Veterans Day - Lessons From The Classroom

Veterans Day
Everything needed for Close Reading of a United States Holiday Complete with Text, Handouts and Answer Key
(CCSS Connected)
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©2014, 2015 Ingrid W hitaker
For The Teacher
Veterans Day is a holiday that typically doesn’t get much
attention in schools beyond the excitement of a day off from
school. Part of the problem is that there aren’t many teaching
tools available. I hope what you find here will help to fill the gap
and help your student learn about and better appreciate this
important American holiday through which we say thank you to
those who have given to us in service to our country. In this
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teaching packet you will find:
an informational text for student reading
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a follow-up question sheet and answer key
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a ‘Dig-In’ close reading procedure for use with this
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or any informational text
a decorative sheet of writing paper
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As a final suggestion, if you would like to have your class
write letters or holiday cards to those currently serving on the
military, most local chapters of the American Red Cross will
accept and distribute them.
Non-cover borders created by: http://the3amteacher.blogspot.com/
Veterans Day
Veterans Day is a United States holiday celebrated on November
11 each year. It is a holiday to honor veterans, those who have served in
the United States military. It is not to be confused with Memorial Day,
which is celebrated in May and honors those who have died in service to
our country.
Veterans come from all branches of our military: Army, Navy, Air
considered veterans.
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Force, and Marines. Those who served in the Coast Guard are also
History
President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed Veterans Day, then
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known as Armistice Day, for November 11, 1919. It was called Armistice
Day because it honored the armistice, or agreement, that ended World
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War I in 1918. President Wilson proclaimed:
"To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled
with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's
service and with gratitude for the victory...”
A handy way to remember the date of this holiday is that the
armistice was signed at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of
1918.
Seven years later, President Calvin Coolidge issued another
proclamation setting November 11 as a day to honor the armistice of
World War I. Next, in 1938, an act of the U.S. Congress established
November 11 of each year as "a day to be dedicated to the cause of
world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as 'Armistice
Day'.” This made it a legal annual holiday. In 1954, Congress changed
the name of the holiday to Veterans Day to expand it to celebrate all
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veterans, not just those from World War I.
Veterans Day Observances Today
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Today Veterans day is always celebrated on November 11. On
Veterans Day public schools and government offices and some business
are closed in observance of the holiday. If Veterans Day falls on a
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Saturday, the previous Friday or that Saturday is observed as the
holiday. If November 11 falls on a Sunday, then the holiday is typically
observed on Monday. Many communities hold parades and other
ceremonies and activities to honor their veterans.
Perhaps you know someone who is a veteran - a family member or
maybe a friend’s mom, dad, aunt or uncle. You may even know someone
who is currently serving in our military. Today is a good day to thank
those who work hard to keep our country safe.
Name_________________________
Veterans Day
1. What is the meaning of the word ‘veteran’? __________________
_____________________________________________________
2. What is the difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day?
_____________________________________________________
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3. What event inspired President Woodrow Wilson to proclaim the first
day to honor veterans?
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_____________________________________________________
4. Seven years later President Calvin Coolidge issued another
proclamation. What year was that?_________________________
5. Why did Congress change the name of Armistice Day to Veterans
Day in 1954?
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
Veterans Day - Answer Key
1. What is the meaning of the word ‘veteran’? A veteran is someone who
has served in the military.
2. What is the difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day?
Veterans Day honors all those who have served in the military.
Memorial Day honors those who have died in service.
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3. What event inspired President Woodrow Wilson to proclaim the first
day to honor veterans?
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The armistice ending World War I inspired President Wilson to make
the proclamation.
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4. Seven years later President Calvin Coolidge issued another
proclamation. What year was that? The year was 1926.
5. Why did Congress change the name of Armistice Day to Veterans
Day in 1954?
Congress changed the name in order to celebrate all veterans, not just
those who served in World War I.
Dig Into : Informational Text
Name_______________________________
Date:__________________________
The title of this article is:__________________________________________________.
The authorʼs name is:____________________________________________.
I think this article is going to be about_______________________________________.
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As you read, list any unknown or unusual words here:
_____________________________
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______________________________
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After reading the article, I have decided that the main ideas are:
1._______________________________________________________________
2._______________________________________________________________
3._______________________________________________________________
Choose two of the words you recorded. Using the context of the sentence or article,
write what you think they mean in the spaces below.
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I think _____________________
might mean___________________
might mean___________________
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or have something to do with
or have something to do with
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I think _____________________
____________________________.
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____________________________.
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Find out exactly what the words mean and record the information in the spaces below.
You may copy the definition, paraphrase it, or find a synonym for it and record that.
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____________________________
____________________________
means ______________________
means ______________________
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I found that in:
I found that in:
____ a dictionary
____ a dictionary
____ an online resource
____ an online resource
What about those other words? Find someone who knows what they mean. This might
be a classmate who researched their meanings or your teacher or other adult.
__________________means__________________________________________
__________________means__________________________________________
__________________means__________________________________________
__________________means__________________________________________
__________________means__________________________________________
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__________________means__________________________________________
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Re-read the article. If you get to keep your copy, write the
meanings of the words above them or in the margin close
by.
After reading the article a second time, some details I noticed are:
1._______________________________________________________________
2._______________________________________________________________
3._______________________________________________________________
Do you think the title of the article was well chosen? Why or why not? Please be
specific.
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
If you were to give the article a different title, what would it be?
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___________________________________________________________________
Why would this be a good title for the article?
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___________________________________________________________________
Copy the most important, surprising or interesting sentence or two from the article.
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___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
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Why did you choose this part of the text?
___________________________________________________________________
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What is one thing that this article leaves you wondering or wanting to learn more about?
______________________________________________________________________
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Veterans Day Word Search
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ARMISTICE DAY!
COAST GUARD! !
GRATITUDE!
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MILITARY!!
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OBSERVANCE! !
WOODROW WILSON!
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SERVICE
WORLD WAR I
Veterans Day Word Search
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AIR FORCE!
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MARINES! !
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NOVEMBER!!
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VETERANS!!
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ARMISTICE DAY!
COAST GUARD! !
GRATITUDE!
!
MILITARY!!
!
OBSERVANCE! !
WOODROW WILSON!
!
!
!
!
!
!
B
N
R
A
Y
G
E
S
X
L
U
Y
I
P
N
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N
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K
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N
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A
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J
E
Z
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ARMY
CONGRESS
HONOR
NAVY
SERVICE
WORLD WAR I
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Ingrid Whitaker, Lessons From The Classroom
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