Social Studies, United States History

Grade 1- 3

Objective

Students will learn about the history of Memorial Day and complete activities with a Memorial Day theme.

Directions

Memorial Day Facts

• Memorial Day is a patriotic holiday in the United States. It is celebrated on the last Monday in May each year.
• It began as a day to honor the men and women who died in the Civil War.
• On Memorial Day we honor all the men and women who have died in all the wars fought by the United States.
• Memorial Day is celebrated in many ways. Many businesses, schools, and banks close in honor of the holiday.
• Often, families go to the cemetery to add flags to the grave sites of war veterans.
• Parades and picnics are other ways this holiday is celebrated.

1. Discuss the meaning of the word "memorial."
2. Make flags to decorate the classroom or homes.
3. Invite a guest speaker from the military to visit the class.
4. Make cards for the veterans in the community.
5. Compose an acrostic poem with the word "memorial."

Resources

• Memorial Day Fun activity sheets
• pencils
• scissors
• crayons
• construction paper