Memorial Day for kids is a patriotic holiday that might seem intangible to most. Many Americans might be celebrating Memorial Day by going to a cookout with family members, know it’s a federal holiday and that banks are closed, and probably appreciate the fact they get a long weekend off school, but that is all the more reason to stop and teach your kids the importance of this day.
Here are a few ideas that will hopefully get them to honor the military families who have given he ultimate sacrifice.
Memorial Day Printable Coloring Pages
Memorial Day Printable Activities
Memorial Day Videos for Kids
Memorial Day Vocabulary List
Here are a few vocabulary words that would be great to share with students:
Armed Forces: military, naval, and air forces, especially of a nation or of a number of nations
Battlefield: the field or ground on which a battle is fought
Bravery: brave spirit or conduct; courage; valor
Cavalcade: a line of cars following for an event
Cemetery: place where people are buried
Declaration: a document embodying or displaying an announcement
Decoration: a badge, medal, etc., worn as a mark of honor
Defense: resistance against attack; protection
Fallen Soldiers: members of the military who were killed while protecting our country
Forefather: an ancestor
Hero: a person noted for courageous acts or nobility of character
History: past events
Homeland: one’s native land
Liberty: freedom from external rule; independence
Military Service: Soldiers in the armed forces
Old Glory: another name for the United States flag
Patriotism: devoted love, support, and defense of one’s country; national loyalty
Symbolism: the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities
Union: joining of different smaller pieces to create one larger unit
Valor: great courage in the face of danger, especially in battle
Interesting Trivia About Memorial Day:
Memorial Day is always the last Monday in May.
Memorial Day pays tribute to those who have died during military service. It is sometimes confused with honoring those who have served in the military. That is actually Veterans Day.
At 3 pm on Memorial Day, there is a moment of silence across the country.
Some other ideas:
- Stop at a local nursing home or veteran facility and have kids play a game with some of the war veterans. A quick conversation while playing Checkers or Bingo could really brighten a day for an honorable someone.
- Have kids record a video recording thanking the troops for our freedoms. Upload it and email to an overseas unit.
- Go on a mini-field trip in your hometown. Look for things to take photos of that describe the following vocab words: honor, memorial, Old Glory, freedom, patriotic
Below are also some great book links you might also want to check out (keep in mind that Flag Day will also soon be upon us). Below the books list is also three-pack of free worksheets for you to use as you please. 🙂
The Wall by Eve Bunting
F is For Flag by Wendy Cheyette Lewison
America’s White Table by Margot Theis Raven
In honor of Memorial Day, I created a few activity pages for the kids to do in observance of the holiday. Please enjoy the day and remember to reflect upon the meaning.
Have a great holiday everyone and make sure to appreciate all those who have made our freedoms a reality!
~Charity
This post originally appeared at Organized Classroom.
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