_edited.png)
Invite a Veteran to speak to your class or group
- Oct 29, 2017
- 2 min read
When he walked into my classroom, tall and straight in his uniform, my students’ eyes lit up.
A real Marine, all fancy, and ready to talk to THEM!
A veteran or veterans (from any era) to come and speak to a group of children
You will need to give a few dates and times for the veterans to visit with your group. Then, let the veterans group or military unit work with their members to help you meet your needs.When you get confirmation of your speaker(s), start to prep the kids.
The Take a Vet to School Project launched in 2007 by the History Channel, has great guides to teach children from kindergarten to high school about Veteran’s Day. As a bonus, when you register your event in advance, you will get a sweet prize to share with the kids!
Why should you invite a vet to speak to your class or group?
So many reasons, but one really stands out: lack of connection between civilian and military communities. Less than 1% of the US population serves in the military. Which means that very few of us know someone in the armed forces.
Many children have a fuzzy concept of what it means to serve. So let them see it first hand!
For military children, it can help other kids to relate to them. Hearing and learning about military service can create a connection between classmates. Everyone has common ground.
What if I can’t find a veteran?
That’s just fine! The important thing is that you do something for November 11. A quick search online will bring you tons of resources: videos, poems, history lessons, and printable activities. Most things are completely free, which means that your Veteran’s Day session with your group can be done on the cheap.
There are also books about military service that you can pick up at the local library or from a bookstore. My favorite is Nubs by Maj. Brian Dennis, USMC.
Veteran’s Day is coming up on November 11.
How will you be honoring and teaching about military service with the children in your community?
Meg Flanagan M.Ed and K.O.A.H. Military Education Specialist
I'm a teacher, blogger, writer, runner, mother, and military spouse. I am passionate about helping ALL children learn, offering tips to guide parents through the K-12 education world, and providing useful advice to teachers of all ages and stages.
Comments