# data[].attributes.headline
Minilessons on kindness, caring, integrity and more. 

# data[].attributes.subject
Minilessons on kindness, caring, integrity and more. 

# data[].attributes.body
Distance learning options and options you can incorporate into the classroom.

# data[].attributes.body
We just got this.. great resource! k-5 will benefit!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Video lessons made in partnership with the National Science Teachers Association that engage, educate & inspire kids in science. Generation Genius videos are 12-minutes long and include lesson plans, teacher guides, DIY activities and stopping points for class discussion.

# data[].attributes.body
Secret Stories

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Phonics Video - ER, IR, UR "Secret" (a.k.a. "The R-Controlled Vowels") | Secret Stories®

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
VideoLink lets you share videos on YouTube easily, without distracting third-party content or advertisements.

# data[].attributes.body
Great article with great activities. Many activities parents can also do at home for struggling readers

# data[].attributes.body
K - 5th grade, Helping others to make our world a better place. Graphic organizer for the different grade levels

# data[].attributes.body
3-5 Make comics about bullying as a group to combat bullying and make our school a better place.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Step One

Brainstorming
As a class, brainstorm and list typical situations where students might find themselves in conflict. These might be bullying, race, socio-economic or gender related. List these on the board.

Divide students into groups of five. Have each group select one of the topics, allowing them to choose the one they find most engaging.

Step Two

Concept Mapping
Student groups map out the concept they've chosen, listing ideas and incidents tied to the theme. Guide them in thinking about what causes confrontation, how it plays out, how it makes people feel, and what alternatives might happen to change the outcome.

Step Three

Story Concept
Explain that a story has parts: a beginning, middle and end. Their comic story will have five parts.

1. Beginning

2. A scene to advance the story

3. Middle

4. A scene to advance the story

5. Ending

Have student groups discuss how their story begins and ends. Then have them add a middle. Finally, let them create the two scenes that will complete their comic.

Step Four

Drawing
Students split up the five frames of the comic book with each of them doing one scene. Words and drawings must flow from one scene to another, so it is important that they discuss what is going on. Is it plausible? Can you see this really occurring? Is this how people in our school actually speak?

Step Five

Presenting
Students can present their strips orally to the class and also "publish" them by hanging them in the classroom or hallway adjacent to their classroom.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Brainstorming As a class, brainstorm and list typical situations where students might find themselves in conflict. These might be bullying, race, socio-economic or gender related. List these on the board. Divide students into groups of five. Have each group select one of the topics, allowing them to choose the one they find most engaging.

# data[].attributes.body
3-5

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Vocabulary

Porquoi tale [pour kwuh tayl] (noun) a kind of a story that tells explains how or why something in nature came about (for example, how the camel got its hump or the leopard got its spots)

prejudice [prej-uh-dis] (noun) an opinion, feeling, or judgment-formed without knowledge or reason-about a person or members of an ethnic, racial, or religious group

racism [rey-siz-uhm] (noun) a belief that one's race is superior to others and that one has the right to dominate others; also that a particular racial group is inferior to others

tolerance [tol-er-uh ns] (noun) respect, acceptance and appreciation of the rich diversity of our world's cultures, our forms of expression and ways of being human.

Suggested Procedure

Why Frogs and Snakes Never Play Together: A Pourquoi of Prejudice i s a play that promotes tolerance. Here's how to make the most of it.

1. Include all students. Casting should not be competitive. Actors can include understudies who take turns playing roles and also participate in the group roles of trees and flowers. Assign multiple students to the narrator role.

2. Plan simple costumes and props. Keep costumes basic. (For example, green T-shirts for frogs, gray T-shirts for snakes, yellow for sun, blue for moon, brown for trees, bright colors for flowers, white for wind and black for the pourquoi instructor and narrator or narrators.) If there are students who are not acting or reading, assign them to design props. Use poster board to make the sun, moon, wind, flower and trees. Father Frog should hold a large newspaper with a large heading reading The Daily Fly. Parent animals can be sitting watching television, playing cards or cooking. Those activities may be pantomimed or students may create simple sets to accompany the play.

3. Read the play aloud as a class.

4. Write the discussion questions on an easel pad. Read them aloud, and encourage students to respond as a group or to write responses individually.

What did the frogs and snakes do when they met each other in the forest?

What did they learn later that night from their parents?

What do the youngest frog and snake do at the very end of the story that brings us hope? Why does it bring us hope?

5. Discuss with students that the story can have another ending-a different, happy ending that results in everyone being friends. Guide young students, as a group, in developing another closing scene for the story. Invite older students to write their own last scenes. Encourage students to share their work.

Write these questions on an easel pad to help students come up with ideas for writing their ending:

What might happen if the frogs and snakes continued to play together after they were told not to?

What would the frog parents and snake parents do if they met?

What would happen if the two families were to meet at a park and get to know each other?

6. Suggested Uses of the Play

Back-to-School night

Parent-Teacher night

As a traveling show where older classes perform for younger classes in the same school

As a traveling show where a middle or high school students travel to an elementary school

As a traveling show for students to perform for community groups

Options for Early Grades:

Invite parents, guardians or students from upper grades to perform the play for preschool children or kindergartners. You may also invite students to draw the characters on poster boards, cut them out and put them on sticks and perform the play as a puppet show.

Common Core State Standards: ELA-Literacy. CCRA. R.1, R.2, R.3, R.7, W.3, Ws.7, W.9, SL.1, SL.4, L.1, L.4

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Why Frogs and Snakes Never Play Together

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
In this lesson, students will read, act out, hear a reading, or watch a performance of a play that tells the story of a chance meeting in the woods of children from two families-one of frogs, the other of snakes. The frog and snake children develop a wonderful friendship.

# data[].attributes.body
Teaching Tolerance
k - 2

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
I wanted to help the 2nd- and 3rd-graders understand the concept of diversity and why they should celebrate it. Inspired by The Crayon Box that Talked (Random House, ISBN# 0679886117, $12.95), a story by Shane Derolf and Michael Letzig, I used a drawing exercise to help students discover the value of diversity.

I provided each student with two sheets of drawing paper, then allowed each student to pick out one crayon from a box I provided. I then asked them to draw a picture with only the single crayon. After about five minutes, I asked the students to take out their own boxes of crayons and draw another picture on the second sheet of paper; they could use as many different colors as they wished. When they finished coloring, I asked them the following questions:

Which picture do you like best? Why? Which picture would you like to display in your classroom, the hallway, at home?

Invariably, the students preferred the pictures drawn with the whole box of crayons. I said, "What a boring world it would be if we were all alike - like the picture drawn with only one crayon. The diversity in the world makes it like a wonderful box of crayons with endless colors."

Next, I read them The Crayon Box that Talked. To continue the discussion, I asked, "Wasn't it silly for the crayons not to like each other just because of their color? Each crayon had something special to offer to the picture - green for the grass, blue for the sky, yellow for the sun." The children agreed, and I asked them to brainstorm the reasons it is important to accept people who are different from us, recording their responses on the board.

In conclusion, I read a passage from an unknown author:

"We could learn a lot from crayons. ... (They) all are different colors, but they all exist very nicely in the same box."

-Trudi Pinnick Wolfe, counselor at Central Elementary School in Beech Grove, IN

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What Can We Learn from a Box of Crayons?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
I wanted to help the 2nd- and 3rd-graders understand the concept of diversity and why they should celebrate it. Inspired by The Crayon Box that Talked (Random House, ISBN# 0679886117, $12.95), a story by Shane Derolf and Michael Letzig, I used a drawing exercise to help students discover the value of diversity.

# data[].attributes.body
K-2 Lesson plan explains how we can use simple books to teach kids about social responsibility.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The kindergarten students at Blakeburn Elementary School in Coquitlam, British Columbia, have definite opinions about the irresponsible behavior exhibited by certain storybook characters.

The children's crayon-covered posters show well-known scenes - the Three Little Pigs' houses under huff-and-puff attack, Goldilocks gobbling porridge at the three bears' table.

Six-year-old Stephanie notes on her poster that Goldilocks "is not yet within expectations" for social responsibility because "she ate the porridge." Dorothy takes issue with the Big, Bad Wolf and his lack of community-mindedness: "He chased the pigs."

It is May, and these kindergartners are demonstrating a set of social expectations that teacher Evelyn Silver began introducing in September.

"Much of the groundwork is the language," Silver explains. "We start by talking about our school motto: Take care of yourself, take care of each other, take care of this place. We discuss what caring looks like, what it sounds like to be respectful and so on."

Silver uses two laminated cards - one reads "meets expectations," the other "not yet within expectations" - to reinforce inclusive, respectful behavior.

"One day, I might ask, 'Did you notice anything at recess that met expectations?' The next day I might say, 'What happened during playtime that showed caring?'"

Silver reads to the class Mister Gumpy's Outing by John Burningham, The Little Red Hen, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Little Red Riding Hood and other theme-related stories. The class then brainstorms how different characters' behaviors meet or don't meet expectations.

Student partners prepare storybook posters.

"I encourage them to draw a picture of one of the characters, then write down if that character meets or does not meet expectations and why. The results are astounding."

The posters are proudly displayed under the banner, "Social Responsibility: We can rate characters."

Educators like Silver have found the voluntary 2000 BC Performance Standards: Social Responsibility for grades K-10, a useful framework. The standards spell out four expectations:

Contribute to the classroom and school community

Solve problems in peaceful ways

Value diversity and defend human rights

Exercise democratic rights and responsibilities

Instead of isolated programs on anti-bullying and anti-racism, teachers can put together a spectrum of social and ethics education.

Silver stresses that teaching social responsibility is more than a series of storybook lessons. Blakeburn's principal, Maureen Dockendorf, concurs. "You have to live it, to reinforce it in a hundred ways each day."

Clearly, learning lessons from Goldilocks is a good place to begin.
Ann Campbell
Education Consultant
Vancouver, B.C., Canada

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The kindergarten students at Blakeburn Elementary School in Coquitlam, British Columbia, have definite opinions about the irresponsible behavior exhibited by certain storybook characters. The children's crayon-covered posters show well-known scenes - the Three Little Pigs' houses under huff-and-puff attack, Goldilocks gobbling porridge at the three bears' table.

# data[].attributes.headline
Kindness Ideas - Article from Edutopia to promote Making the World a Better Place - Literacy Week 2021

# data[].attributes.subject
Kindness Ideas - Article from Edutopia to promote Making the World a Better Place - Literacy Week 2021

# data[].attributes.body
Great ideas for building and fostering a community within your classroom. Simple ideas that do not take a lot of time but can be built into your day, even outside of Literacy Week

# data[].attributes.body
Here is another PowerPoint shared by Chana that explains what Inauguration Day is.

# data[].attributes.body
PowerPoint

# data[].attributes.headline
The way we treat others.. Humanity article 

# data[].attributes.subject
The way we treat others.. Humanity article 

# data[].attributes.body
This is a great blog about the way an apple looks after being dropped several times and it relates to the way people feel after being bullied. There is a reference to the bible at the end of the blog... But, if you use the content at the beginning, it goes with the message of humanity and how you treat others, character traits... etc.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Stories about bullying all over the news and social media these days, I've written a fair amount of sad stories myself, citing a tragedy that was brought upon by bullying, and urging parents to teach their kids how to treat others. It is a message I'll keep spreading until I don't have to anymore.

I saw a viral post on Facebook by Relax Kids Tamworth that really drove the message of how to treat others home in an unforgettable way. Though the post is two years old and has been shared over 245,000 times, I'd never seen it before! I was really touched by it and so of course I wanted to share it with you. Relax Kids teaches "Activity and relaxation classes - creating calm, confident children," according to their Facebook page, and used this illustration in one of their classes.

Teaching kids how to treat others with just two apples

The teacher posted this photo of two very different looking apples, and said this:
Today in one of our classes I introduced the children to two apples (the children didn't know this, but before the class I had repeatedly dropped one of the apples on the floor, you couldn't tell, both apples looked perfect). We talked about the apples and the children described how both apples looked the same; both were red, were of similar size and looked juicy enough to eat. I picked up the apple I'd dropped on the floor and started to tell the children how I disliked this apple, that I thought it was disgusting, it was a horrible colour and the stem was just too short. I told them that because I didn't like it, I didn't want them to like it either, so they should call it names too. Some children looked at me like I was insane, but we passed the apple around the circle calling it names, 'you're a smelly apple', 'I don't even know why you exist', 'you've probably got worms inside you' etc. We really pulled this poor apple apart. I actually started to feel sorry for the little guy. We then passed another apple around and started to say kind words to it, 'You're a lovely apple', 'Your skin is beautiful', 'What a beautiful colour you are' etc. I then held up both apples, and again, we talked about the similarities and differences, there was no change, both apples still looked the same. I then cut the apples open. The apple we'd been kind to was clear, fresh and juicy inside. The apple we'd said unkind words to was bruised and all mushy inside. I think there was a lightbulb moment for the children immediately. They really got it, what we saw inside that apple, the bruises, the mush and the broken bits is what is happening inside every one of us when someone mistreats us with their words or actions. When people are bullied, especially children, they feel horrible inside and sometimes don't show or tell others how they are feeling. If we hadn't have cut that apple open, we would never have known how much pain we had caused it. I shared my own experience of suffering someone's unkind words last week. On the outside I looked OK, I was still smiling. But, on the inside someone had caused me a lot of pain with their words and I was hurting. Unlike an apple, we have the ability to stop this from happening. We can teach children that it's not ok to say unkind things to each other and discuss how it makes others feel. We can teach our children to stand up for each other and to stop any form of bullying, just as one little girl did today when she refused to say unkind words to the apple. More and more hurt and damage happens inside if nobody does anything to stop the bullying. Let's create a generation of kind, caring children. The tongue has no bones, but is strong enough to break a heart. So be careful with your words.
I don't know about you, but this made me feel ALL kinds of WOW after I read it.

WOW, this is profound! WOW, this is powerful! WOW, this is so easy for kids to understand and take to heart!

I kinda can't wait to share this with my own kiddos! I've got a son heading into high school in just a couple of weeks and a daughter heading into sixth grade, so I think it's a great time for a refresher on how to treat people. But since I often like to back up my parenting lessons with some good old scripture, I thought I'd provide some Bible verses to share with them that you can share with your children, too.

Bible verses about how to treat others

Here are some Bible verses about how to treat others. All are from the English Standard Version:

Ephesians 4:32: Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Luke 6:31: And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

John 15:12: This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

Matthew 7:12: So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Mark 12:31: The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these.

Of course there are many more verses throughout scripture that urge us to love others well and specifically tell us how to treat others, even in situations of conflict, but these are a few helpful ones to start with. One thing I think it's important to emphasize to out kids when we're talking to them about how to treat others that we are ALL made in God's image, and that he created us and cares for us equally. Even those who are unkind to us have the same value in God's eyes. There is literally nothing we can do to make God love us more or less than He loves another person.

So, what do you think of the "bullied apple" demonstration? I for one think it's a lesson that makes it easy for kids to understand how words can hurt, and one that will stick with kids as well. Will you be doing this demo for your kiddos?

Jenny Rapson is a follower of Christ, a wife and mom of three from Ohio and a freelance writer and editor. You can find her at her blog, Mommin' It Up, or follow her on Twitter.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Teach Your Kids How to Treat Others With This Unforgettable Lesson

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Stories about bullying all over the news and social media these days, I've written a fair amount of sad stories myself, citing a tragedy that was brought upon by bullying, and urging parents to teach their kids how to treat others. It is a message I'll keep spreading until I don't have to anymore.

# data[].attributes.body
If you search Humanity, you can find a book on empathy and love. It works great for humanity and the traits that go along with our literacy theme.
Again, these books can be assigned and there is a quiz to go along with the book at the end of the story.

# data[].attributes.headline
Video about history and comparison of Veterans Day and Memorial Day 

# data[].attributes.subject
Video about history and comparison of Veterans Day and Memorial Day 

# data[].attributes.body
Appropriate for all grade levels

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Veterans Day for Kids Cartoon! Learn Fun Facts about Veterans Day for Elementary Students

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
VideoLink lets you share videos on YouTube easily, without distracting third-party content or advertisements.

# data[].attributes.body
Great to partner with a can, have and are chart and possibly a book or short youtube or brainpop clip.

# data[].attributes.body
Great for younger grades

# data[].attributes.body
May be a sight for older grades. Worth a look.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
These educational Holocaust videos explore the experiences of Holocaust survivors, the Museum's collections, and Holocaust history.

This 40-minute film tells Gerda Weissmann's account of surviving the Holocaust, based off her book All but My Life. It was produced in 1995 by HBO and the Museum to commemorate the the 50th anniversary of the end of the Holocaust.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Key Videos on the Holocaust - United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
These videos explore the experiences of Holocaust survivors, the US Holocaust Memorial Museum's collections, and Holocaust history.

# data[].attributes.headline
Allegory of the Holocaust for younger kids. Played through SafeTube

# data[].attributes.subject
Allegory of the Holocaust for younger kids. Played through SafeTube

# data[].attributes.body
From memo from governor, WHEREAS, Holocaust Education Week as part of Florida's House Bill 1213 (2020),
... remain vigilant against hatred, persecution and tyranny, and actively
... rededicate ourselves to the principles of individual freedom in a just society; and
...to reflect on the need to respect all peoples; ...
that we, as citizens of the State of Florida, should work to promote human dignity and confront
hate whenever and wherever it occurs.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Terrible Things by Eve Bunting (Allegory of the Holocaust)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
VideoLink lets you share videos on YouTube easily, without distracting third-party content or advertisements.

# data[].attributes.headline
Important Information about Holocaust and Things to Remember about Teaching Children

# data[].attributes.subject
Important Information about Holocaust and Things to Remember about Teaching Children

# data[].attributes.body
Great read for teaching elementary students along with many references.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
When she was 7, one of my daughters came home from school with an urgent question about the Holocaust. She had heard something from one of the other children about an atrocity a long time ago where children and their families were taken to terrible places, just because they were Jewish. She said there was a man named Hitler, and terrible things happened, and most of the people died. She was deeply worried about it. "Is that true, Mom?" she asked. "How could that happen? Will it happen again?"

Before I tell you how I answered her, and how I think parents can help their children understand the Holocaust, let me say that I am not Jewish, and I lost no relatives in that dark period in our collective history. What I do bring to the table is some understanding of how children develop, and what parents and others can do to support children's coping, resilience, and capacity to contribute productively, over time, to a healthier society where this kind of atrocity never happens again.

Every family has its own unique history and situation; every child's personality and experience is unique, as is every parent's. And so, the Holocaust becomes relevant in different ways and at different times in different families. For some, the trigger for talking about the Holocaust is a story a child has overheard at school or on the playground, as happened with my daughter. For others, it's hearing family members talk about it, sometimes in an oblique way that the child can't quite grasp. Sometimes there is something in the news-like last week's shootings in Pittsburgh-that worries kids and reminds parents of the necessity for vigilance.
Why Should You Talk to Your Child About the Holocaust?
Knowing about the Holocaust ...

1. Teaches the importance of tolerance, respect, and inclusion. The Holocaust is a dramatic lesson on the vital importance of respect for each person, regardless of race, religion, age, wealth, or anything else that might separate us from each other.

2. Illustrates the dangers of hate speech. It helps children learn about the invidious power of hate speech, the ways that playing on people's fears leads, slowly but surely, to people acting-sometimes with prejudice, sometimes with violence-on those fears.

3. Informs accurately. Your children will hear about it anyway, and it is best they learn about it in an environment where the facts are presented knowledgeably, without embellishment, addressing and preventing fears and misconceptions.

4. Supports resilience. It may seem counterintuitive, but children are less anxious when they know more about the hazards of the world around them. Children worry when they hear about scary events that are beyond their control, and they worry even more when they feel the adults in their lives are keeping secrets from them, trying to protect them from that knowledge.

5. Prevents future atrocities. Learning about the history of the Holocaust-how it started, how it developed, how it grew-is the best possible prevention of another one. It is the best insurance that our children will grow into adults who are vigilant to the dangers of creeping anti-Semitism, as well as other forms of racism, sexism, and intolerance of others. I don't think it is an overstatement to say that this may be the single most important lesson kids need to learn, for the survival of the planet.

In brief: Remember, it didn't start with gas chambers. It started with politicians dividing the people with "us vs. them." It started with intolerance and hate speech, and when people stopped caring, became desensitized, and turned a blind eye, it became a slippery slope to genocide.
At What Age Should You Talk to Your Child About the Holocaust?
When my grandson was in first grade, his school-a public school in Toronto-marked Holocaust Remembrance Day by sharing horrific details, including the fact that children and whole families had been taken out of their homes, and sent to showers where they died. Theo is an imaginative, sensitive, and empathetic child, and it took a long time before he stopped having nightmares about this.

I am very happy that educators are beginning to recognize the importance of Holocaust education, but 6 is way too young for a child to make good sense of details like this. Most of the material produced by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is targeted for age 11 or 12, and not earlier. There is a general consensus among Holocaust educators that eight is the earliest age to begin, although if kids ask about it, as Theo did, no matter their age, it's time to answer in an age-appropriate way.
How to Talk to Your Children About the Holocaust

1. Take a deep breath. Take stock of your own emotions before talking about the Holocaust with your child, or attempting to address your child's concerns. Your child needs you to be calm and confident, to reassure them that you will keep them safe.

2. Start slowly. In the beginning, keep it brief. If you go slowly and listen, your child will let you know how much information they want.

3. Be honest and positive. Affirm the hard reality. Don't give your child more than they need to know, but don't sugar-coat the truth, either. Your child is sensitive to evasion and will be reassured by straightforward honesty. It helps them feel more secure in a dangerous world if they feel they can trust you to tell them the truth.

4. Listen deeply, and reassure. Your child may not be able to articulate the questions they're worrying about. If they're under twelve and ask, "Why did the Holocaust happen?" for example, they're probably not wondering about the history and politics of the time, but rather something closer to home, like "Might this happen to us?" A short, honest, and reassuring answer for a young child would be something like, "The Holocaust happened a long time ago where people were allowed to be mean to other people. We have laws against it, and we have police officers and judges and others who are working to keep us safe."

5. Emphasize tolerance. The beginning stage of Holocaust education is about tolerance, thinking about bullying and inclusion in your child's world, their classroom, and community. Examples might focus on including children with learning or developmental differences.

6. Address issues of peer pressure. The next stage addresses bystander effects, showing your child why it`s important to speak out against injustices they encounter in their daily lives. Teach your child to say no to bullies, whether or not your child is the target.

7. Later, discuss the context that led to the Holocaust. Only later, once kids get into middle and high school, do they have the cognitive maturity to grasp political context and complexity. Only then does it make sense to bring in some of the more horrifying details, and help them understand their responsibility for vigilance and civic engagement.

8. Think together about ways you and your child can reach out and make a difference. You might decide to do a daily mitzvah, or good deed. There may be children in your community from minorities or marginalized families who can benefit from kindness and inclusion.

9. Be creative. Help your child find avenues of creative expression, whether musical, visual, linguistic, or some other medium. As Joanne Foster writes, creative expression can be a source of solace and strength.

10. Remember that love is stronger than hate. Affirm your child's (and your) reasons for anger and fear, and help your child move toward constructive actions that fight every kind of bullying, bigotry, and prejudice, including anti-Semitism.

11. Have faith in your child's resilience. Yes, it is a dangerous world, and there are reasons for fear. But you can use the lessons of the past to help your child feel empowered by helping to create a world that is safer, kinder, and more loving.

12. Model tolerance, respect, and civic engagement. The best way to make sure your child grows up to understand the lessons of the Holocaust is to live those lessons yourself. Your child is paying deepest attention to the walk you are walking. Involve yourself in issues of social justice. Sponsor a refugee family, help out at a soup kitchen, be politically active; find a way to give back and help make the world a better place for us all.

Seek help if necessary. Some children are more deeply affected than others by events like the Pittsburgh synagogue shootings or learning about the Holocaust, and sometimes parents need professional help managing a child's anxiety. Getting it early can be important to a child's ongoing mental health.
What Did I Tell My Daughter?
I was in the midst of making dinner, with a packed evening planned, and no time to spare, but thankfully I recognized that this was one of those moments when everything else would just have to wait. I poured my daughter a glass of milk and made myself a coffee. I invited her to sit down with me and tell me again exactly what had happened at school that got her worried.

I acknowledged that the information she'd heard was mostly right. There had once been a very bad man named Adolf Hitler who had waged a campaign on Jews and many others. "Yes, a lot of people died in the Holocaust," I told her. "It was a terrible, terrible, time, and it's good that we remember it, so that we can make sure it never happens again." From there, we moved to actions we could take-she and I, and the rest of our family-to keep the world safe from any possible future Hitler.

By the end of that conversation, my daughter felt stronger and happier. Questions followed later, of course, but she was calm enough to help me set the table and get some playtime in before dinner.
Conclusion
There are so many reasons it is important to talk to your children about the Holocaust. By paying attention to your child's questions and worries, you can support them in feeling empowered to be the difference in a society that desperately needs that.

Disasters like the Pittsburgh synagogue shootings can provide opportunities for parents to help their children learn how to manage their feelings, confront challenges, and acquire resilience. By providing a safe environment, and being calm and attentive-and seeking professional help if that's needed-parents can alleviate the fear, dismay, or confusion children often experience during chaotic times, as well as helping them develop coping skills that will serve them well going forward.
This post is based on a talk I gave in Toronto for Holocaust Education Week, for a consortium of organizations including Facing History and Ourselves, the Mabin School, the Paul Penna Downtown Jewish Day School, and the Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How Should You Talk to Your Child About the Holocaust?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
When she was 7, one of my daughters came home from school with an urgent question about the Holocaust. She had heard something from one of the other children about an atrocity a long time ago where children and their families were taken to terrible places, just because they were Jewish.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Instantly access over 40,000 of the best books & videos for kids on Epic

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Get unlimited access to 40,000 of the best books, audiobooks, videos, & more for kids 12 and under. Try it free.

# data[].attributes.body
Epic has a lot of books for Veteran's Day. Many can be read aloud by the computer and for every grade level. Quizzes are available at the end.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Read Celebrating Holidays: Veterans Day on Epic

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Read Celebrating Holidays: Veterans Day on Epic

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Instantly access Celebrating Holidays: Veterans Day plus over 40,000 of the best books & videos for kids.

# data[].attributes.headline
Compare and Contrast Independence Day for El Salvador and United States 

# data[].attributes.subject
Compare and Contrast Independence Day for El Salvador and United States 

# data[].attributes.body
article for El Salvadore - this article is interesting because it was written by a language learning student in high school. So it is written with a student's point of view. A little different read for students that may encourage them to write as well. Just a thought:)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
By Elvis Castro

Photo: On Independence Day in El Salvador, school bands wearing blule and white uniforms march all around the city.

Independence Day is a very important holiday in my country El Salvador. We celebrate it on September 15.That day is very important because that was the day that El Salvador got its freedom from Spain. It got its freedom by fighting. The people who fought for the freedom were Jose Matias Delgado, Jose Simeon Callas, and the Aguilar brothers. They are only three of many people who worked and fought a lot to help the country to be independent. September 15, 1821 was when they won independence. Before the day, teachers and students at school prepare a parade for the people.

At 7:00 a.m. on September 15, students and the bands get ready to march all around the city. Cheerleaders get ready to dance, too. Students dress with uniforms, blue and white, the colors of our flag. Blue means the color of the sky or water and white means peace.

After students finish marching all around the city, they march to the school. At school the students have a show that they prepared for the people. In one part of the show they pretend to be someone famous. "I like to imitate singers because I admire them and I also love music," one Blair student from El Salvador said.

In another part of the show they dance folkloric music and other kinds of music, like merengue, salsa and others.

At the beginning of the show, everyone stands and sings the national song. Then the groups come out one by one to dance in front of the people.

Students dress with different clothes. Some wear folkloric dresses. But everyone looks nice.

This is a great holiday that Salvadorians love to celebrate. It is a very happy day, because all the people from the city unite to celebrate it.

Copyright Silver International Newspaper 2002 (This page was created by Junior Max Destine)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
El Salvador Independence Day's :Parades of Children

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
By Elvis Castro Photo: On Independence Day in El Salvador, school bands wearing blule and white uniforms march all around the city. Independence Day is a very important holiday in my country El Salvador. We celebrate it on September 15.That day is very important because that was the day that El Salvador got its freedom from Spain.

# data[].attributes.headline
Compare and Contrast Independence Day for Costa Rica and United States 

# data[].attributes.subject
Compare and Contrast Independence Day for Costa Rica and United States 

# data[].attributes.body
Article for Costa Rica

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Local celebrations, national pride and a spirit of community mark Costa Rica's Independence Day. One of the year's most important holidays, Costa Rica celebrates its freedom from colonial Spain with peaceful festivities and historic traditions.

While Costa Rica arguably could claim three separate independence days, the small nation chooses September 15 as its annual day of celebration. A national holiday, few people work and crowds take to the streets to commemorate the nation's freedom.

Independence Day celebrations begin on September 14th, when the Torch of Freedom arrives in Cartago. This symbolic torch represents Central America's sovereignty from Spain, and every year it makes the journey south from Guatemala to Costa Rica. When the torch reaches its final destination of Cartago - the Costa Rican provincial capital when Central America declared independence - Costa Ricans stand to sing the national anthem.

The most beloved Independence Day tradition is street parades, held on September 15th in every town around the country. School children practice for several months to coordinate their marching bands, color guards and folkloric dancing. Men, women and children often dress in their traditional best - flowing skirts, straw hats, and pressed shirts in a red, white and blue color palette.

Colonial History

In 1502, Christopher Columbus landed on Costa Rican soil, claiming the so-called "rich coast" for the Spanish. Throughout the colonial period, Costa Rica was the southernmost province in the Captaincy General of Guatemala, the Central American arm of the Spanish government. On September 15, 1821, after a final Mexican victory in the Mexican War of Independence, Guatemala also declared independence on behalf of Central America. Spain accepted the declaration without a fight. In October 1821, the Independence Act arrived in Cartago to notify Costa Rica of its sudden freedom.

After a brief civil war, in 1822 Costa Rica declared allegiance to the First Mexican Empire, which collapsed shortly after in 1823. At that time, Costa Rica and the rest of Central America united to establish the Central American Federation, or the Federal States of Central America. However, due to the country's remoteness and lack of resources, the Federation showed little interest in its southern province and Costa Rica reaped few rewards from its involvement.

In 1834, the first Chief of State, Juan Mora Fernandez, signed the Aprilia Law to withdraw Costa Rica from the Central American Federation. In 1838, the second Chief of State, Braulio Carrillo, officially declared Costa Rica a sovereign state. However, in 1842, the new General Assembly claimed that the Costa Rica was still a part of the Federation. Costa Rica's four main cities - San Jose, Heredia, Alajuela and Cartago - argued for years over whether to accept Federation membership or declare freedom. In 1848, the decision was made and Costa Rica again declared itself a sovereign nation.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Local celebrations, national pride and a spirit of community mark Costa Rica's Independence Day. One of the year's most important holidays, Costa Rica celebrates its freedom from colonial Spain with peaceful festivities and historic traditions. While Costa Rica arguably could claim three separate independence days, the small nation chooses September 15 as its annual day of celebration.

# data[].attributes.headline
Compare and Contrast Independence Day for Costa Rica and United States 

# data[].attributes.subject
Compare and Contrast Independence Day for Costa Rica and United States 

# data[].attributes.body
Article for Costa Rica

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Local celebrations, national pride and a spirit of community mark Costa Rica's Independence Day. One of the year's most important holidays, Costa Rica celebrates its freedom from colonial Spain with peaceful festivities and historic traditions.

While Costa Rica arguably could claim three separate independence days, the small nation chooses September 15 as its annual day of celebration. A national holiday, few people work and crowds take to the streets to commemorate the nation's freedom.

Independence Day celebrations begin on September 14th, when the Torch of Freedom arrives in Cartago. This symbolic torch represents Central America's sovereignty from Spain, and every year it makes the journey south from Guatemala to Costa Rica. When the torch reaches its final destination of Cartago - the Costa Rican provincial capital when Central America declared independence - Costa Ricans stand to sing the national anthem.

The most beloved Independence Day tradition is street parades, held on September 15th in every town around the country. School children practice for several months to coordinate their marching bands, color guards and folkloric dancing. Men, women and children often dress in their traditional best - flowing skirts, straw hats, and pressed shirts in a red, white and blue color palette.

Colonial History

In 1502, Christopher Columbus landed on Costa Rican soil, claiming the so-called "rich coast" for the Spanish. Throughout the colonial period, Costa Rica was the southernmost province in the Captaincy General of Guatemala, the Central American arm of the Spanish government. On September 15, 1821, after a final Mexican victory in the Mexican War of Independence, Guatemala also declared independence on behalf of Central America. Spain accepted the declaration without a fight. In October 1821, the Independence Act arrived in Cartago to notify Costa Rica of its sudden freedom.

After a brief civil war, in 1822 Costa Rica declared allegiance to the First Mexican Empire, which collapsed shortly after in 1823. At that time, Costa Rica and the rest of Central America united to establish the Central American Federation, or the Federal States of Central America. However, due to the country's remoteness and lack of resources, the Federation showed little interest in its southern province and Costa Rica reaped few rewards from its involvement.

In 1834, the first Chief of State, Juan Mora Fernandez, signed the Aprilia Law to withdraw Costa Rica from the Central American Federation. In 1838, the second Chief of State, Braulio Carrillo, officially declared Costa Rica a sovereign state. However, in 1842, the new General Assembly claimed that the Costa Rica was still a part of the Federation. Costa Rica's four main cities - San Jose, Heredia, Alajuela and Cartago - argued for years over whether to accept Federation membership or declare freedom. In 1848, the decision was made and Costa Rica again declared itself a sovereign nation.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Local celebrations, national pride and a spirit of community mark Costa Rica's Independence Day. One of the year's most important holidays, Costa Rica celebrates its freedom from colonial Spain with peaceful festivities and historic traditions. While Costa Rica arguably could claim three separate independence days, the small nation chooses September 15 as its annual day of celebration.

# data[].attributes.headline
Compare and Contrast Independence Day for El Salvador and United States 

# data[].attributes.subject
Compare and Contrast Independence Day for El Salvador and United States 

# data[].attributes.body
article for El Salvadore - this article is interesting because it was written by a language learning student in high school. So it is written with a student's point of view. A little different read for students that may encourage them to write as well. Just a thought:)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
By Elvis Castro

Photo: On Independence Day in El Salvador, school bands wearing blule and white uniforms march all around the city.

Independence Day is a very important holiday in my country El Salvador. We celebrate it on September 15.That day is very important because that was the day that El Salvador got its freedom from Spain. It got its freedom by fighting. The people who fought for the freedom were Jose Matias Delgado, Jose Simeon Callas, and the Aguilar brothers. They are only three of many people who worked and fought a lot to help the country to be independent. September 15, 1821 was when they won independence. Before the day, teachers and students at school prepare a parade for the people.

At 7:00 a.m. on September 15, students and the bands get ready to march all around the city. Cheerleaders get ready to dance, too. Students dress with uniforms, blue and white, the colors of our flag. Blue means the color of the sky or water and white means peace.

After students finish marching all around the city, they march to the school. At school the students have a show that they prepared for the people. In one part of the show they pretend to be someone famous. "I like to imitate singers because I admire them and I also love music," one Blair student from El Salvador said.

In another part of the show they dance folkloric music and other kinds of music, like merengue, salsa and others.

At the beginning of the show, everyone stands and sings the national song. Then the groups come out one by one to dance in front of the people.

Students dress with different clothes. Some wear folkloric dresses. But everyone looks nice.

This is a great holiday that Salvadorians love to celebrate. It is a very happy day, because all the people from the city unite to celebrate it.

Copyright Silver International Newspaper 2002 (This page was created by Junior Max Destine)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
El Salvador Independence Day's :Parades of Children

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
By Elvis Castro Photo: On Independence Day in El Salvador, school bands wearing blule and white uniforms march all around the city. Independence Day is a very important holiday in my country El Salvador. We celebrate it on September 15.That day is very important because that was the day that El Salvador got its freedom from Spain.

# data[].attributes.headline
Compare and Contrast Independence Day for Mexico and United States

# data[].attributes.subject
Compare and Contrast Independence Day for Mexico and United States

# data[].attributes.body
Article for United States

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Table of Contents

1. History of Independence Day

2. Early Fourth of July Celebrations and Traditions&nbsp;&nbsp;

3. Fourth of July Fireworks

4. Fourth of July Becomes a Federal Holiday

5. Photo Gallery: The Founding Fathers

The Fourth of July-also known as Independence Day or July 4th-has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941, but the tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution. On July 2nd, 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence, and two days later delegates from the 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence, a historic document drafted by Thomas Jefferson. From 1776 to the present day, July 4th has been celebrated as the birth of American independence, with festivities ranging from fireworks, parades and concerts to more casual family gatherings and barbecues. The Fourth of July 2023 is on Tuesday, July 4.

History of Independence Day

When the initial battles in the Revolutionary War broke out in April 1775, few colonists desired complete independence from Great Britain, and those who did were considered radical.

By the middle of the following year, however, many more colonists had come to favor independence, thanks to growing hostility against Britain and the spread of revolutionary sentiments such as those expressed in the bestselling pamphlet " Common Sense," published by Thomas Paine in early 1776.

On June 7, when the Continental Congress met at the Pennsylvania State House (later Independence Hall) in Philadelphia, the Virginia delegate Richard Henry Lee introduced a motion calling for the colonies' independence.

Amid heated debate, Congress postponed the vote on Lee's resolution, but appointed a five-man committee-including Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, John Adams of Massachusetts, Roger Sherman of Connecticut, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania and Robert R. Livingston of New York-to draft a formal statement justifying the break with Great Britain.

Did you know? John Adams believed that July 2nd was the correct date on which to celebrate the birth of American independence, and would reportedly turn down invitations to appear at July 4th events in protest. Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on July 4, 1826-the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.

On July 2nd, the Continental Congress voted in favor of Lee's resolution for independence in a near-unanimous vote (the New York delegation abstained, but later voted affirmatively). On that day, John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail that July 2 "will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival" and that the celebration should include "Pomp and Parade...Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other."

On July 4th, the Continental Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence, which had been written largely by Jefferson. Though the vote for actual independence took place on July 2nd, from then on the 4th became the day that was celebrated as the birth of American independence.

Early Fourth of July Celebrations and Traditions

In the pre-Revolutionary years, colonists had held annual celebrations of the king's birthday, which traditionally included the ringing of bells, bonfires, processions and speechmaking. By contrast, during the summer of 1776 some colonists celebrated the birth of independence by holding mock funerals for King George III as a way of symbolizing the end of the monarchy's hold on America and the triumph of liberty.

Festivities including concerts, bonfires, parades and the firing of cannons and muskets usually accompanied the first public readings of the Declaration of Independence, beginning immediately after its adoption. Philadelphia held the first annual commemoration of independence on July 4, 1777, while Congress was still occupied with the ongoing war.

George Washington issued double rations of rum to all his soldiers to mark the anniversary of independence in 1778, and in 1781, several months before the key American victory at the Battle of Yorktown, Massachusetts became the first state to make July 4th an official state holiday.

After the Revolutionary War, Americans continued to commemorate Independence Day every year, in celebrations that allowed the new nation's emerging political leaders to address citizens and create a feeling of unity. By the last decade of the 18th century, the two major political parties-the Federalist Party and Democratic-Republicans-that had arisen began holding separate Fourth of July celebrations in many large cities.

Fourth of July Fireworks

The first fireworks were used as early as 200 BC. The tradition of setting off fireworks on the 4 of July began in Philadelphia on July 4, 1777, during the first organized celebration of Independence Day. Ship's cannon fired a 13-gun salute in honor of the 13 colonies. The Pennsylvania Evening Post reported: "at night there was a grand exhibition of fireworks (which began and concluded with thirteen rockets) on the Commons, and the city was beautifully illuminated." That same night, the Sons of Liberty set off fireworks over Boston Common.

Fourth of July Becomes a Federal Holiday

The tradition of patriotic celebration became even more widespread after the War of 1812, in which the United States again faced Great Britain. In 1870, the U.S. Congress made July 4th a federal holiday; in 1941, the provision was expanded to grant a paid holiday to all federal employees.

Over the years, the political importance of the holiday would decline, but Independence Day remained an important national holiday and a symbol of patriotism.

Falling in mid-summer, the Fourth of July has since the late 19th century become a major focus of leisure activities and a common occasion for family get-togethers, often involving fireworks and outdoor barbecues. The most common symbol of the holiday is the American flag, and a common musical accompaniment is " The Star-Spangled Banner," the national anthem of the United States.

HISTORY Vault: The Revolution

Photo Gallery: The Founding Fathers

Fact Check

We strive for accuracy and fairness. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
History of the Fourth of July - Brief History, Early Celebrations & Traditions

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Fourth of July-also known as Independence Day or July 4th-has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941. The tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution.

# data[].attributes.headline
Compare and Contrast Independence Day for Mexico and United States

# data[].attributes.subject
Compare and Contrast Independence Day for Mexico and United States

# data[].attributes.body
Article for United States

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Table of Contents

1. History of Independence Day

2. Early Fourth of July Celebrations and Traditions&nbsp;&nbsp;

3. Fourth of July Fireworks

4. Fourth of July Becomes a Federal Holiday

5. Photo Gallery: The Founding Fathers

The Fourth of July-also known as Independence Day or July 4th-has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941, but the tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution. On July 2nd, 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence, and two days later delegates from the 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence, a historic document drafted by Thomas Jefferson. From 1776 to the present day, July 4th has been celebrated as the birth of American independence, with festivities ranging from fireworks, parades and concerts to more casual family gatherings and barbecues. The Fourth of July 2023 is on Tuesday, July 4.

History of Independence Day

When the initial battles in the Revolutionary War broke out in April 1775, few colonists desired complete independence from Great Britain, and those who did were considered radical.

By the middle of the following year, however, many more colonists had come to favor independence, thanks to growing hostility against Britain and the spread of revolutionary sentiments such as those expressed in the bestselling pamphlet " Common Sense," published by Thomas Paine in early 1776.

On June 7, when the Continental Congress met at the Pennsylvania State House (later Independence Hall) in Philadelphia, the Virginia delegate Richard Henry Lee introduced a motion calling for the colonies' independence.

Amid heated debate, Congress postponed the vote on Lee's resolution, but appointed a five-man committee-including Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, John Adams of Massachusetts, Roger Sherman of Connecticut, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania and Robert R. Livingston of New York-to draft a formal statement justifying the break with Great Britain.

Did you know? John Adams believed that July 2nd was the correct date on which to celebrate the birth of American independence, and would reportedly turn down invitations to appear at July 4th events in protest. Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on July 4, 1826-the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.

On July 2nd, the Continental Congress voted in favor of Lee's resolution for independence in a near-unanimous vote (the New York delegation abstained, but later voted affirmatively). On that day, John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail that July 2 "will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival" and that the celebration should include "Pomp and Parade...Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other."

On July 4th, the Continental Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence, which had been written largely by Jefferson. Though the vote for actual independence took place on July 2nd, from then on the 4th became the day that was celebrated as the birth of American independence.

Early Fourth of July Celebrations and Traditions

In the pre-Revolutionary years, colonists had held annual celebrations of the king's birthday, which traditionally included the ringing of bells, bonfires, processions and speechmaking. By contrast, during the summer of 1776 some colonists celebrated the birth of independence by holding mock funerals for King George III as a way of symbolizing the end of the monarchy's hold on America and the triumph of liberty.

Festivities including concerts, bonfires, parades and the firing of cannons and muskets usually accompanied the first public readings of the Declaration of Independence, beginning immediately after its adoption. Philadelphia held the first annual commemoration of independence on July 4, 1777, while Congress was still occupied with the ongoing war.

George Washington issued double rations of rum to all his soldiers to mark the anniversary of independence in 1778, and in 1781, several months before the key American victory at the Battle of Yorktown, Massachusetts became the first state to make July 4th an official state holiday.

After the Revolutionary War, Americans continued to commemorate Independence Day every year, in celebrations that allowed the new nation's emerging political leaders to address citizens and create a feeling of unity. By the last decade of the 18th century, the two major political parties-the Federalist Party and Democratic-Republicans-that had arisen began holding separate Fourth of July celebrations in many large cities.

Fourth of July Fireworks

The first fireworks were used as early as 200 BC. The tradition of setting off fireworks on the 4 of July began in Philadelphia on July 4, 1777, during the first organized celebration of Independence Day. Ship's cannon fired a 13-gun salute in honor of the 13 colonies. The Pennsylvania Evening Post reported: "at night there was a grand exhibition of fireworks (which began and concluded with thirteen rockets) on the Commons, and the city was beautifully illuminated." That same night, the Sons of Liberty set off fireworks over Boston Common.

Fourth of July Becomes a Federal Holiday

The tradition of patriotic celebration became even more widespread after the War of 1812, in which the United States again faced Great Britain. In 1870, the U.S. Congress made July 4th a federal holiday; in 1941, the provision was expanded to grant a paid holiday to all federal employees.

Over the years, the political importance of the holiday would decline, but Independence Day remained an important national holiday and a symbol of patriotism.

Falling in mid-summer, the Fourth of July has since the late 19th century become a major focus of leisure activities and a common occasion for family get-togethers, often involving fireworks and outdoor barbecues. The most common symbol of the holiday is the American flag, and a common musical accompaniment is " The Star-Spangled Banner," the national anthem of the United States.

HISTORY Vault: The Revolution

Photo Gallery: The Founding Fathers

Fact Check

We strive for accuracy and fairness. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
History of the Fourth of July - Brief History, Early Celebrations & Traditions

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Fourth of July-also known as Independence Day or July 4th-has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941. The tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution.

# data[].attributes.headline
Compare and Contrast Independence Day for Mexico and United States 

# data[].attributes.subject
Compare and Contrast Independence Day for Mexico and United States 

# data[].attributes.body
I would print this out or show it overhead. It is a great resource, written with words such as like and unlike. It has excellent Spanish vocabulary to give readers an authentic experience. However, the last paragraph says something about an frozen drink, so I would print it out or project it and not read the last paragraph because it is not needed to compare and contrast. Also, if you click the underlined words, you go to foods and famous people.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Contrary to popular belief, Mexican Independence Day does not fall on May 5th. While Mexico won a battle that day, it did not win its independence. That wouldn't happen until September 16th, 1810, which is the nation's actual birthday. But unlike the U.S., which celebrates Independence Day exclusively on July 4th, Mexico takes two days to celebrate - because that's just how it rolls.

In the early 1800s, Mexico decided it had enough of Spain's rule and that it was time for a revolt. With some help from the U.S. and France, the country started to plan.

One of the leaders of the revolution, Father Miguel Hidalgo, was planning to revolt with his men in late fall. But the Spanish found out and called for the arrest of Hidalgo and his officers earlier than anticipated. When he was alerted, Hidalgo held a meeting at his church in Dolores, Guanajuato, Mexico, ringing the bell on the night of September 15th, 1810 to call his congregation to mass. He urged them to fight, giving a speech that's known as "El Grito de Dolores," or "The Cry of Dolores." He cried "¡Viva México!" and "¡Viva la independencia!" - which means "May Mexico live on!" and "May independence live on!" - during the speech, giving way to some of the country's most famous battle cries.

Nowadays, The Cry of Dolores is still heard in Mexico. On the night of September 15th, at 11 p.m., the president of Mexico recites his own cry of independence, ending it with "¡Viva México!" And officials in other towns and cities will also let out their own cry and reenact El Grito in their own way.

Like with July 4th in the U.S., schools, federal buildings, and most workplaces are closed on the 16th of September, and the country celebrates its independence with festivities. Those with Mexican roots all over the world are also invited to celebrate, whether by decorating their apartment with flags or by reciting their own cry.

If you love Cinco de Mayo, or even Mexican food, then why not actually celebrate Mexico's official day of independence? Spend your money at the local bodega, buy from a Mexican artisan, and more than anything, give your money to local, Mexican-owned businesses. Yes, you can still go get tacos and margaritas, but do your research, and see which establishments and small businesses are authentic and actually Mexican-owned.

Enjoy, and don't forget: ¡Viva México!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Here's what you need to know about Mexican Independence Day

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Contrary to popular belief, Mexican Independence Day does not fall on May 5th. While Mexico won a battle that day, it did not win its independence. That wouldn't happen until September 16th, 1810, which is the nation's actual birthday.

# data[].attributes.headline
Compare and Contrast Independence Day for Mexico and United States 

# data[].attributes.subject
Compare and Contrast Independence Day for Mexico and United States 

# data[].attributes.body
I would print this out or show it overhead. It is a great resource, written with words such as like and unlike. It has excellent Spanish vocabulary to give readers an authentic experience. However, the last paragraph says something about an frozen drink, so I would print it out or project it and not read the last paragraph because it is not needed to compare and contrast. Also, if you click the underlined words, you go to foods and famous people.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Contrary to popular belief, Mexican Independence Day does not fall on May 5th. While Mexico won a battle that day, it did not win its independence. That wouldn't happen until September 16th, 1810, which is the nation's actual birthday. But unlike the U.S., which celebrates Independence Day exclusively on July 4th, Mexico takes two days to celebrate - because that's just how it rolls.

In the early 1800s, Mexico decided it had enough of Spain's rule and that it was time for a revolt. With some help from the U.S. and France, the country started to plan.

One of the leaders of the revolution, Father Miguel Hidalgo, was planning to revolt with his men in late fall. But the Spanish found out and called for the arrest of Hidalgo and his officers earlier than anticipated. When he was alerted, Hidalgo held a meeting at his church in Dolores, Guanajuato, Mexico, ringing the bell on the night of September 15th, 1810 to call his congregation to mass. He urged them to fight, giving a speech that's known as "El Grito de Dolores," or "The Cry of Dolores." He cried "¡Viva México!" and "¡Viva la independencia!" - which means "May Mexico live on!" and "May independence live on!" - during the speech, giving way to some of the country's most famous battle cries.

Nowadays, The Cry of Dolores is still heard in Mexico. On the night of September 15th, at 11 p.m., the president of Mexico recites his own cry of independence, ending it with "¡Viva México!" And officials in other towns and cities will also let out their own cry and reenact El Grito in their own way.

Like with July 4th in the U.S., schools, federal buildings, and most workplaces are closed on the 16th of September, and the country celebrates its independence with festivities. Those with Mexican roots all over the world are also invited to celebrate, whether by decorating their apartment with flags or by reciting their own cry.

If you love Cinco de Mayo, or even Mexican food, then why not actually celebrate Mexico's official day of independence? Spend your money at the local bodega, buy from a Mexican artisan, and more than anything, give your money to local, Mexican-owned businesses. Yes, you can still go get tacos and margaritas, but do your research, and see which establishments and small businesses are authentic and actually Mexican-owned.

Enjoy, and don't forget: ¡Viva México!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Here's what you need to know about Mexican Independence Day

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Contrary to popular belief, Mexican Independence Day does not fall on May 5th. While Mexico won a battle that day, it did not win its independence. That wouldn't happen until September 16th, 1810, which is the nation's actual birthday.

# data[].attributes.headline
First Amendment and Free Speech and the Virtual Classroom 

# data[].attributes.subject
First Amendment and Free Speech and the Virtual Classroom 

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The National Coalition Against Censorship, an alliance of over 50 national non-profit organizations, has advocated for the free speech rights of students, artists, teachers and librarians for over 45 years.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
SafeYouTube lets you share videos on YouTube easily, without distracting third-party content or advertisements.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
American Founders' Month & Celebrate Freedom Week

Section (s.) 683.1455, Florida Statutes (F.S.), designates the month of September as American Founders' Month and s. 1003.421, F.S., recognizes the last full week of classes in September in public schools as Celebrate Freedom Week.

During American Founders' Month various groups, including public and private educational institutions, are urged to recognize and observe this occasion through appropriate programs, meetings, services or celebrations in which state, county and local governmental officials are invited to participate. Public schools are encouraged to coordinate instruction at all grade levels related to the nation's founding fathers.

Celebrate Freedom Week must include at least three hours of appropriate instruction in each social studies class, as determined by each school district. This instruction shall include an in-depth study of the intent, meaning and importance of the Declaration of Independence.

American Founders' Month and Celebrate Freedom Week 2019 Memo and Proclamation.

American Founders' Month & Celebrate Freedom Week Resources

Learn more about the life and legacy of the following Founding Fathers.

Webinar

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Section (s.) 683.1455, Florida Statutes (F.S.), designates the month of September as American Founders' Month and s. 1003.421, F.S., recognizes the last full week of classes in September in public schools as Celebrate Freedom Week.

# data[].attributes.headline
Activity for incorporating art, writing, discussion and a rubric 

# data[].attributes.subject
Activity for incorporating art, writing, discussion and a rubric 

# data[].attributes.body
If you take the time to read this, it is a great project. Takes a little digging for the students.  (from DOE website)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Community Song (Citizenship Song) - Audio

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
SafeYouTube lets you share videos on YouTube easily, without distracting third-party content or advertisements.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Children's Book Read Aloud | Fiesta with by Ginger Foglesong Guy | StoryTimeWithMsMelange

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
SafeYouTube lets you share videos on YouTube easily, without distracting third-party content or advertisements.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Children's Book Read Aloud: Exploring Color in Mexico

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
SafeYouTube lets you share videos on YouTube easily, without distracting third-party content or advertisements.

# data[].attributes.body
For the younger grades, this would be a lesson plan you could use as a guide. I found two books online you could use. One is counting and
one is with colors from Mexico. See post labeled k and 1st Hispanic books online

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Preinstructional Planning
Students will:

Listen to books about Mexico

Locate Mexico on a map

Practice Spanish vocabulary

Write about Mexico

An online activity about Mexico such as National Geographic's Find People and Places: Mexico

Computer

Look What Came From Mexico by Miles Harvey

World map

Paper for brainstorming words

Projector

Writing paper

Say Hola to Spanish by Susan Middleton Elya

Spanish-English Cycle Race: A Maggie's Earth Adventures Activity

Have an online activity, such as National Geographic's Find People and Places: Mexico, ready for viewing.

Day 1

Step 1: Read Look What Came From Mexico by Miles Harvey

Step 2: Use the world map locate Mexico.

Step 3: Brainstorm words students may want to use when writing about Mexico.

Step 4: As a group, use the computer connected to the projector or large-screen TV to search for more information about Mexico on the Internet. Try using National Geographic's Find People and Places: Mexico activity.

Step 5: Have the students write a page for a class book that you will call Look What We Learned About Mexico. Bind the pages into a book.

Day 2

Step 1: Read Say Hola to Spanish by Susan Middleton Elya.

Step 2: Add Spanish words to the brainstorming paper.

Step 3: Have the students practice Spanish words on the computer using the Spanish-English Cycle Race: A Maggie's Earth Adventures Activity.

Tell someone at home what you learned about Mexico. Ask if there is anything at home that comes from Mexico that you could bring to share.

Was there enough time?

Were the students successful or frustrated learning Spanish words?

Did the Internet sites work?

Were the students able to write about Mexico without a lot of help?

Could the students tell me about Mexico?

Teacher Observation:

How many students were able to identify a fact about Mexico?

How many students were able to match Spanish words to pictures?

How many students were able to locate Mexico on the world map?

Copies of the students' writing will be saved for their assessment portfolios.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Let's Travel to Mexico! A Cultural Lesson Plan | Scholastic

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Preinstructional Planning Students will: Listen to books about Mexico Locate Mexico on a map Practice Spanish vocabulary Write about Mexico An online activity about Mexico such as National Geographic's Find People and Places: Mexico Computer Look What Came From Mexico by Miles Harvey World map Paper for brainstorming words Projector Writing paper Say Hola to Spanish by Susan Middleton Elya Spanish-English Cycle Race: A Maggie's Earth Adventures Activity Have an online activity, such as National Geographic's Find People and Places: Mexico, ready for viewing.

# data[].attributes.body
There is a lot of information on this page. From lessons to videos, it is a great resource for the history of Mexico.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
September 15 - October 15

Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage month with the following lessons, activities, videos, and more.

Tolerance: Comparing Cultural Holidays
Students in grades K-4 compare Halloween and El Día de los Muertos by looking at traditions, music, and visual art.

Dia de los Muertos: Celebrating and Remembering ( PDF, 139 KB, 6 pgs.) Students in grades K-2 explore how Dia de los Muertos is celebrated in Latino communities in the U.S. and Latin America.

Let's Travel to Mexico!
Students in grades 1-2 learn about the language and literature of Mexico.

Journal of Time: A Historical Perspective (Esperanza Rising)
Students in grades 5-8 use photographs as inspiration to write journal entries from the point of view of someone living during the Great Depression in California.

Hispanic Heritage Month begins today.
Students in grades 5-12 work in groups to research and present projects on Hispanic culture through PowerPoint, a webpage, a display, or an interactive tool such as the flip book or stapleless book.

Additional Lesson Plans

Smithsonian Education - Hispanic Heritage Teaching Resources
Lessons for grades K-12.

Hispanic Heritage Month
Lessons, activities, interactives, and resources for grades K-12.

Activities

Bring Hispanic Heritage Month to Life: A Collection of Resources ( K-8)
Interactive timelines, scavenger hunts, and other learning fun all about Hispanic Americans.

24 Great Ideas for Hispanic Heritage ( K-12)
From Aztec math to Carnival masks, these ideas are easy to put together and offer students the chance to celebrate their own heritage while appreciating the uniqueness of others.

Fact Monster - Hispanic Heritage Month Activities
Crosswords, population statistics, and more.

Colorín Colorado - Hispanic Heritage Month
Information, puzzles, biographies for English language learners. In English and Spanish.

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage with Recipes full of flavor ( K-5)

Printables

Famous Hispanic Americans ( K-5)
Coloring pages and hero cards for sports, science, politics, and the arts.

Background Resources

Day of the Dead - El Dia de los Muertos K-12 curriculum resources.

Articles Tagged as Latino American History

Library of Congress - Hispanic Heritage Month
Images, exhibits, audio, and video.

Smithsonian Latino Center Includes exhibitions, virtual museum, Virtual Museum Bilingual Teacher Training Took Kit, and more.

Smithsonian - Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage
82 articles, musical samples, and videos.

National Hispanic Heritage Month Selected resources for teachers.

Multimedia

Music

Video
Find 31 videos and 18 photo galleries.

Coco (2017) (1:45) Miguel, a 12-year-old frustrated musician, visits the land of the dead to get the blessing of a famous singer, his great-great-grandfather. This movie could be used as an introduction or culminating activity in an exploration of Dia de los Muertos and other aspects of Latino culture.

last updated: July 15, 2019

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
National Hispanic Heritage Month, Grades K-5

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage month with the following lessons, activities, videos, and more. Tolerance: Comparing Cultural Holidays Students in grades K-4 compare Halloween and El Día de los Muertos by looking at traditions, music, and visual art. Dia de los Muertos: Celebrating and Remembering ( PDF, 139 KB, 6 pgs.)

# data[].attributes.headline
Citizenship Video for younger grades: overview of what is a citizen and examples 

# data[].attributes.subject
Citizenship Video for younger grades: overview of what is a citizen and examples 

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
SafeYouTube lets you share videos on YouTube easily, without distracting third-party content or advertisements.

# data[].attributes.headline
Citizenship: Immigrants to America discuss in quick interviews what citizenship now means to them. Quick video but very interesting

# data[].attributes.subject
Citizenship: Immigrants to America discuss in quick interviews what citizenship now means to them. Quick video but very interesting

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
SafeYouTube lets you share videos on YouTube easily, without distracting third-party content or advertisements.

# data[].attributes.headline
Citizenship: Adults and Children respond to what it means to be a good citizen

# data[].attributes.subject
Citizenship: Adults and Children respond to what it means to be a good citizen

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
SafeYouTube lets you share videos on YouTube easily, without distracting third-party content or advertisements.

# data[].attributes.headline
Freedom Week - could not find 2020 (I will update when I find them) 

# data[].attributes.subject
Freedom Week - could not find 2020 (I will update when I find them) 

# data[].attributes.body
The 2019 Florida Statutes

| Title XLVIII
K-20 EDUCATION CODE | Chapter 1003
PUBLIC K-12 EDUCATION | View Entire Chapter
1003.421 Recitation of the Declaration of Independence.—(1) To educate students about the sacrifices made for freedom in the founding of this country and the values on which this country was founded, the last full week of classes in September shall be recognized in public schools as Celebrate Freedom Week. Celebrate Freedom Week must include at least 3 hours of appropriate instruction in each social studies class, as determined by each school district, which instruction shall include an in-depth study of the intent, meaning, and importance of the Declaration of Independence.(2) To emphasize the importance of this week, at the beginning of each school day or in homeroom, during the last full week of September, public school principals and teachers shall conduct an oral recitation by students of the following words of the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”(3) Student recitation of this statement shall serve to reaffirm the American ideals of individual liberty.(4) Upon written request by a student’s parent, the student must be excused from the recitation of the Declaration of Independence.History.—s. 1, ch. 2002-213