Lessons Activities and Resources to Support the Commemoration of Veterans Day

above and beyond the call of duty.” Give a brief history of the Medal of Honor.
Medal of Honor Partner Project:
Teams of students (3-6 on a team) gather information on a particular Medal of Honor
recipient of their choice or the teacher’s choice. Students do research using the library
and Internet, reading, taking notes and outlining. Each team assigns one or more
people to gather information specifically on the recipient with a brief biographical
summary and a summary of the action recognized by the Medal citation. Another
person or persons are assigned to establish the historical context. They “set the scene”
by writing a short summary of the military action, conflict or campaign connected to the
recipient. One or two people on the team are assigned to write the short-term and longterm
consequences of the heroic action. What happened to the recipient and to the
people he or she helped? Why do you think he/she was able to act with such heroism?
Was there a historical significance in this action? Was there a personal significance –
how did this change the recipient’s life?
Class #2 (After research and preparation)
Teams present their information to the class. The presentations can be made orally or in
Power Point. The class can decide if they will organize all of their presentations in a
notebook in paper form or as a computer site. Students should be prepared to listen
intently to each presentation and think of questions or comments on the subject. An
additional class may be needed to listen to all of the presentations. Ask the students if
this project changed their idea of a hero. Ask them to explain their reaction to reading
and hearing of these accounts of heroism. Some ideas for discussion include: How
does an ordinary person end up doing something so extraordinary? What were some of
the different actions of the Medal of Honor recipients? Some gave their lives and saved
their units or their friends; some saved their regimental flag being taken by the enemy;
or overcame overwhelming odds in a battle; or did something innovative and
unexpected to win a battle. Their action could be something done in seconds or
something done in years such as resistance as a Vietnam POW. Does this change the
class definition of a hero and being heroic?
Class #3 Additional presentations or class viewing of American Valor.
LESSON EXTENSION:
Writing activities: After researching and learning about Medal of Honor recipients,
students can write an essay on heroes in their personal lives.