Category Archives: Art

August Resources

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August’s calendar has wonderful learning opportunities!  Here’s a resource list to help teach and learn throughout the month.

BIG List of Special Days in August

 

Specific August Themed Resources –

Presidents with August Birthdays

  • Barack Obama – Aug. 4, 1961
  • Herbert Hoover – Aug. 10, 1874
  • William Clinton – Aug. 19, 1946
  • Benjamin Harrison – Aug. 20, 1833
  • Lyndon B. Johnson – Aug. 27, 1908

Awesome learning resources for the presidents – https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/02/14/resources-for-presidents-day/

August Statehood Anniversaries

  • Colorado – Aug. 1, 1876
  • Missouri –  Aug. 10, 1821
  • Hawaii – Aug. 21, 1959

Special Days and Geography – States and Countries Geography Resources –   https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2017/07/29/special-days-and-geography/

Special Days and the Evolution of Morning Calendar Time – Blog post explaining the how’s and why’s of using the Special Days lists for homeschooling or classroom activities

https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2017/07/14/special-days-and-the-evolution-of-morning-calendar-time/

Special Days and Biographies –  How to and resources   https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2017/07/21/special-days-and-biographies/

Special Days and Science  –  How to and resources               https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2017/08/05/special-days-and-science/

More Special Days Learning Resources  (for any month) https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2016/07/31/learning-resources-for-special-days/

Daily Specials for August  (I’ll be updating the daily specials with more resources as we goalong through the month, so check back often for more!  And, if you have any special day resource favorites, be sure to let me know and I’ll edit them into the list. I appreciate all the help I can get!)

  • Aug. 8  –  Smokey the Bear Advertising Campaign begins 1944  –  History, games, wildfire facts and more –   http://smokeybear.com/

Special Days and the Evolution of Morning Calendar Time – Blog post explaining the how’s and why’s of using the Special Days lists for homeschooling or classroom activities

https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2017/07/14/special-days-and-the-evolution-of-morning-calendar-time/

Special Days and Biographies –  How to and resources   https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2017/07/21/special-days-and-biographies/

Special Days and Science  –  How to and resources               https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2017/08/05/special-days-and-science/

More Special Days Learning Resources  (for any month) https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2016/07/31/learning-resources-for-special-days/

Happy August Learning!

betty jo

Learning Resources for July

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july_clipartJuly’s calendar has wonderful learning opportunities!  Here’s a resource list to help teach and learn through the month.

BIG List of Special Days in July –  

Click here for Special Days in July updated for 2020!

July Prayer Calendar for Children –  http://cherigamble.com/2015/06/25/july-2015-prayer-calendar-for-children/

Resource Links for Learning from June’s Calendar  –  http://www.se7en.org.za/se7ens-july

July Science Calendar –  http://thehomeschoolscientist.com/2015-july-science-calendar/

July Themed Elementary Printables and Activities –  http://www.apples4theteacher.com/

July and Summer Themed Bible Based Activities –  http://www.christianitycove.com/

July Themed Vocabulary Word Lists –  http://myvocabulary.com/

July Daily Writing Prompts –  http://www.theteacherscorner.net/daily-writing-prompts/july/

July Themed Arts and Crafts –   http://kinderart.com/seasons/july.shtml

July Stargazer’s Guide –  http://farmersalmanac.com/astronomy/2015/06/29/looking-up-july-2015/

July and Summer Themed Math Lessons –  http://www.yummymath.com/

15 Things to do in July –  http://diyhomeschooler.com/15-things-to-do-in-july-2015/

Specific July Themed Resources –

Presidents with July Birthdays

  • Calvin Coolidge – July 4, 1872
  • George W. Bush – July 6, 1946
  • John Quincy Adams – July 11, 1767
  • Gerald Ford – July 14, 1913

Awesome learning resources for the presidents – https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/02/14/resources-for-presidents-day/

July Statehood Anniversaries

  • Idaho – July 3, 1890
  • Wyoming – July 10, 1890
  • New York – July 26, 1788

States Printables – http://www.homeschoolshare.com/connections__usa.php

States Videos and Facts  –  http://www.history.com/topics/us-states

Daily Specials for July, 2015  (I’ll be updating the daily specials with more resources as we go along, so check back.  And, if you have any special day resource favorites, be sure to let me know and I’ll edit them. I appreciate all the help I can get!)

July 1 – International Joke Day – Our favorite kid’s joke resources and tips – https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/07/01/just-joking/

July 4  –  Independence Day –

July 5 –  Shark Week begins – Webcams and videos  –  http://www.discovery.com/tv-shows/shark-week/

July 8 –  Liberty Bell cracked 1835  –  Learning Resources  –  https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/07/08/the-liberty-bell/

July 14 –  Artist Rembrandt born 1606 – Learning Resources and Activities –  https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/07/15/rembrandt/

July 17 –  Eid al Fitr – Ramadan Study Resources  –  https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/07/12/studying-ramadan/

July 17 –  Hymn Writer Isaac Watts born 1674  –  “Tea Time” biography and resources  –  http://www.homeschoolshare.com/blog/2013/07/tea-time-with-isaac-watts/

July 28 – Author Beatrix Potter born 1866  “Tea Time” biography and resources – http://www.homeschoolshare.com/blog/2015/07/tea-time-with-beatrix-potter/

July 29 – International Tiger Day – Facts, Listen to “ROARS”, Coloring printables, and more – http://www.tigers-world.com/

Happy July Learning!

betty jo

Learning Resources for June

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june_clipart Wow, June already!  Here’s a great resource list for learning (and teaching, too) all through the month.  I’ll be updating the themes and daily specials with more resources as we go along, so check back.  And, if you have special day resource favorites, be sure to let me know and I’ll edit them in!

BIG List of Special Days in June, 2015 https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2015/05/28/special-days-in-june-2015/

June’s Prayer Calendar for Children – http://cherigamble.com/2015/05/28/june-2015-prayer-calendar-for-children/

Resource Links for Learning from June’s Calendar http://www.se7en.org.za/se7ens-june

Elementary Resources for June’s Holidays – http://www.apples4theteacher.com/

Summer Themed Bible Based Resources and Activities – http://www.christianitycove.com/

June Theme Vocabulary Word Lists –

http://myvocabulary.com/index.php?dir=general&file=search_result

Daily Writing Prompts for June – http://www.theteacherscorner.net/daily-writing-prompts/june/

June Themed Arts and Crafts – http://www.kinderart.com/seasons/june.shtml

June and Summer Themed Math Lessons – http://www.yummymath.com/

Stargazer’s Guide to June – http://farmersalmanac.com/astronomy/2015/05/25/stargazers-guide-to-june-2015/

15 Things To Do In June – http://diyhomeschooler.com/15-things-to-do-in-june-2015/

June Science Calendar – http://thehomeschoolscientist.com/june-2015-science-calendar/

June Themes

  • Adopt a Cat – Learning Resources and Activities

http://www.franw.com/2014/08/domesticated-cats-resource-page.html

  • Audio Book Appreciation – Huge Collection of Free Audio Books

http://www.loyalbooks.com/

  • Child Vision – How does vision happen? Video, articles, and quiz

http://kidshealth.org/kid/htbw/eyes-movie.html?tracking=59983_B

  • Effective Communication  –   Free Communication Course with Simulations

http://www.e-learningforlife.org/Courses/EK-8057/8057start.html

  • Okra – Make an Okra Stamp –

Stamping with Okra…Yes, Okra!

  • Skyscraper – Learning Resources –

Resources For Learning About Skyscrapers

Statehood Anniversaries

  • Kentucky – June 1, 1792
  • Tennessee – June 1, 1796
  • Arkansas- June 15, 1836
  • West Virginia – June 20, 1863
  • New Hampshire – June 21, 1788
  • Virginia – June 25, 1788

States Facts, History, and Videos – http://www.history.com/topics/us-states

Presidents with June Birthdays

  • George H.W. Bush – June 12, 1924

Learning and Review Resources for all presidents – https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/02/14/resources-for-presidents-day/

June 2015 Daily Specials

June 1 – Sun Safety Week begins * – Facts, Resources, and Tips – http://www.sunsafetyalliance.org/

June 1 – Volunteers Week begins – Easy Volunteering Activities for Kids – http://lifestyle.howstuffworks.com/crafts/quick-easy-crafts/easy-volunteer-activities-for-kids.htm

June 2 – Business Etiquette Week begins – How to conduct your business by showing respect and consideration – http://www.a-to-z-of-manners-and-etiquette.com/business-etiquette.html

June 3 – Egg Day – Experiments, Facts, and Resources – http://www.franw.com/2012/04/bird-eggs.html

June 4 – Aesop born – Learning Resources and Activities https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/06/04/story-telling-with-aesops-fables/

June 5 – 1st Hot Air Balloon Flight 1783 – Learning Resources and Activities – https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/06/05/hot-air-balloons/

June 6 – Yo-Yo Day – Check out this yo-yo video series – http://www.monkeysee.com/play/1079-how-to-yo-yo

June 7 – Daniel Boone Day – Learning Resources https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/10/22/daniel-boone/

June 7 – Chocolate Ice Cream Day – Resources and Activities http://www.franw.com/2011/07/ice-cream.html

June 8 – Inventor Frank Lloyd Wright born 1867 – Learning Resources and Activities https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/08/17/aviation-week-learning-resources/

June 8 – World Oceans Day – Celebration and Activity Ideas – http://www.worldoceansday.org/

June 9 – Donald Duck debut 1934 – Watch The Wise Little Hen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5dowCyaP7I

June 11 – Great Barrier Reef Discovery 1770 – Learning Resources – https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/06/11/reef/

June 14 – Flag Day – Learning Resources and Activities – https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/06/14/flag-day/

June 16- Mathematician M.C. Escher born 1898 – Learning Resources and Activities – https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/06/17/mathematical-art/

June 19 – Garfield’s (the cartoon cat) birthday – Learning Resources and Activities- https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/06/19/garfield-the-cat-not-the-president/

June 19 – Scientist Blaise Pascal born 1623 –  Learning Resources and Activities for Pascal and His Triangle – https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2015/06/18/blaise-pascal/

June 21 – Father’s Day – Crafts, Printables, and Recipes http://www.thehomeschoolmom.com/homeschool-lesson-plans/fathers-day/

June 24-Fairy Day and UFO Day – Learning Resources for Both – https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/06/24/faries-vs-aliens/

June 25 – Log Cabin Day – Learning Resources – https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/06/25/log-cabin/

June 26 – Velocipede (bicycle) patented 1819 – Bicycle Facts, Safety, and Activities https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/06/26/bicycle-lessons/

June 27 – Great American Backyard Campout – Resources and Activities – https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/06/22/the-great-american-backyard-campout/

Happy June Learning!

betty jo

Special Days in April, 2015

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month_A_04The following post has been updated for 2016  https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2016/03/30/special-days-in-april-2016/

April’s special days list is bursting with holidays, observances, food themes, awareness days , historic figures and authors birthdays, science and historic based anniversaries,  and more!  Whether you’re looking for something special to study, trivia, a day to celebrate, or a food to add to the menu, this list gives you plenty to choose from.

April’s Themes,  Awareness, and Observances

  • Amateur Radio
  • Arab American Heritage
  • Astronomy
  • Autism Awareness
  • Car Care
  • Card and Letter Writing
  • Celebrate Diversity
  • Confederate History
  • Decorating
  • Financial Literacy Month
  • Frogs
  • Garden
  • Guitar
  • Holy Humor
  • Home Improvement
  • Humor
  • Jazz Appreciation
  • Keep America Beautiful
  • Kites
  • Landscape Architecture
  • Listening Awareness
  • Math Education
  • Military Child
  • Pet 1st Aid
  • Poetry
  • Recycling
  • School Library
  • Straw Hat
  • Stress Awareness
  • Young Child
  • Youth Sports Safety
  • World Habitat Awareness

April Food Themes

  • Celery
  • Child Nutrition
  • Cranberries
  • Gooseberries
  • Grilled Cheese Sandwich
  • Pecan
  • Soy Foods

April’s Daily Specials  (the * after the daily special means it does not always fall on the same date each year)

April 1

  • April Fool’s Day
  • Atheist Day
  • Fun at Work Day
  • Golden Rule Week begins
  • Medication Safety Week begins
  • Poetry and The Creative Mind Day
  • Read a Road Map Week begins
  • Reading Is Funny Day
  • Tatting Day
  • US Air Force Academy Day
  • Walking Day

April 2

  • Author Hans Christian Andersen born 1805
  • Children’s Book Day
  • Ferret Day
  • Ponce de Leon discovers and claims Florida for Spain 1513
  • Peanut Butter and Jelly Day
  • Reconciliation Day
  • World Autism Day

April 3

  • Chocolate Mousse Day
  • Don’t Go To Work Unless It’s Fun Day
  • Find a Rainbow Day
  • Good Friday *
  • Scientist Jane Goodall born 1934
  • Johan Gutenberg 1st used movable type to print a book 1451
  • Author Washington Irving born 1783
  • Passover *
  • 1st Pony Express Mail Route 1860
  • Tweed Day
  • Walk to Work Day *(1st Fri.)
  • Weed Out Hate/Sow Seeds of Greatness Day
  • World Party Day

April 4

  • Hug a Newsman Day
  • Martin Luther King Jr. assassinated 1968
  • Love Our Children Day *(1st Sat.)
  • NATO established 1949
  • Pillow Fight Day *(1st Sat.)
  • Rat Day
  • Robotics Week begins
  • Author/Illustrator Glen Rounds  born 1906
  • Tell a Lie Day
  • Vitamin C Day
  • Walk Around Things Day

April 5

  • Bat Appreciation Week begins *
  • Deep Dish Pizza Day
  • Easter Sunday *
  • Explore Your Career Options Week begins *
  • Go For Broke Day
  • Scientist Joseph Lister born 1827
  • Plum Pudding Day
  • Scientist Walter Sutton born 1877
  • Activist Booker T. Washington born 1856

April 6

  • 1st Animated Cartoon was copyrighted 1906
  • Army Day
  • Fresh Tomato Day
  • North Pole discovered 1909
  • Public Health Week *
  • Artist Raphael born 1483
  • Sorry Charlie Day
  • Sweet Tater Day  *(1st Mon.)
  • Tartan Day (Scottish Heritage)
  • Teflon invented 1938
  • Twinkie invented 1930
  • US Entry Into WWI 1916

April 7

  • Beaver Day
  • Caramel Popcorn Day
  • Metric System Day
  • No Housework Day
  • Poet William Wordsworth born 1770
  • World Health Organization Day

April 8

  • All Is Ours Day
  • Buddha born 563BC
  • Draw a Picture of a Bird Day
  • Empanada Day
  • Garden Week begins *(2nd week)
  • Roma Day

April 9

  • Appomattox Day (US Civil War ends 1865)
  • Cherish an Antique Day
  • Winston Churchill Day (first person to become an Honorary Citizen of the United States 1963)
  • Name Yourself Day

April 10

  • Farm Animals Day
  • Golfers Day
  • Salvation Army Founder’s Day 1865
  • Safety Pin patented 1849
  • Sibling Day

April 11

  • Apollo 13 Launched 1970
  • Baby Massage Day *(2nd Sat.)
  • Barbershop Quartet Day
  • 8-Track Tape Day
  • Just Pray No! Weekend of Prayer and Fasting begins *
  • Pet Day
  • End of Revolutionary War 1783
  • Slow Art Day *(2nd Sat.)
  • Submarine Day
  • Teach Your Children to Save Day

April 12

  • Big Wind Day
  • American Civil War begins 1861
  • Author Beverly Cleary born 1916
  • D.E.A.R. Day (Drop Everything and Read Day)
  • Global Day to End Child Sexual Abuse *(2nd Sun.)
  • Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day
  • International Day for Street Children
  • Library Week *
  • Licorice Day
  • 1st Human Space Flight 1961
  • Paul Revere’s Famous Ride 1775
  • 1st Space Shuttle launch 1981
  • Student Employment Week begins *
  • Volunteer Week begins *
  • Walk On Your Wild Side Day
  • Week of the Young Child begins *

April 13

  • American Indian Awareness Week begins *
  • Cowboy/Outlaw Butch Cassidy born 1866
  • President Thomas Jefferson born 1743
  • Scrabble Day

April 14

  • Dolphin Day
  • Library Day *(Tues. during Library Week)
  • Look Up At The Sky Day
  • Moment of Laughter Day
  • One Day Without Shoes Day*
  • Pecan Day
  • Reach as High as You Can Day
  • Websters American Dictionary of the English Language published 1828

April 15

  • Corrie Ten Boom born 1892
  • Artist/Scientist/Inventor Leonardo Da Vinci born 1452
  • Holocaust Remembrance Day *
  • Jackie Robinson Day
  • Rubber Eraser Day
  • Take A Wild Guess Day
  • The Titanic sank 1912

April 16

  • Day of the Mushroom
  • Eggs Benedict Day
  • High Five Day*
  • Stress Awareness Day
  • Teen Literature Day *(Thurs. of Library Week)
  • Wear Your Pajamas to Work Day
  • Inventor Wilbur Wright born 1867

April 17

  • Bat Appreciation Day
  • Blah! Blah! Blah! Day
  • Cheese Ball Day
  • Day of Silence *
  • Ellis Island History Day
  • Haiku Poetry Day
  • 1st Hershey Bar sold 1895
  • Youth Service Days begin *

April 18

  • Amateur Radio Day
  • Auctioneers Day *(3rd Sat.)
  • Cleaning for a Reason Week begins *
  • Husband Appreciation Day*(3rd Sat.)
  • Juggler’s Day
  • Money Smart Week begins *
  • San Francisco Earthquake 1906

April 19

  • Bicycle Day
  • Coin Week begins *
  • Environmental Education Week begins *
  • Garlic Day
  • Hanging Out Day
  • Karaoke Week begins *
  • Princess Week begins *
  • The Shot Heard Around the World (Battle of Lexington and Concord) 1775

April 20

  • Boston Marathon *(3rd Mon.)
  • Chinese Language Day
  • Marie and Pierre Curie Discover Radium 1902
  • Adolf Hitler born 1889
  • Look Alike Day
  • Patriot’s Day *(3rd Mon.)
  • Playground Safety Week begins *
  • Volunteer Recognition Day

April 21

  • Chocolate Covered Cashews Day
  • Gathering of the Nations PowWow begins *
  • Queen Elizabeth born 1926
  • Henry VIII Became King of England 1509
  • Innovation Day
  • Kindergarten Day
  • Naturalist John Muir born 1838
  • National Park Week begins *
  • Rome Founded 753 BC

April 22

  • Earth Day
  • Girl Scout Leaders Day
  • Jelly Bean Day
  • Mother Earth Day
  • Roller Skates patented 1823

April 23

  • President James Buchanan born 1791
  • English Language Day
  • St. George’s Day
  • Homerun Day
  • Laboratory Day
  • Movie Theater Day
  • Picnic Day
  • Slay A Dragon Day
  • Take a Chance Day
  • Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day *(4th Thurs.)
  • Talk Like Shakespeare Day / Author William Shakespeare born 1564
  • Zucchini Bread Day

April 24

  • Arbor Day *(last Fri.)
  • Dance Week begins
  • Fiddler’s Frolic begins *
  • Pigs-in-a-Blanket Day
  • Save the Frogs Day *(last Fri.)
  • Teach Your Children to Save Day *
  • Farmer’s Almanac Founder, Robert Bailey Thomas born 1776

April 25

  • Astronomy Day *
  • DNA Day
  • Dance Day *(last Sat.)
  • East Meets West Day
  • Eeyore’s Birthday *(last Sat.)
  • Great Fire of London 1666
  • Frog Day *(last Sat.)
  • Go Birding Day *(last Sat.)
  • Hug a Plumber Day
  • Physicist Guglielmo Marconi born 1874
  • Malaria Awareness Day
  • Sense of Smell Day *(last Sat.)
  • Suez Canal Construction begins 1859
  • World Healing Day *(last Sat.)
  • World Penguin Day
  • Veterinary Day *(last Sat.)

April 26

  • Audubon Day
  • Help a Horse Day
  • Hug An Australian Day
  • Kids and Pets Day
  • Pinhole Photography Day *(last Sun.)
  • Preservation Week begins *
  • Pretzel Day
  • Scientist/Inventor Charles F. Richter born 1900

April 27

  • Babe Ruth Day
  • Author Ludwig Bemelmans born 1898
  • President Ulysses S. Grant born 1822
  • Scientist Johannes Kepler born 1571
  • Inventor Samuel Morse born 1791
  • Prime Rib Day
  • Tell A Story Day

April 28

  • Astronomy Day
  • Biological Clock Day
  • Kiss Your Mate Day
  • Maryland Statehood 1788
  • President James Monroe born 1758
  • Great Poetry Reading Day

April 29

  • Dance Day
  • Greenery Day
  • Guide Dogs Day *(last Wed.)
  • Shrimp Scampi Day
  • World Wish Day
  • Zipper patented 1851

April 30

  • Adopt a Shelter Pet Day
  • Beltane *
  • Buggs Bunny Day
  • Hairstyle Appreciation Day
  • Honesty Day
  • Louisiana Statehood 1812
  • Poem In Your Pocket Day *
  • Raisin Day
  • Vietnam War ended 1975
  • Walpurgis Night

I make my monthly special days lists by using several sources including old calendars,  holiday books, newspapers, and the web. If you know of a special day that I do not have listed, please comment and let me know what it is so I can add it in.   Below are the links to my favorite online April calendars.

http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/april-2015.html

Welcome to Holiday Insights Daily April 2024 Holidays

Se7en’s April…

http://food.unl.edu/fnh/april

http://www.brownielocks.com/april.html

Happy April Learning!

betty jo

Learning Resources for Special Days in January, 2015

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january_3499cThere are many learning opportunities using January’s calendar!

Below is a collection of online learning resources for January studies.  A big “Thank You” to all   (social media group members and blogging friends)  who are sharing your resources.  We wouldn’t have a list like this without a lot of help!  This month has grown to have a resource for almost every day!

Special Days in January  –  List of January 2015 themes, holidays, and historic dates  https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/12/30/special-days-in-january-2015/

January Prayer Calendar  –  http://cherigamble.com/2014/12/29/january-2015-prayer-calendar-for-children/

January Writing Prompts  –  http://www.theteacherscorner.net/daily-writing-prompts/january/

January Science Calendar  –  http://thehomeschoolscientist.com/january-2015-science-calendar-2/#.VKjAVXuP_sg

January Themed Math  –  http://www.yummymath.com/

January Themed Coloring and Activity Printables  –  http://www.apples4theteacher.com/

Snow is a wonderful study theme for January.  This was one of our family’s favorites!  –  https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/02/07/snow-week/

President’s With January Birthdays  – This is how we study/review the presidents https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/02/14/resources-for-presidents-day/

  •  Millard Fillmore born Jan. 7, 1800
  • Richard Nixon born Jan. 9, 1913
  • Wm. McKinley born Jan. 29, 1843
  • Franklin Roosevelt born Jan. 30, 1882

More January Birthdays –  Read biographies, printables, and online activities  –  http://gardenofpraise.com/index.htm

  • Isaac Newton  –  Jan. 4, 1693
  • Joan of Arc  –  Jan. 6, 1412
  • Albert Schweitzer  –  Jan. 14, 1875
  • Ben Franklin  –  Jan. 17, 1706
  • Mozart  –  Jan. 27, 1756

Resources for January’s Daily Specials:

1  –  New Year’s  –  Learning Resources  –  https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/12/31/learning-resources-for-new-years/

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  –  Jacob Grimm 1785  –  Read Brothers Grimm fairy tales  –  http://www.familymanagement.com/literacy/grimms/grimms-toc.html

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

7  –  Old Rock Day  –  Find geology facts, experiments, and games –  http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/geology.html

8  –  Joygerm Day  –  https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/01/08/happy-joygerm-day/

9  –  Static Electricity Day  –  This is Z’s all time favorite experiment  –  http://www.sciencebob.com/experiments/staticroll.php

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

16  –  Appreciate a Dragon Day  –  Fast Facts and resource links  –  http://www.kidskonnect.com/subjectindex/13-categories/animals/439-dragons.html

18  –  Winnie the Pooh Day  –  http://www.just-pooh.com/

19  –  Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day  –  https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/01/17/teaching-resources-for-martin-luther-king-day/

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

25  –  Super Bowl  –  https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/01/31/the-winter-olympic-games-but-first-the-super-bowl/

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/

29 –  Patriot Thomas Paine born 1737  –  Watch the Common Sense episode of Liberty’s Kids –  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awlBeITstkE

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

And remember to check out what’s available at your local libraries.  Ours usually has  themes for reading contests, and book suggestions.  We picked up 2 bags of books to go along with our first couple of weeks of Special Days in January studies.

Happy January Learning!

betty jo

Learning Resources for New Year’s

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It’s been a wonderful holiday break from homeschooling for us, but it’s time to get back into the swing of lessons and learning.   New Year’s celebrations will be our last lesson focus of 2014 as well as our first lesson focus of 2015.  Below are the online resources we’ll be using for our study.

New Year Countdown Interactive Map  –  http://www.timeanddate.com/counters/newyearmap.html

Traditions, recipes, games, poetry, and how to say “Happy New Year” from Around the World  –   http://www.fathertimes.net/traditions.htm

And Year Review and Resolution printables  http://www.modernparentsmessykids.com/2014/12/free-family-new-years-resolution-printable.html

And New Year’s themed art and craft ideas  http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/newyearscraftsactivitieskids.html

A hands-on Bible Study with a New Year’s object lesson and playdough  http://www.christianitycove.com/new-years-lesson-committing-to-gods-hands/6281/

Times Square Ball math lesson  –  http://www.yummymath.com/2014/evolution-of-the-times-square-ball/

Photos of Celebrations Around the World  –  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/31/photos-new-years-world_n_6402768.html

How to Make Fireworks is an interesting science article and with the noises we’re hearing from around our neighborhood, an appropriate New Year’s science lesson  –  http://blogs.howstuffworks.com/brainstuff/how-to-make-fireworks.htm

The top news/current events from 2014  –  http://www.ourlittleearth.com/

Wishing you a wonderful year of learning!  Happy 2015!

betty jo

Thanksgiving – Been There, Done That

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As we move along on our “special days” studies through November, I see Thanksgiving looming coming up in the not so distant future.  I thought seriously about not teaching Thanksgiving lessons this year.   How could I not want to teach Thanksgiving?  We’ve always had wonderful Thanksgiving lessons in November.  Yes, that’s it.  For 17 years – 17 Novembers, I’ve been teaching a week or two or three of Thanksgiving.  The who, what, when, why, and how of those Mayflower pilgrims and the natives that they encountered, Lincoln’s proclamation to make a Thanksgiving holiday,  Bible studies that focus on giving thanks and gratitude, nutritional studies of squash, pumpkins, turkeys, sweet potatoes, and corn, Thanksgiving celebrations around the world, tons of cooking projects, and craft activities to go along with it all – we’ve been there and done that over and over again.

In addition to my grumpy mood about Thanksgiving lessons,  our primary history focus of the year is Modern World History so the Pilgrim/Indian theme just doesn’t seem to fit or apply.   I look over the recent additions to our timeline and see WW1, the stock market crash of 1929, WW2 – hard and fearful times, but still were thankful times, too.  Hmmm …

Below are some of the online resources we’ll be using as we begin a new Thanksgiving  study with a modern history twist, and the cure for my Thanksgiving lesson planning grumpiness.  I’m actually getting excited about these lessons now!

During WW1, food was rationed and that had quite an impact on that Thanksgiving dinner.  This article does a terrific job explaining American Thanksgiving during WW1.   I love the photos of the newspaper ads from 1917 and 1918.   http://blog.genealogybank.com/rationing-thanksgiving-dinner-during-world-war-i.html

And what of the troops on Thanksgiving 1918?  Read about the football, feasts, and entertainment the Red Cross planned in this old Stars and Stripes magazine article  http://www.oldmagazinearticles.com/Thanksgiving_in_WW1_France#.VGRLisnbGi0

Macy’s Department Store held their first parade in 1924.  Read about the history of this famous parade here  http://people.howstuffworks.com/culture-traditions/holidays-other/macys-thanksgiving-day-parade1.htm

Watch a short video of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade history with some actual film footage from the first parade  http://www.history.com/topics/thanksgiving/history-of-thanksgiving/videos/history-of-the-thanksgiving-day-parade

View this Macy’s Thanksgiving Day photo gallery from Time  http://content.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,2100160_2324105,00.html

Thanksgiving Radio Show 1935

Jack Benny Thanksgiving Radio Show 1939

 

A wonderful account of the Thanksgiving that came early  http://www.farmcollector.com/farm-life/thanksgiving-during-the-great-depression.aspx#axzz3IpQaEi9v

And more about that early Thanksgiving which became known as “Franksgiving” from this historic letter collection  http://www.lettersofnote.com/2009/11/unhappy-franksgiving.html

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That famous Norman Rockwell American family portrait of Thanksgiving dinner is still a popular work of art today.  But back in 1943 it was a political statement.  Find out more about that here  http://bigthink.com/Picture-This/what-norman-rockwells-thanksgiving-pictures-really-about

Details of WW2 Thanksgiving in a pdf from  America in WWII Magazine http://www.americainwwii.com/files/2012/11/thankful-anyway-dec-2009.pdf

A delightful article about Thanksgiving at home and at war  http://www.sarahsundin.com/thanksgiving-in-world-war-ii/

Thanksgiving writings from WW2 veterans along with some pictures from  Time Magazine 1940’s Thanksgiving photo album  http://www.skylighters.org/thanksgiving/

Armed Forces Radio Thanksgiving Show 1944

And with that fantastic swing music, some Charleston and Swing Dance instructions may be in order!

 

 

 

And back in those days, math was practical and so are these Thanksgiving themed math lessons  http://www.yummymath.com/?s=thanksgiving

The common thread of Thanksgiving celebration during these times seems to be making the most with whatever resources were available and finding blessings in any circumstance.  With this in mind, our Thanksgiving Bible studies will focus on contentment.

  • Philippians 4:11-12   I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
  • 1 Timothy 6:8   But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
  • Hebrews 13:5   Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Just for fun and a little about the mindset of the times here’s a  Classic Thanksgiving cartoon  playlist.  One of these is from 1933 and one from 1945.  The rest are a little more recent, 1950’s-70’s.  http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRgLrYQQYdPr9xb8HiRXaJZAWiKmp4wQ6

What about science?  How about human anatomy and the digestive system?  Seems to fit the theme of “Thanksgiving dinner”, right?

Digestive System Facts – http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/humanbody/digestivesystem.html

Human Body Interactive Map of the digestion system – http://www.healthline.com/human-body-maps/digestive-system/male

Label the Digestion System  printable with a vocabulary and definition list  http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/anatomy/digestive/label/

This National Geographic video is NOT for the squeamish!  It is actual footage of the digestive process filmed by a scope procedure.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QYwscALNng

A little more pleasant to watch,  an animation of how the digestive system works  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwrsL-lCZYo

There is even a digestion song!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sDMVgw9d-c

Online Digestive System Quiz  http://www.lrn.org/Content/Quizzes/Qdigestive.html

Hopefully our appetites will still exist after this science study!  We have a lot of cooking and eating to do!

I wish you happy learning this Thanksgiving!

betty jo