Create colorful ribbons and medals worn by our brave soldiers with Crayola Color Sticks. Then use your imagination and design your own classroom ribbon or medal.

• 1.

  The military has a rich tradition of recognizing outstanding service. The government started issuing medals and ribbons for heroism, service and campaign participation after the Civil War. Ribbons are small rectangular bars of patterned fabric that are worn on service uniforms. Medals have an embossed piece of medal hanging from patterned fabric and are worn on full dress uniforms. Awards and decorations are created each time the military participates in a new campaign.

• 2.

  There is a lot to learn when it comes to military decorations. Review the different award categories in the military, like personal decorations, distinguished service, campaign and service, achievement, commendation, etc. Have students look at all the different military awards on the internet or a reference book.

• 3.

  Choose a military decoration to create.

• 4.

  Use a ruler to measure a piece of construction paper into two 4 in. x 9 in. (10.2cm x 22.9cm) rectangles with Crayola Color Sticks. Cut out the rectangles with Crayola Scissors.

• 5.

  To create a ribbon, use Color Sticks to draw and color the pattern of the military decoration you chose on the rectangle horizontally. Use different techniques while coloring like pressure variation to lighten and darken colors or layering colors to create different hues. Color Sticks are also great for broad strokes, shadows and highlights.

• 6.

  To create a medal, use Color Sticks to draw the same pattern on the rectangle vertically. Fold in the two corners of the rectangle to create a point on the bottom end of the rectangle. Use a glue stick to glue the folded corners.

• 7.

  Use a lid or a can to trace a circle on a piece of construction paper. Cut it out with scissors. Color the circle and write in the name of the medal.

• 8.

  Have students use their imagination to create a medal for the classroom.

Standards

• Students identify the five branches of the U.S. Military: Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard.
• Students research and report orally or in writing about the meaning of the military decoration they created.
• Students accurately measure and reproduce the pattern and design of the military decoration they chose.

Adaptations

• Students understand the role of the president as the Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. armed forces. How many presidents served in the military before their terms of office? What branch of the service were they in? What was their rank? How many presidents did not serve in the military?
• Students understand the meaning and importance of military holidays like Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day.
• Younger students or those with special needs may need a partner or adult assistance to measure the rectangle dimensions, cut the construction paper and to reproduce military patterns.
• Assessment: Students create a ribbon and medal representing an actual military decoration. Students are able to explain orally or in writing the meaning of the ribbon and medal.