Canadians Remember in November

Canadians Remember in November lesson plan

On Remembrance Day, Canadians honor fallen heroes and heroines. Create a 3-panel display to show why and how this event is observed.

  • 1.

    On November 11, 1918, at 11 o’clock a.m., World War I came to an end. A peace document was drawn up, called an armistice, which comes from Latin words meaning "arms (or weapons) stand still." November 11 was known as Armistice Day until 1931 when the Canadian Parliament changed the name to Remembrance Day.

  • 2.

    Every November 11 (the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month) Canadians remember those who died during the First and Second World Wars, in Korea and Afghanistan, and in numerous peacekeeping operations. Find out what Canadians do on this special patriotic day. If possible, talk with veterans. How do other countries observe similar holidays, such as Veterans Day and Memorial Day?

  • 3.

    <STRONG>Cut a triptych</STRONG>. Create a 3-panel paper display to show what you learned. Fold heavy construction paper into thirds and crease. Cut the corners off the top edges with Crayola® Scissors. Unfold.

  • 4.

    <STRONG>Design your display. </STRONG>On each section, use Crayola Erasable Colored Pencils to draw and color pictures that depict how Canadians honor Remembrance Day. Show going to church services, observing a moment of silence, and visiting war memorials to lay a wreath. If you make a mistake or change your mind, just erase and continue with your project!

Benefits

  • Students learn the valuable contributions that Canadian soldiers made during World Wars, Korea, Afghanistan, and in peacekeeping operations.
  • Students demonstrate their knowledge of Remembrance Day by creating a triptych depicting events held on this patriotic day.

Adaptations

  • Continue research into Canadian observances such as Holocaust Remembrance Month and Holocaust Remembrance Day.
  • Learn about the significance of the poppy, which is worn by people on Remembrance Day in Canada and Great Britain.
  • Orally read and discuss "In Flanders Fields" by John McCrae, "Reply to Flanders Fields" by John Mitchell, and "Please Wear a Poppy" by Don Crawford. Discuss their meaning to Canadians and people in other countries today.