Image via Dru Bloomfield

This Sunday, the nation will look back on 10 years since the shocking and devastating attacks of September 11th on our country. Many teachers are now beginning to include 9/11 in their lesson plans, and the media will once again be saturated with stories and remembrances of that day. 9/11, or any tragic event for that matter, can be difficult to discuss with kids as they may find the information upsetting and overwhelming. Scholastic has some wonderful free online resources that can help teachers and parents explore this difficult topic with kids:

The Scholastic Teachers site has a comprehensive collection of free resources that can serve as a one-stop guide for elementary through high school classes, including links to Scholastic Classroom Magazine resources, background articles on important events and people, recommended book lists and videos, more than 30 lesson plans and discussion guides, and expert advice from Dr. Robin F. Goodman on how to talk to kids about tragedy, which teachers can use in the classroom and parents can use at home. Scholastic also has a great teacher and parent resource site in collaboration with MyGoodDeed at www.scholastic.com/911day.

Two members of the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps conducted an exclusive back-to-school interview with President Obama, and they asked him how he discusses 9/11 with his own young daughters. Take a look at the video for his answer! The Kids Press Corps also offers a special collection, 9/11: Ten Years Later, which contains stories written for kids, by kids.

In addition, teachers can also find more resources, share their classroom’s 9/11 tribute, and receive special offers through through a joint initiative by the 9/11 Day Observance organization and Scholastic.

Finally, the Scholastic Parents site has a collection of resources that include fiction and non-fiction book recommendations on the topic, as well as advice from experts on how to help your kids cope with anxiety and fear.

How do you discuss tragedies like September 11th with your kids or in your classroom?