Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“Birth of a Holiday”

In this activity, students are asked to create a new American holiday and to describe its purpose, rituals, and celebrations.

In the opening chapter of Sula, Shadrack, who returns from World War I with something like post-traumatic stress disorder, identifies a problem and creates a holiday to address the problem: National Suicide Day. Despite the grim name, Shadrack’s logic is that he spends his days worrying over death, and he imagines that others do, too. If he could worry over death just one day per year, he could get on with his life during the remaining 364 days. This activity will help you think about the theme Family, Community, and the Burden of Legacies.

Using the template below, create an American holiday that meets a need of the people. Describe its purpose and the rituals and celebrations that would accompany it.

Name of Holiday / People’s Need / Rituals / Celebrations

Purpose of Holiday

Teaching Suggestion: You might model for students how to complete the template using Shadrack’s holiday (or another example if you suspect the topic of suicide may be too upsetting).