Cultivating Respect and Understanding for Remembrance Day

Bringing the history and meaning of Remembrance Day alive in a modern classroom can feel daunting. Teachers worry that poppies, wreaths, and ceremonies will remain empty symbols without real emotional connection. Students, surrounded by screens and distractions, may struggle to grasp the human stories behind the dates and rituals.

Lest We Forget Transforms Remembrance Day from an abstract date on the calendar into a deeply personal experience by:

• Guiding students through the sacrifices of thousands of Canadians in World Wars I & II and the Korean War
• Unpacking the symbolism of war memorials, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Peace Tower, and the poppy
• Encouraging reflection on the realities of conflict, the value of peace, and the enduring qualities of courage, devotion, and multicultural freedom

✏️ What’s Inside

• 79 engaging activities that blend history, writing, art, and discussion
• Informational readings on key symbols and ceremonies
• Answer key for easy planning and assessment
• 80 full-color pages designed for Grades 4–6

📚 Curriculum Highlights

• Recognize the sacrifices made by Canadian service members in major 20th-century conflicts
• Understand the significance and evolution of Remembrance Day rituals
• Explore ceremonies of the past and their reflection in today’s observances
• Appreciate the complexities of war and its impact on individuals and societies
• Celebrate the virtues of endurance, courage, and devotion to freedom
• Develop conflict-resolution skills through historical and contemporary lenses
• Embrace peace as an active, shared responsibility

🧠 Teacher-Friendly Design

• Clear, step-by-step lesson flow: read → reflect → create
• Ready-to-use templates for art projects, writing prompts, and class debates
• No prior specialty in history or social studies required
• Aligns with provincial social studies and language expectations

🧩 Seamless Integration
Use Lest We Forget alongside your existing social studies and language-arts programs. These activities naturally tie into writing assignments, group projects, and art explorations—so students connect facts to feelings and history to their own lives.

Whether you’re guiding your fourth graders through their first wreath-laying or helping sixth graders craft heartfelt tributes, Lest We Forget equips you with everything you need to honor Remembrance Day with depth, empathy, and lasting impact. 

Introduction & Planning Notes:

Teacher Notes & Suggestions Includes:

• Expectations
• List of Vocabulary
• List of Resources
• Teacher Input Suggestions
• List of Free Materials
• Student Activity Record

Reading Information Cards and Follow-Ups

Each includes information on the topic and follow-up worksheet or activity. Answers are included at the end of each activity.

Topics:

#1 What is War?

#2 World War I

#3 Fighting Conditions During World War I

#4 Consequences of World War I

#5 World War II: 1939-1945

#6 Consequences of World War I

#7 and #8 The National War Memorial and Remembrance Day Service

#9 The Two Minutes of Silence

#10 The Flowers of Remembrance

#11 The Peace Tower

#12 Famous Canadian War Heroes

#13 John McCrae

Word Study Activities

Answer key is at the end of the activities.

1. Lest We Forget Crossword
2. Remembrance Day Word Search
3. Syllabication
4. Matching Antonyms
5. Matching Synonyms
6. Writing the Plural Form
7. Working with Parts of Speech
8. Spelling Riddles
9. Anagrams

Creative Writing Activities

Half-page cards can be assigned to students, and they can complete the work in a workbook.

1. Poetry Search
2. Sentence Remembrance
3. Sentences of Thanksgiving
4. Remembrance Day Thoughts
5. Story Writing
6. A Remembrance Day Card
7. Writing a Stair Poem
8. A Cinquain of Remembrance
9. Remembrance Day Haiku
10. Acrostic Poetry

Brainstorming Activities

Half-page activity cards students can complete in a workbook.

1. If you could wish upon a
2. Remembrance
3. War Alert!
4. A Remembrance Day Poster
5. Fighting at the Front
6. Acts of Courage
7. Planning an Interview
8. Ruled by a Dictator
9. An Honour Role

Research Activities

Half-page activity cards students can complete in a workbook. 

1. War leaders
2. The Flower of Remembrance
3. Important Places
4. Researching a Country
5. Canadian Medals
6. War Machines
7. The Atomic Bomb
8. Fun With Maps

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