Memorial Day Activities for Fourth Graders
Many kids may consider Memorial Day nothing more than the opportunity to attend cookouts with friends and family, enjoy a day off from school, and take a plunge in the local swimming pool. By fourth grade, however, children are old enough to learn about and understand the true meaning of this holiday that honors our fallen military members. Does this Spark an idea?
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Poetic Activities
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When it is hard to find the words to express what we're feeling, often a poem will do the work for us. Many poems exist that embrace the patriotic spirit of Memorial Day. Select one, such as "Americans in Strength," by Roger Robicheau, or "God Bless Our Native Land," by Frances E. W. Harper. Have the students memorize and recite the poem. Distribute copies of the poem printed on white paper and sheets of construction paper in shades of red, white and blue. Allow your students to "frame" their poem and create patriotic decorations, as they desire, to display around the classroom. Invite them to write their own poems expressing their feelings about Memorial Day as well.
War Activities
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In order to truly understand the sacrifice that American soldiers have made over the years, it's important that children be familiar with the wars we've been involved in. Choose one or more war and explain to your class the circumstances surrounding each. Let the class vote on which war they'd like to study in depth, such as the Revolutionary War, World War II or the Civil War. Explain that while war is not desirable, there have been times that war was a necessary course of action for our country. Have your students select a specific hero or battle to write a paper on and present to the class.
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Field Trips
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Nothing solidifies the concept of Memorial Day like a field trip. Choose a local veteran's cemetery, war memorial or military museum to visit as a group. Have the class make floral bouquets of red, white and blue flowers to place on the graves of the soldiers. Ask each student to write a paper about patriotic events they attend after the Memorial Day holiday. Gather their opinions on family outings they enjoyed to memorialize fallen family members, or parades they attended and what they saw there. Alternatively, arrange to have your students spend an afternoon volunteering at a local veteran's hospital or home.
Fun Activities
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Block out an afternoon and present fun Memorial Day activities for your class to enjoy. Create or download several word searches, crossword puzzles and hidden-picture activities that focus on Memorial Day. Record and play a series of patriotic songs in the background at a low volume while your students work. Bring in treats for the kids such as stickers of flags and stars, small bags of red, white and blue jelly beans, or rice cereal treats made with marshmallow and colored in a red, white and blue striped pattern.
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