Good Job, Veterans! Lesson Plan

Download this lesson

Academic Standards

 

Reading Objective:

Children will examine the different jobs veterans can do.

 

Social Studies Focus:

veterans

 

ELA Skills:

key details, writing, vocabulary, main idea and details

 

Page 4 Skill:

key details, text features

 

Vocabulary:

veterans, armed forces, pilots

 

CCSS:

RI.2.1, RI.2.2, RI.2.4, RI.2.10, L.2.1, SL.2.3

 

Guided Reading Level:

K

 

Lexile Level:

610L

Download TEKS Standards
Download California State Standards
Download Common Core Standards

Provide students with some background on veterans.

Build background knowledge (10 min.)

Watch our video "Thank You, Veterans!" After children have finished watching the video, discuss the following questions:

  • What is a veteran? (someone who has served in the armed forces)
  • Why do we honor veterans? (Possible answers: because they worked hard; because they were brave)
  • When do we honor veterans? (on Veterans Day)

Preview vocabulary (3 min.)

Next, play the online vocabulary slideshow. This issue’s featured words are veterans, armed forces, and pilots.

Set a purpose for reading (5 min.)

  • Pass out the issue, and discuss the cover. Ask students if they think the man’s job would be exciting to do.
  • Next, read the As You Read prompt on on page 3: “Think about the different kinds of jobs veterans can have.” Encourage children to think about this prompt as they read.

Read together (20 min.)

Pass out the Read and Think printable. Use it to check comprehension as you read the issue together, pausing to ask the questions. 

  • With the Make a Poster game, kids learn about text features and make a Veterans Day poster they can save and print out!

You can use our printable worksheets to focus on important science and ELA skills. Here’s how.

Exit Ticket: Show What You Learned (5 min.)

  • Use our new Show What You Learned printable as a quick exit ticket! It asks students to revisit the As You Read prompt after they are done reading. If you are teaching remotely, this page is a great way to check students’ comprehension.

ELA Focus: Vocabulary (15 min.)

  • Use the Word Work printable to deepen students’ understanding of the words veterans, armed forces, and pilots.

Editor’s Pick: Main Idea (15 min.)

  • The Main Idea and Details skill sheet asks students to choose the correct main idea of the whole article, then write short summaries of each section.

Writing Bonus Activity: Thank a Veteran (15 min.)

  • Operation Gratitude is an organization that collects and sends letters to troops and veterans. Students can write letters with our template. Follow these guidelines:
    • Bundle letters to deployed troops separately from those to veterans, and label accordingly. No envelopes are needed for individual letters.
    • Use children’s first names ONLY. Do include your school’s contact information (address or email). Troops love to write back if time allows! Put all letters in a large envelope or box and ship to the address on the template. You’re sure to make the recipients’ day!

 Here are two past issues you can use to extend your Veterans Day lesson:

  • High-Flying Veterans, November/December 2018. This issue tells the story of the WASPs— the brave women who became pilots during World War II.
  • Veteran Code Talkers, November/December 2019. This issue tells of the amazing Navajo men who used their native language to make a code that helped win the war.

You can find a higher-Lexile-level and a lower-Lexile-level version of the article online here:

  • Higher-Lexile level: 650L
  • Lower-Lexile level: 480L