May 30, 2007: Remembering America's Soldiers

The Mini Page is a syndicated, four-page tabloid written for young children found each Wednesday in the Rocky Mountain News. This issue of The Mini Page is available through the eEdition Archive to registered eEdition subscribers. Click here to learn about subscribing to the eEdition at no cost to you (for Colorado teachers).

Activities:

1. Design a greeting card to send to a soldier thanking him or her for helping our country.

2. Draw a picture of World War I soldiers in a trench, using a large piece of paper. Now find pictures of items in the newspaper that the soldiers could use to make themselves comfortable. Remember, you can't choose anything that uses electricity. Paste your items around the picture of the soldiers.

3. Talk with family members or friends. Think of a new way your community could honor the soldiers who live there. Write several sentences explaining your new memorial idea.

4. Make a list of five words that describe the good qualities of soldiers, such as "brave" or "strong." Now make a list of five words that describe what soldiers do, such as "protect" and "defend." Use your words to create your own poem to remember soldiers.

5. Use resource books and the Internet to learn more about the performance of one specific branch of the armed forces during World War I. Select the Army, Navy, Marines, or the Aviation Section, U.S. Signal Corps (precursor to the modern Air Force). Use these questions to guide your research:

• How large was the branch of service during World War I?
• What major battles was the branch involved in?
• What was special about its uniforms and equipment?

Write a paragraph about your findings.

This week's standards:

• Students recognize national and state symbols and traditions, such as flags, seals and holidays. (Social Studies: Civics)
• Students understand how government provides for the needs and wants of people and establishes order and security. (Social Studies: Power, Authority and Governance)
  
  

(standards by Dr. Sherrye D. Garrett, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi)