story6760.xml

story6760.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-12

As a school teacher I was at work on the day of the tragic event. My students and I were outside for a Physical Education class when upon returning to the building I was informed. I was first informed by a fellow teacher. Then, as I sat down in the staff room to eat my lunch, many other teachers were already there, gathered around a TV watching the terror unfold on a nationwide news station. They and I watched solomely as the news broadcast replayed the events over and over.
Once returning to my class, several students were discussing the issue because some of their parents worked in the City of Boston. Those students were being retrieved at the school by the other parent (for fear that the child would be upset, not knowing if the parent who worked in Boston was safe and okay). This sparked a reaction from other students, to my suprise, to want to unify themselves as Americans. They wanted to come together to show their unity through song and gymnastics.
A song was chosen to fit the project "We Fall Down but We get Up" (by Donnie McKurkin), as a well coregraphed and rehersed gymnastic project was developed. The girls and boys worked together, with some guidance from myself to put this musical production together using pyramid building skills and gymnastic skills which was visually moving.
They have since done this 4 minute presentation for others who have invited them.

I think their presentation would be a great asset to the archive of this historical event in America's history. Children love watching it but also adults.