Explorica is proud to continue with the second year of this helpful resource for teachers: our 2020 Around the World classroom calendar!
The calendar features a new country (or state) and an international holiday or event for you to celebrate with your students each month. Download a new page every month on this blog (and subscribe!), hang it up in your classroom, and talk to your students about how they reflect on the location’s history and culture.
Home to the Liberty Bell, Betsy Ross, and the backdrop to Rocky Balboa’s iconic staircase scene—can you guess our March calendar destination? It’s Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Let’s discover more about the City of Brotherly Love!
Commonly known as Philly, this city was founded by William Penn in 1682 and served as the capital of the original 13 colonies. Philadelphia played a crucial part in the American Revolution, as it was the meeting place for the Founding Fathers and the location where the Declaration of Independence was signed.
When participating in our Philadelphia tour, students will explore the city on a guided sightseeing tour that visits Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell and Betsy Ross’s house. On a city walk, students will admire the historic waterfront, Old City Cultural District, and the Washington Square District. Of course, the trip wouldn’t be complete without running in Rocky Balboa’s footsteps up the stairs to the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Use this resource to share the history of Philadelphia with your students, focusing on the significance of the city in our country’s history.
Questions to ask your students:
- What are Betsy Ross, Benjamin Franklin, and Rocky Balboa known for?
- What are some interesting things you know about Philadelphia?
- Discuss the history of the U.S. and the imperative role Philadelphia played.