While some students may just see Memorial Day as a day off from school, it is a great time to teach them about Memorial Day and why we celebrate it. It is important for them to know about those who gave their lives while serving our country.
Here are some ways you can teach elementary students about Memorial Day in your classroom.
- Start by giving them the definition. It seems simple, but this is something that not a lot of students know or understand.
- Read a book about the holiday. Don’t Forget, God Bless Our Troops by Jill Biden and Raul Colon is a great book written by the First Lady.
- Write a letter to a hero. If your students have any friends or family members that served they can write a letter to them. For other students you can have them write a letter to hero you select for them. This is a great way to give students perspective and a chance to express their gratitude.
- Discuss the difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day. On Veterans Day we celebrate those still living who served our country, on Memorial Day we celebrate those we lost.
My Memorial Day Writing Activity is the perfect addition to your lesson!
Perfect for students in first through third grade, you’ll get a variety of writing activities.
Included with this resource, you’ll get
- an informational sheet about the holiday
- acrostic poems with self rating systems
- Home of the Free Because of the Brave printable
- Informational writing planning page
- Informational writing page
- Thank you, Hero Letter
- Thank You Letter
- Posters for students to fill out
- Poster about informative writing
- Transitional words and phrases list
- Word wall words
- Rubric
You’ll get everything you need to get your students engaged in learning about our American heroes.
Looking for more teaching activities for May? Check out Mother’s Day ideas here!