Today our class took part in a thoughtful and meaningful Remembrance Day assembly. Students learned that Remembrance Day is a time to honour the brave people who served and to remember the importance of peace and kindness in our world.
Classes contributed a craft that was displayed during the assembly as part of our school’s tribute. Students were proud to see their work included as everyone gathered to reflect together.
We are encouraged by how respectfully the students participated and by their growing understanding of why we pause and remember on November 11.
Today, November 11, is a special day as we pause to reflect on the work of our many hardworking men and women in the armed forces who died in the line of duty. The day is observed as Remembrance Day or more informally Poppy Day. In our classroom, we had a conversation about the meaning of Remembrance Day and students were shown a video summarizing the poppy story.
At school, we had a Remembrance Day assembly where students quoted poems, sang songs and paid tributes by laying wreaths made in the classrooms. It was a solemn assembly and students were in a reflective mode. Our class created a poster for remembrance day with a poppy themed handprint of Flanders Fields. As part of our in-class discussion, students were asked what Remembrance Day meant to them or what the day signifies. Here are a few of their unedited responses:
"It is when we sing a song."
"On Remembrance Day we wear poppies on our t'shirts."
"They were fighting because they were getting old."
"They were fighting on the field."
"It means when the people died."
"People who fought, they fought the bad guys to make us safe."
Poppy themed handprint done by kindergarten class
It was a very interesting conversation with the kindergarten class. It is important that we continue to engage our students in conversations that draw on our history and the significance of main events. Even if we have to break it down so they can make connections. Today our class says thank you to all the members of the armed forces who fought for our freedom.
We will remember them!
Wreaths made by students at Roywood Public School for Remembrance Day Assembly!
