September 11th A Day of Remembrance

September 11, 2001 was a day of particular significance in the course of American History. It was a day that touched the hearts and lives all across America and around the world. The profound effect it had on all of our lives is fresh in our memory as we pause for a moment of remembrance.

As I was preparing the lesson for today on September 11th, I was struck by the fact that our Beacons were not alive when 9-11 occurred. Therefore, as with all sensitive subjects, I want you to know what we discussed regarding 9-11 in Gathering and in the classroom. The following is verbatim what was presented:

The September 11th Attack on America

On September 11, 2001, there was an attack on America. There are some men that decided that they didn’t like what America stands for: freedom, liberty, and the rights of men and women of all races, backgrounds, and beliefs. So on the morning of September 11, 2001, they hijacked four planes and attacked America in a terrible way.Two of the airplanes were crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City. The third plane was crashed into the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. The last plane was going to crash into another building in Washington, D.C., but the passengers stopped the hijackers, and the plane crashed into a field instead.Thousands of people lost their lives through these attacks. Hundreds of people were on the planes. Thousands died in the buildings that were hit by those planes.The men that arranged this terrible attack want Americans to feel afraid and disorganized. They want to make people who live in this country do what they say by threatening us. Basically they’re big bullies.
The people of the United States are a strong group of people. Keep faith in who you are and what our country stands for and we will become even stronger than before.

There is a beautiful book entitled September Roses by Jeanette Winter that I read to the Beacons today during snack. It is a sensitive, beautiful way to tell the tale of September 11th. Janette Winter pays a loving, moving tribute to its memory in the pages of this small book as she tells her story of two women who had brought thousands of roses from Africa for a flower show and found a different way to use them, through love and kindness to others. It is no small coincidence that the women are from Africa and so are their thousands of fresh roses for today we start our Social Studies Safari to Africa.

I just wanted to keep you abreast of all that's new in your Beacons' World. Have a wonderful and joyous weekend and may God Bless America.

All my best,

Betsy