information. I'm so glad to have the reader's theater to share with my class again!
Thank you so much for the book suggestions! KIDS get older, and each year it has been more and more difficult to teach about the events of this DAY…even some of their parents are so young! These resources are going to be a big help! I’m so glad I saw this post b/c it gives me time to gather the books. Yay! Much appreciated!
You are welcome! I know I simply tried to teach them the seriously of the day in a non-threatening way to help them realize that many Americans have STRONG emotions related to the day. I’m glad this post could help. Best of luck!!
Wow! I found this video through your provided LINKS for the Reader’s Theatre script: https://youtu.be/18lsxFcDrjo So powerful! I think I’m going to open the unit with it. Thank you, again!
LOVE THIS!!! Thank you for sharing! <3