NJSACC Celebrates Juneteenth. You can too.
Juneteenth (short for “June Nineteenth”) marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people were freed. The troops’ arrival came a full 2 ½ years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth honors the end to slavery in the United States and is considered the longest-running African American holiday.
SOME Juneteenth Resources
- Governor Murphy Signs Legislation Designating Juneteenth as a State and Public Holiday
- Juneteenth Discoveries
- Juneteenth.com Resources
- kidskonnect’s Juneteenth Facts and Worksheets For Kids
- Learning for Justice, formerly known as Teaching Tolerance: Celebrate Juneteenth!
- National Geographic Kids: Celebrating Juneteenth
- NYC Department of Education’s Juneteenth Resources
- The Historical Legacy of Juneteenth (National Museum of African American History and Culture)
NJSACC staff has taken full advantage of this opportunity to curate and compile a list of top resources that support teaching and sharing various cultural celebrations with the youth you serve. This resource guide has been bookmarked and indexed. Once you’ve downloaded this PDF, you may either scroll through or select each resource from the table of contents. To go back, click on the BACK button located on the bottom of each page.
January: NJSACC Celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. You can too.
NJSACC CELEBRATES DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY. YOU CAN TOO.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a federal holiday in the United States, marking the birthday of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It is observed on the third Monday of January each year.
SOME MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY RESOURCES:
- 9 Meaningful Martin Luther King Jr. Activities for the Classroom
- Americorps’ MLK Day of Service Ideas
- Civil Rights Teaching: Teaching King Beyond “I Have A Dream”
- Classroom Resources for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- Edutopia’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Resources
- Jersey Cares: Martin Luther King Day of Service
- Learning for Justice’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Resources
- Podcast Lessons and Teaching Resources for MLK Day
- TeacherVision’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Teacher Resources
February: NJSACC Celebrates Black History Month. You can too.
NJSACC CELEBRATES BLACK HISTORY MONTH. YOU CAN TOO.
National African American History Month (also known as Black History Month) in February celebrates the contributions African Americans have made to American history in their struggles for freedom and equality and deepens our understanding of our Nation’s history.
SOME BLACK HISTORY MONTH RESOURCES:
- 20 Pertinent Classroom Resources For Black History Month
- A-Z List of Black Inventors: Share an Inventor a Day in your Afterschool Program
- Black History 2021–Unsung Black Heroes: YouTube Series
- National Education Association Black History Month Lessons & Resources
- Resources for PreK-8 featuring Black History, Culture, and Experiences
- Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture-Education Resources
- Teaching Black History in Culturally Responsive Ways
March: NJSACC Celebrates Women’s History Month. You can too.
NJSACC CELEBRATES WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH. YOU CAN TOO.
Women’s History Month honors and celebrates the struggles and achievements of American women throughout the history of the United States.SOME WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH RESOURCES
- PBS Community Classroom
- Women Who Shape History: Education Resources
- Women Heroes
- 9 Women From American History You Should Know, According to Historians
- Top Mighty Girl Books & Films on Women’s History
- Forward Into the Future: Stories and Activities to Celebrate Women’s History Month with Young Readers
- 99 Books about Extraordinary Black Mighty Girls and Women
- Respect Her Crank!: Sounds of Blackness
March: NJSACC Celebrates Greek-American Heritage Month. You can too.
NJSACC CELEBRATES GREEK-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH. YOU CAN TOO.
NJSACC celebrates the culture, accomplishments and experiences of Greek people during Greek-American Heritage Month in March.
SOME GREEK-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH RESOURCES:
March: NJSACC Celebrates Irish-American Heritage Month. You can too.
NJSACC CELEBRATES IRISH-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH. YOU CAN TOO.
Irish-American Heritage Month is a month to celebrate the contributions which Irish-Americans have made to the United States.
SOME IRISH-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH RESOURCES
April: NJSACC Celebrates Arab American Heritage Month. You can too.
NJSACC CELEBRATES ARAB AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH. YOU CAN TOO.
NJSACC celebrates the culture, accomplishments and experiences of Arab American people during Arab American Heritage Month in April.
SOME ARAB AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH RESOURCES
April: NJSACC Celebrates Tartan (Scottish-American) Heritage Month. You can too.
NJSACC CELEBRATES TARTAN (SCOTTISH-AMERICAN) HERITAGE MONTH. YOU CAN TOO.
From first patriots, presidents and industrialists, Scottish Americans contributed significantly to the establishment and development of the United States. NJSACC Celebrates Tartan (Scottish-American) Heritage Month.
SOME TARTAN (SCOTTISH-AMERICAN) HERITAGE MONTH RESOURCES:
April: NJSACC Celebrates National Poetry Month. You can too.
NJSACC CELEBRATES NATIONAL POETRY MONTH. YOU CAN TOO.
Launched by the Academy of American Poets in April 1996, National Poetry Month reminds the public that poets have an integral role to play in our culture and that poetry matters. Over the years, it has become the largest literary celebration in the world, with tens of millions of readers, students, K-12 teachers, librarians, booksellers, literary events curators, publishers, families, and, of course, poets, marking poetry’s important place in our lives. NJSACC honors all of our nation’s wonderful poets.
SOME NATIONAL POETRY MONTH RESOURCES:
May: NJSACC Celebrates Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. You can too.
NJSACC CELEBRATES ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH. YOU CAN TOO.
Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month celebrates the contributions Asian/Pacific Americans have made to American history, society, and culture.
Some Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Resources:
- 20 Asian American and Pacific Islander Women to Know
- Anti-racism resources to support Asian American, Pacific Islander community
- Children’s eBook Titles – Asian American and Pacific Islanders
- National Today’s Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Resources
- Top Asian Pacific American Mighty Girl Books
May: NJSACC Celebrates South Asian Heritage Month. You can too.
NJSACC CELEBRATES SOUTH ASIAN HERITAGE MONTH. YOU CAN TOO.
South Asian Heritage Month celebrates the contributions South Asian Americans have made to American history, society and culture.
Some South Asian Heritage Month Resources:
May: NJSACC Celebrates Jewish American Heritage Month. You can too.
NJSACC CELEBRATES JEWISH AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH. YOU CAN TOO.
Jewish American Heritage Month celebrates the contributions Jewish Americans have made to American history, society, and culture.
Some Jewish American Heritage Month Resources:
May: NJSACC Celebrates Haitian Heritage Month. You can too.
NJSACC CELEBRATES HAITIAN HERITAGE MONTH. YOU CAN TOO.
Haitian Heritage Month celebrates the contributions Haitian Americans have made to American history, society, and culture.
Some Haitian Heritage Month Resources:
June: NJSACC Celebrates Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month. You can too.
NJSACC CELEBRATES LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER, AND QUEER PRIDE MONTH. YOU CAN TOO.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Pride Month celebrates the contributions Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Americans have made to American history, society, and culture.
Some LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER AND QUEER PRIDE MONTH RESOURCES:
- 15 Books on LGBTQ History for Kids
- Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice
- Celebrating LGBTQ History Month: Free Lesson Plans, Resources and Activities
- Free Mom Hugs Team: Latest news and Information
- GLSEN’s LGBTQ Pride Month Guide for Educators
- June is Rainbow Book Month
- LGBT History Month: Icons List
- Library of Congress
- Youth.gov LGBT Pride Month
June: NJSACC Celebrates National Caribbean American Heritage Month. You can too.
NJSACC CELEBRATES NATIONAL CARIBBEAN AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH. YOU CAN TOO.
National Caribbean American Heritage Month celebrates the contributions Caribbean Americans have made to American history, society, and culture.
SOME NATIONAL CARIBBEAN AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH RESOURCES:
June: NJSACC Celebrates Juneteenth. You can too.
NJSACC CELEBRATES JUNETEENTH. YOU CAN TOO.
Juneteenth (short for “June Nineteenth”) marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people were freed. The troops’ arrival came a full 2 ½ years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth honors the end to slavery in the United States and is considered the longest-running African American holiday.
SOME JUNETEENTH RESOURCES:
- Governor Murphy Signs Legislation Designating Juneteenth as a State and Public Holiday
- Juneteenth Discoveries
- Juneteenth.com Resources
- kidskonnect’s Juneteenth Facts and Worksheets For Kids
- Learning for Justice, formerly known as Teaching Tolerance: Celebrate Juneteenth!
- National Geographic Kids: Celebrating Juneteenth
- NYC Department of Education’s Juneteenth Resources
- The Historical Legacy of Juneteenth (National Museum of African American History and Culture)
July: NJSACC Celebrates Fourth of July (Independence Day). You can too.
NJSACC CELEBRATES FOURTH OF JULY (INDEPENDENCE DAY). YOU CAN TOO.
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 go 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.
Some Fourth of July (Independence Day) Resources:
- 23 Crafts and Activities for the Fourth Of July
- Children’s Books for the Fourth of July
- Education World’s Fourth of July: A Day to Remember
- History of the Fourth of July
- Red, White, and Blue Learning: Seven Resources for Independence Day
- Teacher Vision’s Fourth of July – Teacher Resources
- The Teacher’s Corner: Fourth of July Activities and Lesson Plans
July: NJSACC Celebrates French-American Heritage Month. You can too.
NJSACC CELEBRATES FRENCH-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH. YOU CAN TOO.
French-American Heritage Month takes place in July and is a month to celebrate the contributions French-Americans have made to American history, society and culture.
SOME FRENCH-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH RESOURCES:
July: NJSACC Celebrates Muslim-American Heritage Month. You can too.
NJSACC CELEBRATES MUSLIM-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH. YOU CAN TOO.
Muslim-American Heritage Month celebrates the contributions Muslim Americans have made to American history, society, and culture.
Some MUSLIM-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH RESOURCES:
September: NJSACC Celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month. You can too.
NJSACC CELEBRATES NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH. YOU CAN TOO.
National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates and recognizes the contributions Hispanic Americans have made to American society and culture and to honor five of our Central American neighbors who celebrate their Independence days in September.
Some NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH RESOURCES:
- 4 Crafts for National Hispanic Heritage Month
- 10 Inspiring Latinas Who’ve Made History
- A Month of Ideas for Celebrating Hispanic Heritage
- Hispanic Heritage Month Activities for Kids: Celebrating Latino Culture with Our Children!
- NEA Hispanic Heritage Month
- What Is Hispanic Heritage Month—and Who Celebrates It?
October: NJSACC Celebrates German American Heritage Month. You can too.
NJSACC CELEBRATES GERMAN AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH. YOU CAN TOO.
German American Heritage Month celebrates and recognizes the contributions German Americans have made to American society and culture.
Some German American Heritage Month Resources:
October: NJSACC Celebrates Filipino American History Month. You can too.
NJSACC CELEBRATES FILIPINO AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH. YOU CAN TOO.
Filipino American History Month celebrates and recognizes the contributions Filipinos have made to American society and culture.
Some Filipino American History Month Resources:
- 9 Ways To Celebrate Filipino American History Month
- 10+ Picture Book Recommendations to Celebrate Filipino American History Month
- Filipino American National Historical Society’s Filipino Educational Resources and Activities
- Fil-Am Learners: A Taglish Discovery Of Our Cultural Roots
- Why Filipino American History Month is celebrated in October
October: NJSACC Celebrates Italian American Heritage Month. You can too.
NJSACC CELEBRATES ITALIAN AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH. YOU CAN TOO.
Italian American Heritage Month celebrates and recognizes the contributions Italian Americans have made to American society and culture.
Some Italian American Heritage Month Resources:
- 5 Picture Books to Celebrate Italian American Heritage Month
- Dive into Diversity: Italian American Heritage Month!
- Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans Resources (K-12)
- New York Public Library’s Italian American Heritage Month Resources
- NJ Italian Heritage Commission’s Italian Heritage Curriculum (K-5)
- Peanut Butter Fish Lessons: Learn About Italy In Your Homeschool
November: NJSACC Celebrates Native American Heritage Month. You can too.
NJSACC CELEBRATES NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH. YOU CAN TOO.
Native American Heritage Month celebrates and recognizes the contributions Native Americans have made to American society and culture.
Some Native American Heritage Month Resources:
- 2021 Native American Heritage Month Toolkit
- Celebrate Native American Heritage
- Honoring Native American Heritage Month with Kids
- Lenape Indians Links and Resources for Grades K-4
- Lenape Lifeways Videos by historian John Kraft
- Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania
- Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation NJ
- National Museum of the American Indian Lesson Plans
- Native American Heritage Month Teacher Resources
- Storytime Channel for Kids: We Are Water Protectors
- The word Indigenous – explained | CBC Kids News
- Treaty 7 Land Acknowledgment | Indigenous Services | Calgary Public Library
- Why We Serve: Native Americans in the United States Armed Forces
December: NJSACC Celebrates Hanukkah. You can too.
NJSACC CELEBRATES HANUKKAH. YOU CAN TOO.
Chanukah is the Jewish eight-day, wintertime “festival of lights,” celebrated in December with a nightly menorah lighting, special prayers and fried foods.
SOME HANUKKAH RESOURCES:
December: NJSACC Celebrates Christmas. You can too.
NJSACC CELEBRATES CHRISTMAS. YOU CAN TOO.
Christmas is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed primarily on December 25 as a religious and cultural celebration.
SOME CHRISTMAS RESOURCES:
December: NJSACC Celebrates Kwanzaa. You can too.
NJSACC CELEBRATES KWANZAA. YOU CAN TOO.
Kwanzaa is an annual celebration of African-American culture that is held from December 26 to January 1, culminating in a communal feast called Karamu, usually held on the 6th day.