Category Archives: Art
Special Days in March, 2016
Special Days in January – Learning Resource List
Here’s a wonderful collection of resources for daily learning from the list of Special Days in January, 2016 (https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2015/12/29/special-days-in-january-2016/).
1 – New Year’s – Learning Resources – https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2016/01/01/new-years-resources/
3 – J.R.R. Tolkien Day – Read about the author, book reviews, events, and more from his fan club, The Tolkien Society – http://www.tolkiensociety.org/
4 – Louis Braille born 1809 – Resources and Activities – http://www.franw.com/2016/01/louis-braille.html
4 – Jacob Grimm born 1785 – Read Brothers Grimm fairy tales – http://www.familymanagement.com/literacy/grimms/grimms-toc.html
4 – Isaac Newton born 1693 – Biography and Printables – http://gardenofpraise.com/ibdnewt.htm
5 – Bird Day – Make one or more of these bird feeders http://happyhooligans.ca/32-homemade-bird-feeders/ and learn some bird calls http://www.enature.com/birding/audio.asp
6 – Bean Day – Bean Resources and Activities – http://www.franw.com/2015/01/bean-resources.html
6 – Joan of Arc born 1412 – Biography and Printables – http://gardenofpraise.com/ibdjoan.htm
7 – President Millard Fillmore born 1800 – https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/02/14/resources-for-presidents-day/
7 – Old Rock Day – Rock and Mineral – http://www.franw.com/2015/08/rock-mineral-resources.html
8 – Joygerm Day – https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/01/08/happy-joygerm-day/
9 – President Richard Nixon born 1913 – https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/02/14/resources-for-presidents-day/
9 – Static Electricity Day – This is Z’s all time favorite experiment – http://www.sciencebob.com/experiments/staticroll.php
11 – Cuckoo Dancing Week begins – “Laurel and Hardy” article, music, and photos – http://imaginemdd.blogspot.com/2014/01/dance-cuckoo-for-ollies-birthday-laurel.html
11 – Grand Canyon National Monument dedicated 1908 – Take a virtual tour – http://www.grandcanyonvirtualtour.com/
13 – Poetry Break Day – Reading and Writing Poetry resources – http://42explore.com/poetry.htm
14 – Nobel Prize Winner Albert Schweitzer born 1875 – Biography and Printables – http://gardenofpraise.com/ibdschw.htm
15 – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. born 1929 – (18 – MLK Day *) – Learning Resources – https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/01/17/teaching-resources-for-martin-luther-king-day/
16 – Appreciate a Dragon Day – Fast Facts and resource links – http://www.kidskonnect.com/subjectindex/13-categories/animals/439-dragons.html
17 – Ben Franklin born 1706 – Biography and Printables – http://www.gardenofpraise.com/ibdfrank.htm
18 – Winnie the Pooh Day – http://www.just-pooh.com/
19 – Edgar Allan Poe born 1809 – Research Project – http://www.franw.com/2013/10/edgar-allan-poe-research-project.html
20 – Draw a Dinosaur Day – Try these step-by-step instructions – http://www.dragoart.com/google_search.php?cx=partner-pub-6207428572838690%3A2440456717&cof=FORID%3A10&ie=UTF-8&q=dinosaur
21 – Squirrel Appreciation Day – Huge list of unit study resources – http://lastingthumbprints.com/free-squirrel-resource-unit/
23 – Handwriting Analysis Week begins – Learn about the forensics analysis of handwriting – http://science.howstuffworks.com/handwriting-analysis.htm
24 – Talk Like a Grizzled Prospector Day – How about a Yosemite Sam cartoon? – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PO4JcgD3vq0
25 – Burns Night – Robert Burns born 1759 – http://activityvillage.co.uk/burns-night
26 – Australia Day – http://activityvillage.co.uk/australia-day
27 – Author Lewis Carrol born 1832 – Study guide for Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland – http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/alice/
27 – Composer Mozart born 1756 – Biography and Printables – http://gardenofpraise.com/ibdmozart.htm
29 – President William McKinley born 1843 – https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/02/14/resources-for-presidents-day/
29 – Patriot Thomas Paine born 1737 – Watch the Common Sense episode of Liberty’s Kids – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awlBeITstkE
30 – Franklin Roosevelt born 1882- https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/02/14/resources-for-presidents-day/
30 – Yodel For Your Neighbors Day – How to Yodel Instructions, Videos, and some historic facts – http://wordbone.com/learn/how-to-yodel-instructions-for-beginners-kids-and-celebrity-singers/
31 – Inspire Your Heart With Art Day – When looking for an art project, this is my usual “go to” site. No matter what subject you’re studying, this link has something to tie art in with it! – http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/craftsbytheme.html
Check back from time to time throughout the month for updates and more daily resources! And if you’re able to share more January daily resources, please do! It would be awesome to add your favorites!
betty jo
January Resources for Teachers
There’s oodles of learning opportunities from January’s calendar! Below is a collection of free online educational resources for some cool January studies.
BIG List of January’s Holidays, Observances, Themes, Famous Birthdays, and Historic Event Anniversaries – https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2015/12/29/special-days-in-january-2016/
Learning Resources for January – https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2016/01/03/special-days-in-january-learning-resource-list/
Discover January with Themed Activities and Resources – http://www.franw.com/2014/01/january.html
January Prayer Calendar for Children – http://cherigamble.com/2015/12/30/january-2016-prayer-calendar-for-children/
January Science Calendar – http://thehomeschoolscientist.com/january-science-calendar-2016/
Daily Learning Links – http://www.se7en.org.za/se7ens-january
January Bulletin Boards, Lesson Plans, Writing Prompts, and Theme Units – http://www.theteacherscorner.net/monthly-resources/january.php
January Themed Arts and Crafts Lessons – http://kinderart.com/seasons/jan.shtml
January Themed Printable Worksheets – http://www.apples4theteacher.com/
January Themed Printables, Activities, and Crafts – http://activityvillage.co.uk/
January/Winter Themed Math Activities – http://www.yummymath.com/
Winter Themed Math Activities – http://www.mathwire.com/archives/seasonal2.html
January and Winter Themed Vocabulary Lists – https://myvocabulary.com/
Winter Themed Interactive Games – http://www.primarygames.com/seasons/winter/games.htm
16 Things to do in January – http://diyhomeschooler.com/16-things-to-do-in-january-2016/
Snow Week Learning Resources, Recipes, and Activities – https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/02/07/snow-week/
Penguins – https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2015/01/20/penguins/
Healthy Diet – 26 Lessons and Tests – http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/food_health/education_resources/eatsmart/lessons/
Exercise – Homeschool Mom Approved YouTube Exercise Videos – https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/01/10/get-up-and-move-a-break-time-playlist/
Winter Activities and Resources – https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/01/15/but-its-cold-out-there/
Happy January Learning!
betty jo
New Year’s Resources
Though my family is still on winter break from usual homeschooling lessons, I’ve been planning and collecting ideas and links for a New Year’s study to start next week. Below is what I’ve found. I hope you find the resources helpful for your New Years lessons, too!
Looking Back at 2015 and Looking Ahead to 2016 Printable – (This is what my family is using for our yearly traditional time capsule. Each of us will fill one out and place in a bottle to be packed away with our Christmas decorations. We’ll find them next December when we get the decorations back out.) http://www.modernparentsmessykids.com/2014/12/free-family-new-years-resolution-printable.html
Top News Stories of 2015 (parents of younger kids should view privately before sharing with the kids because there’s quite a few bad news stories) http://abcnews.go.com/US/year-review-13-biggest-news-stories-2015/story?id=35852690
Find out the “Most Searched, Most Watched” (again, parents should view first) of 2015 http://www.ourlittleearth.com/2015/12/most-searched-most-watched-this-year/
“New Year” Bible Verses – http://www.openbible.info/topics/new_year
Bible Based New Year’s Crafts and Activities – http://www.christianitycove.com/?s=new+years
New Year’s Interactive Games – http://www.primarygames.com/holidays/new_years/games.htm
New Year’s Games – Fun for families, friends, and co-ops – http://www.howdoesshe.com/15-fun-new-years-eve-activities-for-kids-or-adults/
“Lucky” Foods and Recipes for New Year’s – http://www.rd.com/food/fun/7-lucky-new-years-foods/
New Year’s Activities and Printables (lots of printables!) – http://activityvillage.co.uk/new-year
How to say “Happy New Year” in other languages – http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0923039.html
New Year Traditions from Around the World – http://www.123newyear.com/newyear-traditions/
New Year’s History Articles and Videos – http://www.history.com/topics/holidays/new-years
Movie Clips and New Year’s Music from the 1940’s, 50’s, and 60’s – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-2k7hKvaW0
Happy New Year Songs Playlist – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIAVVo9m5AI
Times Square Ball History – http://www.timessquarenyc.org/events/new-years-eve/about-the-new-years-eve-ball/history-of-the-new-years-eve-ball/index.aspx#.VobXKFJecx0
Times Square STEM Activity – http://jdaniel4smom.com/2015/12/new-years-ball-drop-stem-challenge.html
Times Square Math Challenge – http://www.yummymath.com/2015/the-times-square-ball/
Be on the lookout for more January resources and lesson ideas coming soon!
betty jo
Questioning Elves
Once again it started with a simple question, , “How did elves end up in Christmas traditions?” And so the research began! Below are the online resources and activities we linked to as we discovered the origins, lore, secrets, and magic of elves.
Elves make appearances in Norse mythology, Shakespeare, and Tolkien. Those tell of elves in forests, but not at the North Pole helping Santa! Elf Origins and History – http://www.livescience.com/39689-history-of-elves.html
After hundreds of years of elves being a part of Germanic paganism, the beliefs carried over to the Scandinavian people. “The perception of gnomes largely depended on whether a person was naughty or nice” Read more about it here and find out how by the mid 1800’s elves had made a place in our Christmas traditions http://www.theholidayspot.com/christmas/history/elves.htm
To keep our elf studies in the proper perspective – http://www.christianity.com/christian-life/christmas/how-you-can-have-genuine-joy-and-hope-this-christmas.html
Leadership lessons from one of our favorite Christmas movies, Elf https://dculberh.wordpress.com/2013/12/23/five-leadership-lessons-from-elf/
Several Elf Documentary (?) Videos – http://www.santatelevision.com/?s=elves
Listen to The Elves and the Shoemaker http://www.storynory.com/2007/12/16/the-elves-and-the-shoemaker/
Christmas Elf Jokes, Mischief, and Ideas – http://www.elfcrazy.com/christmas-elf-jokes-for-kids/
My friend, Fran, has some fun elf ideas – http://www.franw.com/2011/12/santas-elves.html
Elf Pal Academy offers themed activities that can be fun and educational (several resources here for my younger boys) http://www.northpole.com/Academy/
“Elf on the Shelf”? No, but We’re enjoying looking at social media photos of the creative things parents are doing. However, as we wrap up (pun intended) our Christmas studies, we used a few of these suggestions for “Kindness Elf” activities. http://www.theeducatorsspinonit.com/2013/12/kindness-elves-free-printables-for-busy.html
With all of the added activities, caroling, parties, crafts, baking, shopping, and decorating of the season, we have certainly been as busy as elves!
Elves ended up being an unexpected but appropriate, interesting, and fun study to close out our homeschooling semester.
Merry Learning!
betty jo
Special Days in December, 2015
Monsters!
Every October we pick a “Halloween(ish)” study theme. Last year the boys decided on “Monsters” as their focus. Here’s our collection of monstrous resources and activities.
Information articles about monsters and other Halloween(ish) creatures http://www.thealmightyguru.com/Halloween/Halloween-Monsters.html
Monster(ish) Vocabulary List and Word Games – https://myvocabulary.com/word-game-puzzles/monsters-vocabulary/
Video of Top 10 Monsters in the Bible http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RLsCXAYm-s
Monster Quiz Interactive http://www.factmonster.com/quizzes/monsters/1.html
Monster Mash song and dance trivia and instructions https://franw.com/2013/10/21/monster-mash/
Free audio book of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein http://www.audiobooktreasury.com/frankenstein-mary-shelley/
Literature study guide, video, and quiz for Frankenstein http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/frankenstein/
1910 Thomas Edison Film Frankenstein http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcLxsOJK9bs&list=PL3B36B6A9D24C5B23
Monster jokes! http://www.factmonster.com/spot/monsterjokes1.html
Recyclable bottle monster craft http://www.craftberrybush.com/2010/10/monster-mash.html
How to draw instructions for monsters and other Halloween(ish) characters – http://www.how-to-draw-funny-cartoons.com/cartoon-characters.html
Rock Monster Craft with driveway rocks, paint, and googly eyes http://www.freekidscrafts.com/rock-monsters/
Rice cereal monster treat sculptures and the googly eye blob are among these Monster Party ideas http://www.makeandtakes.com/monster-birthday-party-ideas
We scored these monster themed comic/science books at our library!
Over the years we’ve chosen many different studies during the month of October… Halloween origins and history, autumn science, mummies, bats, spiders, pumpkins, owls, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, the Salem witch trials, and probably a few others that I’ve forgotten about. This October, we are learning about SKELETONS for science, WEREWOLVES for literature (we skipped them with our monster studies), and GHOSTS for Bible studies! I’ll collect and share our resources soon. Do you do special Halloween studies? If you do, I’d love to hear about them!
betty jo









