Teaching the History Behind Veterans Day
I usually project this article and read it aloud while my students follow along, highlighting key points. Then we talk about the historical significance of November 11, the day World War I ended, and why that date was chosen for this federal holiday. If I’m short on time, I’ll have my students annotate the article in pairs or summarize it in a quick write. It’s a simple but solid foundation for everything else we do throughout our Veterans Day unit.
This article also helps clear up common misconceptions. Students often confuse Veterans Day with Memorial Day. This gives us a chance to stop and clarify those differences.
Veterans Day Video Resources That Spark Curiosity
After watching, we do a quick turn-and-talk or a journal entry answering, “What’s one thing you didn’t know before watching?” It’s always fun to hear what stood out, like the fact that the holiday used to be called Armistice Day or how it briefly honored peace before shifting to recognize all veterans.
Another helpful video resource is this one by Scripps News on The Difference Between Memorial Day and Veterans Day. I like using this one as a compare-and-contrast tool. I have my students take notes on what each holiday honors, then we create a quick Venn diagram or two-column chart. It leads to thoughtful conversations and helps them walk away with a clearer understanding of both days.
Using Veterans Day For Discussion and Critical Thinking
I’ve used this editorial with my older students as part of a Socratic seminar or a structured debate. We read it together and highlight the author’s main points. Then, we reflect on how national identity and tradition shape the way countries observe important events. If you teach writing, it also makes a fantastic prompt for argumentative or opinion writing.
Even if your students don’t agree with the editorial’s argument, it still gets them thinking critically, which is always a win in my book.
Bringing in Primary Sources
To help my students really understand what World War I soldiers went through, I bring in the Eyewitness to History account of the 1918 Armistice. It’s a short but powerful firsthand description that adds emotion and context to our Veterans Day lessons.
We read it aloud together and talk about how the soldiers might have felt when they heard the war was finally over. I ask my students to underline phrases that stand out and write a short reflection, imagining they were there when the announcement came. The description often surprises them, but helps shift the conversation from dates and facts to real human experiences.
Pairing this account with a map of Europe during World War I also helps students visualize the setting. If you already teach WWI, it’s an easy way to tie Veterans Day into your larger unit.
Veterans Day and Poetry: Teaching “In Flanders Fields”
We start by reading the poem aloud, either as a class or in small groups. I ask my students to listen to the rhythm and visualize what McCrae might have seen. Then, we use the provided info sheet to learn about who John McCrae was, why he wrote the poem, and what was happening during the Second Battle of Ypres.
Next, we dive into the poem analysis questions. These help my students reflect on the mood, the message, and the emotion behind each line. I’ve had some incredibly thoughtful conversations come out of this activity. We also talk about symbols like the poppy and how remembrance looks different in the U.S. compared to countries that observe Armistice or Remembrance Day.
Extension Activities with “In Flanders Fields”
My students are also able to create illustrations of what they see when they hear or read In Flanders Fields. Some draw rows of crosses with bright red poppies, while others focus on the image of the torch being passed. It’s incredible to see how each student visualizes the poem differently. It often leads to a gallery walk where we quietly observe each other’s work.
I also have students complete the info sheet questions. These are perfect for assessment or for wrapping up the lesson. Whether you do it independently, in pairs, or as a class discussion, the questions help students pull together everything they’ve learned and felt about Veterans Day.
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