Memorial Day Discussion Prompts & Pause Points

Read the movie description that appears below the movie player on the Memorial Day Topic Page. Then use the following prompts to encourage class discussion before, during, and after watching the movie.

Before the Movie

What do you know about Memorial Day?

How does your family celebrate Memorial Day?

During the Movie (Pause Points)

Stop at the following times in the movie and ask questions or prompt a discussion to keep students focused and to assess their understanding before moving on:

Timecode 1:35: Why might Decoration Day have been renamed Memorial Day after the war was over?

Timecode 1:59: Why would fighting in a foreign war unite the North and South?

Timecode 2:47: How did the home front support WWII soldiers?

Timecode 3:05: How would creating a national Memorial Day unite the home front during a controversial war?

Timecode 3:59: Why might urban recruitment levels be lower?

Timecode 4:45: How does a national moment of silence encourage reflection?

After the Movie

What are some ways you’ve seen soldiers memorialized?

What would you put into a care package to send a deployed serviceperson?

*BrainPOP’s Discussion Questions and Prompts align to CCSS Speaking and Listening Standards.