Don’t forget to remember
Age group: 5 - 18
Lesson duration: 30 minutes
Sticky notes help us remember important thoughts.
This November, they are turning the words Lest we forget into action.
The Royal Canadian Legion, in partnership with Veterans Affairs Canada, invites schools and communities to take part in an act of collective remembrance. Use sticky notes to create a poppy mural filled with messages of remembrance to remind us all to Never forget.
Don’t have red sticky notes?
Make your poppy mural with squares of red construction paper.
Materials
To complete this activity you will need:
- Red sticky notes or squares of construction paper
- Black construction paper
- Black pens or markers
- Optional tape or glue-stick
How it works
Write
Invite students and community members to write messages of remembrance on sticky notes. For example:
- Thank you for your service.
- Lest we forget.
- Thank you for peace.
- I remember [name]…
- I’m thankful for…
- Remembrance means…
Create
Arrange the notes on a wall or bulletin board to create a poppy. Add a black center to complete the design. Use tape or a glue stick for longevity, if needed. Use your imagination!
- Remember
Share during Remembrance Day ceremonies, on social media using #CanadaRemembers, or invite Veterans and the community to visit.
Learning activities
Begin with a classroom discussion about Remembrance Day and the meaning of the poppy.
Explain that sacrifice can mean giving up something important to help others. For those who served in the military, this may have meant time away from family, personal safety, or even losing their lives.
Invite students to reflect on gratitude, service, courage, sacrifice, and the freedoms we have today.
5-11
Adapt the activity for young students by having them draw a picture or write a single word on their note. Pair the activity with these resources:
In this 3-minute animated video, young students will learn how symbols like the poppy can help us remember and honour Canada’s Veterans and those who died in service.
Explore the history of the poppy as a symbol by learning about this iconic Canadian war poem. Includes written, audio and video translations in some of the many languages spoken in Canada today.
12-18
Help students put a face on remembrance by writing the name of a Veteran or someone who died as a result of their military service.
Learn the stories behind the names. Research those who died in service to Canada. Choose from over twenty collections.
Explore our database of over 120,000 Canadians who have died in service to our country. Research someone from your community and add to the collection.
About this activity
Don’t forget to remember is a national initiative presented by The Royal Canadian Legion as part of its Centenary Remembrance initiatives.
Veterans Affairs Canada is proud to support the project’s school-based programming.
Learn more at Legion.ca/DontForget