Final Service Learning Project Activity

During our 20 minute daily meeting at my after-school, I decided to bring up the importance of Veteran's Day.  I asked, by a show of hands, who knew what this holiday was.  Many of the older students (third grade and higher) raised their hands.  I chose a child to answer, "for people in the war."  From here, many voiced joined in and explained what it was.  One of the other teachers, a college graduate and first grade teacher, responded by saying that it was a day to remember all the people that served in the war, ones that died and ones that are still alive.  I had to interrupt and explain that although all veterans are important, this day is for living Veterans only.  She corrected herself and remembered that Memorial Day was for men and women that have served in active duty and have passed away.  This showed me that not only children are uninformed, adults are as well.
After the group came up with a definition, "A day to honor all of the living veterans in the world."  I asked if anyone knew someone that was in a war, aunt, uncle, father, or grandfather.  About six children raised their hands and only two were able to tell me what war they served in.
I made it an assignment to go home and ask mom, dad, sister, brother if anyone in their family is a veteran.  They were asked to write down that person's name and which war they were a part of.
Tuesday when the students gathered for meeting, they were all anxious to share what they have learned.  Almost fifteen children had their hand up when I asked if they knew a veteran.  We spent over 30 minutes talking about veterans.  Most children were shocked that they had veterans in their family and they did not even know.
One first grader said "My granddaddy is a veteran, but he died, so we celebrate him in Memorial Day."  I was so impressed that the brief comparison of Veteran's Day and Memorial he understood the difference.  He was able to understand that his grandfather is extremely important, but this particular holiday focuses on living veterans.  I was very impressed.
The more I heard these children talking about veterans and the holiday, the happier I was.  Even children that did not personally know a veteran, were involved.  I was extremely satisfied with how this activity went.  Although it was mostly conversation, I believe a lot of children learned from it.  Even if they may not remember exactly in a year, they conversed, found similarities between each other, and learned about their family history.  All in all, I would call this a success and continue doing it every year.
I enjoyed the service learning project more than I thought I would.  I was apprehensive about it, but once I got into it, it was much more enjoyable.  I would have students create a service learning project but would definitely let them choose the topic.  I think it makes you care more about it and want to learn and research.