On Memorial Day in America, we remember and honor those in the armed services who have given their lives in the line of duty.
Poppies are often given out on Memorial Day as a symbol of those fallen men and women. This tradition comes from the first lines of the poem “In Flanders Fields” by Lieutenant Colonel John McRae, who wrote it during World War I and was remembering his fallen friends now buried in fields far from home.
Here’s the first stanza:
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
You can tell that the speaker has already passed on because he refers to the crosses that mark his place; in other words, a cemetery.
Now it’s your turn: If you were to choose something to distribute on Memorial Day other than a poppy to remember our fallen servicemen and women, what would you choose? Explain.
Or write your own poem about Memorial Day, fallen comrades, and servicemen and women who have died for their country.
Or write a poem or letter of thankfulness for what their sacrifice means to you or your country.
Click here to enjoy a Memorial Day prompt for middle school students.
A version of this prompt was first posted on SchoolhouseTeachers.com. You can go directly to SchoolhouseTeachers.com to sign up and take advantage of many exciting courses written for grades K-12. This post contains affiliate links at no cost to you.
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