Peace's Eleventh Hour

Learning Guide

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

Mai’s Tips

1. Why the specific time?: The focus on the 'eleventh hour' is crucial here. The specific time of the armistice (11 AM on the 11th day of the 11th month) is what makes Veterans Day unique. The activity aims to solidify this precise moment, not just the general idea of peace.
2. Nuance of 'Armistice': Children might confuse 'armistice' with 'end of war' or 'peace treaty.' Emphasize that an armistice means the fighting stopped, bringing immediate relief, even if the formal peace treaty came later. This immediate cessation of violence is what's celebrated.
3. Simplifying history: For younger children, focus on the big idea: 'A very big, sad fight stopped at a specific time, and everyone was so relieved, they wanted to remember that exact moment.' You don't need to delve into the complex politics of WWI. For older children, you can briefly mention it was a global conflict that drew in many countries.
4. Safety first: Ensure children use blunt knives for spreading. If using a toaster, an adult should handle inserting and removing the bread.

Photo by Nathan Stein on Pexels

1A Special Day 5 min

• Start by talking about special days. What makes them stand out? You can point to a common breakfast item on the table, like a piece of toast or a cereal box, to get the conversation going.

  • What makes some days feel different from others?
  • Do you know any special days that we celebrate?

Know Before You Teach

• Good to know: Veterans Day is a national holiday in the US.
• It honors military veterans, particularly living veterans.
• If they ask: What is a veteran? A veteran is someone who has served in the military, defending our country. We thank them for their service.
• It's working when: Child shows curiosity about why some days are singled out.
• If they're stuck: Ask what their favorite holiday is and why it's special to them.
• Easier: Younger child: Simply point out a special feature of the day (e.g., 'no school').
• Harder: Older child: Ask them to think about how different cultures mark special days.

Done when: Student identifies at least one special day and can say one thing that makes it feel different.

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels

2Marking a Moment 8 min

• Have your child think about how they could physically mark a specific, important moment in time. Then, guide them to select a piece of bread/toast or a napkin, a spreadable topping, and a blunt knife from the table.

  • If something really important happened at an exact time, how could we mark that moment?
  • What here on the table could we use to make a special 'moment marker'?

Know Before You Teach

• Good to know: Visualizing abstract concepts (like time) can be made concrete through physical representation.
• If they ask: Why can't we just write it down? We could! But sometimes, making something physical helps us remember it more deeply and make it feel more real.
• It's working when: Child actively participates in choosing and discussing materials.
• If they're stuck: Suggest two clear options for materials and ask which one they prefer to use.
• Easier: Younger child: Let them pick any material and spread, focusing on the sensory experience.
• Harder: Older child: Challenge them to think about how the materials themselves could convey the 'importance' of the moment.

Done when: Student has chosen materials for a 'moment marker' and can describe one way to mark it.

Photo by Nathan J Hilton on Pexels

3The Eleventh Hour 6 min

• Explain that World War 1 was a long war (four years). Then, tell them about the armistice: on November 11th, 1918, at 11 AM, an agreement was signed, and the fighting stopped.

  An armistice is an agreement made by opposing sides in a war to stop fighting for a certain time; a truce. You can recognize it because it means peace is about to begin. For example, a ceasefire is a kind of armistice. It's not the end of a war (which is a peace treaty), but it's the moment the fighting stops, which brings immediate relief.

  • What do you think 'armistice' means, if it's when fighting stops?
  • Why would that exact time, 11 AM on November 11th, be so important to remember?

Know Before You Teach

• Good to know: The armistice was signed in Compiègne, France.
• The ceasefire went into effect at 11:00 AM Paris time.
• If they ask: Was that the end of all wars? No, sadly. But it was the end of a very big one, and people hoped it would be the 'war to end all wars.' It's a reminder of how important it is to stop fighting.
• It's working when: Child connects the idea of 'stopping fighting' to the term 'armistice.'
• If they're stuck: Provide a simpler analogy: 'Imagine two people arguing, and they agree to just stop talking for a while. That's a bit like an armistice.'

• Easier: Younger child: Focus on 'fighting stopped' and 'peace started' at 11 AM, without needing to fully grasp 'armistice'.
• Harder: Older child: Ask them why a specific hour is remembered more than just the day.

Done when: Student can explain 'armistice' in their own words and understands why the 11th hour of the 11th day is important for Veterans Day.

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4Our Moment Marker 9 min

• Now, guide your child to create their 'Moment Marker' for the eleventh hour. Have them spread their chosen topping on the bread/toast or napkin. Then, using a blunt knife or their finger, encourage them to create a mark that symbolizes the 'eleventh hour' or the cessation of fighting. What finished looks like: a piece of toast or napkin with a topping and a distinct mark. Supervise tool use, especially with younger children.

  • Spread your topping on the toast or napkin.
  • How can you make a mark that shows exactly when the fighting stopped?

Know Before You Teach

• Good to know: The creative process encourages deeper engagement with the concept.
• The mark should be distinct enough to represent a specific point in time.
• It's working when: Child shows agency in deciding how to make their mark.
• If they're stuck: Offer a concrete suggestion, like drawing a small clock face, or a line separating the 'before' side from the 'after' side.
• Easier: Younger child: Guide their hand to make a simple line or dot on the spread.
• Harder: Older child: Encourage them to think about what emotions (relief, hope) the mark might also represent.

Done when: Student has created a mark on their chosen material that they explain symbolizes the 'eleventh hour' or the end of fighting.

Photo by Ann Hannes on Pexels

5Remembering Together 2 min

• Celebrate your child's moment marker! Ask them to reflect on what they created and learned. Reinforce the connection between the armistice and Veterans Day.

  • What did you learn about why Veterans Day is on November 11th?
  • What does your 'moment marker' help you remember about the eleventh hour?

Know Before You Teach

• Good to know: Veterans Day helps us remember the sacrifices of those who served and the value of peace.
• The 'eleventh hour' symbolizes a global longing for an end to conflict.
• It's working when: Child makes a personal connection or shares a feeling about the topic.
• If they're stuck: Ask what was the most surprising thing they learned today.
• Easier: Younger child: Ask what their favorite part of the activity was.
• Harder: Older child: Ask how creating something physical helped them understand the history better than just hearing about it.

Done when: Student shares one key takeaway about the significance of November 11th or the armistice.

Your Notes