Category Archives: teacher resourses
Special Days Archive
A friend asked if I could put the links for a year’s worth of Special Days in one post so she wouldn’t have to search each time she worked ahead on her lesson plans. That’s a good idea! So …
These are the direct links to the most recent Special Days and Resource lists for each month. (Note – The 26th of each month is usually when the updates are finished for the next month.)
Special Days in January, 2018
Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah!
Several years ago my family included Hanukkah as one of our December holiday studies. The older kids remember it, but the younger boys do not. So, that’s my cue to include Hanukkah learning into our homeschooling lessons! Below are some wonderful online resources and activities that I’ve found for us as we explore this 8 night celebration.
Candle lighting, Maccabees, Dreidels, Latkas, and more … https://www.myjewishlearning.com/category/celebrate/hanukkah/
How to Make and Play a Dreidel Printable https://www.familyeducation.com/…/hanu…/hanukkah-dreidel
Menorah Craft Instructions http://blog.jugglingfrogs.com/2007/12/how-to-make-chanukah-menorah-chanukiyah.html
Hanukkah Arts and Crafts Projects http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/hanukahartscraftsideaskidsprojects.html
Printable Writing and Coloring Pages and More https://www.activityvillage.co.uk/hanukkah-printables
Lapbook Printables http://www.homeschoolshare.com/hanukkah_lapbook.php
Printable Word Games and Activities http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/hanukkah/
3 Hanukkah Math Lessons https://www.yummymath.com/2017/why-are-the-dates-of-hanukkah-different-every-year/
8 Christian Hanukkah Readings and Devotions on Light http://heartofwisdom.com/biblicalholidays/2016/12/07/hanukkah-readings-for-eight-nights/
Hanukkah Piano Sheet Music Printables and MP3 Downloads http://www.gmajormusictheory.org/Freebies/Holidays/Hanukkah.html
Maccabeats Haukkah Music Videos https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgWWM18u2RI0sAiiWDjmaPFa6s16KLd7A
Hulu is currently streaming Rugrats Chanukah! Also, if you have access to Disney Jr., Little Einsteins, Special Agent Oso and Puppy Dog Tales have Hanukkah episodes.
Hanukkah Sameach! (Happy Hanukkah in Hebrew)
betty jo
Learning Resources For Special Days In December
December has such wonderful learning opportunities. Here’s a helpful resource list for learning from the December calendar. And, check back often throughout the month for updates, edits, and more resources!
BIG List of holidays, birthdays, themes, and historic dates for December https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2020/11/29/special-days-in-december/
Free Printable – Special Days in December
My favorite calendar based learning resources for any month https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2016/07/31/learning-resources-for-special-days/
This will be my twentieth December of teaching Christmas related lessons! Here’s my collection of Christmas Resource Lists! https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2018/12/01/christmas-resource-roundup/?fbclid=IwAR1gf3z8qw3cfnsTW8iXnDn0b40RdnQHWQ_nAHRdm8oGDhcQScArL0N8pFM
President’s with birthdays in December
- Dec. 5 – Martin Van Buren born 1782
- Dec. 28 – Woodrow Wilson born 1856
- Dec. 29 – Andrew Johnson born 1808
Resources for all Presidents – https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/02/14/resources-for-presidents-day/
December Statehood Anniversaries and Country Independence Days:
- Illinois – Dec. 3, 1818
- Finland Independence – Dec. 6, 1917
- Delaware – Dec. 7. 1787
- Tanzania Independence – Dec. 9, 1961
- Mississippi – Dec. 10, 1817
- Indiana – Dec. 11, 1816
- Republic of Upper Volta Independence – Dec. 11,1958
- Kenya Independence Day – Dec. 12, 1963
- Pennsylvania – Dec. 12, 1787
- Alabama – Dec. 14, 1819
- New Jersey – Dec. 18, 1787
- Nepal Independence – Dec. 21, 1923
- Libya Independence – Dec. 24, 1951
- Iowa – Dec. 28, 1846
- Texas – Dec. 29, 1845
Geography Resources – https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2017/07/29/special-days-and-geography/
December’s Daily Specials
Dec. 1 – Cookie Cutter Day – Craft Projects https://www.redtedart.com/cookie-cutter-craft-ideas/
Dec. 2 – Missionary Mary Slessor born 1848 – Find a biography suitable for most any reading level http://www.wholesomewords.org/biography/biorpslessor.html
Dec. 2 – CT Studd born 1860 Pick one of these biographies to read http://www.wholesomewords.org/biography/biorpstudd.html
Dec. 3 – Galileo invented the Telescope 1621 – Galileo Resources https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/04/25/galileo/
Dec. 4 – World Wildlife Conservation Day – Endangered Species Index https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/directory
Dec. 5 – Bubblegum Day – Resource and Project List http://www.franw.com/2011/09/bubblegum.html
Dec. 6 – Mitten Tree Day – Video story https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EODSI1vGOA&list=RD0EODSI1vGOA&index=1
Then donate a pair of gently used or new mittens to a clothing charity. Also, if you have any mixed matched mittens, (I know we do), don’t toss them, use them for these cute mitten puppets http://craftsbyamanda.com/2014/03/easy-mitten-puppets.html
Dec. 6 – St. Nicholas Day – Biography, Traditions, Games, and Stories http://www.stnicholascenter.org/pages/home/
Dec. 7 – Letter Writing Day – How to Write Christmas Letters and Printables http://www.blessedbeyondadoubt.com/write-christmas-letters-free-templates/
Dec. 7 – Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day 1941 — Lesson Plans and Classroom Activities http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/calendar-activities/pearl-harbor-attacked-japanese-20363.html
Dec. 7 – Sculptor/Artist Marie Grosholtz Tussand born 1761 – Museum Website with a peak at “What’s Inside” https://www.madametussauds.com/london/en/
Dec. 8 – First Greeting Card printed 1843 – The History of Christmas Cards https://www.whychristmas.com/customs/cards.shtml
Dec. 8 – Pretend to be a Time Traveler Day – Creative Writing Assignment https://layers-of-learning.com/more-creative-writing-time-travel-style/
Dec.9 – Debut of A Charlie Brown Christmas 1965 – “Peanuts” Learning Resources and Activities https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/10/02/peanuts/
Dec. 9 – Petrified Forest National Park established 1962 – http://www.nps.gov/pefo/index.htm
Dec. 10 –
Dec. 11 – Northern Lights Recorded for First Time 1719 – http://www.kidsastronomy.com/Aurora_article.php
Dec. 12 – Ginger Bread House Day – Resources and Activities http://www.franw.com/2017/12/gingerbread-activities.html
Dec. 12 – Hot Cocoa Day – Recipe and Projects http://www.franw.com/2013/12/homemade-hot-cocoa-mix.html
Dec. 12 – Poinsettia Day – Resources and Activities http://www.franw.com/2017/12/poinsettia-resource-page.html
Dec. 13 – Ice Cream Day – Resources, Activities, and Recipes – http://www.franw.com/2011/07/ice-cream.html
Dec. 13 – Santa Lucia Day – Origins and Traditions https://www.whychristmas.com/cultures/sweden.shtml
Dec. 14 – Christmas Bird Count Week begins – Resources and Activities – http://www.franw.com/2014/03/bird-watching-activities.html
Dec. 16 – Missionary Amy Carmichael born 1867 – Learning ideas and resources http://www.playeatgrow.com/2012/05/grow-amy-carmichael-may-missionary.html/
Dec. 17 – Missionary Isobel Kuhn Read a short biography about her http://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/1901-2000/the-kuhns-rainy-season-bible-school-11630767.html
Dec. 31 – New Year’s Eve – https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2016/01/01/new-years-resources/
My apologies for not having a quick resource for the other special days in December, but we take our winter break before Christmas and continue it through New Year’s Day.
betty jo
Special Days in December, 2017
Special Days in November, 2017
SPECIAL DAYS IN OCTOBER, 2017
SPECIAL DAYS IN SEPTEMBER, 2017
Relaxation VS Stress – Resource List
Understanding stress and how to relax are life lessons I want my boys to grasp. According to Special Days in August, the 15th is “Relaxation Day” and the perfect time for us to focus on this topic. I’ve gathered some resources for our homeschooling lessons and want to share them with you.
Free K-12 Teacher Guides – What stress is and how to manage it.
Top Relaxation Techniques for Children
Relaxation Music and Nature Sound Playlist
Articles with Audio for Students:
Five Steps for Fighting Stress
betty jo










