On Sept. 11, people around the world will commemorate the first anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and the jetliner that crashed in Pennsylvania. Cities, towns and states across the country will mark the occasion with events dedicated to the memory of those who lost their lives that day and in honor of the courageous men and women who put aside their own fears to help others on Sept. 11 and the days that followed. In New York City, the United Federation of Teachers plans to observe the tragedy by calling for a moment of silence in all city schools and by asking that all church bells in the city ring at the moment of the first attack.

"It is very important--and will always be important--for Sept. 11, 2001, to be remembered as an attack both on our country and on our values--that changed the way we live forever," AFT president Sandra Feldman said. "The loss of thousands of innocent lives was a loss of innocence for our nation. We must not forget that while our democracy and our history of civic order remain strong, they can come under virulent attack and must be nurtured and defended."

The Sept. 11 anniversary inevitably will evoke painful memories. Schools and educators will have to respond to the questions, concerns and fears, that will accompany many students to school this month. Here are some resources and activities designed to help mark this day, as well as guidance for helping children cope with memories of the tragic events that unfolded last fall.

The one-year anniversary of Sept. 11 is drawing close, and educators may want to tap several online resources that can help guide their school activities on this important occasion. Lesson plans, suggested activities and tips for dealing with students are only a click away for teachers and counselors with Web access. These resources will be featured and updated on the AFT's Web site www.aft.org in preparation for the anniversary. Here is a sampling:

  The Character Counts! Coalition has designated Sept. 6-17 as "American Character Week." Organizers hope the events will both honor those lost in the attacks and those who, in the aftermath, personified "America at its best." Activities will focus on study and discussion of extraordinary Americans, particularly individuals who distinguished themselves in the past year. The event also will encourage young people to consider public service careers and promote service-learning opportunities for students. The AFT is a member of the Character Counts! national coalition. To register for free tools and resources, visit www.charactercounts.org/acw.

   The National Association of School Psychologists has produced a specific paper aimed at helping educators and caregivers commemorate the one-year anniversary of Sept. 11. The paper details the "anniversary effect" surrounding emotionally charged events and describes what reactions educators might expect from students. Also provided is a useful list of "do's" and "dont's" for memorial activities. Also featured are links to resources and strategies for preparing for the one-year anniversary. The paper is available at www.nasponline.org/NEAT/oneyearlater.html.

   A special one-year anniversary edition of the "Helping America Cope" materials is now under construction. The guide is intended for parents and caregivers as they talk to their children about issues tied to Sept. 11, such as disturbing dreams, worries and dealing with sadness. Also featured are common questions parents might field from children, a questionnaire for caregivers and helpful links. Materials are available at www.7-dippity.com/other/op_freedownloads.html.
 

Sept. 11 video

"September 11"--the video story of AFT members who were changed forever by the terrorist attacks--is available from the AFT. The video captures the words and thoughts of those members and leaders directly affected by the attacks, as well as those involved in the recovery effort. A VHS copy of the video is $8. Send a check, payable to AFT, to AFT Public Affairs Dept., 555 New Jersey Ave. N.W., Washington, DC 20001.
 

Celebrate freedom

AFT has created a set of five beautiful posters that celebrate freedom, democracy and education through the words and pictures of our students. The posters feature photographs of students and include students' responses to five questions. They can be previewed at www.aft.org/posters, and the entire set is available to AFT members for only a $3 postage-and-handling charge ($10 for nonmembers). Send a check, payable to AFT, to AFT Public Affairs Dept., 555 New Jersey Ave. N.W., Washington, DC 20001.
 

Promote democracy

An AFT-developed curriculum on democracy, Help Your Neighbor, Help Yourself: Global Democracy Promotion and U.S. National Interest, is available to AFT members free of charge. Developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education's Center for Civic Education, the teaching guide, which includes interactive lessons, is divided into five sections. The curriculum, which is targeted primarily to high school students, can be used in conjunction with classes in American history or government, international relations, world history, global studies and current events. The goal of the unit is to investigate the U.S. role in the post-Cold War world and to explore international efforts to promote democracy.

"Recent terrorist acts have made it mandatory that students understand the process of foreign policy that our president must now use," says Deborah Straughn Moore, one of four high school social studies teachers who developed the curriculum. "Once they have passed the period of grief and mourning, students have to pay attention to the decisions made by our government." Moore teaches at Boys and Girls High School in Brooklyn and is a member of the United Federation of Teachers.

To request a copy of the curriculum, send an e-mail to iad@aft.org or write the AFT International Affairs Dept. at 555 New Jersey Ave. N.W., Washington, DC 20001.
 

Sept. 11 through children's eyes

A new book offers a special tribute New York City children who lost parents or were forced to vacate schools on Sept. 11, 2001--and a chance for them to tell their own stories Messages to Ground Zero: Children Respond to September 11, 2001 features reflections by many children who were most affected by this tragic date. Book sale proceeds will benefit New York City children who lost parents or were forced to evacuate their schools. Visit Heinemann publishing online, www.heinemann.com/.

The AFT has a curriculum unit that can be a useful tool for educators as they strive to discuss ongoing world events with their students in the wake of last year's terrorist attacks.

Entitled Nations United: The United Nations, the United States, and the Global Campaign Against Terrorism, the unit is designed to help students better understand the purpose and functioning of the United Nations and explore the relationship between the United Nations and U.S. foreign policy. It consists of five lessons, each one of which uses approximately 10 minutes of video to serve as a springboard for discussion of the principles of the U.N. and the ongoing debate within the United States about the degree to which the United States should play an active part in the work of the U.N.

Highly interactive and student-centered, the unit is intended for high school students and is closely aligned with the NCSS standards for social studies.

A team of teachers assisted in the development and review of the curriculum unit.

Christina Houlihan, an associate in the AFT international affairs department, says the curriculum unit, which was funded by the Better World Campaign, a non-governmental organization associated with the U.N., is a direct response to the events of 9/11. "We think that providing classroom materials like this is one positive step the union can take to help AFT members cope with an extremely challenging situation."

The unit is available to AFT members free of charge. To obtain the curriculum unit, write to AFT International Affairs Dept., 555 New Jersey Ave. N.W., Washington, DC 20001 or send an e-mail to iad@aft.org. Supplies are limited.