Welcome! Preview Copy - Splash! Publications · Before reading about Valentine’s Day, activate prior knowledge by asking students to write down how they think Valentine’s Day

National Holidays © 2011splashpublications.com i

Welcome!

On behalf of Splash! Publications, we would like to welcome you to National Holidays, one of several books in our Primary Series. Since this curriculum was designed by teachers, we are positive that you will fi nd it to be a comprehensive program that uses Social Studies concepts to reinforce literacy and span the entire curriculum. We would like to take a few moments to familiarize you with NationalHolidays.

The FormatNational Holidays is a thirteen lesson program. Our goal is a curriculum that you can use the very fi rst day you purchase our materials. No lessons to plan, comprehension questions to write, or activities to create. Simply open the book and start teaching.

Center or Whole GroupNational Holidays can be utilized as a Center or in a Whole Group setting. No matter what you decide, we suggest that you read the lesson content aloud with your class. The comprehension questions and activities following the lesson content can then be completed as Center work or as part of your Whole Group instruction.

The Lesson PlansOn the next several pages, you will fi nd the Lesson Plans for NationalHolidays. The Lesson Plans clearly outline what students must do before, during, and after each lesson. Page numbers are listed so you that you will immediately know what you need to photocopy before beginning each lesson. The answers to all comprehension questions and activities are located on pages 96-104.

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Core Standards: The “Big Ideas”Core Standards help teachers prioritize instruction and connect the “big ideas” students need to know in order to advance. NationalHolidays is a reading-based program that fosters literacy in History and Social Studies for students in grades 1-3. At the same time that students are learning important factual content about our national holidays, they are meeting the Common Core Standards for English Language Arts by constructing and analyzing time lines for themselves and important events in history, strengthening vocabulary, comprehension, and decoding skills, making and utilizing maps, grids, and other diagrams to clarify text, distinguishing between true and false statements, and conducting short research projects to build knowledge and make connections to the “big ideas” in history.

The CopyrightText Copyright © 2011 by SPLASH! Publications, Glendale AzIllustration Copyright © 2011 by SPLASH! Publications, Glendale AzAll rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system without permission in written form from the authors. Pages in National Holidays may be reproduced by the original purchaser only for use in the original purchaser’s classroom and may not be sold or used for purposes other than those specifi cally permitted by the authors.

Illustrations and cover design by Victoria J. Smith

ISBN 978-1-935255-37-6Pre

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National Holidays © 2011splashpublications.com iv

Table of Contents

National Holidays

Holiday Pre Test ........................................................................ 1

Lesson One: Labor Day .............................................................. 5

Labor Day Reading Comprehension ............................................. 7

Who Am I? .............................................................................. 8

Circle Chart ........................................................................... 10

Lesson Two: Columbus Day ..................................................... 11

Columbus Day Reading Comprehension ..................................... 13

World Map ............................................................................. 14

Lesson Three: Veterans Day .................................................... 18

Veterans Day Reading Comprehension ...................................... 20

Veterans Day Medals .............................................................. 21

Lesson Four: Thanksgiving ...................................................... 24

Thanksgiving Reading Comprehension ...................................... 26

Grid Maps ..............................................................................27

Lesson Five: Pearl Harbor Day ................................................. 31

Pearl Harbor Day Reading Comprehension ................................. 33

Grid Maps ..............................................................................34

Lesson Six: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day ................................... 38

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Reading Comprehension .................... 40

Time Travel ........................................................................... 41

Lesson Seven: Valentine’s Day ................................................ 43

Valentine’s Day Reading Comprehension.................................... 45

Valentine Match-Up ................................................................ 46

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National Holidays (continued)

Lesson Eight: President’s Day....................................................55

President’s Day Reading Comprehension .....................................57

Find the Fib .............................................................................58

Lesson Nine: St. Patrick’s Day ...................................................65

St. Patrick’s Day Reading Comprehension ....................................68

Odd and Even Puzzle ................................................................69

Lesson Ten: Mother’s Day..........................................................70

Mother’s Day Reading Comprehension .........................................72

Mother’s Day Card ....................................................................73

Mother’s Day Tic • Tac • Toe ......................................................75

Lesson Eleven: Memorial Day ....................................................76

Memorial Day Reading Comprehension ........................................78

Time Travel .............................................................................79

Your Time Line .........................................................................81

Lesson Twelve: Father’s Day .....................................................83

Father’s Day Reading Comprehension .........................................85

Father’s Day Puzzle ..................................................................86

Lesson Thirteen: Independence Day..........................................87

Independence Day Reading Comprehension .................................89

Yes I Can! ...............................................................................90

Holiday Post Test ......................................................................92

Answer Pages ..............................................................................96

Bibliography .............................................................................. 105

Table of Contents

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1. Before beginning National Holiday Unit and reading about Labor Day, students will take a Holiday Pre Test (pps. 1-4)

After reading about Labor Day (pps. 5-6), students will:

• answer Labor Day Reading Comprehension Questions. (pg. 7)• answer “Who Am I?” riddles about workers. (pps. 8-9)• use “Who Am I?” riddle answers to complete a Circle Chart. (pg. 10)

2. Before reading about Columbus Day, activate prior knowledge by asking students to help you make a list of famous explorers. Record the list on the front board or overhead. Explain that today, they will be learning about famous explorer Christopher Columbus.

After reading about Christopher Columbus (pps. 11-12), students will:

• answer Christopher Columbus Reading Comprehension Questions. (pg. 13)• use cardinal directions to create a world map. (pps. 14-17)

3. Before reading about Veterans Day, activate prior knowledge by asking students to explain what the word military means. Solicit responses and explain that today, they will be learning about important people in the military known as veterans.

After reading about Veterans Day (pps. 18-19), students will:

• answer Veterans Day Reading Comprehension Questions. (pg. 20)• create and wear Veterans Day Medals. (pps. 21-23)

4. Before reading about Thanksgiving, activate prior knowledge by asking students to tell you what they ate for their last Thanksgiving meal. Explain that today, they will be learning about the First Thanksgiving meal.

After reading about Thanksgiving (pps. 24-25), students will:

• answer Thanksgiving Reading Comprehension Questions. (pg. 26)• use number and letter pairs to make a Thanksgiving puzzle. (pps. 27-30)

Lesson Plans

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5. Before reading about Pearl Harbor Day, activate prior knowledge by asking students to locate Hawaii on a map of the United States. Explain that today, they will be learning about a tragic event that took place in Hawaii many years ago.

After reading about Pearl Harbor (pps. 31-32), students will:

• answer Pearl Harbor Reading Comprehension Questions. (pg. 33)• use number and letter pairs to located important places on a World War II

map. (pps. 34-37)

6. Before reading about Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, activate prior knowledge by asking students to explain what they will change about the world when they grow up. Solicit responses and explain that today, they will be learning about Martin Luther King, Jr. and how he wanted to change the world.

After reading about Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, (pps. 38-39), students will:

• answer Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Reading Comprehension Questions. (pg. 40)

• create a time line of Martin Luther King, Jr’s. Life. (pps. 41-42)

7. Before reading about Valentine’s Day, activate prior knowledge by asking students to write down how they think Valentine’s Day started. Encourage students to share their answers. Explain that today, they will be reading a story about how Valentine’s Day may have started.

After reading about Valentine’s Day (pps. 43-44), students will:

• answer Valentine’s Day Reading Comprehension Questions. (pg. 45)• make and play the compound word game Valentine Match-Up. (pps. 46-54)

8. Before reading about President’s Day, activate prior knowledge by asking students to help you make a list of everything they know about George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Record the list on the front board or overhead and explain that today, they will be learning about these great men.

After reading about President’s Day, (pps. 55-56), students will:

• answer President’s Day Reading Comprehension Questions. (pg. 57)• Make and play the game Find the Fib. (pps. 58-64)

Lesson Plans

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9. Before reading about St. Patrick’s Day, activate prior knowledge by asking students to tell you what they want to be when they grow up. Solicit responses and explain that today, they will be learning about a man named Patrick who wanted to be a priest when he grew up.

After reading about St. Patrick’s Day (pps. 65-67), students will:

• answer St. Patrick’s Day Reading Comprehension Questions. (pg. 68) • distinguish between odd and even numbers to make a St. Patrick’s Day puzzle. (pg. 69)

10. Before reading about Mother’s Day, activate prior knowledge by asking students what special holiday they would like to create. Solicit responses and explain that today, they will be learning about the creation of Mother’s Day.

After reading about Mother’s Day, (pps. 70-71), students will:

• answer Mother’s Day Reading Comprehension Questions. (pg. 72) • follow written directions to create a Mother’s Day card. (pps. 73-74) • make and play the game Mother’s Day Tic • Tac • Toe. (pg. 75)

11. Before reading about Memorial Day, activate prior knowledge by asking students to write down what they think Memorial Day is. Have students share their answers. Explain that today, they will be learning about the history of Memorial Day.

After reading about Memorial Day (pps. 76-77), students will:

• answer Memorial Day Reading Comprehension Questions. (pg. 78) • answer questions about a Memorial Day time line. (pps. 79-80) • create a time line for their own lives. (pps. 81-82)

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12. Before reading about Father’s Day, activate prior knowledge by asking students to help you make a list of special things we do for our fathers on Father’s Day. Record the list on the front board or overhead and explain that today, they will be learning about the history of Father’s Day.

After reading about Father’s Day (pps. 83-84), students will:

• answer Father’s Day Reading Comprehension Questions. (pg. 85) • make a 12-piece puzzle by drawing a picture of their dad. (pg. 86)

Note: For best results, make copies of the blank 12-piece puzzle on tag board or card stock before having students draw their pictures.

13. Before reading about Independence Day, activate prior knowledge by asking students what they think the word independent means. Solicit responses and explain that today, they will be learning about the the history of Independence Day.

After reading about Independence Day, (pps. 87-88), students will:

• answer Independence Day Reading Comprehension Questions. (pg. 89) • follow written directions to place pictures on a grid. (pps. 90-91) • take a Holiday Post Test. (pps. 92-95)

Lesson Plans

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National Holidays © 2011splashpublications.com 1

1. When do we celebrate Labor Day?

a. August b. September

c. October d. November

2. Which holiday honors all of the workers in the United States?

______________________________________

3. Who was Christopher Columbus?

a. Our 1st president b. A famous explorer

c. A pilgrim d. An Indian

4. Which holiday honors men and women in the military who protect the United States during war?

______________________________________

Holiday Pre Test

Name _______________


Labor Day is the � rst Monday in September. This is the

day that we honor all of the people who work hard in our

country. We see many of these people every day. We

need to thank these men and women on Labor Day.

Teachers Teachers help us learn to read and write. They come

to school early to start the day. Teachers keep us safe

at recess. They check our work. At the end of the day,

teachers stay late to plan the

next day. Remember to thank

your teacher.

Bus Drivers Bus drivers are

everywhere. They take us to

and from school. In the city,

bus drivers take people to

work. Some bus drivers even take people on vacation.

Bus drivers must learn many rules to drive a big bus

full of people. The next time you get on a bus, remember

to thank the bus driver for working hard to keep you safe.

Labor Day

Lesson One


Name _______________

Labor Day

1. When do we celebrate Labor Day?

a. August b. September

c. October d. November

2. How do teachers help us?

a. they make us cry b. they put out � res

c. they help us learn d. they drive big buses

3. Who � ghts forest � res?

a. police of� cers b. � re � ghters

c. nurses d. bus drivers

4. Who will you thank on Labor Day? Explain why.

______________________________________

______________________________________

______________________________________


1. I help people feel better when they are sick.

Who Am I?

2. I � ght forest � res.

Who Am I?

3. I bake cakes and breads.

Who Am I?

4. I help children learn.

Who Am I?

5. I grow fruits and vegetables.

Who Am I?

Who Am I?

Directions: Cut out each word from the Word Bank. Glue the words into the boxes that answer the question “Who Am I?”

Name _______________

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Christopher Columbus was born in Italy. He liked to read

and learn about ships. Christopher wanted to be a sailor

when he grew up. He taught himself how to sail a ship.

He learned to read maps.

Three Ships In 1492, Christopher

Columbus got his wish.

The queen of Spain gave

Christopher three small

ships.

The ships were

named the Niña, the

Pinta, and the Santa

Maria.

The New World Columbus and his men set sail for the East Indies in

Asia. They planned to buy silk and spices for the queen of

Spain. The ships got lost. Christopher and his men never

made it to Asia. They landed in America. Columbus and

his men had found a whole New World.

Columbus Day

Lesson Two


World Map

Christopher Columbus was a map maker. He used the four main directions to make his maps. These directions are north, south, east, and west.

Columbus made his maps with a compass rose. A compass rose is a tool with arrows that point north, south, east, and west.

�N

S

W E

You can be a great explorer like Christopher Columbus! Just like Christopher, you will use a compass rose to � nd Earth’s seven continents and � ve major oceans. Continents are large areas of land. We live on the continent of North America.

Look at the World Map. Find North America on the map. By using your compass rose, you can see that the Atlantic Ocean is east of North America. Right whales live in the Atlantic Ocean.


1. Dolphins live in the Indian Ocean. The Indian Ocean is west of the continent of Australia.

2. There are alligators living on the continent of Africa. Africa is north of the Southern Ocean.

3. Sea lions live in the Paci� c Ocean. The Paci� c Ocean is west of South America.

4. There are furry badgers living on the continent of Europe. Europe is north of Africa.

5. The continent of Asia is home to moon bears. Asia is east of Europe.

6. Thousands of seals live on the continent of Antarctica. Antarctica is south of South America.

7. The Arctic Ocean is home to blue whales. The Arctic Ocean is north of Europe.

IndianOcean Africa

AntarcticaEurope Asia

Paci� cOcean

ArcticOcean


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South

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South

Am

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a

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Many years ago, a group of farmers lived in England.

They were not happy with England’s rules. The farmers

were not free to go to church where they wanted. They

couldn’t pray freely. The farmers left England and sailed

to America.

The May� ower The trip started on

September 6, 1620.

That was almost 400

years ago! The farmers

and their families left

England.

The farmers sailed

to America on the

May� ower. They

planned to sail to Virginia. The sea was very rough.

The May� ower got lost. The May� ower � nally landed in

Massachusetts.

The farmers named their new town Plymouth. They

chose John Carver as their leader. They wrote rules for

everyone to follow. Today, we call these settlers Pilgrims.

Thanksgiving

Lesson Four


Grid Maps

A grid map is a map divided by lines. The lines form squares. A letter and a number name each square.

Look at the grid below. Put your � nger on the � rst square in the top row. This square is A1. You should � nd a house in square A1.

Now move your � nger over to square A3. You should � nd a school in square A3.

Move your � nger to square C2. There is a factory in square C2.

1 2 3

1 2 3

C

B

A

C

B

A


A3

A1

Puzzle Pieces

A2

B1

B2B3

C1

C2

C3


Grid Maps

You already know that a grid map is a map divided by lines. The lines form squares. A letter and a number name each square.

Look at the grid below. Put your � nger on the � rst square in the bottom row. This square is D1. You should � nd some mountains in square D1.

Now move your � nger over to square D6. You should � nd a volcano in square D6.

Move your � nger to square B4. There is a cactus in square B4.

A A

B B

C C

D D

1

1

2

2 3

3 4

4

5

5

6

6

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Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Martin Luther King, Jr. was born on January 15, 1929.

He grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. Martin lived with his

parents and grandparents in a very large house. The King

family was black. In 1929, black people were

treated differently from white people.

Black children and white

children went to different

schools. They drank from

different water fountains.

They ate in different

restaurants. Black people had

to sit in the back of the bus.

Martin was a very good

student. He went to college.

He won awards for getting

good grades. When he was

19 years old, Martin became a

minister. A minister teaches

about God.

By 1955, Martin Luther King, Jr. was living in

Montgomery, Alabama. He had a wife and four children.

Martin was the minister of a large Baptist church.

Lesson Six


19

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19

56

19

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Nam

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______________


Martin Luther King, Jr.

was born.

Rosa Parks was arrested.

New laws were passed.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

gave a speech.

Martin Luther King, Jr. died.

Directions: Color and cut out the pictures below. Glue the pictures under the correct dates on the time line. Use what you have read about Martin Luther King, Jr. to help you.

Time Travel


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President’s Day

President’s Day is the third Monday in February. This

is the day that we honor two great presidents,

George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.

George Washington George Washington was born on

February 22, 1732. He grew up on a

farm in Virginia. George never went to

school. His father taught him at home.

The Revolutionary War When George was a child, the land

in America belonged to England. England

was a country thousands of miles across

the ocean. People living in America didn’t

want to belong to England anymore.

In 1775, the Revolutionary War started. The

Revolutionary War was fought between America and

England. George Washington was a leader in the war.

America won the Revolutionary War. The United

States of America became our country’s new name.

George Washington was chosen to be the � rst president of

the United States.

Lesson Eight


Find the Fib

A � b is something that is not true. In this activity, you will make a game called Find the Fib. Then you will see if your friends can tell the difference between the truth and a � b.

Directions: 1. Neatly color the pictures of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln on the 12 cards.

2. Cut out each card.

3. Choose 9 true facts. Cut out the facts. Glue them onto the blank side of 9 of your cards.

4. Choose 3 � bs. Cut out the � bs. Glue them onto the blank side of 3 of your cards.

5. Mix up your cards.

6. Number the cards from 1 to 12.

7. Make an answer sheet so you will know which facts are true and which facts are � bs.

8. Give your cards to a friend. See if your friend can tell which cards are the facts and which cards are the � bs!

George Washington

was born in 1732.

GLUE


Abraham Lincoln Cards


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True Facts

car

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____

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car

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____

car

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____

car

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Odd numbers end in 1,3,5,7, and 9. Even numbers end in 0,2,4,6, and 8.

Directions: Color all of the spaces with odd numbers orange. Color all of the spaces with even numbers green. You will see a St. Patrick’s Day surprise!

Name ________________

Odd and Even Puzzle

1 2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

1112

13

14

15

16

17

18

1920

21

22

23

24

25

26

1

2

3

430

8

12

136

18

29

22

618

2812

14

5

3 9 11

74

210

24 6

24

2

11

4

22 14

17

12 8

2618

1

2

8

6

30

1

320

10

24 121

5

2816

265

6

21

27

87

3National Holidays © 2011splashpublications.com 75

Directions: Color and cut out the squares with the daisies and roses in them.

Cut out the tic•tac•toe game board.

Find a friend and play tic•tac•toe!

Tic • Tac • Toe Game Board

Tic • Tac • Toe


Directions: Make a puzzle in the box below by neatly drawing and coloring a picture of your dad.

Cut out the puzzle pieces along the black lines. Give the pieces to a friend to put your puzzle together.

Father’s Day Puzzle


Name _______________

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