Great American Scholar
Mabry Elementary’s Great American Scholar Ceremony Parents, Our students are already hard at work on their Great American Scholar projects, expanding their knowledge of the United States of America. Project details can be found on the Mabry PTA website. This year the program will culminate in a ceremony honoring veterans and first responders, and will allow our students to showcase their projects and what they’ve learned. The ceremony will be held on Friday, February 20, 2026, at 9 a.m. at the Mabry Pavilion. All Mabry family members are invited to attend. If you have a family member or friend who is a veteran or first responder, we would love to honor them during the ceremony!
FIFTH GRADE
This year fifth grade students will be participating in the Great American Scholar program. Each student will be responsible for meeting the 5th grade requirements, thereby demonstrating what it means to be a great American scholar. These requirements are aligned with the benchmark standards. Fifth grade social studies teachers will introduce the requirements in class, check for understanding, provide the necessary supplies, and keep track of fulfillment for all students. Students who meet the requirements will participate in a Great American Scholar Assembly on February 20th at school to recognize the students’ hard work and dedication, as well as military members in our community. Participating students will sing (from memory) the Preamble to the Constitution during the Assembly.
Requirement #1 – SS.5.CG.2.6
Students will be given time in class but are expected to master the following three tasks at home. Students will have the opportunity to demonstrate mastery during recess every day from now until December 20th. Students will…
- sing the National Anthem.
- explain the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution.
- recite the beginning of the Gettysburg Address.
Requirement #2 – SS.5.A.5.2
Students will create a trifold or poster presentation that…
- identifies and explains the contributions of a key American historical figure during the American Revolution.
- identifies the contributions of foreign alliances and individuals to the outcome of the war.
FOURTH GRADE
This year fourth grade students will have the opportunity to participate in the Great American Scholar program. Each student who commits to the program will be responsible for meeting the 4th grade requirements, thereby demonstrating what it means to be a great American scholar! These requirements are aligned with the 4th grade benchmark standards. Fourth grade social studies teachers will introduce the requirements (two projects) in class, check for understanding, and provide the necessary supplies (paper) for all students. Students will complete the projects at home and return both projects to class by Friday, December 12th. After meeting the requirements, students will participate in a Great American Scholar Celebration on February 20th at school to recognize the students’ hard work and dedication, as well as the military and first responders in our community.
Participating students will…
- Research major cities and important attractions that make tourism an important part of Florida’s success. Make a map of Florida labeling our state capital and 5 major cities. Benchmark SS.4.G.1.4. Label 5 important attractions that support tourism in our state. Benchmark SS.4.A.8.4. Complete at home.
- Research Native American tribes in Florida and how they helped shape what Florida is today. Benchmark SS.4.A.2.1. Research European explorers that came to Florida and why they thought Florida was special. Benchmark SS.4.A.3.1. Create a new Florida flag that represents one Native American tribe, one European explorer and one tourist attraction that makes Florida unique. Your flag may be completed on paper, PowerPoint or Sway. Complete at home.
Third Grade
October: Due October 31st, 2025
Research the U.S. Constitution. Write a short paragraph that includes the following
information: who were the writers and framers of the Constitution, what year was it signed,
and what is the document’s purpose? Then, create your own constitution for your ELA class.
Benchmark SS.CG.1.2
December: Due December 19th, 2025
This is a two-part research project. Complete both Part I and Part II.
Part I: Research the following government leaders: The President of the United States, the
Governor of Florida and the Mayor of Tampa. For each leader, describe the roles and
responsibilities.
Part II: How do the Mayor of Tampa’s responsibilities affect your everyday life?
Display the information for Part I and Part II in a creative way (poster, booklet, powerpoint,
sway).
Benchmark SS.CG.3.2
Great American Scholar Ceremony: February 20th, 2026!
Good Luck! Please let us know if there’s anything that you need at home to continue
completing the projects or questions you may have.
Second Grade
Our Great American project will focus on citizens and their communities. Students will be creating a snapshot of their community scrapbook that will consist of the following:
Page 1 – A cover page with the project title, your name, and the date.
Page 2 – Picture of your family with a description.
Page 3 – Picture of your house with a description.
Page 4 – Picture of your neighborhood with a description.
Page 5 – Picture of businesses in your community that provides goods for people. Include a description.
Page 6 – Picture(s) of members of your community that you depend on or rely on for safety. Include a description.
Page 7 – Picture(s) of someone in your community who provides a service for someone else. Include a description.
Page 8 – Picture(s) of places in your community where people can go to meet their needs. Include a description.
Page 9 - Picture(s) of places in your community where people can go to have fun. Include a description.
Page 10 – Picture(s) of your favorite place in the community. Include a description.
The project may be bound with yarn, twine, ribbon, etc… Remember to be neat, have fun, and show your creativity.
Project Due: Friday, December 12th
FIRST GRADE
First Grade students will be participating in the Great American Scholar program where each student will be responsible for creating a project that embodies what it means to be an American Scholar!
Students will be creating a total of two projects due by December 12th. The projects are aligned with the benchmark standards and will be completed at home.
*Please reach out to your homeroom teacher if you need support getting any of the necessary supplies!
Students will participate in a Great American Scholar assembly at school to recognize the students’ hard work and dedication, as well as military members in our community.
Projects:
- In a creative way, define how you can be a good citizen in your community. Create a mural, photo collage, video, etc. showing ways a 1st grader can make their community a better place.
Benchmark: SS.1.CG.2.2
- Research and study the following Florida state facts: capital, bird, flower, and tree. present them in a creative way such as poster, a book, a pamphlet, etc.
Benchmark: SS.1.CG.2.5
Kindergarten
This year kindergarten students will have the opportunity to participate in the Great
American Scholar program. Each student who commits to the program will be
responsible for meeting the kindergarten requirements, thereby demonstrating what
it means to be a great American scholar! These requirements are aligned with the
grade level benchmark standards. Kindergarten teachers will introduce the project in
class for all students. Students will complete the project at home and return to class
by Friday, December 12*h. Students will participate in a Great American Scholar
Celebration on February 20th a t school to recognize the students' hard work and
dedication, a s well a s t h e military and first responders in our community.
Participating students will...
(1) Research American symbols. SS.K.A.2.5 Recognize the importance of U.S. symbols.
(2) Students will create a model of one American Symbol. The craft should be no
larger than 8.5 X 14. (Students will complete at home. If your child needs
materials to complete the project, please let their teacher know).
(3) Students will complete the attached writing prompt to describe their symbol.
Pre-K
Our Pre-K students will be participating in the Great American Scholar Program. All projects will be completed as a class at school.
We will make an American Flag, and we will recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Great American Scholar Ceremony will take place on February 20,2026!
All PK students will receive a shirt for the ceremony. Please select your child’s shirt size below and return to your child’s teacher.
Great American Scholars Parents,
Since your child will be completing the grade-level requirements, they will be participating in the Great
American Scholar Ceremony on February 20,2026! In preparation for this celebration, we would like to encourage families to invite any military or first responders to be your child’s special guest(s).
All special guests will stand and be recognized during the ceremony.
Student Information:
First Name:
Last Name:
Grade:
Homeroom Teacher:
Special Guest Information:
Title:
First Name:
Last Name:
US Military Branch:
Ranking:
Relation T o Student:
Special Guest #2 Information:
Title:
First Name:
Last Name:
US Military Branch:
Ranking:
Relation To Student:
