9/11 and NYC unit study resources

Submitted by S. Duggan

Here are some resources I have used with my kids to teach a bit about the history of New York City and the tragedy of 9/11/01. I thought some of them might be useful to other homeschooling parents or parents in general. For us adults 9/11 and its upcoming 10th anniversary are times of remember (or trying not to remember too vividly) the tragic events of that day, for most of our children it is history or at best a vague memory. It can be a hard thing to know how to address especially with young children but with it in the news etc. questions are likely to come.

These 4 books are picture book/slightly above picture book level that deal with 9/11 but come at it from a perspective that is not too harsh or direct but will allow you to introduce the topic or answer questions at a level that works for you and your kids. (there are lots of more direct “history” type accounts many with pictures or drawings of more of the event but those are easy to find so I list none of those here) While I have found these to work fine with my kids you should preview them before sharing with your kids as only you know what you and they can handle on a topic like this.
Brave Mole by Lynne Jonell http://www.amazon.com/Bravemole-Lynne-Jonell/dp/0399239626/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1251382661&sr=1-1
Fireboat: the Heroic Adventures of the John J. Harvey http://www.amazon.com/Fireboat-Heroic-Adventures-Harvey-Picture/dp/0142403628/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1251382726&sr=1-1
September Roses by Jeanette Winter http://www.amazon.com/September-Roses-Jeanette-Winter/dp/0374367361/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1251382816&sr=1-1#
The Little Chapel that Stood by A. B. Curtiss http://www.amazon.com/Little-Chapel-that-Stood/dp/0932529771/ref=pd_sim_b_1#

This is a book written by kids affected directly inNYC by 9/11 and how they coped, my dad who’s birthday is 9/12 gave copies of this book to my kids to have as they learned about that day.
September 12th: We Knew Everything Would be Alright by masterson elementary students http://www.amazon.com/September-12th-Everything-Would-Right/dp/043944246X/ref=pd_sim_b_6#


Here is another fun picture book about a different chapter in the life of the twin towers.
Man Who Walked Between the Towers by Mordicai Gerstein http://www.amazon.com/Man-Who-Walked-Between-Towers/dp/031236878X/ref=pd_sim_b_8

Nice picture book about the History of Manhattan and it’s growth from wilderness to center of commerce
Building Manhattan by Laura Vila http://www.amazon.com/Building-Manhattan-Laura-Vila/dp/0670062847/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1251381399&sr=8-1 (I happened on it at the library, picture book with some short historical notes at the back)

These are all picture books of a true story of a red tail hawk that came and nested in NYC. All would reinforce the idea that NYC used to be home to wildlife not just buildings My friend Cheryl’s husband works in a Manhattan office building that has hawks or something living on the window ledge and a camera set up where you can watch them feed, fly etc.
Pale Male: Citizen Hawk of New York City by Janet Schulman http://www.amazon.com/Pale-Male-Citizen-Hawk-York/dp/0375845585/ref=pd_sim_b_3
or
The Tale of Pale Male by Jeanette Winter http://www.amazon.com/Tale-Pale-Male-True-Story/dp/0152059725/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1251381741&sr=1-1
or
City Hawk by Meghan McCarthy http://www.amazon.com/City-Hawk-Story-Pale-Male/dp/141693359X/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b
(all also in free library system)


These are some fun resources from National Geographic and Smithsonian magazine on the history and growth of NYC
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2009/09/mannahatta/mannahatta-animation

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/destination-hunter/north-america/united-states/east/new-york/new-york-history-heritage.html

American History/White House Resource

I picked up a book for school at a Borders closing sale the other day. It is called "Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out" While not a perfect book it has a lot of things going for it and would make a wonderful addition to your school shelf expecially for doing American History. It has numerous pieces of various length, some prose, some poetry, some pure fact, some historic fiction. The pieces are written and illustrated by 110 different authors and illustrators. So right there you can have lots to talk about while looking at the different art styles and writing styles independantly of the story/history itself. It also does a good job of covering the known and unknown people and stories of history as connected to the white house. There is also a wonderful seeming website linke to the book (which quite honestly could be very useful even if you don't have the book).

http://ourwhitehouse.org/intro.html

This site includes lots of teaching tips, links to related sites, info. on civics and how elections work, links to our countries important documents and a wonderful chart with info. on all the presidents.

So take a look and use it as a resouce for teaching about our country.

Using Tapestry of Grace Questions

Sent by Sarah P. for Sharon:

I am a relatively new Tapestry of Grace (TOG) user. My children are in
5th, 3rd, and 1st grades and we are using the lower and upper grammar
portions of the curriculum. I am wondering how other people cover the
weekly vocabulary words. Do you have your kids write them out? Do you
do all of them? Go over them verbally, etc.? Also, do you do any weekly
discussions with your kids who are reading independently? How do you do
this?

Any thoughts appreciated.

Sharon

History Curriculum Question

Sent in by D. Collazo

I've been using BJU history and reading this year for the first time. I was excited about learning subjects with a strong Biblical influence and world view, but both
myself and my kids were bored stiff. Have chosen to be creative and do
something else to supplement and use Library books for the next
semester, however, does anyone have any suggestions of exciting, yet
Biblical World View oriented curricula that can preferably be done at
an individual study bases since I teach multiple levels/grades? Thank
you. Any help would be appreciated.