Memorial Day - Classroom Activities, Lessons and Printables
Featured Memorial Day Resources
What Is Memorial Day and Why Do We Celebrate It?
Memorial Day is an important national holiday which honors and remembers those who died serving in the U.S. military. Once known as Decoration Day, this holiday originated following the American Civil War, when many cities held observances in May for the families of soldiers killed in battle, and citizens placed flowers on the graves of the loved ones they’d lost. Following World War I, its name changed to Memorial Day and the day was used to honor those lost in all American wars. Memorial Day celebrations can include parades held in towns and cities across the country, visits to cemeteries or memorials as well as social and family gatherings over the Memorial Day weekend.
When Is Memorial Day 2022?
Originally observed on May 30 every year, Memorial day is now observed on the last Monday in May. This was changed in 1971 to allow for a three-day weekend to be created. Memorial Day 2022 will take place on Monday, May 30.
How to Celebrate Memorial Day in the Classroom
Incorporate these Memorial Day worksheets, activities and printables into your curriculum to honor the men and women who lost their lives in American wars. Help your students to understand the significance of Memorial Day with lesson plans and teaching resources for learning about the U.S. Civil War, World War I, World War II and the Vietnam War, as well as the heroes and heroines who have served the country in various ways. These reading comprehension activities are a great opportunity to expand students’ knowledge and patriotic art activities are a fun way for students to help decorate your classroom ready for this holiday.
Educational Videos
View our short videos about Memorial Day and extend your students' knowledge with the extension activities prepared for each video.Printables
Your students will enjoy learning about Memorial Day with these printables. Includes a reading passage on the origins of Memorial Day, a writing exercise, and more.- American Flag (in color)
- Memorial Day Activities
- Memorial Day Word Scramble
- Stars and Stripes -- First Draft
- Patriotic Songs
- American Patriotic Pencil Wrap
- More Memorial Day Printables
Lesson Plans
Our Lesson Plans will help students understand Memorial Day with activities such as reading a poem for the day and writing a class newspaper about armed conflicts the U.S. has been involved in.References
Refer to our resources on Memorial Day to enhance your lessons and expand students' learning.- World War II: Timeline
- "Star-Spangled Banner"
- United States Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
- Battles That Changed History
- National Cemeteries
- U.S. Congressional Medal of Honor
- U.S. Casualties in the Major Wars
- More Memorial Day References
Art, Music, & Drama Activities for Memorial Day
Add these fun activities, such as filling in the blanks with words to patriotic songs, to enhance your Memorial Day lessons.Memorial Day Language Arts Activities
Choose from these activities to help students expand their knowledge. Includes reading passages with comprehension questions and more.- The History & Poetry of "In Flanders Fields"
- The Wall: Literature Guide for Teachers
- "In Flanders Fields"
- Three Famous Americans in the Civil War
- War and Peace
- Stars and Stripes -- First Draft
- More Memorial Day Language Arts Activities
U.S. Flag Resources
Help students learn about the flag of the United States as a Memorial Day activity. Includes the flag's history and display requirements.- American Flag (in color)
- More Flag Facts
- When and How to Display the U.S. Flag
- Stars and Stripes -- First Draft
- Patriotic Songs
- More Flag Day Teacher Resources
Other Memorial Day Resources
If you enjoyed these resources for Memorial Day, click the links below on our resources for more patriotic activities.Choice Boards
Give your students the power of choice with these 9-activity choice boards focused on Memorial Day writing, reading, and research.Heroes & Heroines Resources
Teach your students about current and past citizens, as well as military personnel, who have served the United States in various ways with our resources.U.S. Civil War Resources
Expand your teaching strategies using our resources. Includes warm-ups, and reference information, as well as, an activity that divides your classroom and helps students learn hands-on about the Civil War.- April Activities: Thomas Jefferson's Birthday & the Pony Express
- Chronology of Conscription in the U.S. -- Colonial Era to 1999
- Slavery & The Civil War Videos & Activities
- Memorial Day Videos & Activities
- A Classroom Divided
- Nonfiction Reading Warm-Up: The American Civil War
- The Underground Railroad
- More Popular U.S. Civil War Resources
World War I Resources
Students will be engaged learning about World War I with our resources. Includes a word search puzzle on major battles, a writing activity, and internet research about propaganda.- Veterans Day Videos & Activities
- Battles of World War I
- Fourteen Points Writing Exercise
- The Lusitania
- WWI Propaganda
- Weapons of War
- Treaty of Versailles
- More World War I Teacher Resources
World War II Resources
Investigate World War II and increase your students' knowledge using our resources which include reading passages with activities, a printable book containing activities, and much more.- October Activities: United Nations Day "Country Quilt" Bulletin Board & the Statue of Liberty
- The Holocaust
- World War II Printable Book (5-12)
- Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl Discussion Guide
- Number the Stars
- Crack the Code -- The Holocaust
- WWII Printables Slideshow
- More World War II Teacher Resources
Vietnam War Resources
Discuss and help students understand the Vietnam War time period using these reading passages, critical thinking writing activities, and more.- Events in the Vietnam War
- Historical Fiction Reading Warm-Up: Protesting Vietnam
- The Wall: Literature Guide for Teachers
- Okay for Now Educator Guide
- Anti-War Protests
- War Is... Author Notes
- When Zachary Beaver Came to Town Common Core Teacher's Guide
War Resources for Social Studies Class
These War Resources for Social Studies Class will help your students learn what is defined as a "war" or "warlike", as well as, help you teach students about difficult events that take place in the U.S. and around the world.Browse Memorial Day Resources
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ACTIVITIES
Memorial Day Coloring Pages Packet
Celebrate Memorial Day in your classroom with these fun coloring pages Students from preschoolers to elementary grades ... -
ACTIVITIES
National Anthem Crossword Puzzle Activity with Answer Key
Challenge students to find important facts about the national anthem using this crossword puzzle activity, perfect for c... -
ACTIVITIES
Memorial Day Crossword Puzzle Activity with Answer Key
Help your students learn about the history and meaning of Memorial Day with this crossword puzzle and research activity.... -
ACTIVITIES
Memorial Day Word Search Printable Activity and Answer Key
Challenge students' vocabulary skills with this printable Memorial Day word search puzzle activity that features 24 them... -
CHOICE BOARDS
Holiday Choice Boards Essentials Kit
110 pages of holiday choice boards - student choice activities and worksheets for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, an... -
ACTIVITIES
A Classroom Divided Civil War Activity
A great way to interactively teach your students about the conflict between the average Americans who fought in the Civi... -
REFERENCE
Timeline: Conscription in the United States, 1620-Present
Does the U.S. still have the draft? Were there actually draft riots in America? Did half of George Washington's army rea... -
DAILY WARM-UPS
Nonfiction Reading Warm-Up: The American Civil War
Connect history and literacy with a reading passage on the American Civil War and comprehension questions. This printabl... -
TEACHING RESOURCE
Talking With Children About War and Violence In the World
Talking to students about Ukraine? Educators for Social Responsibility has prepared this guide for adults who are conce... -
EDITOR'S COLLECTIONS
Memorial Day Activity Packet
Help your students celebrate Memorial Day (May 31) with this themed packet of classroom activities for ELA and Social St... -
LESSON PLANS
The History & Poetry of "In Flanders Fields"
Learn about the history behind "In Flanders Fields" while reviewing tetrameter and sonnet form. This is an excellent les... -
VIDEOS
Veterans Day Videos & Activities
Learn about the significance of Veterans Day, November 11, through educational videos paired with extension activities. ... -
WORKSHEETS
Anti-War Protests
Use the words in this worksheet to complete the paragraph about anti-war protests. Encourage critical thinking with ques... -
BOOK GUIDES
The Wall: Literature Guide for Teachers
The Wall is the story, told from a young child's point of view, of a father and son who visit the Vietnam Veterans Memor... -
WORKSHEETS
Treaty of Versailles
Teach pupils about the five major peace treaties that ended World War I with this printable activity. In addition, pupil... -
WORKSHEETS
Mapping the War: World War II
This activity reinforces map skills while integrating the importance of geography in a historical understanding of the m... -
WORKSHEETS
Memorial Day Word Scramble
Memorial Day, honoring military veterans who served in wars and armed conflicts throughout U.S. history, is celebrated o... -
ACTIVITIES
Memorial Day Videos & Activities
Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday in May. Learn about the history and traditions of Memorial Day with these ed... -
BOOK GUIDES
Slaughterhouse-Five
Slaughterhouse-Five is about the complex journey of Billy Pilgrim. The novel follows Pilgrim through many chapters of hi... -
WORKSHEETS
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
An illustration and explanation of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This printable will be useful for classroom discuss... -
CHOICE BOARDS
Memorial Day Choice Board for Middle School
This Memorial Day choice board is flexible for use in class or as a remote learning resource. These reading, writing, an... -
CHOICE BOARDS
Memorial Day Choice Board for Elementary Grades
These Memorial Day classroom activities for second through fifth grade are a great way to build awareness of this meanin... -
ACTIVITIES
May Activities: Cinco de Mayo and Memorial Day
There are two activities highlighted in this May worksheet. First, make lunch bag pinatas to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Ne... -
BOOK GUIDES
When Zachary Beaver Came to Town Common Core Teacher's Guide
Set in the summer of 1971, When Zachary Beaver Came to Town by Kimberly Willis Holt is a coming-of-age story that deals ...