Remembrance Day Ideas and Activities for Teachers

• Red poppies are most commonly used to represent Remembrance and hope.
• Purple poppies are worn to commemorate various animals, such as dogs and horses, who were injured or killed in combat. 
• White poppies symbolise an end to all war and promote peace, and are often worn by those who feel the red poppy glorifies wartime struggles.
• Black poppies are worn to highlight the contributions of African, Caribbean, and Indigenous soldiers.

1. Observe a moment of silence

Appropriate for: All ages

Two minutes of silence at 11 AM on the 11th day of the 11th month is a traditional way to honour those who lost their lives in war and conflict. Encourage your students to pause, reflect, and consider the sacrifices of those who fought to defend their country while also taking a moment of appreciation for the peaceful times they live in. 

2. Themed classroom debates and discussions

Appropriate for: GCSE and A-level

Older students in GCSE or A-level classes may benefit from an activity that challenges their critical thinking skills, such as a debate or discussion. This can focus on a broad theme, like ‘the cost of war’ or a complex question like ‘should Remembrance focus more on peace or on war?’ or ‘was conscription during wartime justified?’ 

Before the debate, make sure you cover the context of the history and the theme with your students. Then hold an open discussion or organise your class into teams and assign each a viewpoint to defend or challenge. 

For younger age groups in GCSE classes, consider opening your lesson with an icebreaker mini quiz or softer discussion on the basics of Remembrance Day, with questions like:

• What date is Remembrance Day each year?

• What time do we hold two minutes of silence?

• Which war ended in November 1918?

• What is one way you can show respect for veterans on Remembrance Day?

3. Listen to veteran stories

Appropriate for: All ages

Students can gain a new understanding of, and appreciation for, history when they hear firsthand accounts of war veterans. Whether it’s a recorded interview with a WWII veteran or a guest speaker at a school assembly, service members can help bring history to life. 

4. Host an assembly or school event

Appropriate for: All ages

In the lead-up to the 11th of November, you can organise a dedicated assembly to help students understand the importance of the day. This can include a presentation covering:

• What Remembrance Day is

• Why it is important to remember and commemorate Armed Forces members

• Why we wear poppies to symbolise Remembrance Day

• Local history and memorials

• Talks from veteran guest speakers or historians

Alternatively, you can host a living history day to provide a curriculum-adjacent context, such as what life was like on the Front for serving soldiers.

5. Study wartime poems and literature

Appropriate for: GCSE and A-level

Wilfred Owen and Ted Hughes are commonly studied at a GCSE level, and their poems are an accessible jumping-off point for students to understand the personal impact of war on those who fought. Explore the history and context around these poems before diving into the meaning line-by-line, then invite your class to discuss their thoughts on the key themes. 

For younger age groups in primary school, holding a story time and discussion can also help introduce them to key topics that will be explored later in their education, such as war, peace, and bravery. 

We have developed a range of history teaching resources to help your students understand everything from Surgery and Treatment on the Western Front to the impact of the Cold War in Berlin, which can help you plan an impactful history lesson with all the context your students need. 

6. Write thank you letters or poems

Appropriate for: All ages

Poems like Dulce et Decorum Est by Wilfred Owen and For the Fallen by Robert Laurence Binyon can serve as inspiration for students to write their own versions, or completely original poems. This can provide students with a productive outlet to develop their writing skills and express complex emotions, especially if they feel a personal connection to wartime poets or veterans within their own family. 

Likewise, many charities offer the opportunity for students to write directly to veterans or serving soldiers to express their gratitude and lift morale.  

7. Research local wartime history

Appropriate for: GCSE and A-level

Many students may have family links to WWI or WWII, while almost every town in Britain has some kind of wartime history that can be easily researched. This is also an excellent history lesson activity, where you can discuss providence and the validity of different sources (e.g. a newspaper article vs a story passed down through a family over generations).

8. Fundraise to support military charities

Appropriate for: All ages

Many charities support the Armed Forces, such as the Royal British Legion and SSAFA. Set a fundraising target and organise an event that students can participate in directly, like a bake sale or non-uniform day. Older students may also organise sponsored events like walks or runs.  

9. Try some poppy crafts

Appropriate for: Primary and early GCSE

Creating different poppy-related crafts can be an excellent way to introduce students to the significance of the poppy while also encouraging them to reflect on the spirit of the day. 

Provide red, purple, black, or white craft paper, glue sticks, and green wool, pipe cleaners, or felt to create their art, whether that’s a glued-together poppy or a full paper wreath that can decorate your classroom.

10. Book a history school tour

Appropriate for: All ages

Rather than confining Remembrance Day to the 11th, many schools choose to book a school trip that complements the curriculum. Expert guides can take your class around WWI Battlefields and explore key sites in Ypres and Somme, or trace the roots of the Nazi’s Road to Power in Berlin, Munich and Nuremberg. 

Whether you visit powerful memorials like the museum at Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp in Krakow, or simply plan a self-guided trip to the Imperial War Museum in London, a trip can help students to understand history in context on a much deeper level.

Remembrance Day classroom activities: FAQs

Preparing for common questions like these can help to keep your Remembrance Day lesson on track:

Why do we hold a two-minute silence on Remembrance Day?

The two-minute silence is held at 11 AM on November 11th, commemorating the exact moment that the First World War ended. The first silence was held in 1919 to signal a moment of reflection after the war, and to ensure that the sacrifices of those who died in the conflict would never be forgotten. 

Why do we wear poppies in November?

Wearing poppies is a way to commemorate those who died in war - not just WWI, but other conflicts as well. Red poppies are classic and symbolise Remembrance, while white poppies symbolise peace, purple poppies are for service animals who perished in conflict, and black poppies highlight the contributions of Black and Indigenous soldiers in conflict. 

What are some Remembrance Day traditions?

Traditional ways to commemorate Remembrance Day include observing a two-minute silence at 11 AM, wearing a poppy, laying a wreath at a wartime memorial, flying flags at half-mast, and donating to charities such as the Royal British Legion.

Step into wartime history with a trip from NGT

With NGT, you can book a curriculum-appropriate school trip that reinforces the key themes and context behind your history classes, bringing these to the forefront of your students’ personal experience. Our trips can cover Surgery and Treatment on the Western Front, Life in Nazi Germany and the Origins of the Cold War, or through more recent conflicts like Cold War era Berlin. 

Request a quote or explore our full range of guided wartime history tours for schools.