Veterans Day was an all day event in my Kindergarten class. Having lived at the coast for only three years, I wasn't used to being in a non-military community for a holiday like
Veterans Day. I took the time to talk about our military, to watch
Discovery Education videos about our military, and to share some of my family experiences being a military
'brat.' I gave my students time to discuss and share with their shoulder buddies and also in front of the class. Most of my students knew about the military only from play and cartoons.
We wrote letters to my nephew, David Cody who has just joined the Army. I am so proud of him, but at the same time I am sad because I know what a sacrifice this will be for him as far as being away from family and friends.
With my Kinders they have to have some kind of connection before they can even begin to write. I was hoping our day of talking, watching, discussing, and sharing would prepare them for their afternoon writing activity.
I believe by coloring they are beginning the writing process. They are thinking about what they are doing and getting their thoughts together.
As they finished, I hung their work out for all to see.
Tuesday we started another activity and I took down their letters to my nephew, David Cody and got those ready to mail to him.
I thought they turned out great.
It is nice to see Kinders beginning to understand a little about the world around them.
They made connections to our military which was different than just TV shows or cartoons.
They thought about a real person, my nephew, wanting to help his country.
Some just thought about fighting, but we talked about helping children all over the world.
