Follow this link for the August Resource list updated for 2018
Teaching Resources for Special Days in August
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Category Archives: Special Days
Teaching July
We had a few fantastic “special days” studies last July. Below are those special day posts. Each one has the links to the teaching resources we used. I’ve checked the links and they seem to be working.
Ramadan, 2014 began in June and continues until July, 28 with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr. .(This past winter, our local homeschool group hosted a holiday history fair. B chose to come back to this study for his presentations. It’s a very good study.) https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/07/12/studying-ramadan/
International Joke Day – July 1 https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/07/01/just-joking/
This was our study following the 4th of July, it would have been better if we had done it first with the fireworks display to follow. We learned a lot and found it interesting. We’ll be visiting topic again this year. https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/07/05/fireworks/ We learned about the Liberty Bell as part of our July studies last year, too. The resources for that study were awesome! https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/07/08/the-liberty-bell/
Artist Rembrandt born July 14 – https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/07/15/rembrandt/
July born Presidents:
- Calvin Coolidge – July 4, 1872
- John Quincy Adams – July 11, 1767
- Gerald Ford – July 14, 1913
We haven’t yet made any decisions yet about our July 2014 special day learning, but I’m pretty sure ICE CREAM will make our list (more than once)! And, we may have a go with the July 24th unschool holiday, “Learn Nothing Day”, though I don’t know how that would be possible. Here’s the “Special Days in July” list for 2014 https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/06/26/special-days-in-july/
Happy July learning,
betty jo
Homeschooling Humor – The Dad Edition
Homeschool comedy from Tim Hawkins http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3vfU1QOVDc
Happy Monday!
betty jo
Superstitions
Because we’ve been having an abundance of craziness and busyness this week, I thought that we wouldn’t “do school” today. But… it’s Friday the 13th!
I’m wowed by the resources and links I have saved up for a study on superstitions do use on a Friday the 13th. Surely we’ll be able to make a little time to learn about superstitions because this stuff is INTERESTING! Below are the sites and resources I found to share with you just in case you can make time for a little superstition too.
Origins of common superstitions explained at Live Science http://www.livescience.com/33507-origins-of-superstitions.html
Behavioral psychology in regards to superstitions discussed from Kids Net Encyclopedia http://encyclopedia.kids.net.au/page/su/Superstition
13 Superstitious Writing Prompts https://cecileswriters.wordpress.com/2012/04/13/superstitious-prompts/
Free Printable “Black Cat” border writing paper https://www.teacherfiles.com/resources_bp_holidays.htm
20 +free superstition worksheets from Busy Teacher (you’ll need an account, but it’s easy to set up) http://busyteacher.org/classroom_activities-vocabulary/superstitions-worksheets/
Common Superstitions and Why We Have Them (article, video, graphics) https://medium.com/ecom-tips/common-superstitions-why-do-we-have-them-b701245e8ca7
Superstition origins video from Mental Floss (this one’s for the older kids) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFyDUaSi-5w
Mathematical Properties of the Number 13 http://www.numbergossip.com/13
To keep this study in the right perspective we’ll include 1 Timothy 4:7 with this study. “ People tell silly stories that don’t agree with God’s truth. Don’t follow what these stories teach. But teach yourself to be devoted to God.”
And finally some music, which my kids will consider ancient history, but saying such a thing may bring them some bad luck!
betty jo
Story Telling With Aesop’s Fables
Today is our first “special day” study of the summer. Aesop! The calendar says June 4 is his birthday, but his history doesn’t have that exact information recorded. Around 620-560 BC was his time. Below are the links that we’re going to follow as we not only learn about Aesop and read his works, but as we practice public speaking and communication through story telling. The project will be to learn an Aesop fable well enough to present it orally. Retelling is an awesome way to check for reading comprehension and concept understanding as well as being a great communication skill.
A brief biography http://www.findingdulcinea.com/features/profiles/a/aesop.html
Aesop quotes that are as relevant today as they were back in his day http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/a/aesop.html
Fables to read with discussion questions and quizzes, activities, and vocabulary glossary http://www.mcwdn.org/fables/fabadult.html
Tips for good story telling
For an added challenge, I’m going to have the kids retell a lesson they have personally learned by substituting animals as the characters just as Aesop had done. And of course, we’ll add some art to the lesson. Illustrations are a fantastic way to enhance a story. This is my “go to” site for art/drawing instructions when we need a little tutoring, and it seems like they have a good variety of drawing animal instructions if we need it. http://www.dragoart.com/animals-for-kids-c408-1.htm
This is a 24 video collection of animated Aesop fables, because summer studies should always include a movie inside under the air conditioning during the hot afternoon.
For the complete listing of Special Days in June click here Special Days in June, 2018
I plan on participating myself with our Aesop studies. I certainly have a long list of personal lessons learned that could be put into a short story. After all, he did teach that, “Example is the best precept” and “Better wise from the misfortunes of others than by your own”.
betty jo
Special Days in June, 2014
It’s Unanimous For Strawberries!
At the beginning of each month I go through the special days listing, and check off what I think we should add to our studies. I also give the list to the kids and they check off the topics that interest them. (https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/04/29/special-days-in-may/). Rarely does a monthly theme interest all of us, but the May food theme, STRAWBERRIES, was unanimous!
This close to the end of our school year, I really won’t have the time to develop our own strawberry study, but can not just ignore the fact that we all want to explore this favorite food. This is where my friend, Fran, comes in! (http://www.franw.com/) She has developed and published an e-book appropriately named Strawberry Craze.
Strawberry Craze is a 91 page study and activity guide. Fran has graciously given me a copy and I’m so excited! It is covers subjects across the curriculum and has something for all ages. She gives the instructions for crafts, gardening, and science experiments. She has included a list of questions for research projects and little known facts and trivia. Strawberry Craze has math, health, and language connections, too. And recipes! Not just a couple of yummy desserts to try, but recipes for lip gloss, scratch-n-sniff stickers, shampoo, and play clay, just to name a few.
Strawberries have been added to the top of my weekend shopping list! And will probably be repeated on every grocery list in between now and when we are able to pick our own from our garden.
Now is the right time to pick up a copy of the e-book for yourself. It’s being offered for only $2! To find out more and take a peek at some sample pages click here http://www.franw.com/2013/09/strawberry-craze-ebook.html
Oh, by the way, Fran gave me Strawberry Craze just because she’s my friend. The e-book gift was not given to me for the purpose of this review. The review and recommendation is completely of my own doing.
betty jo
Easter (and after) Learning Resources
Though we did a Passion Week study and some arts and crafts as part of our week’s homeschooling lessons, we still have some Easter learning to do!
Here’s some awesome links for free Easter learning resources that we’ll be following throughout the weekend and into the first part of next week.
I’ve got a neighbor family in mind to “egg”. Not like a mean prank like throwing raw, rotten eggs at their house but to “egg” them in a way that will bless them! You can read about this wonderful idea and pick up a free printable to go with your eggs here http://happyhomefairy.com/2013/03/24/youve-been-egged-he-is-risen-style-free-printable/
I printed off this trivia game to test our Easter story knowledge http://www.myjoyfilledlife.com/2014/04/09/printable-easter-story-trivia-game/
We’ll be using this !st Corinthians 15 based article, Why the Resurrection Matters, for a discussion and study guide https://bible.org/seriespage/easter-1993-why-resurrection-matters-1-corinthians-151-19
Playing with food is science with this free “EggSperiment” printable pack (scroll down towards bottom) http://www.parents.com/blogs/homeschool-den/2014/04/14/easter/eggsperiment-brush-your-errr-egg-part-4-of-4/
Eggs lesson plans for K-12 in PDF form http://www.aeb.org/about-aeb/for-educators/
This speed/coordination game is going to be a great use for those leftover plastic eggs http://www.franw.com/2014/04/an-eggcellent-game.html
Great ideas for outdoors egg hunt ideas and games https://www.playpartyplan.com/10-fun-and-creative-easter-egg-hunt/
Virtual tour of a jelly bean factory https://www.jellybelly.com/california-factory-tours#How%20it’s%20Made
A short history lesson about chocolate eggs! And if you look on the left sidebar you can link to an article explaining how hollow chocolate Easter rabbits are made http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/menus/chocolate-egg.htm
Easter themed interactive games http://www.primarygames.com/holidays/easter/games.php
Are your kids asking for a pet bunny? Mine have. The answer is “no”, but they can figure that out for themselves as they investigate just what it takes to raise a rabbit. You’ll also be able to find resources about chicks and ducklings, too. http://animal-world.com/encyclo/critters/rabbits/rabbits.htm
For Easter printable word games, coloring sheets, notebooking paper and more http://activityvillage.co.uk/easter-printables
Since I’ve got you here, I’d like to take this opportunity to invite you to church. Our local church is part of a much bigger church which is available online. You can hear the Easter message at any time during the week that works for you https://www.life.church/easter/
Have a blessed Easter!
betty jo
April Birthday Biographies With Cake
Whenever a birthday shows up on the special days list that goes along with the time period we’re studying, we take the opportunity to study that person, and perhaps bake a cake.
According to the special days listing for April, there are several important people’s birthdays. https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/03/28/special-days-in-april-2/
Last year we learned everything “middle ages”. And, April was a fantastic birthday month for our studies. Here’s the links to the April birthday biographies we worked on complete with resource links.
Raphael April 6, 1483 https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/04/06/raphael/
Leonardo da Vinci April 15, 1452 https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/04/12/leonardo-da-vinci/
William Shakespeare April 23, 1564 https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/04/23/happy-birthday-william-shakespeare/
Our study focus this year is American History. This means that our birthday studies center around presidents. These are the presidents that we’ll be learning about during April.
Thomas Jefferson April 13, 1743
James Buchanan April 23, 1791
Ulysses S. Grant April 27, 1822
James Monroe April 28 1758
This link takes you to the resource list of what we use as we learn about a president. https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/02/14/resources-for-presidents-day/
And cake! Baking and decorating cakes or cupcakes to eat while studying makes lessons delicious. We like this site for online baking classes. The 3 cake decorating pdfs are wonderful guides. http://www.kingarthurflour.com/baking/online-baking-classes.html
Of course everyday is historic and special somehow but we think birthdays are the best!
betty jo
What Do You Want To Be?
“What do you want to be when you grow up?” I suppose that all of us were asked that at one time or another. You’ve probably asked a child that question yourself. I’ve asked my kids and this coming up week, I’ll be asking again. According to the Special Days in April list, this coming up week is “Explore Your Career Options Week”.
Below are the online resources that we’ll be using for our homeschooling lessons as we explore careers, the steps it takes to get them, and how much money they are worth.
Bible Verses About Choosing A Career http://www.openbible.info/topics/choosing_a_career
“If $ were no object, what would you like to do?” Good advice on choosing a career in a short video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYNShs6I4HU
Free Online Career Test (higher grades and adults) http://www.yourfreecareertest.com/
Investigate Careers: Description, Education, Pay https://careerkids.com/pages/career-info
Mission Field Careers https://team.org/opportunities
Military Careers http://www.careersinthemilitary.com/
Here’s a look at how various college majors fare in the job market – http://wtop.com/news/2014/04/best-and-worst-college-majors-for-job-demand-pay/
How To Build a Student Resume http://homeschooltipsandresources.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-student-resume-part-2.html
Tips for Writing Your First Resume https://www.thebalancecareers.com/tips-for-writing-your-first-resume-2058744
Job Interview Tips http://money.howstuffworks.com/business/getting-a-job/10-job-interview-tips.htm#page=0
10 Dirty Jobs That Pay Well https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcfobzjjg58
15 Most Dangerous Jobs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_rFSeqFYcc
As homeschooling parents, we have an unique opportunity to encourage our children about their interests, and developing talents. And, as the kids grow and mature, we can provide learning opportunities that are tailored to helping them prepare to use those interests and talents in their future, whether it be college, a vocation, military, ministry, or a just a job. Though the question, “What do you want to be?” is what we may ask, as homeschooling parent’s we have one to ask ourselves too, “How can I help them become what they want to be?”
betty jo
Still Learning Something New 