Sergeant Stubby history lesson plans and fun history project ideas for kids!
Use these kid activities centered around the animated Sergeant Stubby movie and Sgt. Stubby books about this famous dog in history.
Great for American history studies and World History crafts!
Fun Sergeant Stubby History Lesson Plans Ideas
Fun Ideas To Learn About The Sgt. Stubby Dog:
- Make your own Sgt Stubby dog history craft
- Watch videos about WWI
- Watch the Sergeant Stubby movie
- Make a history timeline of Sgt. Stubby’s life in the military
- Read a Sgt. Stubby comic
- Do a virtual field trip to the Museum of Natural History
- Get a free WW1 American history lesson plan (see below)
GET THE FULL LIST OF HISTORY ACTIVITY LINKS AND MORE IDEAS BELOW!
All About The Sgt Stubby Dog
What was Sergeant Stubby famous for?
Sergeant Stubby was a hero dog during World War I.
He was the mascot for the 102nd Infantry Regiment in the United States and the 26th Division in World War I.
Is Sgt Stubby a true story?
Yes!
Sgt Stubby was a stray dog who became friends with a soldier.
He was named a hero during World War I.
The dog has been called the “most decorated war dog of World War I.”
According to StubbyMovie.com:
In New Haven, Connecticut, the 102nd Infantry Regiment – part of the 26th “Yankee” Division – was drilling on the grounds of Yale University.
Private First Class Robert Conroy noticed a small brindle mutt wandering around the field, watching the Soldiers and searching for scraps of food.
He and his fellow doughboys developed a fondness for the dog, giving him a name that matched his unassuming personality and short, constantly-wagging tail: Stubby.
When the Yankee Division got orders to ship to France, Stubby somehow managed to find his way aboard.
When he was discovered, the scrappy little stray demonstrated his military training by saluting the commanding officer.
THAT’S WHEN STUBBY BECAME THE OFFICIAL DIVISION MASCOT.
Stubby saw action in 17 different battles and received critical wounds during a chemical attack.
Slate.com goes on to tell us:
[Stubby] met three sitting presidents, traveled the nation to veterans’ commemorations, and performed in vaudeville shows, earning $62.50 for three days of theatrical appearances, more than twice the weekly salary of the average American. For nearly a decade after the war until his death in 1926, Stubby was the most famous animal in the United States.
And, now there is a movie about Sergeant Stubby (which will make a great theme lesson)!
What breed of dog is Sgt Stubby?
Was Sgt Stubby a pitbull?
Sgt Stubby was a mixed breed stray dog.
Some say that he was a brindle bull terrier mutt, or pit bull mix, and others believe he was a Boston Terrier mix.
When did Sgt Stubby die?
Sergeant Stubby died in 1926.
He was around 10 years old.
How did Sergeant Stubby die?
Sergeant Stubby died in his sleep.
Where is Sergeant Stubby buried?
Sergeant Stubby is not buried, instead he was taxidermied.
While he isn’t exactly “stuffed,” apparently his skin is over a cast of the dog, with Stubby’s cremated remains inside.
Today, Sgt Stubby is part of an exhibit in the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.
Sergeant Stubby Fun Fact:
The dog actually had an obituary in The New York Times upon his passing!
Sgt Stubby: An American Hero Movie
Sgt Stubby’s story is now a movie (released in 2018 and re-released in 2026) and it’s FUN to use for history lesson learning!
The animated film Sgt Stubby: An American Hero Movie is based on this true story of a World War I soldier, Private First Class Robert Conroy, who found a stray dog and adopted him.
From the movie description:
With World War I looming, a young Army Pvt. Robert Conroy is adopted by a stray, stump-tailed terrier.
Conroy names his new friend Stubby and gives him a home, a family, and a chance to embark on the adventure that would define a century.
The two quickly find themselves in the trenches of France and on the path to history.
French soldier Gaston Baptiste befriends the duo and accompanies them along their epic journey through harsh conditions and incredible acts of courage.
Sgt Stubby Lesson Plans, World War I Activities, and History Projects For Unit Studies
The movie about Sergeant Stubby is great to pair up with your learning because there are so many different learning aspects — U.S. history, military, animals, compassion, and more!
EDUCATION TIP: Check out some of the best ways to create a unit study to go with Sgt Stubby: An American Hero movie.
Unit Study History Topics
- Watch the Sergeant Stubby movie
- Download an educator’s guide for Stubby the War Dog
- Read and watch videos about World War I
- Watch a video on how World War I started
- Read a fun Sgt. Stubby comic
- Get a free World War One Dog Hero lesson plan
- Learn about more animals during World War I
- Read about the history of the Purple Heart medal
- Look at a timeline of Sgt. Stubby and then make your own history timeline of Stubby
- Take a virtual field trip to the Museum of Natural History to learn more about Stubby
- Grab this book and make your own DIY Sgt Stubby for a cute history craft
- Create your own DIY sticker puppy history dog
Children’s Books About Sgt Stubby and History Kids’ Books To Read
- Dog Diaries #7: Sergeant Stubby
- Read Stubby the War Dog and then Listen to the author of Stubby the War Dog
- Read about World War I
- What Was WWI?
- Read Stubby: A True Story of Friendship and then grab the free book guide lesson plan printable to go with it
- NATGEO Kids WWI
TRY THESE THEME LESSONS NEXT
WONDER LESSON PLANS (BOOK AND MOVIE)
JUMANJI LESSON PLANS AND ACTIVITIES (BOOK AND MOVIE)
32 PADDINGTON BEAR LESSON PLANS AND ACTIVITIES (BOOK AND MOVIE)
WRINKLE IN TIME LESSON PLANS AND PROJECT IDEAS (MOVIE AND BOOK)
60 PETER RABBIT ACTIVITIES AND LESSON PLANS (MOVIE AND BOOK)
Have fun with these Sergeant Stubby History Lesson Plans and unit study ideas for kids!
