Everyday Civics - Virginia Standards of Learning

American Heroes and Holidays

Standard of Learning

K.1	The student will recognize that history describes events and people of other times and places by
	a)	identifying examples of past events in legends, stories, and historical accounts of Pocahontas, George Washington, Betsy Ross, and Abraham Lincoln;
	b)	identifying the people and events honored by the holidays of Thanksgiving Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, and Independence Day (Fourth of July).

Content

Identify Betsy Ross as the lady who is believed to have sewn one of the first flags for our country.

Identify the people and events honored on the following holidays:

Thanksgiving Day: This is a day to remember the sharing of the harvest with the American Indians (First Americans). It is observed in November.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: This is a day to remember an African American who worked so that all people would be treated fairly. It is observed in January.
Presidents’ Day: This is a day when we honor all presidents of the United States, especially George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. It is observed in February.
Independence Day (Fourth of July): This is a day to remember when the United States became a new country. It is sometimes called America’s birthday. It is observed in July.

Sample Resources

Below is an annotated list of Internet resources for this organizing topic. Copyright restrictions may exist for the material on some Web sites. Please note and abide by any such restrictions.

“Abraham Lincoln.” EnchantedLearning.com. <http://www.EnchantedLearning.com/history/us/pres/lincoln/index.shtml> There is a brief biography of Lincoln on this Web page as well as links to a timeline, quizzes, and a line drawing of Lincoln.

“American Icons.” Kidport. <http://www.kidport.com/RefLib/UsaHistory/AmericanIcons/AmericanIconIndex.htm>. This Web page has links to information about several national symbols, including George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Independence Day, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the American flag.

“American Independence Day: Fourth of July Theme.” A to Z Teacher Stuff. <http://www.atozteacherstuff.com/themes/july4th.shtml>. This Web page provides arts and crafts projects, activities, games, coloring pages, and more about Independence Day.

The First Thanksgiving. Scholastic, Inc. <http://teacher.scholastic.com/thanksgiving/index.htm>. This interactive Web site provides an illustrated timeline of the early settlers’ first year in America, “interviews” with members of the Mayflower’s crew, depictions of life in Plymouth, and an online game that teaches facts about Thanksgiving.

“George Washington.” EnchantedLearning.com. <http://www.EnchantedLearning.com/history/us/pres/washington/index.shtml>. This Web page offers a Washington timeline, activities, and coloring printouts.

“Martin Luther King, Jr.” EnchantedLearning.com. <http://www.EnchantedLearning.com/history/us/MLK/>. This Web page provides a biography, a timeline, activities, and quizzes about Martin Luther King, Jr., as well as information about other famous African Americans.

Matusevich, Melissa. “Social Studies Curriculum Resources Poster Sets.” <http://chumby.dlib.vt.edu/melissa/posters/posterset.html>. These visual posters include exact language contained in the Curriculum Framework for kindergarten.

Pemberton, Anne. “Abraham Lincoln.” Famous Americans. Educational Synthesis, a Division of the Enabling Support Foundation. <http://www.educationalsynthesis.org/famamer/Lincoln.html>. This Web page provides links to various biographies of Abraham Lincoln.

Pemberton, Anne. “George Washington.” Famous Americans. Educational Synthesis, a Division of the Enabling Support Foundation. <http://www.educationalsynthesis.org/famamer/Washington.html>. At this Web page, teachers can find a biography of George Washington as well as many links to additional information about Washington’s life and career.

Pemberton, Anne. “Pocahontas.” Famous Americans. Educational Synthesis, a Division of the Enabling Support Foundation. <http://www.educationalsynthesis.org/famamer/Pocahontas/>. This Web page provides links to a biography of Pocahontas, quizzes and projects, and a list of resources for further information about Pocahontas. (This page needs repair, but has good information.)

Pemberton, Anne. “Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.” Famous Americans. Educational Synthesis, a Division of the Enabling Support Foundation. <http://www.educationalsynthesis.org/famamer/King.html>. Teachers can find links to information about Martin Luther King, Jr., and the holiday that honors him at this Web page, as well as a timeline of the Civil Rights Movement and some of Dr. King’s papers.

“Pocahontas.” Jamestown Rediscovery. Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities. <http://www.apva.org/history/pocahont.html>. This is a biography of Pocahontas that includes resources for further reading.

Simmons, Sheila A. “President’s Day.” Schools of California Online Resources for Education (SCORE): History/Social Science. San Bernadino County Superintendent of Schools. <http://score.rims.k12.ca.us/activity/presidentsday/>. This Web page offers information about George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, along with activities and a list of resources for further reading.

www.whitehousekids.gov. <http://www.whitehouse.gov/kids>. This Web site provides information about the White House and U.S. Presidents.