There is no one, right thing to do on September 11. There will be many observances and events to commemmorate this anniversary. Below is a list of activities that teachers, parents, or students might wish to do together or individually. We hope one of them will be meaningful for you. At the bottom of this page you will also find links to our resources on terrorism, and to guidelines for teachers on September 11 activities.

Things you can do on September 11:

Hug your children.

Hug your parents.

Fly a flag.

Read the international news section of a newspaper.

Share with someone who has less than you do.

Talk with someone whose religion is different than yours.

Plant a tree.

Take a walk with your family.

Draw a picture of what you looked like on September 11, 2001 and what you look like today.

Say please and thank you.

Write a paragraph telling what you felt like on September 11, 2001. Write a paragraph about how you feel today.

Don't shout.

Call an old friend with whom you haven't talked in a long time.

Help a neighbor with a project.

Read a book about a famous American.

Attend a high school sporting event.

Let the other guy go first.

Turn off the TV and have dinner with your family.

Count your blessings.

If you know someone serving in the military, say, "thank you."

Make a new friend.

Save energy.

Volunteer at a senior center or soup kitchen.

Share food.

Compliment someone.

Don't swear.

Sit quietly for a minute or two.

Other Resources:

Our Terrorism and Tolerance links offer a wealth of resources that document the 9/11 attacks, along with resources intended to teach tolerance of those who are different from us, yet equally innocent.

Our unit Defining Middle Eastern Borders - Lines in the Sand is an extensive secondary resource that examines the social, political, religious, and economic factors that have shaped the mideast over the past century.

Portraits in Grief - The New York Times' collection of biographies, reminiscences, and other material relating to the 911 victims should provide more than enough ideas to spark a writing assignment, art project, or similar commemmorative effort on the part of students.

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