flickr photo via jpellgen

Yesterday we celebrated Veterans Day, a day when we honor those who have served in the United States armed service. Today as many people enjoy the day off from school or work, let’s take some time to thank all of the brave and dedicated people who have served our country over the years.

When I was a kid, I’m not sure that I really understood the significance of Veterans Day beyond the fact that we didn’t have to go to school. That all changed after my brother served in the military, completing multiple tours in war zones during the early 2000s. Knowing the sacrifices that he made and the danger that he faced made me truly appreciate what our troops are willing to do in order to protect our country.

Veterans Day is a great time to talk to kids about what it means to serve in the armed forces and to discuss the concept of patriotism. We have some excellent (and free!) teaching resources available here that can help you start a conversation in your classroom or at home, including lesson plans and book recommendations. So tell us — how do you teach your students or kids about Veterans Day?