Pause and reflect
Can you think of people in your community that show integrity? How do they do that?
How might you show integrity in your daily life?
Learning ModuleWhy do we observe Remembrance Day?
Why do we observe Remembrance Day?
November 11
Remembrance Day is a time to honour and remember those who have served and continue to serve in the Canadian Armed Forces. These individuals show great courage and integrity in their everyday lives, in big and small ways.
What does integrity mean?
Check out the following video to learn more about integrity.
Flanders Field
Poems are a type of writing which can describe thoughts, ideas, or emotions.
Poems use descriptive words or adjectives that can paint a picture in your mind when you read or hear them read aloud. Some poems rhyme while others do not.
When a poem is performed out loud, the speaker can adjust their tone and the volume of their voice to amplify certain ideas.
Flanders is a region in Belgium where important battles happened during the First World War. After the battles were done, deep red poppies began to grow in the area.
A Canadian doctor named John McCrae saw this and was inspired to write a poem called "In Flander’s Fields" to express his sadness.
Listen to the following audio clip or read the transcript of "In Flander’s Fields."
In Flander's Fields
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In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders Fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders Fields.
What are some words that stood out to you?
Look up any new words in the dictionary and record their meanings using a method of your choice.
- larks
- foe
- quarrel
- torch
How to use a dictionary and an online dictionary
The dictionary words are arranged in alphabetical order.
Look for guide words. The words at the top tell you which word you will find at the beginning and end of the page.
Look for pictures. Some dictionaries may include pictures. These can help you to find the word you are looking for quickly.
Look at the definition. Some words sound the same but are spelled differently. Make sure you are using the spelling of the word that matches what you are wanting to say.
The poem "In Flanders Fields" was first published in 1915. Since then, it has become a symbol of remembrance for the sacrifices made by soldiers from around the world.
Pause and reflect
What do you think makes this poem so powerful? Why does it still have a message for us over a century later?
How can art and literature help us process significant moments in history?
Share your thoughts with someone else, if you can.
Compassion in action
Check out the following video to learn more about compassion.
Pause and reflect
Compassion is a feeling and an action. It means noticing when others are having a hard time and trying to help them feel better.
How do people in your community show compassion? How might you show compassion to yourself and others in your daily life?
How can we apply compassion to what we have learned about Remembrance Day?
Self-check opportunity
Complete the following matching activity to check what you have learned! Press Check Answer to see how you did.
Expressing gratitude
Sharing gratitude is an important way that we can connect and communicate with the people that have made an impact on our lives.
Letters and emails can be personal (to friends and family) or formal (for work or school).
They can be written for many different reasons:
- to say thank you
- to invite someone to a special occasion
- to share a message with a friend
- to give our opinion about something that matters to us
Examine the following interactive image to learn about the five parts of a standard formal letter.
Think about the people you are grateful for in your life.
What about them makes you feel grateful? How do they show up for you?
Write a letter of gratitude to a person of significance in your life.
If you choose, you may use the following graphic organizer Planning My Letter to organize your thoughts. Press the Document button to access this fillable and printable document.
End of section
Veterans Affairs Canada. “In Flanders Fields.” Government of Canada. Last modified August 21, 2026. veterans.gc.ca.