Help your students understand the significance of Veterans Day with Channel One News video “A Hero Comes Home,” the inspirational story of U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Travis Mills, as well as “Six-Word War Stories,” a project that invited veterans to summarize their military experience in six words. Use the corresponding lesson plan to help reinforce key ideas and higher-order thinking skills. Consider using this lesson plan, along with Channel One’s free lesson plan for Veteran’s Day featuring videos and slideshows about Women in the Military.
Discuss: Why was homecoming in Vassar, Michigan special this year? How would you describe Travis Mills? What part does Mills’ family play in his recovery?
Why did two West Point graduates start the Six-Word War Stories project? What do you think the Six-Word War Stories project does for people who read the stories? What does the project do for the writers?
Ask students to apply what they’ve learned and write a six-word war story about Travis Mills. You may wish to print out and distribute the story’s transcript to aid struggling students. Invite volunteers to share their responses with the class.
Have students read “Veterans Day” from www.history.com. Then, ask students to work together in small groups to create a timeline depicting the key events in the history of Veterans Day.
Students write a reflection answering the following: How has Veterans Day changed since its inception nearly 100 years ago? Is it a holiday that’s still worth observing? Explain your thoughts.
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Subscribers can check out Channel One’s other videos appropriate for Veterans Day, along with curriculum resources:
That is so sad
thats sad
I think that is cool
I think that what they did was nice
I think it is a really neat and nice. It is also really SWEET.