Displaying patriotic decorations reminds students and those around them of the importance of the day. Let students make patriotic wreaths to hang in the classroom or bring home for decoration. Trace star templates on red, white and blue construction paper. Cut out the shapes and glue them to a simple wreath form, such as a paper plate. Alternately, make garland out of stars by punching a hole near the top point and threading them on ribbon.
Have your students write thank-you cards for veterans. Give them a blank card form and allow them to decorate it with stickers, drawings or whatever craft supplies you can provide them. Let them be creative and help them write thank-you messages inside of the cards and sign their names. Contact a local veterans hospital and ask whether you can arrange for the cards to be distributed to those in need of some comfort and attention. Many veterans will appreciate that children are being reminded of the sacrifice our armed forces have made.
Invite a member or former member of the U.S. Armed Forces into your classroom for an afternoon. Have the person explain the importance of Veterans Day, read a story or answer questions about the holiday. You might also invite the visitor to stay for a snack and participate in a craft, such as making patriotic decorations or writing thank-you cards to veterans.
There are many patriotic songs appropriate for Veterans Day, such as "America," "My Country Tis of Thee," "Stars and Stripes Forever" or "Yankee Doodle." Get the toes tapping and have students raise their voices in song for the holiday. This can be incorporated into a regular music or choir lesson or can simply be a break from routine.
Ask students to invite veterans in their own family to the classroom for a party. Make crafts, decorate your room, practice songs and plan activities in advance of the holiday. Children can perform songs or poetry for the visitors. Set the tables with red, white and blue and let everyone share a snack with a patriotic theme, such as blueberry pie with whipped cream and red raspberry juice.