Throughout the world November 11 is known as Veterans Day, Remembrance Day, or Armistice Day. It commemorates the official end of World War I hostilities on November 11, 1918. The following activities and sites offer teachers a treasure trove of free information, clip art, lesson plans and activities for students of all ages, K-12.
Community Flag and Thank You Note Activity
Elementary age students can draw flags to decorate their school or write notes of thanks to specific veterans or soldiers in their own school community. This low-cost, high impact activity is easy to organize and implement. The kids may be surprised to learn how many adults they know from parents and teachers, to administrators and staff who are or were in the military.
Keeping it close and local helps children experience a direct connection to the people in their lives who serve or served. I’ve seen the positive impact of this activity for both the children and adults in a school where I worked as a substitute.
Library of Congress Oral History Project
High School Students can get involved by interviewing local veterans about their lives and experiences. The Library of Congress and the American Folklife Center provides guidelines, interview forms, and detailed instructions on oral history interview techniques. Students can register to participate in the Veterans History Project and their work may be submitted for inclusion in the Library of Congress collection.
Free K-12 Multi Media Resources
Leave it to those folks at the History Channel to pull together great teaching resources for all ages, k-12. This one-stop shop offers multiple ideas and links to Veterans Day projects, history, and videos. Activities include taking a Veteran to School, and practical ways to recognize the contributions of veteran’s in your school or workplace. Access to materials and resources is free.
Both kids and teachers will love the fun, informative, interactive U.S. Veterans Administration website for kids (VA KIDS). Younger kids will love the cool facts about veterans, our flag, and the fun games and activities. The site also has special portals for 6-12th graders and teachers. You’ve paid for this with your tax dollars so take advantage of the freebies the government offers.
Free Worksheets and Clip Art Downloads
Go to http://puzzlemaker.discoveryeducation.com/ and use their free puzzle creators and clip art files to customize your own veteran’s day worksheets, crosswords, and activities with age-appropriate vocabulary and themes. This site will probably be one you’ll visit throughout the year for more than just the November 11, Veterans Day Holiday.
Take time to remember our service personnel and veterans all year long. Some of the activities and resources lend themselves to larger more in-depth study or projects on related subjects too.
http://www.loc.gov/vets/
http://www.history.com/content/veterans
http://www1.va.gov/opa/vetsday/
http://www4.va.gov/kids/
http://puzzlemaker.discoveryeducation.com/
