Links for Educators

AN AMERICAN TRAGEDY - LESSON PLANS:
http://www.teachervision.com/lesson-plans/lesson-6807.html?s00

Several excellent exercises and activities are suggested at this site in order to help your students find positive outlets for dealing with crisis. All grade levels are addressed, and activities include diversity awareness, conflict resolutions, talking to children about violence, flag activities, creative writing projects, feelings chart, and more.

CURRENT EVENTS IN THE CLASSROOM:
http://fyi.cnn.com/fyi/

This site from CNN is designed specifically for students and educators, aiming to keep classrooms abreast of current events with valid discussion guidelines and relevant class activities.

WHAT DO WE TELL OUR CHILDREN?
http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/255/living/What_do_we_tell_our_children_+.shtml

This article from the Boston Globe discusses how educators and parents can handle children's fears, addressing common reactions in different age groups and offering sane outlets for discussion and strategies for comfort.

HANDLING KIDS' FEARS OF TERRORISM:
http://smarterkids.com/rescenter/library/news/sk_top3/2001/09/13/SFC/0000-6978-KEYWORD.Missing.asp

It is a struggle, to say the least, to find the right words to allay children's fears and try to gain some perspective on an unfathomable tragedy of terrorism.  This site offers a few tips on talking about these issues with our youth.

AMERICAN FLAG ACTIVITIES:
http://www.childfun.com/themes/flag.shtml

American flags have sprung up everywhere in support of patriotism and as a continuing symbol of American strength and values. While this site was originally written to help celebrate Flag Day on June 14th, its activities may be relevant to classroom expressions now as well. Find songs, crafts, and art activities all surrounding the theme of the American flag.

WHAT TO SAY -- WHAT TO DO:
http://www.casponline.org/whattodo.htm

From the California Association of School Psychologists, this page outlines what teachers, parents, and adults can do and say to help children cope with our national tragedy.

UNITING BEHIND OUR CHILDREN:
http://www.nea.org/crisis/americaunited/01crisis.html

How to manage stress, recognizing stress symptoms, what you can do to feel better, and links to NEA's Crisis Communication Guide.

TEACHERS RESPONDING TO CHILDHOOD GRIEF:
http://www.tolerance.org/teach/expand/act/activity.jsp?cid=84

Many of your students are grieving and feeling the loss of Americans in our recent tragedy. Some students have actually experienced personal loss in this attack, and teachers need to be especially prepared with coping in these cases. Find tips to help here.

HELPING CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS COPE WITH VIOLENCE AND DISASTERS:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/violence.cfm

The National Institute of Mental Health publishes this manual for defining and recognizing trauma and helping disaster survivors--as well as others affected by tragedy--to cope.

HELPING CHILDREN RESPOND:  TEACHER RESOURCES FOR A TIME OF CRISIS
http://www.reading.org/links/crisis_resources.html

Here are some web-based resources that teachers can use in helping their students understand and respond to the sights, sounds, and stories that surround them.