Sula

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).

Consider inviting students to present oral arguments to the class in favor of their holidays. As a class, discuss which suggestions might serve the American people well. You might follow up with written letters or emails to state or federal representatives pitching these holidays.

Differentiation Suggestion: Students who would benefit from or prefer an activity based more in concrete thinking and research might instead use reliable sources to investigate how and why American holidays such as Mother’s Day and Veterans Day were established.

Paired Text Extension: “Juneteenth: The History of a Holiday” by Derrick Bryson Taylor (Subscription may be needed to view.)

As you create your holiday, take time to learn about Juneteenth and its history as a holiday. Consider the ways in which holidays are linked to events of cultural significance.