As part of the Remembrance Day 2022 celebrations, students from Grades 5-8 at the Ottawa Catholic School Board created poppies that are sustainable, biodegradable, and can be worn and planted in gardens throughout the region. This initiative aimed to replace the traditional plastic poppies with eco-friendly ones. After spending the winter decomposing, the seed poppies germinated in the spring, blossomed, and symbolized hope.
As part of an educational collaboration with Fanshawe College and The Royal Canadian Legion, the Poppy Project provided teachers with lesson plans that included detailed instructions for creating poppies from seed paper. The lesson plans also featured a step-by-step guide for assembling the poppy, a pattern for the flower, a video/slide presentation of John McCrea’s poem “In Flanders Fields,” and the history and symbolism of the poppy. Neda Bernabo, OCSB Experiential Learning Consultant, said, “OCSB students were excited to participate in the project.” This hands-on and cross-curricular activity helped students learn about the poppy’s significance for Remembrance Day. For each kit purchased, $3 was donated to The Royal Canadian Legion.
To create the poppies, the students tore pieces of paper into small bits, soaked them in water, blended them, and drained the water. They then molded the material into small red flowers, adding a pin in the center. Nasim Askarinasab, an Early Childhood Educator at St. Anne School, believes that making paper poppies is an excellent way to educate students about the importance of replacing plastic ones.
The students had a wonderful learning experience as they delved into the rich history of poppies and the significance of Remembrance Day. However, they didn’t stop there; they also explored interesting topics such as environmental sustainability, science, social studies, literacy, arts, and much more. This project is an excellent example of innovative thinking, demonstrating that learning can be both engaging and meaningful. It’s amazing to see how education can stimulate the mind and touch the heart simultaneously.