Over the past few days, most of us have been overwhelmed by the images and news reports on television and radio. Many of us have found ways to actively support the rescue efforts by donating money, blood, and/or our time. But our children have been left out of these activities and may feel even more frightened and powerless. After all, they're too young to donate blood or help in these concrete ways. Our task now is to find other activities for them that will help restore their sense of security. Here is a list of simple projects and lessons you can start with your students and suggest to their parents.
1. Create a plan for action to bring the household back to normal. Give everyone a job. Even the youngest children can benefit from the "job" of hugging family members four times a day. (From the National Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org/)
2. Create a household emergency checklist. Plan for the kinds of disasters that are most likely to strike your area. Household safety plans foster a sense of control. (From the Federal Emergency Management Agency) http://www.fema.gov/
Pennsylvania Emergency Preparedness Guide: http://www.dsf.health.state.pa.us/health/lib/health/EmergencyPrepGuide/EmergencyPrepGuide-english.pdf
3. Write letters. Consider writing to the United Nations asking for the condemnation of this act of war. Write to Osama bin Laden in care of the Afghanistan Embassy to tell him how you feel. Write to the families of the military personnel who died in he Pentagon or to the families of the unknown thousands who perished in New York. Write to your local police and firefighters and express your appreciation of their efforts to keep you safe.
4. Make a friendship bracelet and wear it in memory of the people who died in the attacks. Here are patterns of friendship bracelets to create your own: http://www.geocities.com/hbernb/ http://www.how-to-make-jewelry.com/friendship-bracelet-patterns.html
5. Raise money for the local American Red Cross --
or Salvation Army -- http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn_2.nsf
6. Create a mural or collage showing the face of friendship. Consider joining one of the many ongoing Internet projects built around this theme.
7. Discuss the reactions of world leaders to the terrorist attacks. Debate the differences between revenge and punishment and how terrorism affects character. http://www.charactercounts.org/
8. Discuss the Ten Ways to Fight Hate http://www.splcenter.org/ and add new ideas to the list.
9. Read "Responding to Hate in School" and ask your students how well your school measures up. Have your students create their own lists of non-violent ways to respond to hate.
10. Promote tolerance and diversity in your classroom and school. Taming Terrorism, Tolerance in Times of Trial, Racism 2001 will help you explore tolerance and prejudice with your students.
Getting Back to Business -- Activities and Projects to Do with Kids 
