Veterans Day (originally “Armistice Day” started in 1919 but didn’t become a national holiday until 1938. It is a day to honor all those who have served their country. Here are ideas to celebrate Veteran’s Day with older students.
Volunteer
Encourage your students to help a charity or organization which supports active military families or veterans.
Write
Another way to volunteer would be to write notes of appreciation to veterans such as those in a military hospital. Numerous organizations send letters to soldiers. A Million Thanks and Brave are two organizations that offer this service. There are others as well. Be sure to talk to your students about how /what they should write. The Brave website includes an online way for students to complete their letters.
Interview
Challenge students to interview a veteran. A list of questions to ask a veteran can be found here.
Field Trips Community or Virtual
Your community may have memorials and museums that would be beneficial for your students. If this is not possible, there are virtual field trips your students may enjoy.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial https://www.vvmf.org/Virtual-Tour/
Google Arts and Culture Veterans and War Memorials https://artsandculture.google.com/story/BAXh-5a_nJB3Kw?hl=en
WWI Museum and Memorial, Kansas City, Mo https://www.theworldwar.org/exhibitions
Research
This resource contains background on the founding of the holiday, timelines of various wars, information about the Tomb of the Unknown Solder, War poems, statistics, weapon information, flag etiquette, war crimes, and much more. https://www.infoplease.com/culture-entertainment/holidays/veterans-day
Additional Resources from Reading Specialty
Click here to be directed to the Boom Cards.
Click here for a differentiated passage written at three grade levels.