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The role of the Armed Forces

Lesson Plan

1. Surprising contributions - Duration 5 mins

 

Episode

Learning Objectives

Resources

  • open this assembly play Video: Armed Forces Day Audio. Students will hear seven anonymous vox-pop recordings with each individual conveying in just a few words an 'extraordinary-ordinary' contribution they make (or have made) in the course of their jobs.
  • Natural preconceptions will lead students to view most of the roles described as civilian.
  • Capture attention.
  • Create humour & interest - introduce real people, diverse (age, background, race etc) without setting the context for the assembly.
  • Video: Armed Forces Day Audio

2. Through the keyhole - Duration 5 mins

 

Episode

Learning Objectives

Resources

  • Ask students to volunteer the range of roles described in the first episode. They are likely to suggest roles such as charity-worker, businessman, personal trainer, sportsman, teacher, policeman as well as Armed Forces personnel.
  • Consider the attributes required for the jobs suggested.
  • Indirect consideration of the wealth of contribution of members of the Armed Forces.
  • Association of the role of the Armed Forces alongside better understood / more familiar professions.
  • Flipchart or whiteboard

3. Reveal - Duration 5 mins

 

Episode

Learning Objectives

Resources

  • Play Video: Armed Forces Day Audio & Visual, which repeats the vox-pops, this time with a montage of images, which illuminates the context of each person's tale to reveal each of them as serving or ex members of the Armed Forces.
  • Discuss the implications of performing the roles identified previously, but in a military capacity rather than civilian.
  • Understand the breadth of roles played by the Armed Forces and consider the personal risk associated to these military roles.
  • Video: Armed Forces Day Audio & Visual

4. The role of the Armed Forces - Duration 5 mins

 

Episode

Learning Objectives

Resources

  • Slides and a video bring to life the diverse work of the Armed Forces, emphasising the global nature of operations and the contributions of serving men and women.
  • Ask students whether they know anyone in their family that has ever served (either alive or dead).
  • Understand the breadth of roles played by the Armed Forces.
  • Consider the impact and worth of every individual's effort as part of the whole.
  • Slides
  • Video: About the Armed Forces

5. Armed Forces Day - a celebration - Duration 5 mins

 

Episode

Learning Objectives

Resources

  • The final slides celebrate Armed Forces Day (which falls on the last Saturday in June), detailing the events taking place around the country and asking students to consider what they would like to do to commemorate the contribution made by members of the Armed Forces.
  • How we can celebrate and honour.
  • Our personal responsibility.
  • Slides