Learning goals
We are learning to:
- understand the meanings of respect and responsibility
- explain the difference between peace and conflict
- recognize the roles of the Canadian Armed Forces
- explore what is Remembrance Day
- give examples of how to show respect on Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day
November 11 is a special day in Canada. It is Remembrance Day.
Remembrance Day is a time to show our respect to members of the Canadian Armed Forces who risked their lives for world peace. It is important for us to pay our respects for their service. This is our individual and collective responsibility.
November 11 was chosen for Remembrance Day because the First World War ended on this date in 1918.
Respect
Respect means showing that you care about other people.
Brainstorm
Think about what respect looks, sounds, and feels like. Complete Brainstorm: Respect in your notebook or use the following document. If you would like, you can use speech-to-text or audio recording tools to record your thoughts.
Press the ‘Activity’ button to access
Brainstorm: Respect
Let’s talk about how we can show respect to other people.
Think and share
- What are some ways that we can show respect? Give examples of how you can pay your respects in class.
- How can we show respect in the classroom? First, take a few minutes to talk to a classmate about what you can do. Write down the examples you come up with on the board or on a poster-sized sheet of paper. Put these examples up in a corner of your classroom so that you can refer to them throughout the year.
Share your ideas with a partner, if possible.
Who are the Canadian Armed Forces?
The Canadian Armed Forces are people who help keep Canadians safe. There are three main groups:
- the Army
- the Navy
- the Air Force
Hover images to learn about the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Use the arrows to switch between cards. Press on the audio button to have the text read to you.
Army
The Army protects Canadians on the ground.
Navy
The Navy protects Canadians on the water.
Air Force
The Air Force protects Canadians in the sky.
Responsibility
A responsibility is a job you need to do for yourself, or to help others.
Brainstorm
- What are some of your responsibilities at school?
- What are some of your responsibilities at home?
Think about your responsibilities. Complete My Responsibilities in your notebook or use the following document. If you would like, you can use speech-to-text or audio recording tools to record your thoughts.
Press the ‘Activity’ button to access
My Responsibilities
Responsibilities of the Canadian Armed Forces
Like you, members of the Canadian Armed Forces have responsibilities and jobs.
Let’s explore different responsibilities and jobs in the Canadian Armed Forces. Which jobs do you recognize?
For the following jobs, choose the matching image.
Peace and conflict
Sometimes, people or groups come into conflict. The opposite of conflict is peace.
Try it
Check out the following images. Is each image an example of peace or conflict? Place each image with the correct word.
Peace activities
Sometimes, the Canadian Armed Forces help people in Canada, and other countries, too. These are called peace activities.
Let’s explore images of the Canadian Armed Forces helping people in Canada. What examples of peace activities do you notice?
Helping in an emergency
Helping with a search and rescue
Helping with medical treatment
Humanitarian aid
Showing respect on Remembrance Day
To thank the Canadian Armed Forces, we show respect on Remembrance Day. People who used to work in the Canadian Armed Forces are called veterans.
Press the following tabs to learn about ways to show respect on Remembrance Day.
The poppy is a flower that grew in fields all over Europe during the First World War. This is why the poppy became the symbol of Remembrance Day.
We pay our respects to fallen soldiers by spending one minute of silence thinking about them.
Think and share
Now that you know more about the role of the Canadian Armed Forces, do you think that it is important to show your gratitude for their service? Explain why. How would you like to show your gratitude on Remembrance Day?
Discuss with a partner, if possible.
In this learning activity, we explored:
- the meaning of the words “respect” and “responsibility”
- the difference between “peace” and “conflict”
- how the Canadian Armed Forces help Canadians
- ways to show respect on Remembrance Day
Try it
Let’s practice what we’ve learned. Select the correct answer, then press Check to see how you did.
Remembrance Day art activity
We’ve learned about how members of the Canadian Armed Forces help to make the world a more peaceful place. What does peace mean to you?
Make a drawing or write words of what peace means to you.
As a class, place your drawings and words together to create a collage.
This can be displayed in the classroom, or as part of a Remembrance Day assembly.
Asset Acknowledgements
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A Canadian Armed Forces member teaching children about a vehicle they use during a community event, Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada Regimental Museum, URL, published n.d. and accessed on August 6, 2024. Used with permission.
Royal Canadian Navy Sailors Lower Ensign, Petty Officer 2nd Class Cameron Stoner, Defense Visual Information Distribution Service, U. S. Department of Defense, URL, published September 6, 2019 and accessed on August 6, 2024.
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Musicians play instruments at events and parades, Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada Regimental Museum, URL, published February 26, 2017 and accessed on August 6, 2024. Used with permission.
Visit to Red Cross / Children’s Hospital, Cyprus, Canada. Department of National Defence, Library and Archives Canada, URL, published ca. 1943-1965 and accessed on August 6, 2024. eCopy.
Cpl Pellow and other soldiers carrying sandbags, May 2019, MCpl Laurent Ene, Royal Montreal Regiment, published 2019 and accessed on August 6, 2024. Used with permission.
CAF Experience Day at CFB Trenton, Canada Company, URL, published May 16, 2024 and accessed on August 6, 2024. Used with permission.
Stephane Fortin, from the 2nd Canadian Field Ambulance, examines a child in the Philippines during Operation RENAISSANCE on November 29, 2013, MCpl Marc-Andre Gaudreault, Canadian Forces Combat Camera, IS2013-2006-12, URL. Published on December 5, 2013 and accessed on August 13, 2025.
A soldier gives school supplies to Afghan children, RMR Museum, 2019.11.52, URL and accessed on August 13, 2025.
North York Remembrance Day Ceremony: Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge Street, Terry Jefford, City of Toronto Archives Fonds 219, Series 2311, File 2833, Item 58, URL, published on November 11, 2009 and accessed on July 6, 2024.
People wearing poppies, Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada Regimental Museum, URL, published on November 7, 2022 and accessed on August 6, 2024. Used with permission.
Veterans attend a Remembrance Day ceremony in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu on November 11, 2014, MCpl Martin Long, Imagery Section, URL, published on November 14, 2014 and accessed on September 2, 2025.
Children listening to a veteran, Canada Company, accessed on August 6, 2024.
Children writing thank you letters, Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada Regimental Museum, URL, published November 9, 2019 and accessed on August 6, 2024. Used with permission.
The Cenotaph of French Combatants in Montreal, staff of Je me souviens, Canada Company, accessed September 3, 2025. Used with permission.
