Introduction
Grade: 3rd Grade
Subject: Social Studies
TEKs 3.4(A): Describe and explain the significance of various community, state, and national celebrations such as Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Constitution Day, and Veterans Day
Have you ever celebrated a holiday and wondered why we celebrate it? In this WebQuest, you will become a holiday historian and investigate an important American holiday. You will learn its history, why it is celebrated, and how people honor it today.
Task
You will research one American holiday and create a digital poster, slideshow, or brochure that explains:
- The name of the holiday.
- When it is celebrated.
- Why it is important?
- How people celebrate it.
- A fun fact about the holiday.
Process
Step 1: Learn About American Holidays
Visit the websites below to read about important U.S. holidays.
- National Geographic Kids History
- Ben's Guide to U.S. Government for Kids
- USA.gov Holidays and Observances
Step 2: Choose a Holiday
Select one of the following:
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Constitution Day
- Veterans Day
Step 3: Research Your Holiday
Answer the following questions:
- What is the holiday called?
- When is it celebrated?
- Why was it created?
- Why is it important to Americans?
- How do people celebrate it today?
- What interesting fact did you learn?
Evaluation
Evaluation Rubric
| Criteria | 4 Points | 3 Points | 2 Points | 1 Point |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research Information | Complete and accurate | Mostly complete | Some information missing | Limited information |
| Understanding of Holiday | Clear explanation of significance | Good explanation | Partial explanation | Minimal explanation |
| Creativity | Very creative and organized | Organized | Some organization | Difficult to follow |
| Use of Pictures | Pictures support information | Most pictures support information | Few pictures included | No pictures |
| Presentation Skills | Clear and confident | Mostly clear | Some difficulty explaining | Unable to explain project |
Conclusion
Congratulations! You have become a holiday historian. By completing this WebQuest, you learned about an important American holiday and why it is celebrated. Understanding these holidays helps us appreciate the history, traditions, and people that have shaped our country.