(1) From NYU's child study center, a lesson plan focuses on solidarity with the victims and leaders of 9-11. The project is titled: "Attack on the US" and the project is "Friendship and Remembrance Bracelets." The idea behind it reminds me of the silver bracelets worn by people in the US during the Vietnam War to remember those military people missing in action.
Attack on the U.S.: Friendship/Remembrance Bracelets
by Susan Schwartz, M.A.
There are many ways to let people know that they are important to us and each of us has different ways of expressing ourselves. We can help children manage their reactions to the current crisis by creating connections and a sense of community with this simple activity.
… Bracelets can be made and worn immediately in solidarity with others in crisis, worn in honor or in memory of someone.
Bracelets can be sent to heroes (firefighters, police officers) or our leaders (mayor, governor, senator) with cards or letters expressing how the children feel.
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(2) From the professional organization (not a union) of music educators -- a group whose position on religious music is as follows:
"Does music with a sacred text have a place in the public schools?
It is the position of MENC: The National Association for Music Education that the study and performance of religious music within an educational context is a vital and appropriate part of a comprehensive music education. The omission of sacred music from the school curriculum would result in an incomplete educational experience.
…The chorales of J. S. Bach, the "Hallelujah Chorus" from George Frideric Handel's Messiah, spirituals, and Ernest Bloch's Sacred Service all have an important place in the development of a student's musical understanding and knowledge.
-- scroll down on this site, and see how music educators responded to 9-11, including patriotic songs and tributes to our military.
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(3) From a woman who is a library support staff worker, and started her own website for library support personnel, see her patriotic web site and links here.
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(4) And, while I can't find an onlink link for it, a teacher friend of mine recently showed me two art educator magazines, both issues full of ideas for patriotic lesson plans to remember 9-11. These projects included kindergarten students each marching and carrying the American flag and drawing pictures of themselves doing so, and older students creating a quilt using patches to represent all 50 states to show the solidarity of the USA.
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Thus, while the NEA is focusing on who to blame and who not to blame, others in education are teaching students about this country and emphasizing patriotism, and highlighting the supportive community we are as a nation, as we continue this healing process.
And, these other groups are not shy about stating the following: This country was attacked on 9-11.