It’s really important that our students understand that November 11th isn’t just another day off of school. It’s a day to remember and honor our Veterans. That’s why I want to share my favorite Veterans Day Activities that help students develop a deep understanding of the holiday.
Today I want to share how I have celebrated Veterans Day in my first, second and third grade classrooms. These activities have a dual purpose of engaging students while educating them in depth about the holiday. Here are some of some of my favorite Veterans Day Activities, in the order I do them with my students:
Veterans Day Scavenger Hunt
I love using scavenger hunts to teach my students about different topics. For Veterans Day, I created 16 different cards. Each contains a significant historical fact about Veterans Day and how it came to be.
First, I tape the fact cards (each numbered 1-16) to the wall and pieces of furniture throughout the classroom. Then, I give each student a recording page, a clipboard and a pencil. The recording pages include 16 questions, with each question aligning to the fact card with the same number.
Students are then allowed to wander the room in search of facts and take their time in recording what they find. I allow students the choice to work independently or work with a partner.
Why students love it?
My students LOVE learning on the move, and this activity lets them MOVE! They see themselves as in charge of seeking out the information about Veterans Day. They love finding the clues and recording their understanding!
How to tweak this for distance learning?
These cards are all available as JPEG image files, so you can post them around your Bitmoji classroom. Then, you can have students complete the digital recording page. If in person (and allowed), you can also spread them around your classroom (6 feet of distance on the periphery of your classroom). You can have students slowly rotate through them while maintaining their distance.
Why is it Important to Celebrate?
After my students have learned the history of Veterans Day, I like to give them some time to reflect on WHY it’s such an important day to recognize and celebrate. This next Veterans Day Activity does just that!
I often allow this discussion to happen together as a class first. After our discussions, then I send students to write down three ideas that stood out to them. If you are a teacher who gives homework, this can also be a nice home extension. It allows your students to share their learning with their family or those at home.
(Note: This activity is also available digitally.)
Write a Letter to a Veteran
Once students have learned the history of the holiday and reflected on why it is important to celebrate, we move on to writing a letter to a veteran.
This Veterans Day activity is one of my favorite writing activities of the year. Since my students now have a deeper understanding of veterans and their service, their writing is deeper too. Their words are right from the heart, and they can be quite moving!
I like to start by modeling a letter with my whole class. This helps refresh the parts of a letter, as well as gives us an opportunity to make a “word bank” of possible words we might want to include in our letter. The word bank becomes a great tool when my students head off to write their own letters. It keeps them focused, supports their spelling, and reminds them of key ideas they might want to include in their letter. #winning!
(Note: This activity is also available digitally.)
What Do You Do With The Letters?
Once my students have written their own personal letters, I have a few options of what to do with those letters.
- Mailed them to a nearby assisted living complex which I know to be home to a large population of veterans. The assisted living complex has posted the letters throughout the dining halls and common rooms for viewing, and later when taken down, they deliver the single letters to their veteran residents.
- Contacted my local VA Hospital, and asked them if there was a way to share the letters with their patients. Some have offered them as reading along with the magazines in the waiting room, while others hang them in the exam rooms.
- Shared them with veterans I know and love. It can be a great way to show appreciation for the veterans in your life by letting them know that you take the time to teach your students about their service and impact.
If you would like to try any of these activities, but don’t want to make your own, you can grab them HERE! (Digital and print versions included)
I hope these Veterans Day activities and ideas have been helpful! I think as long as you are ensuring that your activities provide context and meaning, you’re off to a great start! Happy Veterans Day!
Leave a Comment