Thanks for Your Service

Step 1: Students will research the 5 military branches which make up the U.S. Armed Forces. Depending on the age of the students will depend upon the activity choices (Older students will provide assistance to younger ones). During this research, students will identify wars and other actions performed on behalf of the U.S. Make a chart of the wars, years, number of soldiers who served, where they served, etc.

Step 2: Students will contact local veteran's agencies such as the American Legion, and the Veteran's of Foreign Wars to coordinate activities and availability of speakers in their area.

Step 3: All students will bring in photos of men and women who have served in the armed forces. These will be scanned into the computer and placed in a Powerpoint presentation. These photos will also be put on display on the Wall of Fame for a special Veteran's Day Program.

Step 4: All students will write thank you letters/cards and draw pictures showing their gratitude for what they have done for our country. Students may also write reports on the wars, write poetry, or other creative writing appropriate for the occasion.

Step 5: PreK-8th grade students will learn patriotic music to perform at the program for the veteran's and their families.

Step 6: Students will create a map of the world marking the locations of where these soldiers have fought or intervened. This map will be placed on the wall for display during the program.

Step 7: Students will conduct interviews of veteran's in their local area. These interviews will be published in the paper and online on the school paper. Additionally the yearbook staff will prepare a layout for the annual.

Step 8: Students will create patriotic decorations to put up for the program.

Step 9: High school students will write the program, create a bulletin to hand out inviting veterans and a program to hand out for the event on November 11th. They will also provide a reception and plan the menu, organize the layout in the cafeteria for it, serve the food and clean up afterward.