We all have different ways of marking September 11. It's a good day for reflecting on gratitude and sacrifice. But for some elementary students in Texas, it was a day to draw horrific, violent pictures of the actual terrorist attack. According to parents, the teacher gave students explicit instructions to color pictures showing "the boom cloud, the planes hitting, and people jumping out of the windows," as one student put it.
Drawings included depictions of people jumping out of burning buildings, with captions like, "Help," "I love you," and, "One way ticket to heaven." Oh no -- how is this at all educational? But it gets even worse: The teacher told the children, "The Afghans did this because they hate us and want to kill all of us." This was terrifying news to one student, whose father expects to be deployed to Afghanistan at the end of the year.
What a sick, misguided 9/11 lesson for those poor kids!
Needless to say the lesson was emotionally traumatic for some of the kids. The girl whose father is headed to Afghanistan now thinks he's sure to die there. Another child left with the idea that these terrorist attacks happen every 9/11 and was afraid to leave his house the next day. The parents now want a counselor to talk with the class and put everything into context -- the context the teacher should have provided in the first place!
The teacher says it was all just part of a class discussion and the kids were drawing what they learned -- but what they learned was completely inappropriate. TMI, teacher! TMI. At least the school has issued an apology and is looking into the incident.
EPISD [El Paso Independent School District] is very concerned about the images that were drawn in response to a lesson on the events of September 11. District and campus administrators are investigating the specific assignment and are interviewing the personnel involved. We regret the insensitivity that this action may have caused and wish to assure our community that we will act swiftly in this matter and will take any and all appropriate action. We extend our sincere apologies.
You regret the insensitivity? That's putting it lightly. But of course, the kids can't un-learn all the scary images the teacher put into their heads. I think everyone in America eventually sees those photographs and hears the awful stories. It's important for kids to learn what happened that day -- in an age-appropriate way. But there's no need to traumatize them at so young an age. And the racist way the teacher painted an entire nation of people -- that's just jaw-dropping. I hope that's not what she really said, but I've heard people say some crazy things, so it wouldn't surprise me.
What would you do if your fourth-grader came home with 9/11 drawings like these?
Image via KFOXTV
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Comments 13
We need to stop sugar coating that they did to us.
Shes, my sister is married to a soldier. I am an Army Brat. I was taught from a very young age, my father could go to war and not come back. My sisters kids are taught that too. It is sad and tough, but they need to know the truth.
I would never tell my children that a whole country hates americans. I don't believe that is true. I do feel that if a parent chose to inform their child of such a thing, that is their right. It is not the right of a teacher. This assignment was inappropriate
"But of course, the kids can't un-learn all the scary images the teacher put into their heads" I hope they can't I hope they carry it with for them life. I am so tired of people being afraid of teaching children things that may make them a bit uncomfortable.... my child sat in class with kids who laughed at images of the holocaust! laughed! because at 12 they had never been taught about pain or suffering. These were the same kids on 9/11 who said "stupid people" out loud to the footage of people leaping from windows. Kids need to learn they need to be taught that Hate is out there and it can be aimed at them and freedom is something they need to protect...and horrors are real.
Honeslty IMO thats to far and the teach SHOULD lose her job. I mean if my kid had to draw somthing like that i'd be VERY upset. I mean 4th graders are what 11 and 12? They were just BABIES when it happend my brother was born april of 2001 so he was only 5 months old when it happen!! i dont even think they mentioned anything! I mean YES it should be talked about in history but really?! This is WAY WAY to far!!!
I agree with you sheliketx.