Materials:

KWL Chart

White Stars cut from construction paper (large enough to write name of veteran, branch of service, and war(s) they served in.

Red & Blue ribbon to staple stars to when completed.

Anticipatory set: Ask students what they know about veterans. Ask students what a veteran is. Ask if they know anyone who is a veteran. Write responses on KNOW and WANT TO KNOW part of KWL chart.

As a homework assignment, they are to ask if anyone in their family (grandparents, parents, cousins, siblings, aunts or uncles, whomever they wish to include) served in any branch of the US military during wartime. They are to collect the names of these individuals, the branch of the service, their rank, and the war(s) they served in. You may wish to have them include any commendations that these veterans received.

Example:

Capt. Sue Smith, US Navy, Vietnam War

When they return this list to school they are to write the names and other information on the stars. (One name per star.)Cut the ribbon into lengths that you can easily display in a hallway or on a class wall. Staple the stars to the ribbon about 2 inches apart. Hang the ribbons in the hallway or classroom to create a display of veterans for the school to examine and appreciate.

Complete the what we LEARNED part of the KWL chart.

Extension: Interview one of these veterans and create an oral history of veterans in your community.

Research the history and significance of medals and commendations awarded to these veterans.

Interview spouses, siblings, or children of these veterans about how being separated from the veteran during wartime affected them and what they remember.

E-Mail

Clara Southerland

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