American Holidays Teaching Resources
Explore the American holidays that shape US society with printable worksheets, bulletin board sets, digital centers, crafts and more elementary teaching resources created by teachers for teachers just like you!
This social studies teaching collection is curriculum-aligned and features resources that have been carefully reviewed and selected by the Teach Starter teacher team members for inclusion. That means that every resource is ready for your lesson planning, your classroom and your students!
New to teaching this section of social studies? Read on for a primer from our teacher team!
Why Is It Important for Kids to Learn About Holidays?
Ever wondered why we include holidays in the long list of social studies standards? Visiting the days that we, as Americans, set aside to celebrate is an important way to help our students understand the shared experiences and traditions that unite communities.
As we help shape the nation's future citizenry, looking at the historical context of celebrations from Presidents' Day to Memorial Day to Labor Day offers kids an opportunity to explore significant moments and figures that have shaped the United States while approaching the topics from a different — and often more approachable — angle. After all, many of our students have marked these holidays since before they even entered school, providing them with a familiarity that can spark enhanced interest in learning about the what, when and why of these important days.
U.S. Patriotic Holidays
American holidays are an integral part of the country's culture and heritage, so what are some of the holidays that you might broach in your social studies classes? Here are a few that would fall under the patriotic holiday umbrella.
- Independence Day (Fourth of July) — Steeped in history, July 4th celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from Great Britain.
- Memorial Day — This May date honors and remembers the men and women who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.
- Veterans Day — This November patriotic holiday honors all military veterans who have served in the United States Armed Forces.
- Flag Day — Celebrated in June, Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the United States flag on June 14, 1777.
- Presidents' Day — Celebrating the birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, Presidents' Day honors all past and present U.S. presidents.
- Constitution Day — This September holiday recognizes the signing of the United States Constitution on September 17, 1787.
- Patriot Day — This solemn patriotic holiday commemorates the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and honors the victims and heroes of that day. It's often marked as a national day of service.
- Armed Forces Day — This date in May (celebrated just before Memorial Day) recognizes and honors the men and women currently serving in the United States Armed Forces.
- Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day — Another day with deep history, this date observes the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and pays tribute to the lives lost.
- D-Day — An important day in both American and world history, D-Day commemorates the Allied invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, during World War II. It honors the bravery and sacrifice of the troops involved in the operation.
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Memorial Day Teaching Presentation
Reflect and show respect on Memorial Day with this informative teaching presentation.
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Poppy Craft - Pop Art Template
Create unique Veterans Day poppy crafts with a printable roll-a-design poppy art activity.
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Word Search - Memorial Day Words for Upper Grades
Build vocabulary skills with this Memorial Day word search for upper grades.
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Memorial Day - Poppy Craft Template
Reflect on Memorial Day and Veterans Day with this poppy template and reflective sentence starters.
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We the People - Constitution Day Coloring Page
Introduce your students to the Constitution and the Preamble with a fun Constitution Day coloring page.
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Constitution Day Coloring Sheet
Color in these Constitution Day coloring pages when learning about the reason we celebrate the holiday.
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Memorial Day Coloring Pages
Color in these Memorial Day coloring pages when learning about the reason we celebrate the holiday.
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Constitution Day - Poster Template
Demonstrate knowledge of the Constitution Day holiday in the United States with a Constitution Day poster project.
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Memorial Day Bulletin Board Display and Craft Activity
Reflect on those who have served our country with a Memorial Day craft and bulletin board kit.
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U.S. Patriotic Holiday Discussion Cards
Spark discussions about U.S. patriotic holidays with a set of 16 patriotic-themed discussion cards.
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If I Were President ...
A Presidents' Day writing activity.
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'I Have a Dream' Mobile
Celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. with this ‘I Have a Dream’ craft.
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Veterans Day Acrostic Poem Template
Show appreciation to military service members by writing Veterans Day Acrostic Poems with this printable soldier poem template.
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Printable U.S. Constitution Day Worksheet Pack
Learn about Constitution Day in the United States with a pack of printable U.S. Constitution worksheets for 2nd and 3rd grade.
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The Constitution for Kids - Bill of Rights Word Search
Find and discuss words related to Constitution Day with a printable Bill of Rights word search.
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Constitution Day Activity - Bill of Rights Banner
Help your students understand their citizens’ rights with a Constitution Day Bill of Rights Pennant Banner project.
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Memorial Day Collaborative Coloring Mural
Create a beautiful whole class wreath with this Memorial Day collaborative coloring sheet.
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Independence Day Reading Comprehension Pack
Enhance your students' comprehension, vocabulary, and writing skills with this nonfiction Independence Day reading passage and accompanying activities.
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Memorial Day Writing Center
Help your young students understand the meaning of Memorial Day with a vocabulary lesson and Memorial Day writing prompts.
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Founding Fathers Task Cards
Teaching history shouldn't be boring – turn it into an active activity with this bundle of task cards.
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Memorial Day Word Search - Primary
Build vocabulary skills with this Memorial Day word search for primary grades.
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Memorial Day Writing Craftivity
Remember and celebrate important heroes with this Memorial Day writing prompt and craft.
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Columbus Day Mini Book
Learn about Christopher Columbus and the Columbus Day holiday with a printable book for kindergarten and first-grade students.
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Independence Day Mini Book
Read, write, and draw to learn about Independence Day with a printable mini-book.
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Design-a-Currency
An activity for students to design a coin and paper bill.
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MLK Day Word Search
Identify the words and works of Martin Luther King Jr. in our MLK Word Search.
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Independence Day - Word Wall
Teach your students about the Fourth of July and inspire them to read and write with an illustrated Fourth of July Word Wall.
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Veterans Day Flipbook
Learn about the importance of Veterans Day with this engaging flipbook template.
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History of Veterans Day Timeline Worksheet
Sequence the history of Veterans Day with a Printable Veterans Day timeline cut and paste activity.
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3D Poppy Craft With Writing Prompts
Create unique Veterans Day crafts with a printable 3D poppy template with writing prompts
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How to Draw a Soldier Directed Drawing
Celebrate Veterans Day at school and encourage creativity with a How to Draw a Soldier directed drawing activity.
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Veterans Day Facts and Opinions Worksheet
Identify Veterans Day facts and opinions with a printable Veterans Day Worksheet.