My students enjoy reading our stacks of USA Books this time of year. If it’s an election year we hold mock elections so our little learners can have a better concept of what elections mean. Students enjoy making patriotic crafts as we honor and celebrate our Veterans.

If you’re looking for ways to manage your literacy curriculum you’ll want to check out my literacy stations.

Veterans Day Emergent Reader

This Veterans Day Emergent Reader is a great way to connect veterans with social studies. This resource will be the perfect addition to your lesson plans and allow your students to combine social studies and language arts.

Inside You’ll Find

• 14 pages to complete your emergent reader (download below)
• Each page has 2 sides to the readers

This Veterans Day Emergent Reader walks students through a very basic introduction to what Veterans Day is about. Each page contains one to two sentences and then has an image above it.

There is a color and black and white version for students included in this freebie. You can print off a color version to go in the classroom library and print off black and white versions for each of your students.

To get this freebie, use the ‘click here to download’ button at the bottom of this page

If you choose to do black and white, you can have your students color their Veterans Day Emergent Reader prior to reading. I always find this helps introduce students to the material, while also providing them with some ownership over their own book.

If you use the Veterans Day Emergent Reader in the classroom while you are learning about this special holiday, you can send it home with your students to add to their book collection at home.

If you do not have time to incorporate Veterans Day into your lesson plans this year, no worries! You can simply send the book home and have students complete it at home.

Download your free Veterans Day Emergent Reader below!

Can you not find a resource that you would LOVE to have for your classroom? Contact me and I would be happy to make it for you.

Click the picture below to download.

I hope that you and your students enjoy this Veterans Day Emergent Reader!

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Materials Needed for the 4th of July Day Thumbprint Craft:

• 4th Of July Stars Template (download below!)
• White cardstock
• Scissors
• Masking tape/painters tape
• Red paint, Blue paint

Getting the 4th of July Thumbprint Craft Ready:

To get this craft ready, you’ll need to print the template onto cardstock. Next, cut out the stars, making sure to cut outside of the black line. This will help the students see the shape outline as the make their thumbprints.

Get the paint ready for the kids to use by putting it out onto a plate or something the can press their thumb onto. This time we used empty recycled cartons.

It also helps to get the tape ready by rolling it into pieces, ready to use to stick the letters and heart down. For this craft, they will need many small, rolled, pieces of tape. Masking tape (painters tape) works best for this. The regular clear tape could tear the background paper.

Doing the 4th of July Thumbprint Craft:

The students will start by taping the star pieces down onto the paper.  It is best to use a piece of rolled tape on each point of the star so that no edges are sticking up for the paint to get under.

Next, choose red or blue, and begin making thumbprints all around the edges of the stars.  Be sure to fill in the gaps with more thumbprints.

After the stars are outlined with thumbprints and there are prints all around the paper, let the paint dry.

After the paint dries, slowly pull up each star to reveal your star shapes!

Now you have some festive and patriotic art to celebrate the 4th of July! Isn’t it pretty?!

Click the picture below to download. You will immediately be redirected to the freebie.

I hope that you and your students enjoy this 4th of July Patriotic Stars Thumbprint Craft!

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Apple Pie Fourth of July by Janet S. Wong

Learn about cultural differences in a 4th of July setting as a Chinese-American girl experiences the holiday.

F is for Flag by Grosset & Dunlap

June 14^th is Flag Day in the USA.  Wendy Cheyette Lewison’s book shows children how this one flag can mean many different things.

Red White and Boom by Lee Wardlaw

Happy 4^th of July! Travel across the country and celebrate the different traditions and cultures that make America’s birthday red, white, and boom!

O, Say Can You See? by Sheila Keenan

A bright and light-hearted exploration of some of the more familiar landmarks, symbols, and aspects of life in the USA.

America is… by Louise Borden

From states, to flags, and famous landmarks.  A patriotic exploration of some of the defining aspects and symbols of America.

L is for Liberty by Wendy Cheyette Lewison

Celebrate this iconic symbol of America.  Learn about the history of the statue and the freedom she stands for!

The Bald Eagle by Norman Pearl

Learn about this national symbol through the eyes of a bird keeper.  A strong and beautiful bird that represents the strength and freedom of an entire nation.

America the Beautiful by Katherine Lee Bates

Explore this beloved and patriotic song along with beautiful images that represent the best of America.

We the Kids: The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States by David Catrow

A fun-filled look at the preamble to the constitution, making it enjoyable and accessible for kids.

Our American Flag by Mary Firestone

Explore the history of the American flag and how this symbol of freedom came to be as it is today.

Wow! America by Robert Neubecker

How to Make Cherry Pie and See the U.S.A. by Majorie Priceman

Join a baker as she travels back and forth across the USA gathering the things she needs.

I hope that you find something that you can add to your collection. Do you have any favorite USA books that are not on this list?

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Each Patriotic Roll and Dab will come with three different levels for students. I love this because you can use it for a variety of ages or learning abilities. A three year old can do it with a kindergarten sibling or a struggling kindergarten student can do the same activity as an above average kindergarten student. Level one will require students to roll one dice at at time and simply dab that corresponding number on the mat.

The next level will require students to roll two dice. They will add the numbers together and then dab the sum(answer) on the mat.

Level three requires the students to roll three dice. They will add the three numbers together and then dab the sum.

You can either have your students complete this activity alone or in pairs. If they complete the activity in pairs, make sure they each get a different color. They will take turns rolling the dice and dabbing the number or sum. Once the board is full or time is called, the person that has the most dabs wins.

My daughter, Molly, is all about paint dabbers these days. They are pretty inexpensive and do not make a huge mess, like paint would. I bought a variety pack much like the one linked above. If you do not want to use paint dabbers, you can have your students (or child) use markers, crayons, or even paint.

If you would like more Roll and Dab resources please let me know and I would be happy to make some for you.

To download this product click on the Download Here image below

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Need more summer time learning ideas? 

Summer Blend Puzzles

Boredom Buster Bingo for Summer

Summer Bingo

Patriotic Crafts for Little Learners

Handprint art is a good idea any time of the year! Make a sweet keepsake with this 4th of July themed handprint with patriotic colors.

Grab your recycling bin for the materials to make fireworks painting. I really like how scissor skills are used in this simple craft!

I’m completly in love with patriotic blowers! I can’t think of a better craft for kids this 4th of July!

Add a little sensory play to your patriotic crafts this year. Just grab a can of shaving cream and your favorite food coloring to make beautiful firework creations!

Make your own patriotic necklace and bracelet this year. This is a great way to add fine motor practice to your patriotic craft time!

Celebrate America with stars and stripes slime! I love the sensory aspect to this craft and how inviting all the slimes are for little learners.

Have you made craft stick flags before? Try making your own 4th of July themed flags for an easy patriotic decoration!

Ask your students to help decorate your outside space with patriotic craft stars. Sidewalk chalk paint is so much fun for little learners and is a great way to help show the neighborhood your patriotism.

Paper lanterns are a great fine motor craft for kids! Create your next set in red, white, and blue for a great patriotic craft which you can also use to decorate your learning space.

Grab your set of Do-A-Dot markers to create a fun roll and dab craft! This is a great way to add a little learning to your patriotic crafts this summer.

Make your own patriotic suncatchers for your celebrations this summer! These are simple to make and have a lot of color!

Oh wow! LOVE this idea. Make Uncle Sam paper plate craft as a great introduction to American social studies for little learners.

Straws are such a great painting manipulative. This time you can arrange your bendy straws to look like fireworks and use patriotic paint colors to make fun firework paintings!

Are you having a get together this 4th of July? Ask your children to help make easy patriotic themed candle jars. This is a great idea for working on fine motor skills too!

Isn’t simple art the best? I love how easy it is to set up this pom-pom american flag painting craft. Grab your craft stash and create with your students today!

All this creating will leave your little learners hungry! Create a patriotic snack with healthy strawberries and blueberries.

Another great keepsake for your 4th of July celebration is this footprint fireworks painting. Save these for years to come to remember how much your child has grown!

What a fun way to celebrate this summer! Make your own confetti launchers with lots of patriotic colors.

Your youngest learners will be mesmerized by 4th of July sparkle bottles. If you have older students, they can help create these beautiful sensory bottles with a patriotic theme.

The last craft is so inviting and you have all the materials in your craft stash (or home) already. Use Q-Tips to make a fun firework craft with your little learners today!

You might also like our Preschool Summer Review! 

Do you have any favorite patriotic crafts to share with us in the comments?

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The Presidents’ Day Emergent Reader contains 14 different pages to help teach students about Presidents. It walks students through a very basic introduction to what Presidents’ Day is about. Each page contains one to two sentences and then has an image above it.

There is a color and black and white version for students included in this freebie. If you choose to do black and white, you can have your students color their President’s Day Emergent Reader prior to reading. I always find this helps introduce students to the material, while also providing them with some ownership over their own book.

If you use the Presidents’ Day Emergent Reader in the classroom while you are learning about this special, you can send it home with your students to add to their book collection at home. If you do not have time to complete it in your classroom, you can simply send the book home and have students complete it at home.

Download your free Presidents’ Day Emergent Reader below!

Can you not find a resource that you would LOVE to have for your classroom? Contact me and I would be happy to make it for you.

Click the picture below to download.

I hope that you and your students enjoy this Presidents’ Day Emergent Reader!  Are you looking for more Presidents’ Day ideas and activities, similar to do at home or in the classroom? If so, check out some more of our favorites below or check out all of our ideas under the Presidents’ Day Lesson Plans area of our site!

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12 Presidents’ Day Books for Little Learners

Grace for President by Kelly S. DiPucchio

When Grace’s teacher tells her that there has never been a female president, Grace decides that she will be the first! This book is a fun introduction to the American electoral system.

If Ran for President by Catherine Stier

A relatable and easily understandable explanation of the election process for kids, this book shows how six different children would do it if they were in the running.

I am George Washington by Brad Meltzer

This children’s biography of George Washington is a perfect read for President’s day, or to spark interest in history on any day of the year!

Duck for President by Doreen Cronin

Kids of all ages will enjoy this funny story about a Duck running to overthrow the farmer as leader of the farm.  

President’s Day by Anne Rockwell

This picture book gives historical facts through a fictional story.  An excellent primer on the history of America and it’s early presidents.

Celebrating President’s Day by Kimberly Jordano

This is a very simple book and a great way to explain the concept of Presidents’ Day to preschoolers and other young children.

A Picture Book of George Washington by David A. Adler

For Kindergarten and 1st graders, this book gives a simple and brief biography of our first president along with engaging illustrations.

I am Abraham Lincoln by Brad Meltzer

Learn about the life of Abraham Lincoln in this kids biography that includes fun illustrations and easy to understand text.

Presidents’ Day by Margaret McNamara

This informative and easy to read book will teach kids about why we celebrate a day in february for our Presidents.

Looking at Lincoln by Maira Kalman

This newly released picture book is an updated and engaging look at the life of President Lincoln through a child’s eyes.

Arthur Meets the President by Marc Brown

Follow along as Arthur heads to Washington D.C. to meet the president!

This Little President by Joan Holub

This board book about our American Presidents is perfect for your little leaders in training!

Can you not find a resource that you would LOVE to have for your classroom? Contact me and I would be happy to make it for you.

Don’t forget to check out all of the children’s book lists featured on A Dab of Glue Will Do.  Do you have any favorite children’s Presidents’ Day books that are not on the list? If so, please share in the comments below.  If you are looking for more Presidents’ Day ideas, activities, and printables to do at home or in the classroom make sure to check out our other Presidents’ Day Lessons.

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The Election Day Emergent Reader contains eight different pages to help teach students about election day. It walks students through a very basic introduction to the presidential election. Each page contains one to two sentences and then has an image above it. For many of these students, they will have no knowledge of presidential elections so a visual will be very important in helping students understand exactly what they are reading.

There is a color and black and white version for students included in this freebie. If you choose to do black and white, you can have your students color their Election Day Emergent Reader prior to reading. I always find this helps introduce students to the material, while also providing them with some ownership over their own book.

If you use the Election Day Emergent Reader in the classroom while you are learning about elections, you can send it home with your students to add to their book collection at home. If you do not have time to complete in your classroom, you can simply send the book home and have students complete it at home.

Want More?

Purchase our Mock Election to help teach your students all about the election.

Can you not find a resource that you would LOVE to have for your classroom? Contact me and I would be happy to make it for you.

Click the picture below to download.

I hope that you and your students enjoy their Election Day Emergent Reader!

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The concept of elections can be abstract and difficult to understand so I always start by reading my favorite election books. For many of the younger students, this will be their first time ever hearing about an election so it will be critical to set the stage for the rest of the lesson(s). This free Election Day emergent reader is also a perfect way to introduce this topic to your students. It is something that they can easily take home for reference too. After introducing and discussing elections, I always did a mock election in my classroom.

Depending on the age of your students, you can have them vote for the actual candidates or you can have them vote for something entirely different. Since many of my students had very little knowledge about the candidates running for President, I always found it beneficial to have them vote for something that was important to them. This allowed my students to better understand how an election worked since it was meaningful to them.

There are six different voting ballots for you to choose from, along with two different blank (and editable) templates. This allows you to customize your ballots for your own students, thus providing them with a chance to fully understand how a President is elected.

For purposes of this blog post, I will be showing you the ballot that has students voting for their favorite food.  Each student will get their own ballot to fill out in their semi-private room. Students will check which food is their favorite.

After they vote, they will place their ballot into the ballot box.

After each student votes, they will get a “sticker” to wear, showing their friends that they voted in the election.

After all of the votes are in, you and your students will count all of the votes. There is a vote tracker that students can fill out at their desks. Students will be required to color in a square for each vote counted. For example, if pizza had 14 votes, there should be 14 squares colored. Then students will write the final number in the square at the right. Whichever one has the highest number, wins the election.

Do you want to have a mock election in your classroom or at home?

Purchase on the A Dab of Glue Will Do Store

Purchase on Teacher Pay Teachers

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Woodrow for President by Peter W. Barnes

Introduce young readers to campaigning, voting, a career in public service, and the election process as they follow Woodrow’s journey.

Today on Election Day by Catherine Stier

A cast of ‘future voters’ get to experience and learn about the election process as it takes place in their school gym.

Monster Needs Your Vote by Paul Czajak

A fun and furry introduction to grass roots politics and why people get involved.

Amelia Bedelia’s First Vote by Herman Parish

Amelia is looking forward to school Election Day. Join her as she experiences running for office, voting, campaigning, working with others, and much more.

If I Ran for President by Catherine Stier

Young readers can learn the complex nature of the election process, from understanding the nation’s problems, to explaining your platform, selecting a running mate, and debating on live tv!

Grace for President by Grace S. DiPucchio

Grace wants to be the first female President! Follow her first foray into politics in the school mock election in this inspiring tale.

Election Day by Margaret McNamara

It’s Becky’s first day at a new school. Join her class as they experience Election Day by listening to speeches and voting. Who will win?

Otto Runs for President by Rosemary Wells

Join Otto as he takes a different approach to campaigning by listening to his classmates! He learns it’s hard work to run for president, but even harder to be president!

Election Day by Patricia J. Murphy

This fun and informative book introduces readers to the basic facts about Election Day.

Let’s Vote On It by Janice Behrens

Does your class have an important decision to make? Then vote!

Bad Kitty for President by Nick Bruel

A fun approach to learning about the election process – a new president of the neighborhood cat club is elected!

Vote for Me! by Ben Clanton

A satirical look at American politics that both children and adults will enjoy.

To see all book lists featured on A Dab of Glue Will Do, click here. Do you have any favorite election books that are not on the list? If so, please share in the comments below.

Can you not find a resource that you would LOVE to have for your classroom? Contact me and I would be happy to make it for you.

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