Definition:

Service is doing something nice or helpful for someone else.

Summary:
Many children have parents who are deployed in the military service. This book, written as a poem, addresses the challenges faced by these children who miss their moms or dads when they’re away from home for months. Military service that protects us and defends our freedoms is necessary but it’s hard for families who have to “lend” a beloved parent to provide this service. Even though it’s hard, the child in this story learns to be courageous as a result of “lending” his “superhero” dad. 

Lesson Objectives: 

1. This story is especially for students who have parents in the military. Students are more inclined to value a grownup’s commitment to military service as they read about why it’s important. 
2. Teachers can guide students to learn about the missions of each of the branches of the military. 

Guiding Questions: 

1. What does it mean when the narrator says, “I’ll lend you my daddy?”
2. Share about some of the moments when the boy missed his dad the most.
3. His mom explained why the boy’s daddy was doing military service. What did she say? 
4. What did the boy do that made him feel better?  
5. The boy learned how to be …. (fill in the blank) because of his dad’s service in the military.  
6. Share about what you know about your country’s military service. If you don’t know anything, ask someone who does. 
7. Do you have a relative who is in the military service? Find out about what they do. 
8. A veteran is someone who’s served in the military. Find out what you could do to thank someone who’s a veteran and do it. 
9. How do you think the boy’s dad felt when he received the gift package from his son? 
10. If you know a classmate with a parent in the military who’s been away for awhile, do something for them that will make them feel happy.