Learning with Purpose….and Honor!: Veterans Day in our Classrooms

We extend our sincere thanks to all veterans and to the teachers who, each November, ensure their students understand the importance of honoring those who have served.

This month, we’re proud to spotlight two Partnerships classrooms whose teachers connected authentic learning to Veterans Day in meaningful and creative ways.

At Fairbanks Local Schools in Union County, Ohio, Rachel Jones’ 6th-grade ELA students explored the themes of patriotism and service through writing contests sponsored by the local Elks Club, VFW, and Daughters of the American Revolution. Veterans, serving as an authentic audience, shared their stories and talk to students about their ideas for writing. But the learning didn’t end there. Rachel’s students transformed their essays into a service project for younger learners by designing and teaching Veterans Day mini-lessons to the district’s second graders.

The results were powerful. Second graders gained new knowledge in an engaging, age-appropriate way; sixth graders experienced purposeful, real-world learning; and, both groups participated in a cross-grade collaboration that honored veterans while introducing 6th-grade students to careers in teaching. It’s a wonderful example of purpose-driven learning, which is one of the ways we describe authentic learning.

At St. Christopher School in Grandview, Franklin County, fourth and fifth graders engaged in “The Poppy Project,” led by teachers Corinne O’Reilley, Emilee Pohlman, and Stephanie Doyle. After reading and discussing John McCrae’s poem In Flanders Fields, which was the inspiration for the tradition of wearing a poppy to honor veterans, students applied their understanding in creative and community-centered ways. Working in small teams, they produced slide presentations, public service announcements, posters, cards, a Wall of Remembrance, and handmade poppies for every student and adult in the school to wear on Tuesday, November 11. The entire school community honored veterans through the students’ service and learning about the significance of the poppy, and their efforts culminated with a school-wide minute of silence at 11:00am on November 11.

At Partnerships, we describe authentic learning as a learning experience that connects classroom content to real people and communities while addressing real needs and developing real solutions. In these two classrooms, the need was significant and meaningful, and both classrooms answered this driving question to support the need: How can we, a group of 4th–6th grade students, use what we’ve learned about Veterans Day to serve our school community and honor veterans?

We’d like to conclude with a relevant authentic learning tip from our colleague, Theresa Knapp, an Intervention Specialist at Olentangy Schools. Theresa often suggests to teachers that holidays and other special days on our calendars are ideal opportunities for designing authentic learning experiences. Community members are already engaged in the special day, making them natural and “ready” partners and authentic audiences for student learning. So, perhaps Veterans Day 2026 could be the start of your own authentic learning journey, or how about MLK Day in 2026?  Reach out if you want a partner in planning!  We’d love to talk through your ideas with you!