“Teaching ESL Elementary Students About Memorial Day: Essential Vocabulary to Know!”

Attention all elementary teachers with ESL students! Memorial Day is just around the corner, and it’s the perfect opportunity to teach your students about American culture and history. Memorial Day is a special day in the United States of America where we remember and honor those who served—and are currently serving—in the armed forces.

But wait, don’t stop there! Memorial Day is not just a solemn day of remembrance; it’s also an excellent chance to teach your ESL students some new vocabulary. Let’s dive into some essential words and phrases related to Memorial Day that your ELL students should know.

First up, we have the word “sacrifice.”

When we say someone made a sacrifice, it means they gave up something valuable or important to achieve a goal or gain something else. Memorial Day is a day when we honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice by giving their lives to protect our country and our freedoms.

Next, we have the word “honor.”

To honor someone means to show respect or admiration for them by praising them or doing something special in their memory. On Memorial Day, we honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice by remembering and thanking them for their service.

Reflexive Pronouns
Learn and Play!

Another important word for Memorial Day is “remember.”

To remember someone means to keep them in your thoughts, even if they are no longer with us. We remember those who fought for our freedom by visiting memorials, attending parades, and decorating gravesites with American flags.

Phrasal Verb Games

The “armed forces” is another essential term for Memorial Day.

The armed forces are groups of people whose job is to protect the nation from enemies, and they are often referred to as the military. On Memorial Day, we honor all branches of the armed forces—the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard—for their service and sacrifice.

Lastly, we have the word “veteran.”

A veteran is someone who has served in the military during wartime or peacetime, and they can be either active-duty members or retired members of the armed forces. Veterans are highly respected on Memorial Day, and some communities have special parades just for them!

By teaching your ESL students these keywords and phrases related to Memorial Day, you can help them better understand the significance of this holiday and the sacrifices made by those who serve in the armed forces. Encourage your students to share stories about their loved ones who have served or are currently serving in the military, as it can be a great way for them to learn more about American culture and history. So, go ahead and celebrate Memorial Day with your ESL students by learning some new vocabulary and honoring those who have given their lives for our country!

Happy Teaching!
Let’s Teach! Lori

Get organized for next year and make it your best year ever!

ELL Vocabulary and ESL Games
Everything You Need all year long to teach ESL/ELL!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *