Honoring Our Veterans

Learning Guide

A simple guide to lead you through the kickoff, the core challenge, and everything in between.

Mai’s Tips

1. This lesson aims to teach empathy and civic appreciation through action. If your child struggles with the 'why' of service, ask them to imagine what it would be like if nobody helped or protected others.
2. Children might initially confuse veterans with superheroes or fictional characters. Gently guide them by focusing on the real people, their choices, and the impact of their service on a community.
3. If the concept of 'sacrifice' is too abstract, simplify it. Ask: 'What's something you really love doing, but sometimes you have to give it up for something important?' This can help them relate personal choice to a bigger cause.
4. The appreciation item doesn't need to be perfect. The true learning comes from the thought and effort put into connecting the act of creation with the concept of gratitude for service. Encourage them to personalize it.

For The Grown-Up

• A common mix-up: Children might believe that only people who were involved in combat or fought in 'old' wars are considered veterans, not realizing the diverse roles and ongoing relevance of military service.
• Try this: Show them images or brief stories of veterans from different eras, with different roles (e.g., medical, logistics, peace-keeping), and ask if they are all veterans. Then, have them interview a family member about someone they know who served, no matter their age or role.
• A big question to ask: Can someone serve their country and make a huge difference without ever leaving their hometown?

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1Introduction: What is a Veteran? 5 min

• Start by asking open-ended questions to understand what your child already knows about 'heroes' and 'veterans'. Encourage them to share any thoughts or ideas without correction. This stage is about activating their prior knowledge.

Done when: Student has shared their initial thoughts on 'heroes' and 'veterans'.

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2Explore & Plan: Showing Appreciation 8 min

• Lead a discussion about showing appreciation and then guide your child to choose a creative project using available materials. Help them brainstorm different ways to say 'thank you'.

Done when: Student has brainstormed ideas for showing appreciation and decided on a concrete item to create.

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3Discussion: Defining Service and Sacrifice 6 min

• Clearly define 'veteran' and 'service' for your child, then ask questions that prompt them to think about the meaning of sacrifice. Guide them to connect these ideas to real-world examples.

Done when: Student can explain 'veteran' and 'service' and offer an example of sacrifice or community service in their own words. The adult can provide: A veteran is an individual who has completed military service. This can involve many roles beyond combat, such as logistics, healthcare, or engineering, and can be recognized by their commitment to duty and country. The deeper level for an older child might include different branches of service (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard) or different eras of conflict, but this is not expected for younger learners.

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4Activity: Crafting Gratitude 9 min

• Provide the chosen materials and allow your child to independently create their appreciation item. Step back and only assist if requested, focusing on their creative process and effort. Ensure safe use of scissors if they are using them.

Done when: Student has completed their 'Thank You for Service' item.

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5Summary: My Personal Thanks 2 min

• Celebrate their completed appreciation item and engage them in a brief reflection. Ask them what they learned and how they feel about veterans and their service.

Done when: Student shares one key takeaway or reflection about veterans or their activity.

Your Notes