Abroad: Understanding the Meaning of the Poppy
EXPLORATION
UPPER ELEMENTARY | HISTORY
Abroad: Understanding the Meaning of the Poppy
Students will learn about Flander's Fields and the significance of the poppy during World War I.
Time
45 Minutes
Setting
Inside and Outside
Standards
- SS5H8 The student will describe U.S. involvement in World War I and post-World War I America
- a. Explain how German attacks on U.S. shipping during the war in Europe (1914 – 1917) ultimately led the U.S. to join the fight against Germany; include the sinking of the Lusitania and concerns over safety of U.S. ships, U.S. contributions to the war, and the impact of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.5.5 Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.5.5.A Interpret figurative language, including similes and metaphors, in context.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.5.5.B Recognize and explain the meaning of common idioms, adages, and proverbs.
Materials
Procedures
- As a class, watch The Story of The Story Behind John McCrae’s "In Flanders Fields"
- Explore the article on the Remembrance Poppy to understand more about the meaning of the poppy
- Discuss with students how plants can come to have a deeper meaning beyond their meaning to scientists, botanists, chefs, etc. Explore resources on plant symbolism along with plant idioms, adages, and proverbs in different cultures.
- Choose a plant (maybe one that is growing in the garden!) and write a card to someone with an image of the plant on the front and a poem or message about the meaning on the inside.
Extension: Growing Poppies
