Armistice Day

Problem Based learning lesson

Starter

• Around the room on pieces of paper are different words or images we associate with Armistice Day/ Remembrance.

• In pairs/trios you are to move around the words writing things that the words or images make you think of.

• We will discuss the ideas generated at the end of the task.

BRAVERY

HEROES

VETERANS

WAR

Objectives

• Understand, describe, select or retrieve information, events or ideas from texts and use quotations and reference to a text.

• Relate texts to their social, cultural and historical traditions.

Tasks

• You are going to work in groups to research Armistice Day.

• Your group need to pick one of the following questions to research.

• You need to present your findings in the form of an illustrated fact page in your book. Think carefully about the images and words you use.

• You must not simply copy from websites or resources you must the information in your own words.

Problem options1. What is the story of the poppy? What does it represent?

2. Explain the meaning of the following words: Armistice, conscription, veterans, Remembrance.

3. The Exhoration They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them. This poem by Laurence Binyon is often read at Remembrance Services and the whole

audience say the last line. Why do you think this is an interesting and fitting poem?

4. Is the poppy and the act of remembrance still relevant today?

Task• Each of you is to be given a post card.

• This post card is to be sent to a Veteran, a wounded soldier or a serving soldier.

• You need to write a message to them. Think about what they have done to help us and think about how you could convey your feelings of thanks to them.

• Plan a rough version and get your teacher to check it before you write the final version on your post card.

Plenary

• What do you think you have learnt about the importance of remembrance?

• Write a short paragraph that expresses your personal feelings about remembrance.