Memorial Day comes near the end of the year for many school calendars, but that doesn't mean there isn't time for teachers to talk with their fourth graders about the importance of this holiday. Activities can tie into discussions about citizens' rights, national defense and personal responsibility, which are all part of the curriculum standards for fourth grade.
Parades are commonly held in celebration of Memorial Day. Fourth-graders can't participate in a live parade, but they can stage one in class. Teachers should talk to their students about the meaning of the holiday, and tie the discussion into related topics, such as the Bill of Rights and the role that soldiers play in defending the rights guaranteed to citizens. Students should create mini-floats out of shoe boxes that reflect the purpose of the holiday and the values associated with it. For example, one float could honor lost soldiers by including photos of famous war heroes or symbols like a United States flag over a tombstone. Other floats could include a model of a voting booth or a picture of the White House to represent the rights that soldiers fight to defend and the institutions that make the laws.
Teachers can help students understand the history and the values associated with Memorial Day by creating a research treasure hunt. The treasure hunt should include instructions for a book, article or website for students to visit and specific information to recover. Some examples of items to include on the treasure hunt include at least two rights guaranteed by the Declaration of Independence, explaining what branch of government regulates the military, or describing some of the responsibilities of citizens, such as voting or volunteering. The activity will help students hone their research skills and learn more about government and civics.
Report On a Soldier
Learning about the sacrifices that a specific soldier made can help students better understand the meaning of Memorial Day. Teachers can ask their students to create a report for the class on a relative or friend of the family who died while serving in the military. If students don't know anyone personally, they can choose a veteran that they discover through reading. The Vietnam War Memorial is one place to find names of soldiers to research. The report should include as much information as possible about the soldier, such as when he served, in what branch he served, and any awards he won.
Inviting an active duty soldier to talk with students can give them greater insight into the sacrifices that soldiers make. Teachers can reach out to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, a local military base, or personal acquaintances to find a soldier willing to make the visit. Teachers should ask the soldier to talk about what life in the military is like, why he chose to serve, what serving means to the country and what sacrifices he had to make. Students should be encouraged to ask plenty of questions to learn more about what being a soldier is like. The discussion can teach them about the responsibilities of citizenship and how the branches of government work together to protect individual rights.
- Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images