Curated OER
Thomas Jefferson and the Declaration of Independence
Students examine readings and symbols to learn about the War of Independence and Thomas Jefferson. In this War of Independence lesson, students explore the role of Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration for Independence. Students answer...
Holiday Zone
Memorial Day Challenge
What do the American Revolution, Monday, and remembrance have in common? These are three of the 63 words you'll find in this word search dedicated to the major symbols, events, and features of Memorial Day.
Missouri Department of Elementary
Family Traditions
Honor family traditions with a instructional activity that examines the variety of winter celebrations. Class members discuss their family's traditions then complete a cut-and-paste practice page in which they match a picture to the name...
Curated OER
Symbols and Landmarks
Third graders study American national holidays, symbols, songs and landmarks. They appreciate the meaning and significance of our nation's ideals of liberty, justice and equality.
Curated OER
Kwanzaa: Invitations and Menus
It's time to celebrate Kwanzaa in the classroom! After studying the traditions of the holiday, learners design a menu decorated in the colors and symbols associated with Kwanzaa.
Curated OER
The Story of Kwanzaa
Celebrate Kwanzaa with a game of Kalah, also known as Mankala or Owara. Using an egg carton and a set of beans, players take all of the beans out of one of his or her cups and move to the right, dropping one bean into each of the next...
Curated OER
National Symbols of Japan: The National Flag and Anthem
Pupils explore the traditions and cultures of Japan. Classmates identify national symbols in the United States and Japan. They listen to the lyrics of Japan's National Anthem.
Curated OER
An Academic, Economic, Cultural, and Political Lesson Plan
Students reflect on how many board games they've played have African Americans, their culture or history incorporated within. They identify four street games and three card games that appeal to African Americans. They play the...
Curated OER
Kwanzaa
Students explore African American holiday of Kwanzaa, orally share ideas about whom they want to invite to classroom Kwanzaa celebration, create and print invitation to Kwanzaa using Publisher or Print Shop, and share completed...
Curated OER
Celebrating Thanksgiving
First graders identify symbols associated with special days and give reasons for observing holidays. They compare families of long ago with todya and talk about the first Thanksgiving and how it is celebrated in modern times. For...
Curated OER
How to Celebrate Kwanzaa on Your Campus
An article details everything you need to know about celebrating Kwanzaa at your school. An opening-day ceremony starts the seven-day holiday celebration followed a daily routine that includes a greeting, candle lighting, reciting an...
Curated OER
Create Your Own Lucky Charm
Learners create their own lucky charms. For this St. Patrick's Day lesson, students discuss symbols of luck. Learners make their own lucky charms out of clay.
Curated OER
Veterans Day
Fourth graders research the origin of Veterans Day and its purpose in the life of Americans today. Students begin the lesson by looking up key vocabulary. The teacher uses a media presentation to create interest. The class composes...
Curated OER
Holidays Around The World
Second graders investigate the different holidays that are celebrated in cultures around the world. They identify the different symbols used in celebration and differentiate the interpretation. Students demonstrate in writing how the...
Curated OER
Kwanzaa
Pupils create a "mkeka" (place mat). They explain how particular symbols and associated colors are used to focus attention to the meaning of an African-American celebration called Kwanzaa.
Curated OER
Holiday Celebrations
Fourth graders explore three cultural holidays and compare and contrast the ways varied cultural groups celebrate their heritage. They participate in activities that promote cultural understanding and good citizenship.
Curated OER
Writing: Wall of Peace Bulletin Board
Students discuss holidays dealing with patriotic national holidays or remembrances. After choosing a teacher-provided prompt. they write responses to it. They write their paragraphs on paper shaped like bricks and pin them to a "wall...
Curated OER
How Do We Remember We Are Free?
Students examine the Jewish enslavement and Exodus from Egypt to gain their freedom. They read and discuss the story, "The Reminder" and work in small groups to discuss the symbols and rituals of Passover and the Fourth of July. After...
Curated OER
Thanksgiving: Multiple Perspectives
Students examine different perspectives about Thanksgiving that include those of the European Settlers and the Native Americans. They read and discuss an article about Plymouth being "America's Hometown." They develop a landmark for...
Curated OER
How Do You Celebrate?
Investigate the customs of Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa with a holiday instructional activity. Pupils use a graphic organizer to compare and contrast the customs of each holiday before writing an informative paragraph about one...
Curated OER
What Is Kwanzaa?
Students use vocabulary related to Kwanzaa. They identify main ideas and details related to the celebration of Kwanzaa and summarize information about Kwanzaa. They make picture books appropriate for first and second graders.
Curated OER
Flag Day
Here are some activities based on Flag Day. Activities include reading a passage, phrase matching, fill-in-the-blanks, multiple choice, spelling, sequencing, scrambled sentences, writing questions, survey, and writing. There is a total...
Curated OER
Masks of Many Cultures: Celebrations of Life
Bring art and society together with this highly creative and interesting activity. Learners research various uses of masks in ceremonies. They then create a ceremony of their own and a mask to go along with it. They film themselves...
Curated OER
The Presidents of Mount Rushmore
Students understand the importance of Mount Rushmore as a national symbol. In this Mount Rushmore lesson, students locate Mount Rushmore on the map and investigate each of the four Presidents on Mount Rushmore. Students understand how...