Remembrance Day is a great time to talk about the life of soldiers and military history. Remembrance Day is observed each year and is used to honor veterans and active soldiers. The poppy has become a great symbol of Remembrance Day and is a beautiful visual depiction of this special holiday. Look over this list of 20 Remembrance Day activities for your elementary students. There are some great options for printable activities, contributions of veterans, and letters to soldiers.
1. We Will Remember Writing Activity
This Remembrance Day writing activity pairs well with informational reading. Remembrance Day is an ideal time to allow students to use online search engines to learn more about this special day and what it represents. These writing templates make for lovely displays in your classroom.
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2. Poppy Picture Frame
Activities for school that bring in the family are the very best kinds! Get your kiddos to create these poppy-themed photo frames for someone in their own life that has served or whom they want to remember. This frame is easy to make with some cardstock, paint and, polymer clay!
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3. Letters to Soldiers
Taking the time to handwrite a letter or postcard to current soldiers or veterans is a great way to honor the members of our armed forces on Remembrance Day. Students could also write an original poem or include a drawing with their letter.
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4. Tissue Paper Poppies
Paper versions of poppies are wonderful crafts to make on Remembrance Day. Using small squares of tissue paper goes well together to create the flowers that are such an important symbol of remembrance on such a special day.
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5. Poetry
The famous poem by John McCrae is a wonderful way to tie in literacy to your unit about Remembrance Day. This poem works well as part of an activity pack with literacy-based activities for Remembrance Day. Students can do many different activity sheets with this.
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6. Soldier and Poppy Agamograph
This is a really cool art project for Remembrance Day! This poppy activity features the flower and a soldier visiting a grave of a fellow soldier. Kindergarten students may find this one a bit hard, but upper primary and elementary-aged students will enjoy this!
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7. All About Remembrance Day
This PowerPoint is a great way to teach students about the basics of Remembrance Day- detailing what it is and how it is recognized. This is a good time to foster discussion with students by encouraging them to ask questions about veterans.
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8. John McRae’s War: In Flander’s Fields
This documentary would work well paired with the poem and literacy-based activities. This option is good for those who prefer watching videos as opposed to reading articles. This is a cool idea to use to allow students to see history in action.
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9. Potato Stamping Poppy Craft
Be sure to include this potato-stamping poppy art activity in your lesson plan. Teaching about the significance of the poppy is an important part of military history. Students will enjoy this extra activity when learning about Remembrance Day.
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10. Remembrance Day Scavenger Hunt
This is a good interactive activity for students to do independently or with a small group. Use this online scavenger hunt to allow students to participate in multimedia-learning activities. Students will enjoy using the computer to find fun facts with this virtual Remembrance Day activity.
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11. Soldier Silhouette Paintings
While poppy paintings are listed here as well, this watercolor soldier painting is a big hit too! Keep them engaged by having them think about words to describe soldiers and add those to the border of the artwork.
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12. Photo Discussions
This could be a great jigsaw activity! Students can work in small groups or pairs and jigsaw-read articles that lend themselves to information about Remembrance Day. This can also be done with photos. Students can use this activity to get the conversation going about what the soldiers endured and how they made it out.
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13. Coffee Filter Poppies
Another great poppy craft is this coffee filter poppy activity. Add this one to the list of ideas to include in your collection of lesson plans for Remembrance Day.
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14. Gratitude Reflection
A gratitude reflection is something that may be new to students. Students can list out things they are grateful for or write about them in paragraph form. This is a great chance to encourage writing with students.
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15. Virtual Field Trip
Virtual field trips are an awesome way to incorporate online resources and bring the outside world into your classroom. These interactive resources allow students to explore places they may never get a chance to visit!
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16. Letter From Home Writing Activity
This is a great activity to use to work on perspective, point of view, and writing skills. Students can complete this writing task from the point of view of a soldier who lived and fought during wartime. Informational reading and documentaries will help students gain the information they need for this assignment.
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17. Remembrance Day Word Search
This word search is a great way to start out your mini unit about Remembrance Day. Use vocabulary terms from the unit in this word search. This is a great activity to use when teaching these words and reviewing them.
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18. Cupcake Liner Poppy Bouquet
This super easy poppy craft can be quickly made using cupcake liners, straws, and buttons. Students can even make several to form an entire bouquet if they’d like. If you have an in-person celebration, these would make lovely gifts for those who attend.
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19. Poppy Handprint Wreath
This handprint poppy craft is a great one for students in your class to make together. These would make nice decorations if you have a Remembrance Day program lined up. They would also make beautiful gifts to take to a nursing home and give to veterans.
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20. Poppy Suncatchers
These poppy suncatchers are beautiful! Students can make these with contact paper and tissue paper. Students will enjoy making these crafts because they are different from your typical construction paper and paper plate crafts!
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