Preparing for our Speech Day on World War I
Ready or not, our homeschool speech co-op day is happening Saturday. They have been so much fun in the past and the kids have a lot of great memories from these days. Medieval Times was a favorite but so was Under the Sea & Pioneer Day, We’ve also done Democratic Republic of the Congo and Inventions. I think this must be our 6th time to have a homeschool speech co-op day.
The point of our speech day is to teach our children public speaking skills but the bonuses are they get to learn about a subject in-depth (we hope), learn to write a speech and practice their public speaking skills all in a fun setting. We invite grandparents and others who we will feel are interested in the kids and what they’re learning.
For some reason, we have all been lagging with the topic that was chosen. It has now been over a year almost 2 years since we chose our topic. Tsk, tsk! Usually we plan for about 6 months and then have the speech day. Not this time.
We had a work day a few weeks ago. This is something we started with our Medieval study. We have a good time all working together on various projects. I think these are always fun days. We usually try to have the kids do some projects that we can use as props/displays for the actual co-op day.
One of our projects this year was for the kids to choose either a Central Power flag or an Allied flag and then construct it out of construction paper.
We found this website that had all the flags of World War I with pictures and a brief history of each one.
This is a German Naval Jack flag which was used on all Imperial German warships between the years 1909-1919.
All the flags will be attached to a dowel and placed in the ground for display.
Then we had all the kids trace a war poster they had chosen from the WWI era onto a poster board using our digital projector.
The kids all took their posters home to paint them or color them – their choice.
These are the ones my kids painted. They’re mostly done but parts of the face still need to be completed. We’ve purchased plenty of 1×2’s that we’ll be pounding into the back yard with a child’s completed war poster stapled to it. We’ll have 10 of them dotted around the yard. I think it’s going to look great.
Something we had not planned but is kind of neat is that we’re having our WWI co-op day near the time World War I ended. The war actually ended on November 11 (formerly known as Armistice Day), and our speech day is going to be on November 17. I think it will add to the occasion. We are planning to start at the exact time the war ended 11a.m.
It’s shaping up to be a fun day but one of the main things of all is getting those speeches written and we still have 2 to go! This is not something I recommend. You don’t want to follow our example in this for sure!
8 Comments
Zoe
Wow! So amazing 🙂 I love the posters, what a great idea!
…I love hearing about yall’s co-op days, you all are such fantastic homeschoolers.
Cant wait to see pictures.
Love you, Zoe
Lucille
Ditto: Zoe Can’t wait to hear/see more!
Anna
Those signs are looking great…Serenity’s is really cute. 🙂
Good luck with your speeches!
Carmen
Hi Elisabeth,
Looks like another memorable learning day is in the works. I love the poster idea!! Just wanted to mention something that happens here on “Armistice Day”. In 1919 King George V asked the Commonwealth countries to set a day aside to as a memorial to the ending of the war. In 1931 it was officially changed to Remembrance Day and sometimes called Poppy Day. Nov. 11 is a statutory holiday here, with 2 minutes silence held at 11:00. With it falling on Sunday this year, Monday was a holiday, banks and such are all closed. The Legions (originally groups of veterans-there is almost one in every town)sell felt poppies with pins just prior to Remebrance Day and everyone wears them until Nov. 11. It is a free will donation to raise money for veterans. When I was in grade 3 or 4, we learned a poem which was, and still is, I think, recited by the Grade 3/4 classes at the school Remembrance Day service. It is called In Flanders Fields by John McRae. “In Flanders fields the poppies blow between the crosses row on row…..” He was a Canadian doctor in WW1.
I had the privilege to visit the Flanders Field Museum last fall in Ypres, Belgium. Another place we got to visit was Vimy Ridge in France. It was a ridge held by the Germans for 4 years. The day we were there, a group of about 200 students and teachers had come across the English channel from England to France for a field trip for the day. Quite a field trip!
Have a fun learning day! (We are doing Israel this year for our “Big Day” in January)
Carmen
Elisabeth
I know you must have thoroughly enjoyed getting to go to the Flanders Field Museum. Bringing history alive – I love that.
Actually, Wesley recited “In Flanders Field” when we began our speech day. He did such a good job.
By the way, I saw your comment come in on Saturday morning when I was feverishly trying to get a booklet ready for our guests. Last minute ideas cause last minute delays! But everything turned out nice. I’ll try to post about it soon.
Joane
Elisabeth, I’m so glad you pulled the booklet idea off. Grace was pretty upset because she thought she’d left hers at your house, but was very happy to learn that all of our booklets were in the basket safe at home. Yes, Wesley did an awesome job! I really enjoyed our study even if it DID take us FOREVER to do it. I can’t wait to see all the pictures we all took 🙂
Holly
Hi Elisabeth,
I sure have been enjoying your blog since we stayed at your house! I am really looking forward to your pictures from Saturday, as we are trying to get inspiration for our Israel Day in January.
I know that this is a bit late, but two books which I really enjoy for younger people about the war are A Poppy is to Remember by Heather Patterson and A Bear in War by Stephanie Innes. My children grew up on them and now Katie is getting them for the grandchildren. I sure like that full circle, when my children enjoyed something we did, and are doing it for their children. 🙂
Happy blogging,
Holly
Elisabeth
Hi, Holly! Thanks for the comment and the book suggestions. I’ll be sure to check them out.
You know something really clicked with your kids when they want to do the same with their children. It really affirms the choices you made in homeschooling.