Military Recognitions

Victory gardens, also called war gardens or food gardens for defense, were vegetable, fruit, and herb gardens planted at private residences and public parks in the United States during World War II. In wartime, governments encouraged people to plant victory gardens to supplement their rations and boost morale. The gardens were used along with rationing stamps and cards to reduce pressure on the food supply. The gardens also were a "morale booster" in that gardeners could feel empowered by their contribution of labor and rewarded by the produce grown. This made victory gardens a part of daily life on the home front. 

In Connections, the students learn about the victory gardens by watching videos, looking at pictures (primary sources), and planting a victory garden. We also cook the produce from the garden using WWII-era recipes in cookbooks we have collected for the classroom.

It’s an American tradition to display a Victory Banner known as the Blue Star Service Banner in the window of a home when a loved one is proudly serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. The students conduct an interview to learn about family members who have served in the US Armed Forces, and the students use their interview information to make a victory banner showcasing their family members. The Victory Banners are proudly displayed in the hallway.

The students make a work of art for Veterans Day. The students learn about agamographs. The students create a patriotic agamograph by choosing one of four designs. As part of the assignment, the students complete one of the writing prompts “What is Veterans Day dedicated to?” or “What does it mean to be a good citizen?”.