Celebrating Freedom Day

Overview

Students will explore the history and significance of Juneteenth, understanding its role in American history and its impact on freedom and equality. This lesson integrates reading comprehension, critical thinking, and social studies skills aligned with Common Core State Standards for 5th grade. The focus is on historical understanding, vocabulary development, and text-based analysis.

Standards Addressed

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.1
Quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.2
Determine two or more main ideas of a text and explain how they are supported by key details; summarize the text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.3
Explain the relationships or interactions between two or more individuals, events, ideas, or concepts in a historical text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.5.1
Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions with diverse partners on grade 5 topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.2
Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas clearly.

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Learning Objectives

• Students will read an age-appropriate informational text about Juneteenth.
• Students will identify main ideas and supporting details about the origins and significance of Juneteenth.
• Students will answer text-dependent questions demonstrating comprehension and ability to quote from the text.
• Students will engage in a classroom discussion to deepen understanding of Juneteenth’s importance in American history.

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Materials Needed

• Printed Juneteenth informational text (1 page, ~300 words, grade-appropriate vocabulary)
• Question worksheet (5 text-based questions)
• Chart paper or whiteboard
• Markers
• Student notebooks

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Lesson Structure

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

• Begin with a question: “Have you heard of a holiday called Juneteenth? What do you think it might celebrate?”
• Show the word Juneteenth on the board. Briefly explain it is a special day that celebrates the end of slavery in the United States.
• Connect to students’ background knowledge by asking what they know about freedom and freedom celebrations (like the Fourth of July).

2. Reading Activity (10 minutes)

• Distribute the Juneteenth informational text.
• Read aloud the text, stopping after each paragraph to check for understanding by asking simple questions (e.g., “What happened after the Civil War ended?”)
• Students follow along, highlighting or underlining important details or words they find interesting.

3. Comprehension Questions (8 minutes)

• Distribute the question worksheet.
• Questions focus on:
  • Quoting directly from text to support answers
  • Identifying main ideas and supporting details
  • Explaining the relationship between events (e.g., Emancipation Proclamation and the announcement in Texas)
• Students complete independently or in pairs.
• After completion, review answers as a class, encouraging students to cite the text and explain their reasoning.

4. Discussion and Reflection (5 minutes)

• Facilitate a guided discussion:
  • Why is Juneteenth important to remember?
  • How does learning about Juneteenth help us understand American history better?
  • How do celebrations like Juneteenth help communities?
• Invite students to share thoughts or connections to their own experiences or celebrations.

5. Closing/Application (2 minutes)

• Ask students to write one sentence in their notebooks explaining what Juneteenth means to them after today’s lesson.
• Collect a few volunteer responses to share aloud as a class wrap-up.

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Sample Juneteenth Informational Text Summary (Teacher Use)

Juneteenth is a holiday celebrated on June 19th to mark the day in 1865 when the last enslaved people in Texas learned they were free, over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. This day symbolizes freedom and the end of slavery in America. It has been celebrated for over 150 years with community gatherings, music, and food. Juneteenth helps us remember the struggles and rights of African Americans and celebrates liberty for all.

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Sample Questions

1. What does Juneteenth celebrate? Use words from the text to explain.
2. Why did it take more than two years for some enslaved people to hear about their freedom?
3. Identify two ways people celebrate Juneteenth today.
4. How does the text explain the connection between the Emancipation Proclamation and Juneteenth?
5. Why do you think it is important for Americans to remember Juneteenth?

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Differentiation

• For struggling readers: Provide a glossary of difficult words from the text with simple definitions. Pair with a reading buddy for the reading activity.
• For advanced students: Encourage additional writing by having them compare Juneteenth with another American holiday that celebrates freedom.
• For English Language Learners: Use visuals and diagrams to relate key vocabulary and concepts before reading.

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This structured yet interactive lesson on Juneteenth aligns with Common Core standards by emphasizing text evidence, comprehension, and discussion—all tailored to the literacy and social studies abilities of 5th graders. Teachers can adjust pacing slightly depending on class engagement to maximize understanding within the 30-minute timeframe.