Memorial Day Worksheets

Printable Memorial Day Worksheets and Puzzles

Memorial Day is a holiday that is dedicated to honoring those who were killed defending our country. This holiday falls on the last Monday in the month of May. The National Moment of Remembrance resolution was passed in December of 2000, which states that at 3 p.m. local time, all Americans should stop what they are doing and take a few minutes to remember our freedom and the servicemen and women that died giving us that freedom.

In honor of Memorial Day, we have added a bunch of printable worksheets that can be used in class. Plus, we have a very educational lesson plan explaining the history of Memorial Day. There are several activities to choose from, including crossword puzzles and reading comprehension worksheets. In addition, we offer educators a May monthly helper workbook to help keep organized with the many events that take place during May.

With the current military action across the world; we have to take the time to honor those that protect us in our respective nations. Right now thousands of husbands / wives, fathers / mothers, brothers / sisters, daughters / sons, and granddaughters / grandsons are giving their all to make sure we are safe a secure.

A wide range of help is available for Memorial Day Weekend. Memorial Day is always the last Monday in the month of May. The holiday is observed to honor men and women who gave their life while serving their country.

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Related Teacher Resources

Ways to Include Memorial Day in Your Classroom

Right before summer starts, the last Monday of May is when America commemorates Memorial Day. On this day, America remembers and salutes the people who have sacrificed their lives for their country as the brave soldiers of the United States military. These people, day and night, put their lives at risk so that the rest of the Americans can be safe within our borders.

On Memorial Day, Americans remember the lives that have been lost and the lives that are constantly at risk. To honor this day and the lives of the soldiers America has lost, people pay visits to memorials and participate in a series of parades, among other activities.

Originally Memorial Day was called Decoration Day. This was inspired by the old school tradition of decorating graves with flowers, flags, etc. Celebrations of this date actually go back in time to the Civil War; it was then it was first widely commemorated to honor the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers.

Right before heading into summer, this is an incredible time to teach something valuable to your students about the sacrifices of the American soldiers in the armed forces.

Here is a list of things you can do in your class to include Memorial Day as part of the calendar year activities..

1. Do You Know What It Is?

Before starting any activity regarding this holiday, it is best if you start discussions with your students about what Memorial Day is. There is a chance that not every student may know what this day entails and why we as Americans need to honor it. And if the students don't know, it is wise to give them answers that are simple and direct, such as, "On Memorial Day, we remember and pay respect to our fallen soldiers."

2. Bulletin Board for Revolutionary War Soldiers

This is an interesting and engaging way of making the Memorial Day part of your classroom. Bulletin boards are a great tool to represent certain themes or topics. Make teams of students and assign them different parts of the bulletin board to design. Some students can design small posters that honor the men and women whose lives were lost in the Revolutionary War. At the same time, other students can design posters with facts about the Revolutionary War. This activity is a great way of introducing the students to the concept of identity of soldiers and remembering their names is a way to immortalize them.

3. Writing Prompts

Ask your students to write an essay that honors the American soldiers who died for our nation. Ask your students to write brief journal pieces to reflect on Memorial Day. Do they personally know someone who is serving or has served in the armed forces? Help your students engage with their feelings about honoring our soldiers; this will help students form a deeper and organic perspective on the importance of this holiday.

Some prompt examples could include

- Why is it important to commemorate this Day?
- I appreciate the military because...
- How can we honor veterans?

4. Listen to War Stories

What is a better way to include the Memorial Day in your classroom than to invite somebody who either served in a war or is someone who has lived through a war.

This is an excellent activity as it will give students the opportunity to listen to real stories of war. It will also help your students to become active listeners. These real-life experiences will teach students that this holiday is more than just honoring soldiers, it is honoring their courage and commitment. They will learn to appreciate the American military, for all that they have done in the past and all that they continue to do.

5. War Bookstand

Reading is an incredibly informative habit, and it is a good way to appreciate and understand the world around us. In your class, have a small bookshelf to display books about war and Memorial Day for anyone wanting to read them. There are many books for different ages that provide useful information on these topics.

6. Learn About the American Flag

Memorial Day is when we honor our soldiers, so indirectly, we are also honoring the American flag because it is the flag some soldiers have given up their lives for. Therefore this is also a great time to teach your students about the American Flag and what it stands for.

It is not because students have not seen or are not aware of the flag, but students need to learn the sacrifices that went behind having a flag that represents their country and their identity. Students can also be crafty and create their own flags out of paper or cardboard, and they can color them according to the colors of the flag.

7. An Honorable Act

It is important for students to really grasp the sacrifices that our soldiers make for us, to earnestly honor these individuals. One way to do this is to ask your students to prepare a small act to honor our soldiers. The class can be divided into different groups, with different topics but all centering on the idea of honoring those who have lost their lives in war.

You can provide students with basic props to help them really get into their act. This activity will not only include Memorial Day in your classroom, but it will also help your students walk into the shoes of soldiers.

Concluding Reflections

Memorial Day is more than just parades. It is a day when America collectively pays respect to the soldiers who have given up their lives and prioritized the safety of their fellow Americans over everything else. Young children need to understand these sacrifices, so that they become more empathetic members of American society and that they understand what it means to be an American. Help your students understand all of this by incorporating Memorial Day in your classroom with these activities.