Monthly Activities for the Classroom!!

Click on a month below to get different activities and ideas for that month. Remember to come back every time you are making your lesson plans for the month ahead! ***Disclaimer - Some of these activities were for certain days of the month, the dates will change on many of them. Please double check the dates for the current year.***

January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

January

January - National Staying Healthy Month - Use this month to talk to students about healthy choices.  Using our book Independent Study and Spec Sheets for Independent Study students can research the different systems in the body and also specific organs and their functions.  How does what you eat affect these body systems and organs?  For more enrichment ideas for Health-themed lessons check out our Human Body Questivities™. 

January - National Thank You Month - Pieces of Learning has the BEST customers-YOU!  Also check out this website www.LetsSayThanks.com.  From this site you can choose a card and the message inside and send it to our troops overseas.  Check out these books for more character education activities:  Now What?, Learning to be a Durable Person, Fairy Tales on Trail, and Advanced Fairy Tales on Trail.  

January 8-14, 2008 - Combine National Thank You Month with Universal Letter Writing Week - Try writing a good old fashioned letter this week!  With the age of emailing and text messaging upon us the art of writing a letter is almost extinct.  Talk about the different types of letters, the formats they are written in and then choose a letter to write.  Encourage Thank You letters.  Collaborate with the art teacher and have students make their own stationary to write their letters on.  Check out these books to help students with all types of writing:  Writing: The Simple 6™, Becoming a Better Writer 3^rd-6^th, Beginning Writers K-2.    

 January 9 - National Static Electricity Day ZAP! -  We have all dealt with it at one time or another.  Why does static electricity occur?  What can you do to prevent it?  If you’re looking for some cool science experiments about static electricity visit this website:  www.sciencemadesimple.com/static.html  To learn more about other positive and negative forces check out our book Magic of Magnets for Primary students.   

 January 11 - Milk Day - On this day in 1878, the first bottles of milk were delivered.  Milk was bottled and delivered in glass containers from this time into the 1950s.  In the 1960s the glass container was replaced with paper cartons and then eventually plastic containers.  Advertisements started on the milk bottles in the 1920s.  Today the clear infrared bottle allows scanners to check the cleanliness of the milk.  Design a container that may be used in the future to hold milk.  Why has milk been a diet staple through the years?  What benefits and vitamins are contained in milk?  Check out these books for other milk and nutrition related activities:  Math in Fables and Myths and Human Body Questivities™.

 January 14 - Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday - Born in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1929, Martin Luther King Jr. went on to become one of the leaders of the Civil Rights movement.  He led the bus boycott to desegregate buses.  He also organized the 1963 March on Washington that brought together more than 200,000 people. He believed in nonviolent resistance. He was assassinated while in Memphis, Tennessee, in support of striking sanitation workers. He was shot on April 4^th 1968, as he stood on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel which is now a civil-rights museum.  James Earl Ray, a career criminal, pleaded guilty to the murder and was convicted of the crime, although at a later date he claimed he was tricked into his plea.  Some have claimed that King was a victim of conspiracy, but no evidence has been found to support this theory.  To encourage questioning and positive leadership in your classroom check out these books:  Quick Question Workbook, Questioning Make the Difference, Asking Smart Questions, The Journey of Lifelong Learning, Walk in Their Shoes. 

 January 18 - Marks the beginning of the Lewis & Clark Expedition - In the fall/winter of 1803 Meriwether Lewis and William Clark set out on an expedition to discover the Northwest Passage and the waterways that were a part of the Louisiana Purchase.  The Northwest Passage, a waterway between the Atlantic and Pacific, did not exist, but the many discoveries that Lewis and Clark did make would alter history.  Along the way Lewis and Clark and their nine-man team headed west and encountered many new animal and plant species and Indian tribes.  They spent $2,324 on gear for the trip.  What do you think Lewis and Clark would say was their most valuable item during their trip?  What necessities did they pack?  Make a list of what items you think they took on their trip.  Check out these great websites to learn more about Lewis and Clark and their expedition:  www.lewis-clark.org, www.lewisandclarkexhibit.org, and www.nationalgeographi.com/lewisandclark/ Find lessons that relate to this topic in these books:  Geography for All Seasons, Math in History  

January 22 - for all students Popcorn Day!  Popcorn was very popular from the 1890s until the Great Depression.  Street vendors used to follow crowds around, pushing steam or gas-powered poppers through fairs, parks and expositions.  During this time popcorn was 5 or 10 cents a bag and it was one of the few luxuries down-and-out families could afford.  Have students find out how much popcorn costs today.  What other varieties of popcorn are there today?  What are the student’s favorite types of popcorn?  Students can survey the class, collect data, and make a graph to show the results of their study.  Check out www.popcorn.org for teacher and student resources.   

January 25 - for elementary students Opposite Day Students can brainstorm opposite words.  List these words on index cards and create a game.  Students can use the cards to play a “go fish” type of game. Students can also make a memory game where they lay their cards face down, choose two, and match opposites to collect a pair.  For character education with opposites try using our resource Now What? Moral Dilemmas that Build Character by R.E. Myers.  This book has many stories and activities that show people having opposite opinions and ideas. 

 January 29 - for all students National Puzzle Day The first jigsaw puzzle was produced around 1790 by John Spilsbury, a London engraver and mapmaker.  Spilsbury mounted one of his maps on a sheet of hardwood and cut around the boarders of the countries.  His puzzles became an educational pastime, designed as an aid in teaching British children their geography.

January 31, 2007- for all students Backwards Day  Here are a few ideas of things to do on this day, wear an article of clothing backwards, have breakfast food at lunch and lunch foods for breakfast, walk, hop, crawl, play games etc all backwards.  Have students make predictions about what might go wrong if you did some things backwards.  Talk about palindromes, a word, phrase, verse, or sentence that reads the same backward or forward.  There are palindrome activities and puzzle activities in our resources Think Hard and Think Harder by Pamela M. McAneny.

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February

February-for elementary students Black History Month

One project idea for February is to celebrate African Americans. Each student chooses one person and does mini research paper on that person. Students use the internet and library resources to help them find information about their person.  Ask students to choose African Americans in history that they don’t know as much about.  When finished students can share their new knowledge with the class and display their research in the hallways of school.  For help on teaching your students better researching skills and encouraging higher level thinking see our books Research Without Copying, Research Reports to Knock Your Teacher’s Socks Off!, and Researching Adventures.  

February 9 -for all students Hershey’s® Chocolate Founded 1894

Chocolate inspires nearly everyone, from the youngest child to the oldest grandfather. The spread of the cacao tree started during the age of Colonialism, as did the spread of cacao beans, and of chocolate itself. Christopher Columbus was the first European to come in contact with cacao.  In fact, in some parts of Central America, cacao beans were used as currency as recently as the last century. Hershey bars can be used in math to help explain fractions or to teach measurements, such as how many ounces are in a pound?  The Hershey’s® website has a video presentation link on the process of developing chocolate from the cacao bean to the candy bar.  Click here to see it.

February 11 - for elementary students Thomas Edison Day

Thomas Edison invented many things, like the cylinder and disc phonograph, kinetoscope, kinetophone, and his most well-known invention the light bulb.  Have students research what each of these inventions do.  Why were they important?  What do we have today because of these earlier inventions?  What inventions did Edison fail to invent but worked on during his lifetime?  Explore Edison and other inventors and their ideas in the following resources we offer, Blunder or Brainstorm, Biography by Golly, and Gifted or Goof off.  These books present inventors in a new “light.”    

February (Third Monday) for all students- Presidents Day

February 26, 2007-for elementary and middle school students

Levi Strauss was born in 1829- In 1850, Levi Strauss was one of many U.S. immigrants who headed west. Many traveled in search of gold. Strauss had other plans. He hoped to open a store. He carried with him a large supply of blue canvas called denim. He thought gold hunters would need the sturdy material to make tents. Instead, he found they needed sturdy work clothes, so he used the denim to stitch together the first pair of "Levi's jeans."  On this day have students wear their favorite pair of jeans in honor of this inventor!  Use this day to test out the strengths of fabrics for a science experiment.  Students can test how durable denim and cotton pants’ fabrics are and compare their results.  Check out Blunder or Brainstorm to learn about more inventors and their inventions!

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March

March 2 -for primary and elementary students-Dr. Seuss was born on this day. 

Theodor (“Ted”) Seuss Geisel was born on March 2, 1904, in Springfield, Massachusetts.  Yes, there really was a Dr. Seuss.  He was not an official doctor, but his prescription for fun has delighted readers for more then 60 years.  Enrich the reading of Dr. Seuss’s books with our books Postcards from Dr. Seuss Book 1 and Postcards from Dr. Seuss Book 2.  Students will be thinking critically and creatively as they read the corresponding postcards with each book and do the variety of activities.

March-for elementary and middle school students-National Women’s History Month

Many women had to fight and struggle in order to gain certain freedoms and follow their dreams. Molly Pitcher, Dolley Madison, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Calamity Jane, and Eleanor Roosevelt are a few of the influential women found in our resources.  Check out these books to find out more about famous women in history.  Damsel or Daredevil? Fact & Fiction of Famous Women and The Fighter Wore a Skirt. 

March-for elementary and middle school students-1950 Silly Putty invented

Silly Putty was launched by Peter Hodgson.  It had been discovered six years earlier by an engineer at General Electric who was trying to develop a synthetic rubber.  He combined boric acid and silicone oil and got bouncing putty.  No one at GE could figure out anything practical to do with it.  Hodgson bought the putty, put it in plastic eggs, and it went on to become a very popular toy.  For more info:  www.sillyputty.com.  Use silly putty during Language Arts - make a character or object from a story you are reading.  Science - do an experiment measuring how high a putty ball will bounce verses the amount of putty used.  Math - compare the price of silly putty from the time it was first sold to present day.  Make a graph to show the increase in price over time.  Social Studies- Check out Blunder or Brainstorm? Fact & Fiction of Famous Inventors and Inventions and What is This Thing? to see what other inventors and inventions you know. 

March 21 - for all students-Children’s Poetry Day

Looking ahead, April is also considered National Poetry Month.  There are so many types of poems - diamante, quatrain, nursery rhymes, haiku, quinzine, secret message, and limerick to name a few.  Use March and April to explore poetry with your students.  Check out the following books, The Animal Alphabet, Beyond Words, Flying with Mother Goose, Concert Reading, and Poetry Patterns.

March 22 - for all students- National Goof Off Day!

Goof Off Day, a day of relaxation and a time to be oneself; a day for some good-humored fun and some good-natured silliness.  Everyone needs one special day each year to goof off.  Check out Gifted or Goof Off?, Playwright and Improvisations and Theatre Games with Children’s Literature to add to the fun of the day!

March 27 - for elementary and middle school students- Kite Flying Day

Have students design, construct, test their kite by flying it, and then come back and discuss what ideas worked in their design and what didn’t.  Does you kite fly?  Can you control its movements?  Is it damaged from being flown?  What would you change next time about your design and why? To promote more critical thinking and enrich lessons on The Scientific Method check out our NEW book The Scientific Method in Fairy Tale Forest.  Check out these websites for more information on kites, www.blueskylark.org/zoo/, www.worldkitemuseum.com/funfacts.html, www.kitesim.com/locl.swf, and www.arch.ced.berkeley.edu/kap/kaptoc.html.

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April

April 14 - for all students The first American English dictionary was published by Noah Webster in 1828.  On this day why not look at how words in the dictionary have changed, which words have been added, any removed?  What frequently used words would be in a dictionary for your classroom?  Have fun with words on this day!  Check out these books Look Out Letters Alive, Word Play, and our NEW book Beyond Words!  Here are websites with kid friendly dictionaries:  www.factmonster.com/dictionary.html ; www.wordcentral.com/index.html    

April 17, 2007- for all students School Librarian Day recognizes all the librarians in schools throughout the United States.  This year’s theme is “Come Together @ Your Library.”  Besides “book” knowledge, today’s librarians are responsible for knowing about Internet resources as well.  Thank your Librarian for all that she has taught you because knowing how to find information is just as important as the information you find.  Check out these Library resources:  Library Lightning (SALE BOOK), Let your Fingers Do the Searching (SALE BOOK), Newbery Winners, Research & the Internet, Researching Adventures and Information Literacy by 2004 Co Librarian of the year Sherry Crow!  Do your students have a hard time finding books of interest?  If so have them check out this site www.storiesfromtheweb.org, Students can select from genres and see what books they may be interested in reading. 

April 23 - for elementary and middle school students William Shakespeare was born on this day in 1564 and died in 1616 on this day.  He was famous as a playwright and poet.  He authored over 150 sonnets and over 35 plays.  Since April is also National Poetry Month why not  read some of Shakespeare’s poetry?  Discuss his style and themes he frequently wrote about.  Also read some of his plays and check out Postcards from Shakespeare to celebrate his birthday and enrich your readings.  Check out these websites for more resources on Shakespeare,   www.nrwcs.org/shakespeare and www.42explore.com/shakspear.htm.  

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May

May - for all students - Get Caught Reading Month - Take this month to enjoy a few good books.  To enhance your reading check out our literature guides.  The National Education Association came out with a list of 100 books that are considered great reading for children and young adults.  Out of the 100 we have literature guides for 65 of the selected titles, plus guides for many more books.  

May- for all students - National Postcard week - National Postcard week is usually celebrated during the first or second week of May.  During this time research the postal service.  What size does a postcard have to be?  How much is postage and what variety of stamps are there?  Design your own postcard and stamps.  On the postcard you designed write a note to someone and mail it.  For more fun with postcards check out:  Postcards from… E.B. White, Shakespeare, Twain, Poe, Dr. Seuss book 1 & 2, and Van Allsburg books.  

May - for all students, teachers, and parents - National Teacher Day (Always the Tuesday of the first full week of May)    Celebrate the hard work and commitment you colleague or child’s teacher has shown students.  To show your appreciation help out a teacher on this day, volunteer your time, give a Pieces of Learning Gift Card or book, send a card or email.  Click here and send a free e-card to a teacher.   

May - second week - for all students - National Pet Week Have a Pet Day!  Bring in a picture of your pet or a picture of a “some day” pet you would like to have.  Tell why your Pet is special.  Talk about what you have to do to take care of a pet.  Here is a great site that has information on many different types of animals and their characteristics.  www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/wild/   

May 14 – for all students - Jamestown Settlement 400^th Anniversary - On this day in 1607 the Virginia English Colony was founded 60 miles north of Chesapeake Bay on the James River.  Early settlers came in search of riches but quickly realized that having food and the resources to grow food was more valuable then any treasure.  Check out Jr. Social Studies Investigator for activity ideas on early settlers.  Also visit this great Jamestown website for an interactive tour of the early settlement. 

May 22, 1933 Arnold Lobel - The Author of Frog and Toad Stories was born on this day in Schenectady, NY.  Arnold loved to draw and got many of his ideas from cartoons he enjoyed as a child.  His drawings of animals such as cats, mice, pigs, and others are favorites of children everywhere.  Read the Frog and Toad stories and check out The Frog and Toad Thinking Book   

 May 23  - for elementary students - Penny Day Research Pennies and other coins on this day.  Was the Penny always brown?  What is the Penny made of?  How has the look of a penny changed over time?  What people and places have been on the penny?  Who would you choose to be on a coin?  Tell why you chose that person and place.  For more ideas on teaching about money check out our book All about Coins.  Also, check out this great website with money games.  http://arcytech.org/java/money/

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June
This month get students excited about inventing. What would our lives be like without important inventions like cars, toothbrushes, the baseball, and the sewing machine? Check out the following things that were invented or patented during the month of June. Think about what still needs to be invented. Brainstorm ideas with classmates and draw up plans for your inventions. Also check out our book Blunder or Brainstorm to see who invented what and if their inventions where accidents or amazing brainpower at work. 

June- Month for Inventions - all students: 

            4^th-Henry Ford made his first operational car in 1896.
            7^th- The first color network television was broadcast from a station in Boston in 1953.
            12^th- The Baseball was invented in 1839.
            19^th- “Brenda Starr,” appeared in a Chicago Newspaper and is the first cartoon strip invented by a woman.
            22^nd- The doughnut was invented in 1847.
            26^th- The toothbrush was invented in 1498. 

Inventions Patented in June

            2^nd- James Gibbs patented the first chain-stitch single-thread sewing machine in 1957.
            5^th- The safety cap for Medicine Bottles was patented by Ronald Kay in 1984.
            8^th- 1869 Ives McGaffey patented the vacuum cleaner, a “sweeping machine.”
            23^rd- The hula-hoop was patented in 1964 by Arthur Melin.
            25^th- 1929 a patent was granted for G.L. Pierce for the “basketball.”

To encourage students to start thinking about inventions and how they work check out John Ratzenberger’s project, the Nuts, Bolts, & Thingamajigs Foundation. John is known for his role as Cliff on the sitcom Cheers, recently he also starred in Dancing with the Stars, and you may have seen him on his show Made in America. John has teamed up with the Fabricators and Manufacturers Association Foundation to encourage young people to tinker. It is becoming less likely for young people to develop the manual skills required by industries, workshops, and engineering practices. NBTF through mentoring, education, and media wants to create opportunities for kids to tinker and explore the way things are put together. This will help to create the next generations of artisans, inventors, engineers, repairmen, and skilled workers - in short, a self-sufficient, self-sustaining society. “Little hands build big dreams. Give children tools and watch them build America.”

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July

July 11^th - President John Quincy Adams born (1767) - Power or Politics, Sing a Song of Presidents.  Library of Congress Learning Page    

July 22^nd - Parents Day - Practical Tips for Parents - www.getnetwise.org - a site about online safety for parents and kids.  www.webmath.com - a site to help parents and kids with math assignments.  www.commonsensemedia.org - a site to help parents learn about movies, tv and other media that might affect their children. 

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August
August 2- First Lincoln Penny was issued in 1909. Also, on August 8^th, the US Dollar was created. How has our money system changed over the years? What has changes about the coin and paper money we use? Where they always made of the same materials? Did they always look the way they do today? To answer some of these questions and explore the monetary system further use our book All About Coins with math and social studies lessons.

 August 15 - The Transcontinental Railroad was completed in 1869. Discuss how students may have traveled to visit family or go on family vacations this summer. Did anyone travel by train, plane, or car? Use this day to start an exploration of the geography of our country and the world. Check out these books to help enrich your study of the world around us:  Soaring With Numbers, Geography for All Seasons, State By State, and Tell Me the Continents. 

 August 25 - National Banana Split Day- To celebrate the end of summer, and kick off fall, why not have a build your own banana split party? If this is one of your first days back at school, make it a challenge. Use writing prompts like…How to make the best Banana Split. Also check out our books The Simple Six, The Simple Six for Beginning Writers (K-2), and Becoming a Better Writer Using The Simple Six.  (3-6) These books contain many great writing prompts as well as pre-writing and pre-drawing activities, and assessment rubrics. 

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September
September 6 - Read a Book Day - To enrich your reading make sure to check our list of literature guides and see if books your students will be reading this school year are listed. We also have ten brand new literature guides. Check our website for an updated list and these other helpful books Activities for any Picture Book and Activities for any Novel.  Also check out this website www.storiesfromtheweb.org to help students find books that they may be interested in reading. 

September (First Sunday After Labor Day) - National Grandparents Day  - This year for Grandparents Day have students collect an oral history.  Students can talk to their grandparents and ask them about significant historical events that have occurred during their lifetime.  To improve students’ researching skills and interviewing techniques check out our book Independent Study: New, Expanded Edition with CD.  In no time students will be driven to research topics of interest, and they will be excited about learning!  Here are some helpful websites where students can record their stories and share them with others. Click here Voice Thread, or NPR traveling Story Van. 

September 13 - Positive Thinking Day - Try to encourage your class to only make positive comments to each other all day.  Talk about respect and how a positive attitude can make all the difference.  Also check out Now What , The Journey of Lifelong Learning, and How to be a Durable Person to enhance your character education program.

September 14 - Francis Scott Key wrote the “Star Spangled Banner” in 1814.  What other songs are significant to our country and our history?  What songs are there about presidents?  What inspired Francis Scott Key to write this song?  For more songs about Presidents and our country’s history - check out Sing a Song of Presidents. 

September 22, 2007 - Dear Diary Day - Use this day to talk about writing and the importance of journaling or keeping a diary.  Encourage students to start keeping a journal or have the class write in journals daily or weekly.  To improve your students writing skills check out our books, Writing the Simple 6™, The Simple 6™ for K-2 Beginning Writers, and Becoming a Better Writing Using the Simple 6™ (3^rd-6^th).  We have new CDs to go with each Simple 6™ book!  Click here for more details!   

September 25 - First American Newspaper published - On this day in 1690, the first edition of Publick Occurrences Both Foreign and Domestic was published by Benjamin Harris in Boston, MA.  Authorities considered this first newspaper offensive and ordered immediate suppression.  Research news- papers in your area and around the world.  How are they alike and different? In groups or as a class design a newspaper.  Decide if you want to distribute hard copies or have your paper online.  How will you gather information?  What is newsworthy?  Use this Internet Public Library site to see news and newspapers from all over the world.  Check out these books with firsthand accounts of news and customs from the author’s trips to other countries; Eye on Japan and Eye on Australia 

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October
Oct 2 - Peanuts Comic Strip was first published in 1950 on this day.  Examine Peanuts Comics and discuss what is necessary to make a comic strip.  To make sure students understand the main ideas of a story (or novel chapter) have them make a comic strip of what they have read.  Their dialogue and illustrations can include important facts and details that are necessary to translate the story in a summarized version.  Check out this website for more fun with comics.  www.makebeliefscomix.com  Also check out our Product Criteria Cards for more unique products that can be used to assess and guide students’ learning. 

Oct 4 - Sputnik I was the first space vehicle launched in 1957.  The first week of October is also World Space Week.  To go along with World Space Week check out our new book Soaring with Numbers.  Make it a Soaring month and discuss things found in the air such as Space shuttles, comets, stars, birds, planes, hot air balloons, and anything else students can think of.  Here are some websites that might help you in your exploration of things that soar through the air.  www.skypub.com - Gives you a daily report on the movements and news about stars and the moon.  http://coolcosmos.ipac.caltech.edu An astronomy site.

Oct 6 - Thomas Edison shows the first motion picture in 1889.    Check out   Blunder of Brainstorm to learn about other inventions.  Also click here to go to an invention websites.  How Edison are you?  Find out at this website www.thomasedison.org.  From this site you can see all of Edison’s inventions and practice replicating them. 

Oct First Week - World Space Week - This week is an international celebration of science and technology and their contribution to the betterment of the human condition.  World Space Week was declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 1999.  To learn more about World Space Week visit this website:  http://www.spaceweek.org/index.html  Explore earth with students, and learn about math, reading, research, and geography!  Check out our book Soaring with Numbers.  To promote independent study of space and other subjects check out our products Independent Study and Spec Sheets for Independent Study. 

Oct (2nd Monday) Columbus Day- Christopher Columbus led four expeditions to the New World but never accomplished his original goal which was a western ocean route to Asia.  The first recorded celebration honoring the discovery of America by Europeans took place on October 12, 1792, in New York City.  For more information about Christopher Columbus visit http://www.history.com/minisites/columbusday/  Challenge students to think about history in a new way. Check out our book Was it Possible?, an investigation into U.S. History. 

Oct 11 - Eleanor Roosevelt born in 1884 - Wife of Franklin Roosevelt, 32^nd president of the US, was born in New York, NY.  Eleanor was known for her independence and active approach at being first lady.  She was a suffragist and advocate for human and civil rights issues.  She was the first wife of a president to give her own news conference in the White House. (1933)  Learn about other influential independent women in these books:  The Fighter Wore a Skirt and Damsel or Daredevil

Oct 13- On this day in 1860 the first aerial photo in US was taken by James Wallace Black from a balloon in Boston.  The first aerial photos were taken by kite, pigeon, rockets, and hot air balloons.  Aerial photos were a way for many people to see and explore what the world around them looked like without traveling there.  To get a picture in your mind of far off places check out our new books Eye on Japan and Eye on Australia.  To see some awesome photographs that make you feel like you are really there go to this website http://www.panoramas.dk/.  You can see 360° photos of Sydney Harbor, Rio de Janeiro, Times Square, London Eye, Egypt, Taj Mahal, and many other places.

Oct 15 - National Grouch Day - Honor a grouch today.  Who can you think of that has been famous for being a grouch?  What makes them so grouchy?  Explore ideas about attitudes and how students can deal with different social scenarios they may encounter.  Check out these books to help with your classrooms’ character education needs:  The Journey of Lifelong Learning, Learning to be a Durable Person, Walk in Their Shoes, and Now What?

Oct 16, 2007 Dictionary Day - Dictionary day is also the birthday of Noah Webster, an American teacher and lexicographer.  On this day why not make a new classroom dictionary with words frequently used in the classroom?  Check out old dictionaries and new dictionaries.  What words have been added more recently to the dictionary?  Use these books to help students learn language and increase their vocabulary:  Word Play, 90 Instructional Strategies, and Beyond Words

Oct 19 Star Spangled Banner first sung in 1814 - The national anthem of the United States was written by Francis Scott Key, a 35 year old lawyer and amateur poet.  He wrote the lyrics to the anthem after seeing the bombardment of Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland, by British ships in Chesapeake Bay during the War of 1812.  The poem was set to the tune of the popular British drinking song “The Anacreontic Song.”   For more lesson ideas on our nation’s history check out these books:  Was it Possible?,  Sing a Song of Presidents

October 22, 2007 - International School Library Day - This day was proclaimed by the IASL President, Dr Blanche Woolls in 1999.  This year’s theme is: Learning: Powered by your School Library.  If your school is planning any special events for International School Library Day, go to the website and fill out an online submission form so your activities can be listed.  http://www.iasl-online.org/events/isld/2007isld/  Also check out some of these products! Information Literacy, Newbery Winners, Research and the Internet, The Best of Nancy Polette, and The Research Project Book  Check out this site for legal, downloadable, free audio recordings of stories, fiction, non fiction, poetry, and plays.  www.librivox.org

Oct 28 Statue of Liberty Dedicated in 1886- Located on a 12 acre island, the Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World was a gift of friendship from the people of France to the people of the United States and is a universal symbol of freedom and democracy.  She was dedicated on this day and later designated as a National Monument in 1924 and restored for her centennial on July 4, 1986.  Sculptor Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi was commissioned to design a sculpture with the year 1876 in mind for completion, to commemorate the centennial of the American Declaration of Independence. Find out more about National Monuments and other significant events in history with these books!  Historical Hoaxes?,  Was it Possible?, and Power of Politics.  For more Statue of Liberty information go to this website http://www.nps.gove/stli.

October 30 - On this day in 1938 the H. G. Wells classic “War of the Worlds” aired for the first time on the radio.  Before the broadcast the audience was warned that it was a fictional story, and the broadcast had also been published in newspaper listings.  However, listeners still took the story as fact and began fleeing their homes and panicking.  For other spooky stories for Halloween and fall check out Postcards from Poe, Stellaluna, Spiders, and our wide variety of fall themed literature guides.

November
Nov 1 - National Author’s Day - Discuss what makes a great author.  List the classroom’s favorite authors.  In groups students can research a favorite author and present their information.  Why not write your own story or re-write a story you love and add your own twist or a new ending?  Get your creative juices flowing and see what kinds of stories a classroom of young authors can produce!  To help students with their writing skills check out the following books;  Writing the Simple 6, Becoming a Better Writing Using the Simple 6 3^rd-6th, and The Simple 6 for Beginning Writers K-2. Also, now available are CDs for each book which include PDF forms and customizable WORD forms.  Forms include rubrics, assessment packets, prompts, management charts, and more.  Here is a helpful site on authors and illustrators click here!

Nov 1 - National Family Literacy Day - On this day approximately eight thousand literacy programs will hold readings, workshops, and family activities at libraries, community centers, and schools across the country.  To find extra help with reading or a child or adult literacy programs in your neighborhood, go to America’s Literacy Directory, or call the National Institute for Literacy Hotline at 1-800-228-8813.  Check out these books for great Family Reading Activities:  The Amelia Bedelia Thinking Book, The Frog and Toad Thinking Book, Concert Reading, Reading with Music, Gifted Books Gifted Readers and our Literature Guides!  For more fun with reading check out this website:  Reading Rainbow  If you need some help finding a book you would like to read go to http://www.bookwink.com

Nov 3 - Japan: Culture Day and a National Holiday in Japan.  It was the birthday of Emperor Meiji.  On this day there are many festivals held around the country to celebrate art and tradition.  To learn more about Japan check out these products Eye on Japan and Japan Questivities.  To learn more about  Japan click here to go to a Kids Web website. 

November 8 - X Ray was discovered on this day in 1895.  On this day in 1895 Wilhelm Conrad Rontgen (accidentally) discovered an image cast from his cathode ray generator, projected far beyond the possible range of the cathode rays.  It was later discovered that if the rays were not deflected by the magnetic fields they would penetrate many kinds of matter.  The first X-Ray Wilhelm took was of his own hand and then of his wife’s hand.  For more accidental and intentional inventions check out our book Blunder or Brainstorm?

November 19 - Gettysburg Address - The Gettysburg Address is one of the most famous and quoted speeches given by President Abraham Lincoln on this day in 1863.  The speech was given at the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg, PA.  Lincoln used this speech to invoke the principles of human equality and to view the war as a fight that would create a unified nation.   To see a copy of The New York Times newspaper story on this event check out this website:  www.historybuff.comm.  From the site you can select newspaper archives and choose the year 1863, then the Gettysburg Address.  This is a great way to get a true first hand account of that day and the events that took place.  For more lesson ideas involving President Lincoln, other leaders, and historical events check out our books: Power or Politics?, Jr. Social Studies Investigator, Was it Possible?, Sing a Song of Presidents

November 21 - World Hello Day!  In an effort to preserve peace and emphasize the importance of communication World Hello Day was established in 1973.  People around the world use this day as an opportunity to express their concern for world peace.  Anyone can participate by simply greeting people you see or writing to a pen pal via the mail or the internet.  If you want to see how to say “Hello” in many different languages visit this website:  http://www.ipl.org/div/kidspace/hello/  If you want to learn more about other places check out these products: Eye on Japan, Eye on Australia, Japan Questivities™, Australia Questivities™,

November 26 - Charles Schulz was born in 1922 on this day.  Charles created and drew the long-running comic strip Peanuts.  Schulz’s comic panel started being called Li’l Folks but was renamed Peanuts and syndicated nationwide in 1950.  By the 1960s the comic strip had become one of the best known in the world.  Charles also made the cartoon strip into several holiday TV specials and a stage show.  After 50 years of drawing Peanuts Charles retired in 1999 and died on February 12, 2000, one day before his final Sunday strip appeared.  For everything Snoopy check out www.snoopy.com.  For a site where students can make their own comic go to:  www.makebeliefscomix.com

Nov 29 - King Tut’s Tomb Opened - A British archaeologist named Howard Carter discovered Tutankhamen’s tomb in the Valley of the Kings, untouched for 3,000 years.  The tomb held thousands of treasures.  So much gold was found that it took Carter and his team 10 years to empty the tomb completely.  The mummy is now displayed in a climate-controlled glass case through which you can see the face of young King Tut.  For middle school lessons in math dealing with Egyptian pyramids (angles) and the math system Egyptians used check out our book Math in History.  Here is a site with lots of interesting information about Egyptians and games.  www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/Egyptians/  Feel like you are at the pyramids when you visit this site: http://www.panoramas.dk/

November 30 - Mark Twain - On this day in 1835 Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known by the pen name Mark Twain, was born.  Since Mark Twain was a riverboat pilot for a portion of his life it is no coincidence that his pen name means “safe water.”  Along with riverboat pilot Twain was also a writer, satirist, lecturer, and American humorist.  He is best known for his novels Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, and his quotes.  To learn more about Twain and his books check out our book Postcards from Twain. 

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December

Dec 1 - Rosa Park’s Day - On this day in 1955 in Montgomery, Alabama, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat and move to the back of a city bus.  Her arrest was followed by months of protests including the Dec 5^th, 1955 Bus Boycott.  These events are considered to be some of the first incidents that led to the Civil Rights movement.  To learn about more strong and influential women in history check out Damsel or Daredevil, 

Dec 3 - International Day of the Disabled Person - This year’s theme is “Decent work for persons with disabilities.”  This day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and increase support for the dignity, rights, and well-being of persons with disabilities.  It also seeks to increase the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic, and cultural life.  Check out these books to help students without disabilities understand a disabled person’s point of view.  Walk in Their Shoes, Journey of Lifelong Learning, Now What? What’s Important?  Have a week in your classroom where students could volunteer to actually spend the day as a disabled person.  Have the students use a wheelchair for a 24 hour period and see how accessible places are that they visit.  What problems did they encounter?  Did they feel any different?  What were the reactions of people around them?  Students can report back their results to the class. 

 Dec 4 - National Cookie Day - The English word “cookie” is derived from the Dutch word “koekje,” which means little cake.  Bakers used to place a small amount of batter in the oven to test the temperature.  They soon discovered that these little bits of baked batter were quite tasty on their own, and the cookie was born.  Use cookie questions as writing prompts on this day, or use actual cookies in math to help teach fractions.  Check out these books for more math and writing activities.  Writing the Simple 6™, The Simple 6™ for Beginning Writers (K-2), Becoming a Better Writer Using the Simple 6™ (3^rd-6^th), Math Rules! 1^st-2^nd, Math Rules! 3^rd-4^th, and Math Rules! 5^th-6^th.

 Dec 4 - Phonograph - Invented in 1877, the phonograph was developed as a result of Thomas Edison working on two other inventions, the telegraph and the telephone.  To learn about other inventors and inventions check out our book Blunder or Brainstorm?

 Dec 5 - Walter Elias Disney was born in Chicago on this day in 1901.  He was known for being a film producer, director, screenwriter, voice actor, animator, entrepreneur, and philanthropist.  Disney is most well known for starting Walt Disney Productions with his brother Roy and creating the world’s most famous fictional character, Mickey Mouse.  He received twenty-one Academy Awards and forty-eight nominations during his lifetime.  Who is your favorite Disney character?  Do an outline or report about your favorite character.  What makes them a special character and why are they your favorite?  Draw a comic strip using your favorite character and characters from a book you are reading.  For more fun facts like, “Walt Disney’s cartoons were rejected by the Chicago Tribune” fact of fiction? check out:  Gifted or Goof Off?  

Dec 6 - 13^th Amendment passed on this day in 1865, abolishing slavery.  President Lincoln announced the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, realizing that it would have to be followed by a constitutional amendment in order to guarantee the abolishment of slavery.  Do you think there should be any new amendments to the constitution?  What amendments would you pass and why?  Check out these websites for more history on Abraham Lincoln:  www.constitutioncenter.org/lincoln/  www.mrlincolnandfreedom.org  www.abrahamlincolnonline.org  Also check out these books for fun facts about Lincoln and other influential people:  Damsel or Daredevil? Power or Politics?, Sing a Song of Presidents,

Dec 7 - Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day 1941 “…a date which will live in infamy.”  President Franklin D. Roosevelt
Pearl Harbor was attacked by the Empire of Japan’s Imperial Japanese Navy, on the morning of Sunday, December 7, 1941. The site of the attack was the United States navel base in the Hawaiian Islands. Three thousand were killed and the United State’s Pacific Fleet was almost wiped out. War was declared against Japan and this was the beginning of World War II. To learn more about the events of that day and hear first hand accounts check out these websites:  http://plasma.nationalgeographic.com/pearlharbor/, www.easehistory.org/index2.html

Dec 8 - Eli Whitney was born in 1765 on this day.  He is the inventor of the cotton gin and interchangeable parts.  In an ironic twist of fate his two inventions fueled some of the disputes of the Civil War and also helped the North to win the war.  His cotton gin invention revolutionized the way Southern cotton was cropped and reinvigorated slavery.   However, his interchangeable parts would go on to revolutionize the Northern industry and in time help the North win the war.  For more books about inventors and history check out:  Blunder of Brainstorm? Was it Possible?

Dec 10 - Emily Dickinson 1830 - Considered one of the most original 19^th Century American poets Emily Dickinson was born on this day to a prominent Massachusetts family.  She is noted for her unconventional broken rhyming meter; use of dashes, random capitalization and creative us of metaphors.  Her poems often dealt with the human condition in a boldly frank and witty style.  Make greeting cards, illustrate the front of the cards and use Emily Dickenson’s poetry or an excerpt of a poem on the inside.  What categories of cards are you more likely to be able to make?   For more Poetry Books check out these products:  Postcards from Poe, Concert Reading, Poetry Patterns, listen to poetry readings on this site:  http://wwwsmithsonianglobalsound.org/archives_05.aspxx

Dec 16 - Beethoven’s Birthday - A German composer and famous and influential pianist, Beethoven, was an important figure in the transitional period between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western classical music.  He suffered from gradual hearing loss that began in his twenties.  Even after going completely deaf Beethoven continued to compose, conduct and perform his masterpieces.  In groups record an 1800’s radio show complete with discussions, appropriate music for that time and even commercials.  Play your radios shows for the class.   For more musical resources check out these books:  Concert Reading, Reading with Music

Dec 16 - Anniversary of the Boston Tea Party 1773 The Boston Tea Party was an act of protest by American colonists against Great Britain in which they destroyed many crates of tea bricks on ships in Boston Harbor.  The incident is viewed as one that helped spark the American Revolution.  Colonists were angered because they were being taxed despite a lack of representation in parliament.  Parliament passed the “Tea Act” which allowed East India Company, a British company, to avoid the customs and duties taxes. However they still held colonists to the many taxes they had placed on them and their goods.  Put yourselves in the shoes of an American Colonist or a member of Parliament.  Think about how you would feel and what point of view you would have.  Plan a short skit or play and reenact the events of this day.  For more activities about the Boston Tea Party and other historical events check out the following books:  Jr. Social Studies Investigator, Fantastic Social Studies, Was it Possible? Historical Hoaxes

Dec 17 - Wright Brother’s First Flight in 1903.  In Kitty Hawk, North Carolina the first successful airplane flight occurred. It was accomplished by brothers Orville and Wilbur Wright. Four flights were made on the day of the first flight. The longest was 852 feet and 59 seconds of airtime. Orville made the first flight because he won a coin toss. Make an illustration or model of the Wright Brother’s plane.  To learn more about the Wright brothers and other inventors check out these books: Gifted or Goof Off?  Blunder or Brainstorm? For a great site on inventions complete with interactive games check out:  www.inventionatplay.org

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