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Classroom Resources

Monthly Themes

Veterans Day

Writing Prompt

Persuasion:

Have students write an essay that persuades their principal to invite local veterans to an honorary celebration at school.

Activities

Grades Pre-K–3: Art
Freedom's Colors

Have students color the country's famous symbol of freedom, the Statue of Liberty.

Grades Pre-K–4: Language Arts
Flag Writing

Have students tell why we should honor veterans on Veterans Day. On the white stripes of the flag, write words students have dictated. Then have students color the rest of the flag. Older students can write their own words.

  • U.S. Flag to Color (PDF file)
  • http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/november/pdf/flag.pdf
Grades K–2: Art
Veterans Day Wreath

Have your students decorate the room with wreaths to celebrate Veterans Day.

  • Veteran's Day
  • http://www.first-school.ws/t/cp_seasonal/us_veteran.html
Grades K–3: Art
Art of Symbolism

Red is for courage, blue is for justice, and white is for purity. Have students combine these symbolic colors into an abstract sculpture.

Grades K–3: Art
Patriotic Necklace

Using simple materials, students can make a red, white, and blue decoration to wear on Veterans Day.

Grades K–3
Veterans Day Parade

Many towns and cities hold Veterans Day events such as rallies and parades. Students can hold their own classroom parade with floats they've made. Provide crayons or markers and an assortment of red, white, and blue paper and other decorations.

Grades K–8: Language Arts/Social Studies
Patriotic Letters

Invite students to write a letter to a friend or family member that says “Thank you” for defending the country.

Grades 1–6
Mixed-Up Eagle

How quickly can kids put an American eagle puzzle back together?

Grades 2–5: Language Arts
“O say, can you see…”

Have each student learn the lyrics to “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Older students can write definitions to unfamiliar words.

Grades 2–5: Language Arts
Stamps for Heroes

Have students create a postage stamp to honor a war hero. Students can draw or paste an image of the hero on the stamp. Students can then write important facts and dates about the hero on the back.

Grades 2–8: Language Arts
Word Finds

Have students find Veterans Day words hidden in a puzzle.

  • Veterans Day (grades 2–4) (PDF file)
  • http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/november/pdf/veterans_easy_wf.pdf
  • Veterans Day Answer Key (grades 2–4) (PDF file)
  • http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/november/pdf/veterans_easy_wf_key.pdf
  • Veterans Day (grades 5–8) (PDF file)
  • http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/november/pdf/veterans_hard_wf.pdf
  • Veterans Day Answer Key (grades 5–8) (PDF file)
  • http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/november/pdf/veterans_hard_wf_key.pdf
Grades 3–4: Art
An American Star

Have students follow a simple pattern to cut a five-pointed star, which many historians believe was used to make the first U.S. flag. Students can decorate the classroom with these patriotic symbols.

Grades 3–6: Art/Social Studies
The Colors of Honor

Students can learn about U.S. military history and medals of honor while they color these intricate drawings.

Grades 3–8: Social Studies
War Times

Creating a timeline gives students a streamlined perspective of historical events. Have students make a timeline of wars the United States has fought. Then have students add several sentences to each date that tell something about that war.

Grades 4–8: Social Studies
War Stories

An effective way to link the present to the past is to have students interview an adult—teacher, parent, or other relative—who served or lived during a war. Students can ask the adult to describe an important memory of the war.

Grades 4–8: Social Studies
Holiday Quiz

What do your students know about this holiday and the people it honors? Have them find out by taking a five-question quiz.

Grades 4–8: Social Studies
The Absence of War

In 1960 President Kennedy proposed a unique organization: the Peace Corps. Have students learn more about the purpose of this volunteer organization as they play the “Pack Your Bags!” game.

Grades 4–8: Social Studies/Language Arts
What Is a Hero?

There are many different types of heroes. Have students look up the word “hero” in a dictionary and a thesaurus. Hold a class discussion about whether the definitions fully explain the meaning of “hero.” Then have students write essays explaining what it means to be a hero.

Grades 4–8
Poetic Tributes

Have students read several Veterans Day poems and then write their own.

Grades 5–8: Social Studies
Conflict Resolution

Disputes between countries can result in war. Disputes between students can also be serious. Have students learn how to consider alternatives before reacting to a conflict.

Grades 6–8: Social Studies
Understanding Veterans Day

Help students understand the events that led to the observance of Veterans Day as a national holiday, locate the places that relate to these events, identify the influence of particular individuals, and compare and contrast Veterans Day (Armistice Day) celebrations in different parts of the world.

  • Lesson Plan
  • http://www.patriotism.org/veterans_day/page2.html
Grades 6–8: Social Studies
Quiz

Test students' knowledge about how our nation has honored our veterans.

  • Honoring Veterans (grades 6–8) (PDF file)
  • http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/november/pdf/veterans_6-8_quiz.pdf
  • Honoring Veterans Answer Key (grades 6–8) (PDF file)
  • http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/november/pdf/veterans_6-8_quiz_key.pdf
Grades 7–8: Language Arts/Social Studies
Crossword Puzzle

Have students test their knowledge of Veterans Day.

  • Veterans Day (PDF file)
  • http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/november/pdf/veterans_xword.pdf
  • Veterans Day Answer Key (PDF file)
  • http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/november/pdf/veterans_xword_key.pdf
Grades 7–8: Social Studies
When Did They Serve?

Do your students know when the United States' major wars took place? Challenge them with this timeline matchup.

Houghton Mifflin