As November 11th approaches I’m sharing some Canadian resources I have used successfully with elementary students. Let’s note that 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Although we have not yet achieved world peace, there have been many examples of diplomacy in the decades since WWII ended. Our acts of Remembrance demonstrate the strong desire to build a war-free future and to honour the freedom granted to us by those who helped defeat facism.
A Bear in War by Stephanie Innes and Harry Endrulat, illustrated by Brian Deines
(Silver Birch Express Honour Book 2010)
During World War One, a young girl slips her teddy bear into a care package for her father, a medic posted to the trenches of France. Although her father dies in the battle of Passchendaele, his belongings are shipped back to his family, along with the toy bear, which today sits in the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa. Source
I find this book can be used effectively in both primary and junior grades. The small stuffed bear featured in this book is on display at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa and there is a section of their website dedicated to the story of Teddy including a short video created in 2021.
This touching story stresses the importance of mail to the soldiers. Our students can write letters today to veterans in their community. Our local branch of the Royal Canadian Legion is helpful in collecting and distributing letters. Giving students an authentic writing task will can be very motivating. I like to set up the lesson by reading the story A Bear in War and then offering writing prompts for students to write to those who have served in the armed forces. Depending on the age and stage of the class, there could be some students who write in partners or small groups. For the youngest students I often model our shared writing on chart paper before they begin.
The Vimy Oaks by Linda Bailey, illustrated by Brian Dienes
(Silver Birch Express Shortlist 2018)
Canadian Leslie Miller was at Vimy Ridge in World War I and he sent home acorns from some trees he admired there. The acorns that were planted grew into oak trees that are still alive in Scarborough, Ontario on the former site of Miller’s farm. This book helps us tie history and science together along with the poetic writing style from Miller’s journals and letters. It is wonderful to study oak trees in the fall as the different varieties show their colours. I recommend this read aloud for grades 2 and up. There is also more information at this government of Canada link.
Government of Canada Resources for Veteran’s Week
It is best to order these resources well in advance of Remembrance Day. There are materials including bookmarks, cards, posters, and publications with lesson plan ideas for elementary grades.
https://veterans.gc.ca/en/remembrance/classroom-materials
Books of Remembrance
The peace tower in Ottawa is an iconic Canadian symbol but my students are usually not aware of the special room that holds the Books of Remembrance. Each day a page is turned as Canadians remember those who have given the supreme sacrifice for their country.
Silver Cross Mothers
I find this particular topic very emotional and is suited to grade 7 and up. It is important to know your students before beginning a lesson. Every year one mother is selected to represent all mothers and lay a wreath at the Remembrance Day service in Ottawa. She is called the Silver Cross mother and she will have lost a son or daughter who died while in service in the Canadian Armed Forces. Learn more here.
Liberation 80
My mother had clear memories of the 1945 Victory in Europe celebrations and how people poured into the streets of Liverpool where she was a student, singing and all night. To commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII there is information available from the government of Canada, including a selection of video clips where veterans recall the end of the war.
Lesson Plans from Veteran’s Affairs Canada
Here you can find over 130 lesson plans regarding Remembrance in Canada, provided by Veterans Affairs Canada. There is a search tool that can help you find lessons by age and topic. For example, here is a lesson for primary grades on Flowers of Friendship, explaining Canada’s role in the liberation of the Netherlands and the annual gift of tulips sent to Canada.
Thank you for helping your students understand Remembrance Day.
Brenda
