Introduction

Students will become familiar with famous people that are honored with a holiday.  They will investigate their lives and contribution to the history of our country.  Students that complete part 2, will research other famous people and explore the possibility of honoring them with a holiday.
 

Learners
This social studies lesson is differentiated to meet the needs of students in first through fifth grade.  This lesson is anchored in  social studies and involves technology and language arts to a lesser extent. 

Students will need to have basic internet, writing, note taking, and reading skills.
 

Curriculum Standards
1-5 Social Studies Standards
16.B.1b (US) Explain why individuals, groups,
issues and events are celebrated with local, state
or Lincoln's Birthday, Martin Luther King's Birthday,
Pulaski Day, Fourth of July, Memorial Day,
Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving).

16.A.2c Ask questions and seek answers by
collecting and analyzing data from historic
documents, images and other literary and
non-literary sources.

1-5 Language Arts Standards
1.B.2a Establish purposes for reading;
survey materials; ask questions; make
predictions; connect, clarify and extend
ideas.

3.A.2 Write paragraphs that include a
variety of sentence types; appropriate use
of the eight parts of speech; and accurate
spelling, capitalization and punctuation.

3.B.2a Generate and organize ideas using
a variety of planning strategies (e.g.,
mapping, outlining, drafting).

3.C.1b Create media compositions or productions
which convey meaning visually for a variety of purposes.

5.A.2b Organize and integrate information
from a variety of sources (e.g., books,
interviews, library reference materials,
web-sites, CD/ROMs).
 

Process

• Divide into groups of five
• Assign one famous person holiday from the list to each student

 Christopher Columbus
 George Washington
 Abraham Lincoln
 Martin Luther King Jr.
        Casimir Pulaski
 
• Take notes as you use links and other materials from the media center to research your famous person

Sources may include: Encarta, library books, internet
• For each person answer the following questions:

• Make a poster or Power Point of your famous person that supports the reason for their holiday
• Your project must include:
• a picture of your person
• a list or picture of their contributions to our country
• date we celebrate their holiday
• other interesting information

Part 1 would be completed by all students with help as needed.  Part 2 could be completed by students in grades 3-5 and by more independent learners in grades 1 and 2. Written portion is optional.

Resources Needed
Access to computers and internet
Media Center reference materials
poster board
art supplies