This Veterans Day, build and deepen students’ historical knowledge with this packet of Veteran’s Day activities for middle school and high school students.
Veterans Day is an opportunity to honor those who have served in the armed forces. Help students learn about the origins of Veterans Day, beginning with Armistice Day on November 11th, 1918, and understand the significance of Veterans Day by finding out more about the major conflicts that the United States has been involved in. This printable packet includes detailed information, templates, worksheets, and additional activities.
What’s included
This packet of printable Veterans Day activities includes:
- An introduction to the history of Veterans Day
- 8 printable reading passages on major U.S. conflicts
- Graphic organizers for researching each conflict
- Letter writing activity including writing prompts
- Poppy Pin Craft activity with templates.
How to Use These Veterans Day Activities
These activities for high school and middle school students have been designed for Social Studies and History lessons, but could also make an interesting topical activity in English Language Arts to build reading comprehension and letter writing skills.
Research Major Wars and Conflicts
Help students understand the significance of Veterans Day and the sacrifices military veterans have made to protect their country. Have students research conflicts in U.S. history as well as more recent conflicts that have involved the American armed forces. The printable reading passages cover 8 major conflicts:
- American Revolutionary War (1775-1783)
- American Civil War (1861-1865)
- World War I (1914-1918)
- World War II (1939-1945)
- Korean War (1950-1953)
- Vietnam War (1955-1975)
- War in Afghanistan (2001-present)
- Iraq War (2003-2011)
Use the accompanying graphic organizers to support students’ research. Each graphic organizer is tailored to the informational text with writing prompts to guide them.
Have students select 4 or more conflicts to learn more about. Or alternatively, put students into small groups to research and share their findings. Students could present what they’ve learned to their groups or to the class, or you could create a bulletin board to showcase their work.
Create a Symbol of Remembrance
The Poppy Pin Craft activity is a creative way to help students reflect on Veterans Day. Using the template, students can create and wear their poppies on Veterans Day to remember the American veterans who fought for our freedom. To extend the activity further, have students write words they associate with veterans and Veterans Day onto the petals and leaves of their poppies.
Write a Letter to a Veteran
Encourage students to reflect on why it is important to honor and thank veterans for their military service. Using the guidance and writing prompts, students can write a letter on the postcard template with a sincere thank you and positive message. Students can choose to write to a local veteran or send their letters to A Million Thanks Organization which distributes thank you letters to American veterans.
