SOCIAL STUDIES

Unit 6: Understanding Celebrations Part 2: Families and Communities Celebrate

Cycle 1 Objective(s): S.1.14E Explain how patriotic customs and celebrations reflect American individualism and freedom.
Guiding Question(s): Customs, symbols, and celebrations help people remember important events and values. What are some ways we can remember something
Dec 4-8 important? Why does our school have a mascot (or symbol)? What does our mascot (or symbol) represent? Why do businesses use symbols? What do you think about
when you see the flag? Families have special ways (customs and traditions) to remember important events and ideas in their history. Why does your family celebrate
your birthday? What are some special days for your family? What is something that is important enough for your family to do it every day (or week, month, or year)?
Thursday Friday
ENGAGE AND CONNECT/INTRODUCE NEW GUIDED AND INDEPENDENT PRACTICE ENGAGE AND CONNECT/INTRODUCE NEW GUIDED AND INDEPENDENT PRACTICE/CLOSE
LEARNING LEARNING AND ASSESS
EVALUATE

Activity 1: Ask students: What are some
ways we can remember something
important? Have students brainstorm.
Tell students that today they will be learning
about how people celebrate national
holidays.
Read the book, Hurray for the Fourth of July
by Wendy Watson or read another book
about the Fourth of July. Have a discussion
on how students celebrate the Fourth of July
with their family.
Activity 2: Read Studies Weekly Week
11: Thanksgiving with students. Discuss
the story of Thanksgiving. Be sure to point
out & elaborate on the definitions of
custom and tradition.
Ask S to think of special customs they do
on Thanksgiving. (ex: watch parades or
football game)
Activity 3: Have S draw a picture on how
their family celebrates Christmas and
write one sentence to match their
drawing.
Activity 1: Ask a question: Why does your
family celebrate your birthday? Do a think-
pair-share. Explain that families have different
ways of celebrating holidays and important
events such as birthdays.
Activity 2: Read the book, Birthday Customs
Around the World by Sarah L. Schuette or
another book about birthdays around the
world. Have a discussion about how people
celebrate birthdays around the world. Is it
similar or different to the ways the students
celebrate?
Activity 3: Have students make a circle map on
how they celebrate their birthday here in the
U.S.A.
Assessment
Studies Weekly, Weekly Assessment, Week 11
(SW Teacher Resource Booklet)
Or
Students will write on a piece of paper one
thing that they learned about how families
celebrate important holidays or events such as
birthdays.

Academic Vocabulary: patriot/patriotism, tradition, freedom, legend, fable

Resources: Studies Weekly: Kagan Cooperative Structures, HISD Planning Guide