Today's Classroom Activities :

Memorial Day Classroom Activities

Our Flag
Reading/Art Before Memorial Day, read the book I Pledge Allegiance by Bill Martin, Jr. (Candlewick, 2002). Each page illustrates a phrase from our pledge and explains what it means. Provide red, white and blue paper so each child can make a flag like the one at the beginning and ending of the book.

Saving Angels
Reading/Phys. Ed. In preparation for Memorial Day, read together the picture book, Lisette's Angel by Amy Littlesugar (Dial, 2002). The story beautifully portrays what paratroopers look like in the night sky. Discuss why paratroopers are used in war and also why forest fire fighters use them. Call a local airport and ask if there are parachuters who would come and talk to your class. Ask your gym teacher if there is a physical education parachute in your district that the children could work with.

Heroes of Our Own
Writing/History In preparation for Memorial Day, May 31, have students interview family members who took part in World War II, Desert Storm and the wars in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, etc., Put together a display case or a classroom book of "Our Own Heroes." Invite those included to come in and see the finished project.

Stars of the U.S.A.
Art Provide each child with a piece of white paper and two different-sized star templates. Have the larger star traced first and then the smaller one placed inside it. The stars may be colored, painted or cut out and glued onto construction paper. Discuss the word citizen; What does it mean? What does being a citizen entail? Help each child write "Citizen…" followed by his or her name in the center of the star. Display the stars in time for Memorial Day.

Sensational Symbols
Social Studies/Art Provide students with a book like O, Say Can You See? America's Symbols, Landmarks, and Inspiring Words by Sheila Keenan (Scholastic Nonfiction, 2004) that explains the importance of our country's symbols. Have students make various kinds of collages of those symbols; some may wish to draw and paint; others may prefer collecting pictures from magazines and calendars; others may want to send away for postcards. Use a digital camera to photograph the collages and intersperse them with text (in the students' own words) in a PowerPoint presentation. Invite other classes in to view it as Memorial Day draws near.