1. Components of American Culture Social Studies Coach Lesson 1

2. The student will recognize components of American culture (i.e., holidays, language, clothing, food, art, music, and religion). recognize components of American culture (i.e., holidays, language, clothing, food, art, music, and religion). recognize personal, religious, and national celebrations of various American cultures (i.e., Independence Day, Columbus Day, Native American or American Indian Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Veterans Day, Memorial Day, or Thanksgiving). recognize personal, religious, and national celebrations of various American cultures (i.e., Independence Day, Columbus Day, Native American or American Indian Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Veterans Day, Memorial Day, or Thanksgiving).

3. Components of American Culture People of the United States have many things in common. Americans share many beliefs, customs, practices, and ideas about education, government, and leisure time. Many Americans use the same kinds of technology, wear the same kinds of clothing, and enjoy the same kinds of food. All these elements help to make up American culture. People of the United States have many things in common. Americans share many beliefs, customs, practices, and ideas about education, government, and leisure time. Many Americans use the same kinds of technology, wear the same kinds of clothing, and enjoy the same kinds of food. All these elements help to make up American culture.

4. Components of American Culture Culture is made up of many different elements, many of which relate to how people live, what they may like to do in their spare time, and what they think about different things. Culture is made up of many different elements, many of which relate to how people live, what they may like to do in their spare time, and what they think about different things.

5. The Melting Pot Even though they share many important characteristics, Americans also have many differences. These differences stem, in large part, from our country’s immigrant history. An immigrant is someone who settles in a country that he or she was not born in. Even though they share many important characteristics, Americans also have many differences. These differences stem, in large part, from our country’s immigrant history. An immigrant is someone who settles in a country that he or she was not born in.

6. Ellis Island

7. The Melting Pot Since the 1500’s, people from around the world have settled in what would become the United States. Today, very few countries in the world have a population as ethnically diverse as that of the United States. This has led people to call the United States a “melting pot”. Since the 1500’s, people from around the world have settled in what would become the United States. Today, very few countries in the world have a population as ethnically diverse as that of the United States. This has led people to call the United States a “melting pot”.

8. The Melting Pot Each group of immigrants that came to the United States brought with it the foods, clothing styles, religious practices, holidays and festivals, language, and the arts of its home country. Each group of immigrants that came to the United States brought with it the foods, clothing styles, religious practices, holidays and festivals, language, and the arts of its home country.

9. The Melting Pot Over time, many of these things became a part of the American culture. Because so many cultures have influenced American culture, the United States is often said to have a multicultural society. Multicultural is a word that describes anything that is made up of or has different cultural influences. Over time, many of these things became a part of the American culture. Because so many cultures have influenced American culture, the United States is often said to have a multicultural society. Multicultural is a word that describes anything that is made up of or has different cultural influences.

10. Immigrants

11. Language Many of the first European settlers in north America came from England. As a result, English became the most widely spoken language in the Thirteen Colonies. Today, most people in the United States speak English. Many of the first European settlers in north America came from England. As a result, English became the most widely spoken language in the Thirteen Colonies. Today, most people in the United States speak English.

12. Language Spanish is the second most widely spoken language in the US. Long ago, Spanish and Mexican settlers moved into what is now the Southwest United States. Their culture strongly influenced the growth and development of this region of the country. Spanish is the second most widely spoken language in the US. Long ago, Spanish and Mexican settlers moved into what is now the Southwest United States. Their culture strongly influenced the growth and development of this region of the country.

13. Language People from different Spanish-speaking countries such as Cuba and the other countries of Central and South America continued to immigrate to the U.S. Although, many of them learned English, they also continued to speak Spanish. Today, Hispanic or Latino culture is evident throughout the U.S. People from different Spanish-speaking countries such as Cuba and the other countries of Central and South America continued to immigrate to the U.S. Although, many of them learned English, they also continued to speak Spanish. Today, Hispanic or Latino culture is evident throughout the U.S.

14. Language Many immigrant groups continue to practice the customs and traditions of their countries of origin. For example, Mexican Americans celebrate Cinco de Mayo on May 5 to remember Mexico’s important military victory against the French in 1862. Chinese New Year, with its fireworks and dancers in dragon costumes, is a big event in cities with large Chinese populations, such as New York and San Francisco. Many immigrant groups continue to practice the customs and traditions of their countries of origin. For example, Mexican Americans celebrate Cinco de Mayo on May 5 to remember Mexico’s important military victory against the French in 1862. Chinese New Year, with its fireworks and dancers in dragon costumes, is a big event in cities with large Chinese populations, such as New York and San Francisco.

15. Language

16. Holidays People of the U.S. celebrate a large number of holidays. Along with much of the rest of the world, Americans celebrate New Year’s Day on January 1. Most Christians in the U.S. join Christians in other countries in celebrating Christmas on December 25 and Easter Sunday, which falls in the early spring. People of the U.S. celebrate a large number of holidays. Along with much of the rest of the world, Americans celebrate New Year’s Day on January 1. Most Christians in the U.S. join Christians in other countries in celebrating Christmas on December 25 and Easter Sunday, which falls in the early spring.

17. Christmas

18. Holidays Many African Americans celebrate Kwanzaa. This seven-day festival begins on December 26 and celebrates African American culture with gift-giving, candle-lighting, and feasting. Many African Americans celebrate Kwanzaa. This seven-day festival begins on December 26 and celebrates African American culture with gift-giving, candle-lighting, and feasting.

19. Kwanzaa

20. Holidays The U.S. has variety of national holidays. These holidays celebrate major events in U.S. history, important leaders, or important American traditions. Independence Day and Memorial Day are two national holidays in the U.S. The U.S. has variety of national holidays. These holidays celebrate major events in U.S. history, important leaders, or important American traditions. Independence Day and Memorial Day are two national holidays in the U.S.

21. Independence Day

22. Holiday When Celebrated What it Celebrates Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Third Monday of January The life of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. President’s Day Third Monday in February Washington and Lincoln’s birthdays, lives and contributions of U.S. presidents Memorial Day Last Monday in May Americans who have given their lives for their country Independence Day July 4 The day when the American colonies declared their independence from Great Britain Labor Day First Monday in September Working people Columbus Day Second Monday in October Landing of explorer Christopher Columbus in the New world in 1492 Veterans Day November 11 Veterans of American wars Thanksgiving Day Fourth Thursday in November Feast shared between settlers from England called Pilgrims and Native Americans to give thanks for surviving the previous year

23. Religion In the U.S., freedom of religion in protected by law. This means that the government cannot force people to practice a certain religion. The government also cannot prevent people from practicing the religion of their choice. In the U.S., freedom of religion in protected by law. This means that the government cannot force people to practice a certain religion. The government also cannot prevent people from practicing the religion of their choice.

24. Religion About 90% of Americans identify themselves according to a specific religion. About 70% are members of a religious group. About 90% of Americans identify themselves according to a specific religion. About 70% are members of a religious group. Most Americans who belong to an organized religion are Christians, about 84% of the U.S. population as of 2005. About 1.9% are Jewish, 1.6% are Muslim,.9% are Buddhists, and.4% are Hindu. Many others belong to a wide variety of organized and unorganized faiths and spiritualities. Most Americans who belong to an organized religion are Christians, about 84% of the U.S. population as of 2005. About 1.9% are Jewish, 1.6% are Muslim,.9% are Buddhists, and.4% are Hindu. Many others belong to a wide variety of organized and unorganized faiths and spiritualities.

25. 1. What cultural elements from their home countries do many immigrants continue to observe? A. Kwanzaa and Independence Day B. language, music, food C. bank and winter holidays D. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

26. B. language, music, and foods

27. 2. Why is the U.S. called a “Melting Pot”? A. People in the U.S. celebrate a specific group of holidays B. Early settlers used special pots to cook their food C. The English language is made up of words and phrases from other languages D. American culture is a blend of customs and cultural practices from around the world

28. D. American culture is a blend of customs and cultural practices from around the world

29. 3. Which of the following is not a component of American culture? A. holidays B. nature C. music D. food

30. B. nature

31. 4. Which of the following is not a national holiday in the U.S.? A. Independence Day B. Columbus Day C. Kwanzaa D. Veterans Day

32. C. Kwanzaa