Veterans Day is a truly special holiday! In addition to getting the day day off school (for some, at least) parades, sales, etc., we get to honor the men and women who have sacrificed freedoms and family to serve our country . Veterans Day is the perfect time to teach students about the U.S. military and the people who served.
Specifically, Veterans Day is to honor all those who are living who served in the military. Teaching about this topic opens the door for many great conversations with your students.
There are a few points you need to establish with your students when teaching them about Veterans Day.
- Veterans Day is different than Memorial Day.
- Veterans Day is on November 11th, the same day every year.
Here are 6 easy ways to teach your students about Veterans Day in the classroom:
6 Ways to Celebrate Veterans Day in the Classroom
1. Read children’s books about Veterans Day
Children love a good read-aloud. Selecting books that capture the meaning of Veterans Day will help them understand the reason we celebrate it. Click on the link below to find a selection of books about Veterans Day.
2. Make Patriotic Crafts
Crafts are always fun for kids, and it’s even better when you can tie in some kind of meaning or lesson with the craft. Check out the craft below from our Veterans Day resource on Teachers Pay Teachers.
3. Sing Patriotic Songs
There’s just something about singing that makes the heart happy. Singing is a great way to learn and memorize new information. There are plenty of of songs to choose from. Click the link below to find one.
10 Patriotic Songs for Children
4. Attend a Parade
Celebrate Veterans Day with a parade! You can attend one or watch one on television or the internet. If you’re not sure if your town has a parade visit vetfiends.com to find out.
5. Thank a Veteran
Encourage your students to write a thank you note to a veteran, or to say “thank you” when they see military personnel in uniform. Discuss why they would want to thank a veteran and give examples. Check out the writing templates below from our Veterans Day resource on Teachers Pay Teachers.
6. Ask Students if They Know A Veteran
Ask your students if they know any veterans, maybe a family member or someone in their neighborhood. If possible, reach out to the veteran and ask them to do a classroom visit. They can tell stories, show their medals, or even bring their uniform to share with the students.
I hope you enjoy these simple ideas. If you have any additional ideas for celebrating Veterans Day with children please put them in the comment box below.
Click here to for our Veterans Day resource.
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