Celebrating Arizona Statehood Day in the classroom

All across the nation, Valentine’s Day is celebrated on February 14. In Arizona, it is a day for double celebration because it is Arizona Statehood Day. Arizona became the 48th state on February 14, 1912.

It’s important for students to learn the origin of their state, and how it has evolved into the place they know today. Learning about Arizona’s founding can build pride and connection for students. This is also a great opportunity to teach and honor those who lived here before statehood.

Using creative activities can engage students in the significance of learning about our state’s history while also having fun. February is the perfect month to celebrate, learn and show state pride!

Here are six ways to honor Arizona’s statehood in your classroom this February:

1. Spirit kick-off. Have a mini-celebration in the classroom with quick facts and trivia to get a rough idea of what students currently know about our state.

2. Spotlight Arizonans. Make sure to introduce students to famous Arizonans that have made a difference, like Sandra Day O’Connor, Larry Fitzgerald, Frank Lloyd Wright and Cesar Chavez. Explore passages and videos, or take it a step further by having students complete research projects.

3. Map it out. You would be surprised at how little exposure students have with maps in current times. Have students draw a map of Arizona, highlighting major landmarks such as The Grand Canyon, Phoenix, Tucson, the Colorado River and more.

4. Create crafts with state symbols. Integrate symbols such as saguaros, the state flag or the cactus wren into art. Have students create 3D figures at home or in the classroom. Get creative and make it memorable!

5. Send an Arizona postcard. Have students create an Arizona postcard utilizing the symbols or culture components they’ve learned about. Tell them to write to a relative or friend that lives in another state.

6. Make desert dioramas. If you really want to extend the Arizona learning experience, assign a desert diorama to make at home and share with the class. These are fun and can be made with components from home such as shoe boxes and rocks.

In what ways do you and your students celebrate Arizona’s birthday? Share your ideas with us on the Arizona PBS Kids Facebook page!

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About the author

Marissa Will is the mother of two, Olivia (8) and Logan (6). Writing was her first passion: she’s a freelance writer and a Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication alumna. Will is currently educating the future leaders of tomorrow: She has spent the past nine years educating third grade with a master’s degree in elementary education from Northern Arizona University-Yuma.

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