Memorial Day Lesson Ideas, Grades 9-12
Curriculum Resources that Reinforce the Meaning Behind Memorial Day Observances
Lesson Plans
Memorial Day: Graphing Our History of Sacrifice
Students in grades 3-12 use an online graphing tool to graph America's war dead to understand the significance of Memorial Day.
The Red Badge of Courage: A New Kind of Courage
Following a close reading of Chapter 23 of The Red Badge of Courage, students in grades 9-12 compare it to a more traditional tale of combat. Using their new understanding, students will select one of three published endings best suited to their understanding of Crane's exploration of values in the novel.
Edith Wharton: War Correspondent
Students in grades 9-12 read chapters of Edith Wharton's book, Fighting France, From Dunkerque to Belfort, explore an American correspondent's experiences during World War I, and create their own correspondence report.
Memorial Day
Additional grade 6-12 lesson plans, interactive online exhibits, and resources.
Background Resources
"The First Decoration Day"
A brief description of the May 1st, 1865 Charleston, South Carolina Memorial Day celebration.
The Other Decoration Day Speech
Text of speech given by Frederick Douglass at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, on Decoration Day, May 30, 1871
- Memorial Day History
- Americans Killed in Action, Numbers, American War Library
- The Women Who Gave Their Lives
- Poems about War
- The Poetry Foundation: War
- The Memorial Day Poppy
- The story behind the poppy
Video
- History of Memorial Day - 27 short videos
- To Appomattox and Beyond: The End of the War and a Search for Meanings
Describes what may be the first Memorial Day celebration in Charleston, South Carolina on May 1st 1865.
Puzzles
- Memorial Day Gathering (Difficult logic puzzle)
- U.S. Flag (Difficult)
- VA Kids Games & Activities - Word Jumble (Moderate to Difficult)
last updated: April 26, 2013
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