Over the years we’ve organized so many Remembrance Day assemblies that we’ve lost track of everything we’ve done. That’s why it’s time to put together one post where all our Remembrance Day resources can be found in one place. Learn ways of observing Remembrance Day with some of the activities we have done in our schools over the years.
This post is a round-up of all of our different Remembrance Day resources and blog posts. If you’ve been a ninja for a while, skip to the end for a treat. If you’re new, be sure to bookmark this post.
How Do Teachers Observe Remembrance Day in the Classroom?
Teachers can observe Remembrance Day on November 11 (or the preceding school day) by holding a school assembly focused on peace, displaying student artwork such as poppy projects, and teaching about the conflicts and the people affected by war, including Indigenous veterans. Below, we’ve gathered the resources we use for each.
Remembrance Day Assembly Resources
Each year schools hold a Remembrance Day assembly on the 11th of November (or the previous school day if it does not fall on a school day). These ceremonies are often the place where children learn about Remembrance Day. We asked some of our non-educator friends about the last Remembrance Day ceremony they attended. Most said it was during their school days. As adults, they haven’t attended one. This means school assemblies are important for teaching students about Remembrance Day.
There are people out there who say that Remembrance Day glorifies war. We focus on maintaining peace during our ceremonies.
If you are in charge of the assembly at your school, check out our post Easy to Use Remembrance Day Assembly Ideas. The post contains information about the types of activities that can happen during the ceremony. You can get students involved in the planning and running of the event.
Decorate the Halls With Remembrance Day Art Resources
We add artwork throughout the halls on the way to the gymnasium and around the entrance. This gives guests and observers a chance to view artwork created by students.
During the process of creating the art, students can be reflective. They learn about different symbols that are important for peace.
We have created so many different projects over the years. Our favourites are posted in these two blog posts:
- Simple and Stunning Remembrance Day Art Projects
- How to Create Memorable Remembrance Day Art Projects
Both blog posts feature free art projects including all the lesson plans to help you teach the steps to your students. Several projects feature poppies, but there are other types of artwork as well.
We created collaborative posters for Canadian teachers to use in their classrooms. These posters allow students to work together to create a piece of art with a message. Our posters come with 18, 24 or 36 pieces so they can be done with different sized groups. We also include a follow-up activity to extend the learning or to use with your early finishers.
Check out these collaborative Remembrance Day resources for your classroom:
- Remembrance Day Poster English (vertical) is available on TpT ($USD) or our BN Shop ($CAN).
- Indigenous Veterans Day Poster English (vertical) is available on TpT ($USD) or our BN Shop ($CAN).
- For the Fallen Poster English (horizontal) is available on TpT ($USD) or our BN Shop ($CAN).
- Remembrance Day Poster French (vertical) is available on TpT ($USD) or our BN Shop ($CAN).
- Indigenous Veterans Day Poster French (vertical) is available on TpT ($USD) or our BN Shop ($CAN).
Learn About the Conflicts
While learning about different wars, there is much more to studying them than focusing on the violence. Students already know wars are violent. Some of our students have been involved in conflicts and have come to Canada as refugees.
Instead, we try to focus on the events and how they have impacted people throughout history. One of the ways we do this is through books and other Remembrance Day resources. You can learn more in our posts: How to Teach the Importance of Remembrance Day and Memorable Books for Remembrance Day in Canada.
Some of the resources we use for this are our Remembrance Day Reading and Writing Activities. You can find this resource in our TpT ($USD) or our BN Shop ($CAN).
Learn About the People
We teach students how war changes people. Some of these changes are societal (such as women flying planes or voting) while others are political (making laws about hate crimes). When we are observing Remembrance Day, we try to include as many different groups of people who have been affected by war as possible.
We use our Canadians in War resource to teach students how different groups of people have been impacted by war. Find this resource in our TpT ($USD) or our BN Shop ($CAN). The resource looks at how different ethnic groups, gender groups and age groups have been affected by changes that resulted during and after different world conflicts.
We also teach students about Indigenous Veterans and how their history has been erased. Read more in our post: How to Honour National Indigenous Veterans Day. This post includes the link to a poster that teaches the history of the observation.
Looking for Other Canadian Observations?
Looking for more than Remembrance Day resources? Here are some other Canadian observations we have resources for:
- Activities for Orange Shirt Day and National Truth and Reconciliation Day
- Use Pink Shirt Day to Make a Difference in the World
Remembrance Day Resources FAQ
When do Canadian schools observe Remembrance Day if November 11 is not a school day?
In Canada, schools hold Remembrance Day ceremonies on November 11. If schools are closed on November 11, the ceremony is held on the preceding school day. Check your school division’s calendar to confirm which day applies at your school.
What should a Remembrance Day assembly include?
We keep our assemblies focused on peace and get students involved in planning and running the ceremony. Many Canadian schools include the national two minutes of silence at 11 a.m., and we also display student artwork in the halls so guests can view it. Our post Easy to Use Remembrance Day Assembly Ideas explains the types of activities you can include.
What Remembrance Day art projects work well in the classroom?
Poppy projects are a classic choice, and our Remembrance Day art blog posts include free art projects with full lesson plans. Collaborative posters are another option. Ours come in 18, 24 or 36 pieces so they work with different group sizes, and each includes a follow-up activity for early finishers. They are available in English and French.
How can I teach Remembrance Day without focusing on the violence of war?
Students already know that wars are violent, and some of our students have come to Canada as refugees. Instead, we focus on the events and how they affected people. We do this through books and resources, and by including as many different groups of people affected by war as possible, such as different ethnic groups, gender groups and age groups. Our Canadians in War resource takes this approach.
What is National Indigenous Veterans Day and how can I teach it?
National Indigenous Veterans Day is observed on November 8 to honour the courage and sacrifice of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people who served in the military. Their history has often been erased, so we include it when teaching about Remembrance Day. Our post How to Honour National Indigenous Veterans Day includes a poster that teaches the history of the observation, and we also offer Indigenous Veterans Day collaborative posters in English and French.
And Because We Love Our Ninjas
We created this simple watercolour painting project just for you. This project is not available in our Resource Library. This is the ONLY place it is available. We will send it to our ninjas who join our email list. If you’re already on the list, you still need to use the link with the same email you’ve already used to “sign up” so the resource will be sent to you. It won’t change your usual emails from us.
Let us know which activities work for you by leaving a comment below.
