Celebrating Military Appreciation Month in Your Classroom

May is Military Appreciation Month—a time dedicated to recognizing and honoring the brave men and women who serve or have served in the United States Armed Forces. In Texas, a state with deep military roots and home to many service members and their families, this month presents a meaningful opportunity for educators to bring patriotic themes and real-world connections into their classroom.

Military Appreciation Month includes several important observances throughout May, such as Military Spouse Appreciation Day on the second Friday of the month, Armed Forces Day on the third Saturday, and Memorial Day on the last Monday. These dates offer natural entry points for classroom discussions about service, sacrifice, and the role of the military in American society.

Before the school year ends, consider inviting a veteran or active-duty service member to share their experiences with your students. These personal stories can help bring history and civic lessons to life and give students a deeper appreciation for the military community.

Writing letters to deployed service members is another meaningful activity. Students can express their gratitude while practicing their writing skills, and many national organizations help facilitate this kind of outreach. For younger learners, creative projects such as drawing thank-you cards or designing patriotic posters can be a simple yet heartfelt way to honor service members. These projects can also be shared with local VA hospitals or displayed around campus.

To further support military-connected students, Texas schools can pursue the Purple Star Campus Designation, recognizing campuses that show a significant commitment to serving military families. Learn more about this initiative in the recent atpenews.org feature.

Here are a few helpful resources for your classroom:

• U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA): Offers lesson plans and activity ideas to help integrate military appreciation into your curriculum.
• Library of Congress Veterans History Project: Provides primary source materials and stories to bring veterans’ experiences into the classroom.
• VA’s National Veterans Outreach Program: Features classroom-ready educational materials to teach students about veterans’ contributions.

Incorporating Military Appreciation Month into your classroom helps students better understand the value of service, the impact of military families, and the importance of remembering those who have sacrificed for our country. Whether it’s through a story, a conversation, or a creative project, Military Appreciation Month is a great opportunity to spark meaningful engagement and foster a culture of respect and gratitude in your classroom.