Education Program - Activities for Children

Walking Tour: African American Military Heroes

Mon, 21 Apr 2025 18:15:28 GMT

Learn about the lives of Tuskegee Airmen, members of the 369th Infantry Infantry Regiment (the “Harlem Hellfighters”), Medal of Honor recipients and more.

Throughout U.S. history, African Americans have fought bravely for the United States and distinguished themselves in combat. This walking tour includes gravesites and memorials that honor the service of these heroic individuals.

Length: 5 miles
Starting point: Section 40 (0.4 miles from Welcome Center)
Because this walking tour is quite long, we recommend completing it in smaller sections.

Materials

Walking Tour

Walking Tour: Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 19:01:00 GMT

Visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the gravesites of individuals related to the Tomb's history.

On November 11, 1921, an unknown American soldier who died in World War I was laid to rest at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. On this walking tour, you will visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the gravesites of several individuals who took part in the Unknown’s 1921 burial ceremony. You will also explore other sites in the cemetery that invite reflection on the sacrifices of those who gave not only their lives, but also their names and identities in the service of the United States.

Length: 2 miles
Starting point: Section 5 (.3 miles from Welcome Center)

Materials

Walking Tour: Memorial Arboretum

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 18:52:26 GMT

Arlington National Cemetery's 639 acres of rolling green hills, with nearly 9,000 trees, serve as a living tribute to the veterans and their family members laid to rest here. Our walking tours explore highlights of Memorial Arboretum.

In 2014, to commemorate its 150th anniversary, Arlington National Cemetery established this historic landscape as Memorial Arboretum. In 2018, Memorial Arboretum was accredited as a Level III Arboretum--one of only 24 institutions worldwide to maintain this prestigious accreditation. While strolling through these hallowed grounds, consider how the landscape contributes to Arlington's mission to honor and remember the service and sacrifice of individuals buried here.

Distance: 2.5 miles for regular walking tour; 2 miles for school group walking tour
Exertion Level: Moderate
Starting point: Section 31 (.2 miles from Welcome Center)

Materials

Walking Tour: The Spanish-American War

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 18:49:23 GMT

Arlington National Cemetery contains more monuments and burial sites related to the Spanish-American War than any other location in the continental United States.

Learn about the historical significance of the Spanish-American War by visiting the gravesites of individuals who played prominent roles in it, as well as the USS Maine Memorial, the Spanish-American War Memorial and other monuments.

Length: 1.2 miles
Starting point: Section 24 (1 mile from Welcome Center)

Materials

Walking Tour: Women's Military Service

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 18:54:00 GMT

Women have played key roles in supporting the U.S. military, formally or informally, since the Revolutionary War. At ANC, gravesites and memorials mark numerous milestones in the history of women’s military service. As you explore the cemetery, consider how the stories of women in the military can deepen your understanding of well-known conflicts and societal progress, and think about how many more stories could still be told.

Distance: ~4 miles. Shorten your walk by taking the tram: click here for information.
Exertion level: High
Starting point: Section 35 (.7 miles from Welcome Center)

Materials

Lesson Plan: Nurses in the Spanish-American War

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 14:40:55 GMT

Students use primary source documents and other resources to learn about the role of female nurses during the Spanish-American War.

The lesson also explores the expansion of career opportunities for women in military medicine before and after the war, and it addresses the different experiences of white women and women of color. Resources include quotes, images and cards with profiles of individual nurses. Students complete a gallery walk or work in groups on a jigsaw of teacher-curated resources.

Elementary: One class period, 45-60 minutes total
Middle: 1-2 class periods, 60-75 minutes total
High: 1-2 class periods, 60-75 minutes total

Teacher Materials

Student Materials

Elementary School Student Materials (PDF)
Middle School Student Materials (PDF)
High School Student Materials (PPT)

Lesson Plan: Freedman’s Village at Arlington

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 14:38:06 GMT

Freedman’s Village was a federally administered temporary community of formerly enslaved African Americans established on the former Arlington estate in 1863.

In 1887, the government decided to close Freedman’s Village and evict the residents. After analyzing documents and summarizing the arguments on both sides of the issue—should Freedman’s Village be closed or remain open?—students choose their own stance and respond to a reflection question. For an extension opportunity, students can write a letter to the secretary of war explaining what they think should be done.

Elementary School: 1-3 class periods, 45-120 minutes total
Middle School: 1-2 class periods, 60-90 minutes total
High School: 1-2 class periods, 60-90 minutes total

Teacher Materials

Student Materials

Elementary School Student Materials (PDF)
Middle School Student Materials (PDF)
High School Student Materials (PDF)

Lesson Plan: The Freedpeople of Section 27

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 14:34:18 GMT

Although Arlington National Cemetery is a military cemetery, it contains a section where thousands of African American civilians were buried between 1864 and 1867.

Through a class lecture and exploration of a Section 27 burial record, students explore what life may have been like for free African Americans during the years surrounding the Civil War. Students will write a short obituary for one of the African American civilians on the burial record.

Elementary School: 1 class period, 45-60 minutes total
Middle School: 1-2 class periods, 70-90 minutes total
High School: 1-2 class periods, 70-90 minutes total

Teacher Materials

Student Materials

Elementary School Student Materials (PDF)
Middle and High School Burial Record Spreadsheet (Excel)

Walking Tour: Army

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 13:31:00 GMT

The Army is the oldest and largest service branch in the U.S. military, tracing its roots to the Continental Army established in 1775. Throughout its history, the U.S. Army has continually risen to meet the ever-changing needs of an expanding and diverse nation. This tour features individuals from throughout the Army’s history who exemplify this diversity and change, from enlisted soldiers to five-star officers.

Length: 5 miles
Starting point: Section 27 (0.5 miles from Welcome Center)
Exertion Level: High

Materials

Religion and the Military

Wed, 10 Jan 2024 15:17:00 GMT

Military service, especially in combat, can include severe stress and danger, chaos and loss, and risk of injury or death. In such circumstances, many people seek support and comfort from their religious faiths. Learn about the history of chaplaincy in the U.S. military, the role of chaplains at Arlington National Cemetery, and the diversity of faiths reflected by emblems of belief on headstones.

Materials

Walking Tour: Military Intelligence

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 18:38:00 GMT

Arlington National Cemetery is the final resting place of many individuals who shaped the United States’ modern intelligence programs — both military and civilian. This walking tour features the stories of major figures in the history of U.S. intelligence.

Distance: 3.5 miles
Exertion Level:High
Starting point: Section 30 (.2 miles from Welcome Center)

Materials

Activities for Children

Thu, 13 Jan 2022 15:01:00 GMT

Visiting Arlington National Cemetery with children? Check out our guide (with visitor tips and answers to common children's questions) and activity packets that will engage children while teaching them about the cemetery.

Materials

Memorial Arboretum: Seasonal Guides

Tue, 11 Jan 2022 18:36:00 GMT

Whether visiting in the spring, summer, fall or winter, there is always something to see in Arlington National Cemetery's Memorial Arboretum. Download our seasonal guides for recommendations on horticulture highlights for each season.

Materials

Walking Tour: African American Trailblazers

Mon, 16 Nov 2020 18:26:00 GMT

This walking tour celebrates the achievements of African American men and women in the U.S. military who made historic contributions to American society

Length: 5 miles
Starting point: Section 33 (0.5 miles from Welcome Center)
Because this walking tour is quite long, we recommend completing it in smaller sections.

Materials

Walking Tour

Lesson Plan: Who's Buried at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier?

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 18:49:00 GMT

Primary sources enable students to consider who might be buried at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and why he is buried there.

Optional materials discussing Memorial Day and Veterans Day, along with their connections to the Tomb, are also included. Students will use the information they learn to reflect upon what the Tomb and/or holiday means to American society and to them. Resources include PowerPoint presentations and student reflection worksheets.

One class period, 45-60 minutes total

Teacher Materials

Elementary School Lesson Plan
Elementary School Who's Buried at the Tomb PowerPoint
Elementary School Memorial Day PowerPoint
Elementary School Veterans Day PowerPoint
Middle School Lesson Plan
Middle School Who's Buried at the Tomb PowerPoint
Middle School Memorial Day PowerPoint
Middle School Veterans Day PowerPoint
Canvas Course: Find a digital version of this lesson in Canvas Commons. Questions about ANC Education on Canvas? See our how-to video and FAQs.

Student Materials

Lesson Plan: What Is the United States of America?

Mon, 02 Nov 2020 20:28:00 GMT

Students use maps to explore the concept of the United States of America as a nation and to learn about its geographic boundaries over time.

Resources for teachers include handouts and a PowerPoint-guided lesson on the United States' geographic expansion.

One class period, 35-45 minutes total

Teacher Materials

Lesson Plan (PDF)
PowerPoint (PPT)

Student Materials

Lesson Handout (PDF)

Lesson Plan: Spanish-American War Timeline

Mon, 02 Nov 2020 20:23:00 GMT

This timeline activity about the Spanish-American War can be used as an introduction, a review or at any time during a lesson/unit.

Timeline cards can be printed and ordered chronologically to give students an overview of events in the war.

One class period, 15-30 minutes total