Hooray for Independence!

1. Students read information about their country's independence day. Or select another country about which to learn. Find out why and how this patriotic holiday is celebrated. Discover the traditions and symbols that are part of the nation's history and culture.
2. Using Crayola® Colored Pencils, trace one large symbol of the country, such as a heart, star, maple leaf, crescent moon, or dragon on cardboard. Cut it out with Crayola Scissors.
3. Students trace their symbol on white construction paper and cut it out. Decorate the construction paper with Crayola Markers. Use imaginative patriotic patterns and the country's colors. Attach the symbol to the cardboard with Crayola School Glue.
4. Draw smaller symbols on white construction paper and cut them out. Color them and glue a few of them on your larger symbol. Decorate some areas with Crayola Glitter Glue.
5. Punch holes in the bottom of your larger symbol and in the tops of the remaining smaller ones. Tie the smaller symbols to the larger one with ribbon or yarn.

LA: Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for the answers.

LA: Use information gained from illustrations (e.g., maps, photographs) and the words in a text to demonstrate understanding of the text.

LA: Read and comprehend informational texts, including history/social studies, science, and technical texts, in the grade level text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.

LA:Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.

SS: Give examples of and describe the importance of cultural unity and diversity within and across groups.

SS: Use appropriate resources, data sources, and geographic tools to generate, manipulate, and interpret information.

SS: Explore and describe similarities and differences in the ways groups, societies, and cultures address similar human needs and concerns.

SS: Give examples of and explain group and institutional influences such as religious beliefs, laws, and peer pressure, on people, events, and elements of culture.

VA: Use visual structures of art to communicate ideas.

VA: Select and use subject matter, symbols, and ideas to communicate meaning.

VA: Identify specific works of art as belonging to particular cultures, times, and places.

VA: Select and use subject matter, symbols, and ideas to communicate meaning.

Possible classroom resources include: Lives of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence by Benson J. Lossing; The Signers: The 56 Stories Behind the Declaration of Independence by Dennis Brindell Fradin; The First Independence Day Celebration by Jennifer Allen Krueger

Working in small groups, students write a short summary of how their selected country celebrates its independence day. Students create a sketch of symbols of the country to accompany the written summary. Provide a display area in the classroom for student writing pieces.

Students collaborate to compose an original song representing the independence celebrations of their research nation. Students select a melody to accompany the song. Ask the school's music teacher to assist with the song if needed.