American Heroes and Holidays
Session 7: Independence Day (Fourth of July)

Materials

• Teacher-selected book about Independence Day (Fourth of July)
• Construction paper
• Crayons
• Calendar

Instructional Activities

1. Have the students share their knowledge of Independence Day (Fourth of July) on a KWL chart. Encourage the students to share family traditions that might occur on Independence Day (Fourth of July). Tell the students that Independence Day (Fourth of July) is observed in July.
   
   
2. Use the students’ background knowledge to introduce the history of Independence Day (Fourth of July).
   
   
3. Read a teacher-selected book about Independence Day (Fourth of July). Allow the students time to respond to the both the pictures and the text. Ask questions about the observations they make from the story.
   
   
4. Explain that on Independence Day (Fourth of July), the people of the United States remember when the United States became a new country. It is sometimes called America’s birthday.
   
   
5. Tell the students that on Independence Day (Fourth of July) bells ring, flags wave, drums beat in parades, and families get together for picnics. At night there are fireworks across the nation. All of these things remind us of the birthday of a free nation, the United States of America.
   
   
6. Assist the students to locate Independence Day (Fourth of July) on a July calendar.
   
   
7. Have the students draw a picture of how they observe Independence Day (Fourth of July).