PROJECT: SERVE
Student's Everywhere Respecting Veteran's Everyday

Eighth grade Technology Literacy students used the Inspiration concept mapping program to brainstorm what they know about Veteran's. They talked about the various Veteran's organizations and what they knew about those organizations. Once students had an understanding of the issues and challenges that Veteran's face today, they researched the Veteran's of Foreign Wars, the Purple Heart Society and the American Legion websites to find out more about programs that are available for helping Veteran's today. They learned about how the Purple Heart was founded and who is eligible to receive it. They learned about programs that the American Legion sponsor for youth and how the VFW helps Veteran's when they are done with their service. They also listened to three local Veteran's who were kind enough to come to speak with the students about their experiences in both World War II and the Vietnam war.

Mr. Chauncey Grimes (Army, WWII), Mr. Burgette
(Marine, WWII), and Mr. Tom Bailey (Navy,Vietnam) came to our class and spoke with the students at length about their individual memories of serving their country. Everyone benefited from the experience! Later in the quarter, students collaborated with the Social Studies classes, the Band and the Choir students and produced a "Day of Honor and Tribute" to celebrate and honor our local Veteran's. This is a project that I will definitely do again next year and hope others would consider as well! Click here to see the entire lesson.

Click here to read more about the project in an article from the Detroit News.

Click here to more about the "Day of Tribute and Honor" in the Livingston County Press & Argus.