Lesson 1: The Spirit of Service

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Understand the idea of service and connect it with the spirit of unity that transpired and was sustained for months in the wake of the September 11, 2001, attacks.

OBJECTIVE
Understand the idea of service and connect it with the spirit of unity that transpired and was sustained for months in the wake of the September 11, 2001, attacks.

MATERIALS
A blackboard, whiteboard, or flip pad; one computer (optional)

DIRECTIONS

1. Write the following quote on the board: “We shall draw from the heart of suffering itself the means of inspiration  and survival.”—Winston Churchill. Ask: Winston Churchill was the Prime Minister of Great Britain during World War II and his powerful speeches inspired a generation of people. What do you think he meant by this?
   
   
2. Moderate a discussion about taking action and doing good deeds. Guide students toward defining the word service (assisting or helping people or groups in need)
   
   
3. Write spirit of unity on the board. Discuss what this phrase means. Explain that after and because of the events of September 11, 2001, people were inspired to help others. This desire to reach out and provide support brought the country together during a sad and difficult time.
   
   
4. Explain: On September 11, 2001, America was changed forever. But from the terror and destruction surfaced feelings of hope, unity, and compassion. People all across the country helped each other through the difficult days, weeks, and months following the attacks. This spirit of unity inspired people to help complete strangers and was a bright spark that came out of tragedy.
   
   
5. Continue: In April 2009, President Obama signed a law that authorized the establishment of September 11 as the National Day of Service and Remembrance. The day was set aside as a constructive, positive way to mark this anniversary. In 2009, more than 5 million people participated in community service projects—both large and small—including reading to children, volunteering at homeless shelters, building houses, and cleaning up town parks and beaches.
   
   
6. Use a computer to share several of the inspiring videos at 911day.org.
   
   
7. Explain: Our class will be participating in the September 11, 2012 National Day of Service and Remembrance by creating and completing a 9/11 Day of Service project. I’d like us to create plans to help people or a special cause in our community. We can work alone, in pairs, or as a class. By starting our 9/11 Day of Service project(s) during the week of September 11 and continuing throughout the semester or the entire year, we can help rekindle and carry forward the spirit of unity and service that brought America together after the terrorist attacks.
   
   
8. Generate a lively discussion about service projects and worthy causes. Brainstorm a list of different actions that people can take to help others. Use the list below to encourage ideas. Provide students with a copy of the list at the end of class to use as a starting point for the first planning meeting.
   
   
9. During or after class, go to 911day.org and assist your students in adopting causes for 9/11 or posting good deeds or class service plans.

TEACHERS OF YOUNG STUDENTS
Focus this lesson around the concept of doing good deeds. Encourage students to share stories about nice things they have done for other people (sending thank you cards, donating toys during the holiday season, park or school clean-up projects, etc.) and about nice things other people have done for them. Explain that patriotism can be expressed by doing good deeds for your school, community, or country. Link your conversation about patriotism to the 9/11 terrorist attacks if it seems appropriate for your students.

TEACHING 9/11
Resources for teaching the events of September 11, 2001, are available at 911day.org. Materials are tiered toward different grade levels and approach the topic with optimism and sensitivity.

SERVICE PROJECTS TO CONSIDER
•    Tutor younger children
•    Give blood
•    Clean up a neighborhood playground
•    Volunteer at an animal shelter
•    Organize a pet adoption drive
•    Donate books to a senior center or children’s hospital
•    Volunteer at a food pantry
•    Collect blankets, clothes, or food for a local shelter
•    Spend time with residents of a retirement home
•    Teach others how to recycle, conserve water, and use less gasoline
•    Plant trees or a garden
•    Help register voters
•    Honor war veterans and send packages and letters to our troops
•    Make a place in your community handicapped-accessible
•    Organize a fund-raiser for a local arts organization
•    Start a welcome committee for new residents of your town
•    Collect sports equipment donations for a local youth group
•    Raise awareness about cancer and other diseases
•    Raise funds to support a local planetarium or science museum

Do an online search for “community service projects for kids” for more ideas!


Need Help?
Go to 911day.org to find resources to help you plan your service project and teach about the events of September 11, 2001. You will be able to research local and national charities that would benefit from your help, choose a cause that matters to your students, and then decide what actions you want to take, together or individually, to help.

The site also includes a list of valuable and respected resources from our nonprofit partners that specialize in "service learning" materials and tool kits to help you plan your event. The Web site also includes a range of lesson plans and educational resources to help you provide instruction specifically about the events of 9/11. Use these handy resources to help your students understand the spirit of unity that tragedy can inspire.