National Holidays

By Ayanna Sgolombis

 Content Area: Social Studies

Grade Level: 1st grade
Summary: The purpose of this instructional PowerPoint is to build upon
students knowledge of national holidays in the United States.
Learning objective: Given informational slides and hyperlinks to
websites, first grade students will be able to answer questions about
national holidays in America with 100% accuracy.
Content standard: 1.39 Use informational text to help describe the
importance of celebrating these national holidays:
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Presidents Day
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Columbus Day
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving Day

Facts

On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, January 15th, we celebrate the birthday
of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a civil rights leader during the 1950s and
1960s.
Watch this video to learn about the accomplishments of Martin
Luther King, Jr.
http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/famoushistoricalfigures/marti
nlutherkingjr/

On Presidents Day, we honor the lives of all past presidents of the

United States.
Presidents Day is officially called Washingtons day (George
Washingtons birthday).
Go to this website to learn more about Presidents Day
http://www.ducksters.com/biography/uspresidents/president_fun_fac
ts.php

Facts

On Memorial Day, we honor the memory of those who died fighting for our
country.
Memorial Day was first known as Decoration Day.
Go to this website to learn more about Memorial Day
http://www.ducksters.com/holidays/memorial_day.php

On Independence Day, we celebrate our nations independence from

English rule.
You may know this day as the Fourth of July, a day we often celebrate
with parties and fireworks.
Go to this website to learn more about Independence Day
http://www.ducksters.com/holidays/independence_day.php

On Columbus Day, we celebrate the day when explorer Christopher

Columbus discovered America.
Visit this website to learn more about Columbus Day.
http://www.ducksters.com/holidays/columbus_day.php

Facts

On Veterans Day, November 11th, we honor the lives of those who

have served in the U.S. armed forces.
Veterans Day was first called Armistice Day to mark the end of
World War I.
Go to this website to learn more about Veterans Day
http://www.ducksters.com/holidays/veterans_day.php

On Thanksgiving Day, we give thanks for the blessings in our lives.

The first Thanksgiving was held by the Pilgrims and Native
Americans in 1621.
Watch this video to learn more about the holiday of Thanksgiving
http://jr.brainpop.com/socialstudies/holidays/thanksgiving/

Question
Which of these holidays honors those who died for
our country?
Columbus Day
Memorial Day
Veterans Day

Correct!
On Memorial Day we remember those who died
fighting for our country.

Question
Why do we celebrate Independence Day?
America won its freedom from England.
America won its freedom from France.
Americans like to have a big party once a year.

Correct!
On Independence Day we celebrate Americas
freedom from English rule.

Question
In the video you watched about Thanksgiving, what
was being celebrated at the first Thanksgiving?
The discovery of America
George Washingtons birthday
A good harvest

Correct!
On the first Thanksgiving, the Pilgrims and the
Wampanoag celebrated a plentiful harvest.

Wrong Answer!
Try Again!

Summary
After viewing this PowerPoint, students will have
learned about national holidays in America.
Through visiting websites and watching videos,
students will have learned the reasons why we
celebrate these holidays and why it is important to
do so.