With Memorial Day just around the corner, now is a good time to start planning how to discuss the meaning of Memorial Day as well as the concept of sacrifice with your students. To help you start these conversations, we have listed several lesson plans below that you can use with your class to discuss the importance of observing Memorial Day on May 30. Additionally, you can watch our recorded Memorial Day webinar to learn tips on incorporating our lessons into your classroom.

Elementary Memorial Day Lesson Plans:

• America’s White Table – The book America’s White Table, read by Medal of Honor Recipient Hershel “Woody” Williams, offers students the opportunity to learn more about the history of the white table and the significance of each item placed on it. This lesson can spark a conversation about symbolism and the importance of honoring service members.
• F is For Flag – Did you know that one of the earliest flags carried by American soldiers had a pine tree in the corner? Or that the flag once had 15 stripes instead of 13? This lesson will teach students about the history of the American flag and different ways we can show pride for our country.
• Patriotic Poppies – We all have seen a buddy poppy at some point in our lives, but how familiar are we with its history? This lesson introduces students to Moina Michael, the creator of the buddy poppy, and asks students to think of different ways we can all honor fallen service members.

Middle and High School Memorial Day Lesson Plans:

• Memory in Their Words – It is important to remember the true purpose of Memorial Day: honoring and remembering the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. Military. This lesson introduces four Medal of Honor Recipients discussing the meaning of sacrifice, their fellow service members, and the importance of remembering.
• Honoring Their Memory – This lesson prompts students to reflect on how the sacrifices of one individual can impact an entire community. Medal of Honor Recipient Leroy Petry’s living history video shows students that the decisions we make, big or small, have the potential to change the lives of those around us.
• Remembering the Fallen Heroes of Normandy – Focusing on the stories of four Medal of Honor Recipients who participated in D-Day, this lesson teaches students about courage and sacrifice as well as the importance of honoring the memory of the fallen.
  
• Sacrifice and Memory – What do sacrifice and memory mean? By watching Medal of Honor Recipient Florent Groberg’s living history video, students will understand why Memorial Day is not only a time to honor those who gave their lives but also a time to honor memory.

Learn about the Fallen Medal of Honor Recipients:

In addition to the lessons above, you can encourage your students to learn more about the Medal of Honor Recipients who have fallen in service.

Our recent video about Medal of Honor Recipient Alfredo “Freddy” González focuses on the impact of his sacrifice and his lasting legacy after he gave his life for his fellow Marines during the action which would ultimately earn him the Medal of Honor.

Additional Memorial Day Activities:

There are many ways you can remember and honor fallen service members on Memorial Day. One way is to participate in the National Moment of Remembrance. This annual  moment of silence takes place at 3:00PM local time on Memorial Day, to remember those who died in military service. Another way to mark the day is by visiting a war memorial or a veterans cemetery in your town. You can bring flowers, a wreath, or a flag to leave in honor of the service members who died fighting for our country.

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