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Honoring Heroes

Honor the people who serve our country by having students learn about the history of Veterans Day and create patriotic art to share with local veterans.

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

Gather all the supplies needed to bring your craft ideas to life! From paints and markers to glue and scissors, our crafts section has everything to spark creativity and make every project truly special.

  • Index Cards, Unlined

Steps

  • Step 1

    Veterans Day is a federal holiday observed in the U.S. on November 11 to honor veterans of the armed forces, both living and dead. The date was chosen to commemorate the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918 when the armistice with Germany went into effect at the end of "The Great War" now known as World War I. It was named Armistice Day and first observed in 1919 by President Wilson and was specific to the "war to end all wars," as WWI was known. After WWII, with the urging of Veterans service organizations, President Eisenhower changed the name to Veterans Day. Have students explore the timeline and key events that led up to its observance.

  • Step 2

    Ask students to create artwork featuring patriotic themes and symbols on one side of an unlined index card. They might choose to illustrate such images as stars and stripes, fireworks, or uniform insignia using just red, white, and blue, or they can embellish the symbols with other colors.

  • Step 3

    Have students write an inspiring note or a message of thanks on the back of their artwork. Then have a class discussion of the importance of honoring the people who protect and serve our country.

  • Step 4

    Arrange to have the artwork delivered or sent to a local Veterans hospital or a nursing home where Veterans reside.

Standards

SS: Individuals, Groups, and Institutions: Examine various institutions that affect one’s life and influence people’s thinking and how they advocate for ideas they believe in. 

SS: Individuals, Groups, and Institutions: Explore ways in which institutions (including voluntary associations/organizations, health care networks, etc.) are created to respond to changing individual and group needs. 

Adaptations

Remembrance poppies are artificial flowers produced by Veterans associations whose proceeds are used to support members and veterans of the armed forces. Have students learn about why the poppy was chosen. Ask them to read the poem "In Flanders Fields" written by John McCrae, A Canadian WWI surgeon who served in the second battle of Ypres in the Flanders region of Belgium.

Artists Jasper Johns (1930-) and Keith Haring (1958-1990) have both incorporated the stars and stripes into their work. Have them look at Johns' "Three Flags" (1958) and Haring's "American Flag" (1997) and compare and contrast the styles and perceived messages.