Originally posted on IdahoEdNews.org on July 3, 2025
BOISE, ID – The United States has a big birthday coming up next year: 250.
To celebrate, the Idaho Department of Education is launching the Spirit of the United States monthly classroom contest.
Each month, teachers can use a 10-15 minute lesson on a different American value provided by the state department before diving into a creative pursuit centered on that value.
Students can draw, write, or create a multimedia project on how they feel about the word, said Leslie Younger, coordinator for K-12 social studies and 6-12 English Language Arts at the state department.
Each participating class will select a monthly winner from the student submissions to send to the state department. The state will then publish a coffee table book of the winners’ creations ahead of the July 4, 2026 celebration.
So far, Younger said, 91 teachers across the state have signs up to participate but signups remain open until August.
“I think it’s a simple activity that teachers can include in their normal and everyday lessons for students to share their own thoughts and opinions about their country in creative ways,” Younger said.
Teachers will receive a box of supplies including read aloud books, a placemat for elementary students with a map of the United States printed on it and stickers that coordinate with the slide decks created by the state department for teachers.
Grade 6 -12 teachers will receive a large map for their classroom instead of the placemats. Teachers will also get prizes for their monthly classroom winners.
The crates are paid for through state professional development funds and a donation from Albion Center at Idaho State University. The program is part of the state and national America 250 celebrations.
The slide decks and materials Younger is putting together include primary sources and images that teachers can use for future lessons, she noted.
Sign ups aren’t just limited to history or English teachers, she added. Any teacher can sign up and utilize the short lessons.
The monthly topics are:
- September — Founding Principles of Democracy (Focus on the Bill of Rights)
- October — Patriotism
- November — National Symbols and Documents
- January — Equality
- February — Liberty
- March — Opportunity
- April — Civic Duty
- For more information and to sign up click here.