Remembrance Day (November 11)

Year group:		Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5, Year 6
Key subject:		History
Cross curricular:		Citizenship, Religious Education
QCA scheme of work:		Other resources, What are we remembering on Remembrance Day?
Useful equipment:		‘The Last Post’ in CD or tape format Overhead projector CD/tape player Images of: poppy, poppy fields in Belgium, local memorials taken near the time of remembrance day

Aims

This whole-school assembly encourages pupils to learn about Remembrance Day and the symbolism associated with it. Children should:

• learn that symbols such as the poppy represent a major commemorative event
  
• be aware that commemorations (such as Remembrance Day) are linked to specific events in the past, which really happened
  
• be aware that some historic events (such as Remembrance Day) are commemorated by pageantry or celebrations that usually take the same form every year

Introduction

The teacher leading the assembly should begin by saying the following:

"Today we are going to talk about Remembrance Day."

Main presentation

This section should be read by the teacher leading the assembly.

'On Remembrance Day many people wear a poppy. This flower is worn to remind us of the many people killed on the battlefields of the First World War and the Second World War. 11 November is called Remembrance Day.'

(Teacher projects an image of the poppy that is typically worn on remembrance day.)

The teacher should then explain that the war lasted a long time, and that soldiers from countries all over the world fought in the war; many died and people were very sad. Tell the children that the soldiers saw the poppies growing in the battlefields of Belgium and how they came to represent both loss and hope.

(To exemplify this the teacher should project a few selected images of the Flanders poppy fields).

It is important to ask the children to try to imagine being in the middle of such a vast field of poppies and to express to the rest of the audience how they might feel. Tell the children how the armistice (ceasefire) to end the war happened on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month (11.00 am, 11 November, 1918) and that this was the moment the guns fell silent.  

• What happens in your local community on Remembrance Day?
• Can you tell me the whereabouts of war memorials in your area?
• Have you ever looked closely at the writing on the memorials?
• Have you seen the lists of names and dates written there?
• What do these names and dates mean?
• Why do we actually have memorials in our country?
• Why do we still have Remembrance Day?

Use this opportunity to explore the need for us as individuals and as a community to remember and respect those people who gave their lives for freedom.

Explain to the children that at 11.00am on 11 November every year a lot of people in this country and in many other countries throughout the world pay their respect to the soldiers killed in wars by being silent for two minutes. At this stage, ask the children what they think is appropriate for one to reflect upon during these two minutes of silence.

After exploring the importance of the silence it may be a good time to ask a child from the audience to read the following poem out loud.

Are You really Sleeping?
See those poppies
See those poppies
Oh so blood red
Oh so blood red
Growing on the hillside
Growing on the hillside
Soldiers lay sleeping
Soldiers lay sleeping
We must remember
We must remember
On this very day
On this very day
Soldiers on the hillside
Soldiers on the hillside
Far, far away
Far, far away

To complete the assembly the leading teacher should request the children to remain silent for two minutes. Depending upon the discretion of the teacher, it may be a possibility to play The last post whilst the children are engaged in their reflection.

Summary

The teacher asks the following question to the assembly audience in order to summarise the main points of what has preceded:

"During early November of year we see people wearing poppies - why is this?"

The teacher closes the assembly by saying:
 
"When we see the poppy, it helps us remember and be thankful for the many people who gave their lives for our freedom."

Additional notes

This assembly would be suitable for any 1, 2 or 3 form entry junior school. Teacher adjustments could be made so as to adapt it for a single class if required.

The content of this assembly may contain images or discussions that could cause distress to pupils of different nationalities (especially those of Japanese or German origin) or ethnic groups. The member of staff leading this assembly should be especially sensitive to the feelings of children who may have experienced the loss of a relative during past armed conflicts.

Extension/shortening tip

To lengthen
Teachers might wish to consider inviting a member of the local Remembrance Day parade, or a war veteran to talk to the children about their wartime experiences and why they believe it is important to remember those who have lost their lives.

To shorten
Remove the poem.

Recommended resources

See the Royal British Legion website for more information and a resource pack for schools.

Royal British Legion: Schools pack

 

---

Print  |  Download  |  New search