Lesson Plan

In Service of the Country

Activity booklet with yellow pencil — In Service of the Country Activity Booklet

NPS Photo

Grade Level:: Upper Elementary: Third Grade through Fifth Grade
Subject:: Social Studies
Lesson Duration:: 60 Minutes
State Standards:: State Standards: (Tennessee State Curriculum Standards for Social Studies): 4.32, 4.33, 4.34, 4.35, 4.36, 4.37, 4.39, 8.63, 8.64

Essential Question

What is a National Cemetery? Why is it important to preserve the history and burial sites within National Park Service managed National Cemeteries?

Objective

Students will learn about the 14 national cemeteries across the United States that are part of National Park Service units. Students will be able to define what a national cemetery is and where they are located on a map. Students will learn about the historical significance and events in U.S. history that connect national cemeteries to topics they are learning about in school, including: the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln and other significant historical leaders, the U.S. Armed Forces, and more.

Background

A National Cemetery is a military cemetery where people who served in the United States armed forces (and eligible family members) are buried. National cemeteries were originally created to honor U.S. soldiers who died during the Civil War (1861 – 1865). Now, national cemeteries serve as memorials to all United States military veterans. As of 2025, there are 164 cemeteries in the United States National Cemetery System. Out of 164 national cemeteries, there are 14 national cemeteries in the United States that are maintained by the National Park Service. This program will explore these 14 different national cemeteries and make connections to Tennessee State curriculum standards for Social Studies.

Preparation

Materials: Computer, Internet access to www.nps.gov websites, and “In Service of the Country” booklet (printed or digital)

Materials

Download In Service of the Country Booklet

Procedure

Virtually visit at least 5 national cemeteries in this booklet using the link on each page. Complete the pages (fill in the blanks) for the national cemeteries you virtually visit. Complete pages 18-19.

Vocabulary

Vocabulary:
Acre – a unit of land measurement.
Armed Forces – Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, and Space Force.
Battle – a sustained fight between large organized armed forces.
Cemetery – a place where people are buried after their death.
Civil War – a war between citizens of the same country.
Civilian – a person who is not in the military.
Confederates – members of the Confederate army or the Confederate States of America, which seceded from the United States.
Consecration – the action of making or declaring something sacred.
Enlist – to enroll in the armed services.
General – a general is the highest officer rank in the Army; a military leader.
Inter/Interred – buried in a grave.
Manage – to be in charge of something or someone.
National Park Service – an agency of the U.S. Department of the Interior that manages and maintains several hundred national parks, monuments, historic sites, and some national cemeteries. (NPS)
Secede – to officially leave a larger group or political union and become independent.
Siege – a military operation in which enemy forces surround a town or building, cutting off essential supplies, with the aim of compelling the surrender of those inside.
Soldier – a member of the military.
Treaty – an agreement made between two or more states, rulers, or nations.
Troops – a group of soldiers.
United States Army (U.S. Army)/Union – refers to soldiers who fought for the United States of America. The term “Union” is often used in curriculum and other sources to refer to the United States of America and/or U.S. Army during the Civil War.
Veteran – a former member of the armed forces (the military).
Victory – winning an argument, war, battle, or test.