As Memorial Day approaches, it's essential to teach students the significance of this solemn holiday. Memorial Day is a time to honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. While many people enjoy time with friends and family at barbecues and beach outings, it's crucial to instill a sense of reverence and respect for the fallen soldiers whom this day is meant to commemorate. As students and teachers prepare for a day off, here are some educational activities that you can do to help your students pay tribute to the nation’s heroes on Memorial Day.
The History of Memorial Day:
Start by providing students with historical context about Memorial Day. Discuss the origins of the holiday, including its evolution from Decoration Day after the Civil War to its current commemoration of all fallen service members. Explore significant events in American history and the stories of heroic individuals who made sacrifices for their country.
Letters and Cards:
I have a FREE card or letter-writing activity that is appropriate for Veteran’s Day or Memorial Day. Check it out HERE. Introduce the concept of a veteran to students and explain the history behind Memorial Day. Students can write cards or letters to place on graves or to send to living family members of fallen soldiers. They can also send cards to wounded veterans or activate service members.
Visit the Graves:
Read about Memorial Day with this book that includes music. Either go to your local cemetery that has soldier’s graves or take students on virtual tours of national cemeteries, war memorials, and historical sites dedicated to honoring veterans. Many local courthouses have memorials to the wars near them. If you are unable to go in person, use online resources and multimedia presentations to provide immersive experiences that bring history to life and allow students to pay their respects from afar.
Guest Speakers:
Invite veterans, active-duty service members, or family members of fallen soldiers to speak to students about their experiences and the importance of Memorial Day. Hearing firsthand accounts can provide students with a deeper understanding of the sacrifices made by those who served in the military. If you are unable to get someone to come in, this short video of a veteran talking about his service is good. Do be warned, there are some clips of him holding a gun but nothing violent is shown or discussed in this video. I also thought the overall message of trying to make someone’s life easier was a good one.
Meaningful Memorial Day Crafts:
Engage students in hands-on activities to create patriotic crafts that honor the memory of fallen soldiers. Ideas include making poppy flower pins, creating American flag-themed artwork, or assembling care packages for deployed troops. These crafts can serve as tangible reminders of the significance of Memorial Day.
Memorial Day Observance:
Organize a school-wide or classroom observance to honor fallen soldiers. Hold a moment of silence, recite the Pledge of Allegiance, and lower the flag to half-staff as a symbol of respect. Encourage students to participate in readings, poetry recitations, or musical performances that pay tribute to veterans and their families.
Memorial Day Parade:
Host a mini Memorial Day parade within the school or local community. Have students create posters, banners, or flags for the event. They can incorporate music by learning the national anthem and other patriotic songs. Invite local veterans' organizations or military units to participate and share their stories with students.
Service Projects:
Encourage students to participate in service projects that support veterans and their families. Ideas include organizing fundraisers for veteran charities, writing letters of appreciation to deployed troops, or volunteering at local veterans' hospitals or retirement homes.
Heroic Storytelling:
Encourage students to research and share stories of individual soldiers who gave their lives in service to their country. Provide resources such as obituaries, biographies, documentaries, or online archives where students can learn about the lives and experiences of these heroes. Then, invite students to create presentations or oral narratives to share with their classmates, highlighting the bravery and sacrifice of these fallen soldiers.
Flag Etiquette Workshop:
Teach students about proper flag etiquette and protocol for displaying the American flag on Memorial Day and throughout the year. Discuss the significance of the flag's colors, symbols, and folding techniques. Demonstrate how to raise and lower the flag respectfully, and explain the importance of treating the flag with dignity and reverence. Then, invite students to practice flag-folding and participate in a flag-raising ceremony as a symbolic gesture of respect for fallen soldiers.
Memorial Day Reflection Journals:
Provide students with reflection journals or writing prompts to encourage them to express their thoughts and feelings about Memorial Day. Prompt students to reflect on the meaning of sacrifice, the importance of honoring veterans, and the impact of war on individuals and communities. Encourage students to write poetry, essays, or letters to fallen soldiers or their families, expressing gratitude and appreciation for their service and sacrifice. These reflection journals can serve as valuable tools for fostering empathy, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence in students. HERE is a blog post about different prompts you might give students to write about Memorial Day.
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