Virginia SOL 1.2.k
The Standard
Juneteenth
Virginia Standards of Learning for History and Social Science
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students identify June 19 as Juneteenth and explain that it remembers freedom from slavery. They describe ways communities observe the day, such as sharing stories, music, food, and public events.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student can name the date, tell what the holiday remembers, and give one example of a community observance. The student can explain that Juneteenth and Independence Day honor different events.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think Juneteenth is another name for Independence Day or that it celebrates one person's birthday. They may also think slavery ended everywhere on June 19, 1865, rather than understanding that freedom news reached Galveston that day.
How to Assess It
- Give an exit ticket with two prompts: “Juneteenth remembers ___” and “One way a community may observe it is ___.” Students may write or draw their answers.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Make a class paper calendar, mark June 19, and add drawings of parades, music, shared meals, and stories beside the date.
After reading All Different Now, ask, “Why might families celebrate when freedom news finally arrived?” Students write or dictate one sentence.
Play a card match using Juneteenth symbols, dates, meanings, and community observances, then have partners explain each completed match.
Show a local Juneteenth event flyer and have students circle ways the community plans to remember and celebrate the day.
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