Explain the history and meaning behind patriotic holidays and observances.
Students will identify patriotic holidays and observances to include, but not limited to, American Founders Month, Celebrate Freedom Week, Constitution Day, Independence Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Medal of Honor Day, Memorial Day, Patriot Day, Veterans Day.
| Name |
Description |
| Patriotism Fair | Students will create a schedule for a Patriotism Fair using their knowledge of four national holidays (Veteran’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Founders Month) and elapsed time. An extension activity is included for students to create a banner based on one of the holidays that could be used during an actual Patriotism Fair. |
| A Patriotic Holiday: Juneteeth Day | Students will examine a primary source (photograph) of a significant event related to Juneteenth Day and read a secondary source (summary history text) describing the history of the holiday and other pertinent information. They will answer questions about the primary and secondary source materials. Teachers will lead students in a class discussion about holidays and how to identify patriotic holidays. |
| A Patriotic Holiday: Constitution Day | Students will examine a primary source of a significant event related to Constitution Day and read a secondary source describing the history of the holiday and other pertinent information. They will answer questions about the primary and secondary source materials. Teachers will lead students in a class discussion about holidays and how to identify patriotic holidays. |
| A Patriotic Holiday: Independence Day | Students will examine a primary source (photograph) of a significant event related to or depicting Independence Day and read a secondary source (summary history text) describing the history of the holiday and other pertinent information. They will answer questions about the primary and secondary source materials. Teachers will lead students in class discussion about holidays and how to identify patriotic holidays. |
| A Patriotic Holiday: Medal of Honor Day | Students will examine a primary source related to Medal of Honor Day and read a secondary source (summary history text) describing the history of the holiday and other pertinent information. They will answer questions about the primary and secondary source materials. Teachers will lead students in class discussion about holidays and how to identify patriotic holidays. |
| A Patriotic Holiday: Veterans Day | Students will examine a primary source photograph related to Veterans Day and read a secondary source describing the history and meaning of the holiday. They will answer questions about the primary and secondary source materials. Teachers will lead students in a class discussion about holidays and how to identify patriotic holidays. |
| Patriotic Pyrotechnics | Students will learn about the history of using fireworks in Independence Day celebrations, recognizing that exploding fireworks are a source of both light and heat. They will explore primary and secondary sources to explain how our current firework celebrations reflect John Adams’ vision of "illuminations from one end of this continent to the other," as well as the inherent risks of fireworks in this integrated lesson plan. |
| A Patriotic Holiday: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day | Students will examine a primary source (photograph) of a significant event related to or depicting Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and read a secondary source (summary history text) describing the history of the holiday and other pertinent information. They will answer questions about the primary and secondary source materials. Teachers will lead students in class discussion about holidays and how to identify patriotic holidays. |
| Let's Celebrate: American Holidays | In this lesson plan, students will learn about various patriotic American holidays. The teacher will provide some direct instruction and students will work independently. Students will have the chance to demonstrate their understanding by completing a matching handout and selecting a holiday of their focus. |
| Holidays that Celebrate America | In this lesson plan, students will explore the history and meaning behind various patriotic holidays and make personal connections with those holidays including, Constitution Day, Memorial Day, Veteran’s Day, Patriot Day, President’s Day, Independence Day, and Medal of Honor Day.
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| Patriotic Holiday Computer Research: Part 1 | In this integrated lesson, the students will research a patriotic holiday or observance and will gather facts about the history and meaning behind the holiday. The students will collect information to be used in their future scratch projects for lesson 2. The students will work in partner groups to research using digital information resources to locate information about patriotic holidays. |
| Celebrate Constitution Day, Part 1 | Students will listen to and discuss information on the writing and content of the United States Constitution, in this lesson plan. They will organize summary information into a useful order that will help them create the coding for a Scratch program. This is part 1 of a 2-part series that integrates Civics, English Language Arts, and Computer Science. |
| Celebrate Constitution Day, Part 2 | In this lesson plan, students will create code in a Scratch based program that celebrates Constitution Day by presenting summary information on the writing and purpose of the constitution. This is part two of a two-part series that integrates Civics and Language Arts with Computer Science and Coding. |
| Patriotic Holidays with Scratch Coding - Part 2 | In this integrated lesson plan, students will use their prior research of a patriotic holiday or observance to create a Scratch presentation that demonstrates their understanding of the history and meaning behind the patriotic holiday or observance. The students will work in collaborative partner groups to pair program the Scratch project to reflect their research. The partner groups will then present their digital project to the class and conduct a class discussion on different patriotic holidays and observances. |
| Medal of Honor Day | In this lesson plan, students will explore the history and meaning behind Medal of Honor Day. Students will complete guided notes and design their own Medal of Honor. |
| The History of Constitution Day | In this lesson plan, students will explore the history and meaning behind the celebration of Constitution Day and explain how the Constitution impacts our lives today. |
| Patriotic Holidays & Observances | In this lesson, students will be introduced to patriotic holidays and observances. They will learn the meaning behind the holidays and observances, why they are celebrated, and complete a booklet to support their learning. |
