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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Labor Day Vocabulary Cards and Writing Center
Learn about Labor Day and write sentences using academic vocabulary with a Labor Day word wall and printable writing templates.
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Presidents' Day Writing Prompts
Celebrate Presidents’ Day and your growing writers with writing worksheets for Kindergarten and first grade.
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Constitution Day Writing Craftivity
Create a Constitution Day bulletin board with a writing and craft activity for primary grades.
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Conversation Hearts - Template
Turn this set of 18 conversation heart templates into a variety of teaching resources leading up to Valentine's Day.
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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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President's Day Crafts - Biography Writing Template
Encourage students to dive into writing a biography Abraham Lincoln or George Washington with a printable Presidents’ Day Craft template.
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Veterans Day Writing Craftivity
Create the perfect Veteran’s Day bulletin board with a student-made Veteran’s Day writing and craft activity.
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Patriot Day Writing Craftivity
Celebrate important heroes with this Patriot Day writing prompt and craft.
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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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Presidents' Day Craft - If I Were President
Learn about Presidents’ Day with an “If I Were President” writing and craft activity.
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Understanding the Preamble Worksheets
Sequence and understand the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution with printable Preamble activity sheets.
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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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Presidents' Day Word Wall Vocabulary
Read, write, and learn about the Presidents' Day holiday with the help of a Presidents' Day word wall!
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President's Day Snap Cube Center
Create a snap cube station for your February Math Centers with a printable set of Presidents’ Day snap cube cards.
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Presidential Oath of Office - Vocabulary Activity
Learn new vocabulary while studying the Presidential Oath of Office with this differentiated activity.
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Veterans Day Activity - Brochure
Research and write about the history of Veterans Day with a printable Veterans Day brochure template.
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Thanksgiving Word Wall Vocabulary
Build vocabulary and inspire holiday writing with a free Thanksgiving word wall.
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Printable Dog Tag Veterans Day Card
Spend time writing letters to veterans and gift them a heartfelt Veterans Day dog tag thank you card.
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Veterans Day Vocabulary Cards and Writing Center
Help your kindergartners and first graders understand the meaning of Veterans Day with a Veterans Day Write the Room display.
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Constitution Day Graphic Organizer
Organize your Constitution Day learning with a printable U.S. Constitution Day graphic organizer.
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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 Craft - Printable Bracelets
Create a wearable Memorial Day bracelet with these printable wrist bands.
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Illustrated Word Wall — Presidential Words for Presidents' Day
Learn about Presidents’ Day vocabulary with an illustrated presidential word wall for elementary grades.
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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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Groundhog Day Word Wall Vocabulary
Print a set of 48 Groundhog day vocabulary cards to use on your February Bulletin Board display.
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United States Patriotic Symbols - Holiday Worksheets
Build and write sentences about patriotic holidays in the United States with a group of six holiday sentence-building worksheets.
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Celebrate America Mini Book
Read and write about the major national holidays in the United States with a printable mini-book for primary readers.
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Memorial Day Teaching Presentation
Reflect and show respect on Memorial Day with this informative teaching presentation.
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If I Were President ...
A Presidents' Day writing activity.
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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.
- American Holidays Templates
- American Holidays Worksheets
- American Holidays Word Walls
- American Holidays for Kindergarten
- American Holidays for 1st Grade
- American Holidays for 2nd Grade
- American Holidays for 3rd Grade
- American Holidays for 4th Grade
- American Holidays for 5th Grade
- American Holidays for 6th Grade