Lessons Activities and Resources to Support the Commemoration of Veterans Day

Veterans Day
Lesson Plan
GRADE LEVEL/COURSE: Social Studies, Secondary (Grades 6 – 12)
TITLE:
Veterans Day Newspaper
OBJECTIVES:
1. Identify and understand the events which led to the observance of Veterans Day
as a national holiday.
2. Organize and write a newspaper summarizing the basic conflict of various wars
in American history.
3. Locate places where events, which led to the observance of Veterans Day, took
place.
4. Compare and contrast Veterans Day (Armistice Day) celebrations in different
parts of the world.
SUGGESTED TIME:
Three-four class periods (research required)
MATERIALS/AIDS NEEDED:
1. Copies of the History of Veterans Day article
2. Dictionary
3. Internet Access
4. Copies of the Veterans Day Research Worksheet
5. Copies of the Veterans of U.S. Wars and Their Dependents handout
DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES:
1. Divide students into small groups of three - four students each. Explain that each
group will be responsible for producing a newspaper on a conflict in U.S. history.
2. Have students look up and write the definitions of the following vocabulary words:
Veteran
POW
Armistice
Commemoration
Memorial
3. After students have defined the words, check their understanding by leading a
class discussion on what the words mean and how they are used in different
contexts.
4. Have students read the History of Veterans Day article and review the Veterans
of U.S. Wars and Their Dependents. (Both articles are included.)