The Great Divide: Military Deployment & Students

In college and graduate school, fledgling teachers learn about classroom management, different types of instructional methods, and lots of other pedagogical tools to help prepare them for life in their own classrooms. There are various situations that can crop up in the classroom, however, for which teachers have little or no preparation. School violence, drug and alcohol abuse by students (or parents), and divorce are a few issues that some teachers may have to address at some point in their careers.

There is another challenge that faces some students, however, that often goes unnoticed. The children of military parents face stresses such as frequent relocations, disruptions in their social relationships, and the prolonged absence of a deployed parent (sometimes two deployed parents). Do you have such students in your classroom?

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 1.7 million Americans had served in Iraq and Afghanistan by the end of 2008. About 43% of active duty service members are parents, and are often separated from their children for lengthy periods of time. Students with a deployed parent must adjust to the parent’s absence, the constant anxiety for that parent’s safety, and the fluctuating family dynamic both while that parent is gone, and again when he or she returns. Due to frequent relocations, the student may not yet have a close network of friends with whom to seek support. Throughout the active duty career of military parents, military children must undertake a cycle of disruption in their family lives, their locations and schools, and their social networks on a much larger scale than students of civilians. While some students thrive on the constant changes and adventures that a military lifestyle provides, others may struggle in finding a place to "fit in." Schools can often become a source of stability and normalcy for such students, especially those dealing with the deployment of a parent. The predictable routines of the school day, coupled with teacher and school sensitivity, can go a long way in keeping such students focused and grounded.

This week I’ve selected three resources that are geared specifically towards students of deployed parents. We’ll also be posting many more resources on this topic throughout the week on our Twitter and Facebook pages. Many of these resources can also be used as service learning projects, or in lessons about Veterans Day, or military service in general. Also, be sure to read Peggy’s column (linked below), as she has first-hand knowledge of the effect of deployment on students and their families.

How Many Stars in the Sky
Subjects: Language Arts, Family Life, Health
Grade: K-3
In this lesson, children will learn how to cope with the absence of a parent. One of the things that I like about this lesson is that it prompts ways for young children to articulate how they feel when a parent is gone for an extended period of time. The lesson also includes an extension activity where students can write their suggestions for how they cope with a parent’s absence, and compile them into a booklet for other children of deployed parents. This activity not only has children sharing their experiences in a cathartic way, but addresses character education standards as well. This lesson was created by Marcia Beene, the Regional Coordinator of National Guard Child & Youth Programs.

Working with Military Children: A Primer for School Personnel
Subjects: Health, Family Life
Grades: K-6
This guide for educators examines four major aspects of military lifestyle: separations or deployments, homecomings, relocation, and crises. Included are activities that teachers and counselors can use with individuals, or small or large groups of elementary school age children. The activities were designed to help children cope with the adjustments that a military lifestyle can demand. This guide is very comprehensive, and includes a handy pictorial on rate and rank classifications for all four branches of the military. This guide was created by the National Military Family Association, an organization that supports military families.

Making Hero Packs
Subjects: English Language Arts, Civics
Grade: K-12
This lesson plan can be used as part of a service-learning project, or as a standalone lesson. Students make Hero Packs, which are care packages made to thank children of deployed parents for their sacrifices made as a military kid. In addition to care package items, students also write friendly letters to the recipient of the Hero Pack. This lesson was produced by Operation Military Kids, a national initiative involving 49 states and the District of Columbia. Operation Military Kids design programs for military youth to help them find positive ways to cope with the stress of their parents’ deployment.