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Classroom Resources

Monthly Themes

Independence Day

Writing Prompt

Opinion Essay:

The Fourth of July is an important holiday that celebrates the independence of the United States. Have students write an opinion essay that explains why they think this holiday is important.

Activities

Grades K–3: Social Studies
Fourth of July Parade

Many communities hold a traditional Fourth of July parade with floats and marching bands. Children can create their own neighborhood parade by decorating bikes, scooters, wagons, strollers, and other toys with red, white, and blue streamers and assorted decorations.

Grades K–3: Social Studies
Color the Presidents

George Washington was the top Revolutionary War general and the first President of the United States. Thomas Jefferson helped write the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. He was the third President. Have kids color their pictures.

Grades K–8: Language Arts
Ecards

Students can send patriotic or humorous ecards to wish someone a Happy Independence Day.

Grades 1–3: Social Studies
Amazing Liberty

Send your child through a maze to reach the friendly Mr. Liberty.

Grades 1–8: Social Studies
Mixed-up Eagle

How quickly can your child put this American symbol back together?

Grades 1–8: Social Studies
A Sparkling Fourth

Children's sense of patriotism will ignite when they create a personal fireworks show set to patriotic music.

Grades 1–8: Social Studies
Quizzes

Test your kids' knowledge about independence.

  • Independence Day (grades 1–2) (PDF file)
  • http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/july/pdf/independence_1-2_quiz.pdf
  • Independence Day Answer Key (grades 1–2) (PDF file)
  • http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/july/pdf/independence_1-2_quiz_key.pdf
  • Independence Day (grades 3–5) (PDF file)
  • http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/july/pdf/independence_3-5_quiz.pdf
  • Independence Day Answer Key (grades 3–5) (PDF file)
  • http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/july/pdf/independence_3-5_quiz_key.pdf
  • Independence Day (grades 6–8) (PDF file)
  • http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/july/pdf/independence_6-8_quiz.pdf
  • Independence Day Answer Key (grades 6–8) (PDF file)
  • http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/july/pdf/independence_6-8_quiz_key.pdf
Grades 1–8: Language Arts/Social Studies
Word Finds

Have kids find words related to Independence Day hidden in a puzzle.

  • Independence Day (grades 1–2) (PDF file)
  • http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/july/pdf/independence_easy_wf.pdf
  • Independence Day Answer Key (grades 1–2) (PDF file)
  • http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/july/pdf/independence_easy_wf_key.pdf
  • Independence Day (grades 3–5) (PDF file)
  • http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/july/pdf/independence_med_wf.pdf
  • Independence Day Answer Key (grades 3–5) (PDF file)
  • http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/july/pdf/independence_med_wf_key.pdf
  • Independence Day (grades 6–8) (PDF file)
  • http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/july/pdf/independence_hard_wf.pdf
  • Independence Day Answer Key (grades 6–8) (PDF file)
  • http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/july/pdf/independence_hard_wf_key.pdf
Grades 2–4: Social Studies
Concentrate!

Have children test their memory skills by matching common United States symbols.

Grades 2–5: Social Studies/Language Arts
It's Our Party!

July 4th is the birthday of the United States. Have kids plan a birthday party. Ask them to make up an invitation list of famous Americans, past and present. (Guests could include George Washington, Clara Barton, Martin Luther King Jr., and President Bush.) Ask them what would be good gifts for the country. Have them plan popular American food and patriotic decorations. (Food could include hot dogs, tacos, and pumpkin pie; decorations could include flags and streamers.)

Grades 3–5: Reading/Social Studies
An American Girl

Felicity is a fictional girl who lived during the time of the American Revolution. Have your child learn what life was like for children during this time, and then write a short story using Felicity as the main character.

Grades 3–5: Social Studies/Language Arts
This Town is Our Town

Have kids turn the famous Woodie Guthrie Song “This Land Is Your Land” into their hometown song by replacing words such as “California” and “Redwood Forest” with local landmarks and locations.

Grades 3–8: Language Arts/Social Studies
Fourth Letters

Children can write to a friend or relative telling about their plans to celebrate the Fourth of July or why they like celebrating the country's birthday.

Grades 3–8: Social Studies/Art
American Symbols Coloring Pages

Print out copies of American symbols, such as the Liberty Bell and the Great Seal, and have your students color them.

Grades 3–8: Social Studies/Language Arts
Word Scrambles

Can your students unscramble these Independence Day words?

Grades 4–8: Social Studies
Color an American Symbol

Children can learn more about the Great Seal of the United States while they color.

Grades 4–8: Social Studies
Presidential Bills

Have kids test their knowledge about which U.S. President is on which U.S. bill.

Grades 5–8: Social Studies
An American Adventure

Have kids take a multimedia, interactive adventure along with early American colonists on the way to independence. Children can also answer questions as they travel.

Grades 5–8: Language Arts/Social Studies
Independent Declarations

Have your child paraphrase one or more paragraphs of this extraordinary document.

Grades 5–8: Social Studies
The Washington Times

Have your child create a timeline of George Washington's life before, during, and after the War of Independence. Have your child use at least ten dates, explaining each date with a sentence.

Grades 5–8: Social Studies
Patriotic Puzzler

There's a challenge for every level in this patriotic jigsaw puzzle. Your students can decide what kind of puzzle pieces they want and how many there should be. If they get stuck, they can have the puzzle solve itself.

Grades 5–8: Social Studies
Crossword Puzzles

Have kids test their knowledge of U.S. independence.

  • Fourth of July (Grades 5–6) (PDF file)
  • http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/july/pdf/independence_med_xword.pdf
  • Fourth of July Answer Key (Grades 5–6) (PDF file)
  • http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/july/pdf/independence_med_xword_key.pdf
  • Revolutionary People (Grades 7–8) (PDF file)
  • http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/july/pdf/independence_hard_xword.pdf
  • Revolutionary People Answer Key (Grades 7–8) (PDF file)
  • http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/july/pdf/independence_hard_xword_key.pdf
Grades 6–8: Social Studies/Mathematics
Battle Numbers

Have your child create a graph of British casualties suffered during two Revolutionary battles.

Grades 6–8: Social Studies/Art
Revolutionary Fun

Have students design a theme park based on people and events of the Revolutionary War.

Grades 6–8: Language Arts/Social Studies
The Meaning of Freedom

Have students create a dictionary of terms for citizens of a democracy, using events and biographies from the history of their state and of the United States.

Grade 8: Social Studies
What Do You Know?

How many questions about the 50 United States can your students answer correctly?

Houghton Mifflin