Lessons Activities and Resources to Support the Commemoration of Veterans Day

VETERANS DAY
LESSON PLANS
GRADE LEVEL/COURSE: Social Studies, Grades 9 -12
TITLE:
Medal of Honor: Portraits of Valor Beyond the Call of
Duty
OBJECTIVES:
1. Identify the major wars (conflicts) the United States has been involved in since
the birth of our nation.
2. Trace the history of the Medal of Honor from its inception in 1861 to the present
(number of recipients, conflicts, three forms of the medal. etc.)
3. Describe the history of Veterans Day
4. Describe the heroic acts performed by one or more of the six medal recipients
living in Idaho
SUGGESTED TIME:
Two – Three Class periods in addition to research and preparation
MATERIALS NEEDED:
1. Handout from the State Historical Society with picture of the Medal of Honor
2. Internet access
3. Viewing the PBS documentary, American Valor, www.pbs.org
4. Library research
DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES:
Class #1 –
Discuss what is a “hero” or being “heroic.” Look up the definitions. How can those
definitions be improved? The class lists the characteristics they think are important for a
hero. What is the class definition of a “hero?”
The class lists their heroes and classifies them into categories. Suggested categories
could include sports heroes, heroes connected to popular culture (musicians, actors,
etc.), historical figures, local or personal heroes, or heroes from literature or fiction. Are
heroes important in every day life? Are heroes from the past still important today?
Discuss heroes connected to a certain event or time period in history. These can be
political leaders, military personnel, or individuals mentioned in history books. What is
the current opinion of military heroes? Ask if anyone has heard of the Medal of Honor.
Recipients of the award are never called “winners.” This is a different kind of award.
Read the medal’s inscription “For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life