(Grades K-3)
In the Every Memorial Tells a Story video we learned from Pax and Gandy the different stories that memorials tell.
If we went to visit war memorials on Remembrance Day what would we do there?
- We could listen to music
- We could lay a wreath
- We could wear a poppy
- We could show respect
Movement Game: Quiet or Not?
How do we show respect? Play this movement game with your students to understand how we are supposed to act at War Memorials to show respect. Call out actions. Students will show:
Hands on head = good choice
Hands on knees = not a good choice
Example:
| Activity | Good choice or bad choice? | Questions to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Walking slowly |  | Ask students to decide whether this is a respectful way to act at a monument or not. Tell students if they think walking slowly is a good choice, they should put their hands on their head. If they think walking slowly is a bad choice, ask them to put their hands on their knees. Once they have responded, tell the students the correct answer: walking slowly at a monument is a good choice. It is being respectful. |
| Shouting |  | Ask students to decide whether this is a respectful way to act at a war memorial or not. Tell students if they think shouting is a good choice, they should put their hands on their head. If they think shouting is a bad choice, ask them to put their hands on their knees. Once they have responded, tell the students the correct answer: shouting at a monument is not a good choice. It is not being respectful. |
| Standing quietly | | Ask students to decide whether this is a respectful way to act at a monument or not. Tell students if they think standing quietly is a good choice, they should put their hands on their head. If they think standing quietly is a bad choice, ask them to put their hands on their knees. Once they have responded, tell the students the correct answer: standing quietly at a monument is a good choice. It is being respectful. |
| Running | | Ask students to decide whether this is a respectful way to act at a war memorial or not. Tell students if they think running is a good choice, they should put their hands on their head. If they think running is a bad choice, ask them to put their hands on their knees. Once they have responded, tell the students the correct answer: running at a war memorial is not a good choice. It is not being respectful. People should walk when they are visiting a war memorial. |
| Climbing on a war memorial | | Ask students to decide whether this is a respectful way to act at a war memorial or not. Tell students if they think climbing on a war memorial is a good choice, they should put their hands on their head. If they think climbing on a war memorial is a bad choice, ask them to put their hands on their knees. Once they have responded, tell the students the correct answer: climbing on a war memorial is not a good choice. It is not being respectful. |
| Listen to the people speaking or singing | | Ask students to decide whether this is a respectful way to act at a monument or not. Tell students if they think listening to the people speaking or singing is a good choice, they should put their hands on their head. If they think listening to the people speaking or singing is a bad choice, ask them to put their hands on their knees. Once they have responded, tell the students the correct answer: listening to the people speaking or singing at a monument is a good choice. It is being respectful. |
Explain that being quiet to remember shows respect!
Extension:
Find out if your community has a war memorial and arrange a visit! Take some student made commemorative wreaths to lay at the memorial.