The Poppy Project

A sustainable and interactive project for all ages that uses seed paper, the poppy is designed to be created and then placed in your garden to bloom in the Spring.

This project is an educational collaboration between Fanshawe College, The Royal Canadian Legion and schools across Canada.

The concept of the project is for students to create a sustainable poppy made from seed paper that they can wear to commemorate Remembrance Day. Classrooms will be able to use this interdisciplinary experience as a vehicle to teach about the history of the poppy, the importance of Remembrance Day and to connect with various curricular areas including science, social studies, literacy, the arts and beyond.

Please note: Poppy kit orders are now closed for the year. Kits will be available again starting September of 2025.

Teachers will receive lesson plans (created by Fanshawe College) that will include step-by-step instructions: how to make the seed paper, a pattern of the poppy, a guide to assemble the poppy, a video/slide presentation highlighting the poem ‘In Flanders Fields’ by John McCrea, the history of the poppy and its symbolism.

The kits include everything you need to create either the free form seed paper poppies or the petalled seed paper poppies in the form of a ‘top secret’ mission. The free form seed paper poppies are recommended for grades K–6, while the petalled seed paper poppies are recommended for grades 7–12.

Image

Remembrance Day and the Poppy

2021 marked the 100th anniversary of the Remembrance Poppy in Canada, a lasting symbol of hope since the First World War. In 1915, Canadian Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae wrote the poem, ‘In Flanders Fields.’

The concept of the project is for students to create a sustainable poppy made from seed paper that they can wear to commemorate Remembrance Day. Classrooms will be able to use this interdisciplinary experience as a vehicle to teach about the history of the poppy, the importance of Remembrance Day, and to connect with various curricula areas including science, social studies, literacy, the arts and beyond.

Included in every kit are step-by-step instructions on how to make the seed paper, a pattern of the poppy, a guide to assemble the poppy, a video/slide presentation highlighting the poem In Flanders Fields by John McCrea, the history of the poppy and its symbolism.

The poppy, adopted as the symbol of Remembrance by the Canadian Legion in 1921, became a huge commemorative success as millions of people pinned the bright red flower over their hearts to show their solidarity to the men and women who had made such great sacrifice.

Today, the Royal Canadian Legion continues its Poppy Campaign. The money raised provides financial assistance to veterans and their families, as well as funding for medical equipment, medical research, home services, long-term care facilities and much more. The remarkably delicate flower is a symbol of hope and a reminder to never forget those who gave their lives for our freedoms.

The Poppy Project would not have been possible without the assistance of our generous sponsors.

The Poppy Design is a registered trademark of The Royal Canadian Legion, Dominion Command and is used under license.

Le motif du coquelicot est une marque déposée de la Direction nationale de La Légion royale canadienne et est employée sous licence.

For questions about poppy kits or the Poppy Project initiative, please contact mcc@fanshawec.ca.