Click here for the list of Special Days in October updated for 2019!
Special Days in October, 2016
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Tag Archives: birthday
Roald Dahl
September 13 is “Roald Dahl Day” and our top pick for this week’s learning!
We started reading The BFG yesterday and I can already tell that it’s going to be one of our favorite stories. A movie marathon (with the help of our local library) is part of this week’s agenda, too: The Fantastic Mr. Fox, Matilda, James and the Giant Peach, and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
Here’s our family’s list of the online resources as we learn about Roald Dahl and his career as one of the most popular children’s authors of all time.
Biography, Timeline, Quotes, Printables, and More http://www.teachingideas.co.uk/news/celebrate-roald-dahl-100-with-teaching-ideas
Lesson Plans and Literature Study Guides for Dahl’s best known stories https://www.roalddahl.com/create-and-learn/teach/teach-the-stories
Character Study Notebooking http://activityvillage.co.uk/roald-dahl-character-studies
Printable Quote Notes http://activityvillage.co.uk/roald-dahl-lunch-box-notes
Coloring Pages and Craft (scroll down a little bit for the pdf’s) http://www.corkcitylibraries.ie/hollyhill/colouringcraftsdownloads/
Trivia and Quizzes http://www.funtrivia.com/quizzes/for_children/kid_lit_authors_a_-_k/roald_dahl.html
betty jo
Special Days in September, 2016
Learning Resources for Special Days
Recently, I was asked what resources to use for teaching from the Special Days posts. Every month has different topics, but I turn to the same tried and trusted web sites as I collect resources for our Special Days learning. Below is a list of those I find to be the most helpful when preparing our “from the calendar” studies. I hope that you will find them helpful, too.
Special Days and Biographies – How to and resource list https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2017/07/21/special-days-and-biographies/
Resources for Presidents Birthdays https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/02/14/resources-for-presidents-day/
Special Days and Geography – How to and resource list https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2017/07/29/special-days-and-geography/
Special Days and Science – How to with resource list https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2017/08/05/special-days-and-science/
A monthly calendar “resource of links and things to do, things to learn and things to explore” http://www.se7en.org.za/se7ens-almanac
Wonderful resources, activities, crafts, recipes, and open ended ideas often related to seasons, holidays, and monthly themes for families and independent learners http://www.franw.com/
Calendar of Books http://childrensbooks.about.com/od/readingresources/tp/current-calendar.htm
“Food, Nutrition, and Health By the Month” http://food.unl.edu/fnh/seasonal-ideas
Monthly themed bulletin boards, lesson plans, activities, and writing prompts https://www.theteacherscorner.net/monthly-resources/
Seasonal Themes with Resources http://www.theteachersguide.com/
Daily Feature Video https://www.brainpop.com/
Wonder of the Day http://wonderopolis.org/
This Month in History http://www.historyplace.com/specials/calendar/
Bible based object lessons, games, projects, and science experiments which will often correspond with themes and holidays http://www.christianitycove.com/
Vocabulary lists to go with just about any seasonal or holiday topic https://myvocabulary.com/
Seasonal and holiday themed math lessons and activities http://www.yummymath.com/
Monthly Science Calendar with resources http://thehomeschoolscientist.com/
Writing Prompt Calendar https://writeshop.com/tag/calendar/
Calendar Related Writing and Literacy Activities and Lesson Plans http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/calendar-activities/
Science Activities for Every Month of the Year – http://igamemom.com/science-activities-for-every-month-of-the-year/
Crafts for holidays and themes http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/
Special Days art lessons, craft projects, and activities http://kinderart.com/seasons/
Elementary level printables with monthly themes including holidays, statehood anniversaries, and president’s birthdays http://www.apples4theteacher.com/
Seasonal and holiday interactive games and printables http://www.primarygames.com/seasons/seasons.htm
I’m going to keep this handy resource list on the sidebar under the current Special Days icon link. And, if you need some help developing a special day study, just let me know!
Happy Learning!
betty jo
Special Days in August, 2016
History, Fireworks, Food, and Family Fun – A 4th of July Unit Study and Resource List
The 4th of July, America’s birthday, is a fantastic opportunity for family fun, fireworks, food, and summer school learning! I’ve found some great cross curricular and multi level resources to share as we celebrate, explore, create, learn, review, and play through a unit study.
American Revolution Timeline starting with The Stamp Act (1765) and ending with The Treaty of Paris (1783) http://www.ducksters.com/history/revolutionarywartimeline.php
Early America Resources – Documents, Photos, Biographies, and Videos https://www.varsitytutors.com/earlyamerica
Tour Revolutionary War Battlefields http://johnsmilitaryhistory.com/revvirtual.html
‘Revolutionary War’ Famous Paintings http://www.reenactmag.com/7-paintings-define-revolutionary-war/
Museum of the American Revolution – Impressive collection of objects, works of art, manuscripts, and printed works! http://www.amrevmuseum.org/collection
Interactive version of John Trumbull’s famous painting “The Declaration of Independence” http://www.quiz-tree.com/Declaration-of-Independence-Trumbull.html
Guns of the Revolutionary War http://www.reenactmag.com/important-guns-revolutionary-war/
History/Geography/Math Game Printable – “Find the Lost Redcoat” https://www.education.com/activity/article/The_lost_redcoat/
Liberty’s Kids is an entertaining and a favorite video resource for homeschooling families to introduce the events and people of the American Revolution. Here’s the link to the viewers guide for all 40 episodes. http://www.tv.com/shows/libertys-kids/episodes/
And, the link to the Liberty’s Kids Youtube channel and playlist. All the episodes are available to view. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5pJi9mLIy38m2e_u3sboKQ
Schoolhouse Rock 4th of July Cartoon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmSVnP-oDRs
4th of July Vocabulary List and Word Puzzles https://myvocabulary.com/word-game-puzzles/july-4th-vocabulary/
July 4th Writing Prompts https://writeshop.com/july-4th-writing-activities/
Patriotic Writing Paper Printables http://www.busybeekidsprintables.com/Patriotic-Stationery.html
Calligraphy Resources https://www.franw.com/2015/08/calligraphy-resources.html
Patriotic Quotes https://www.countryliving.com/life/g1841/patriotic-quotes/
How to Speak Like a Colonist http://mrscagle.weebly.com/uploads/2/1/0/6/21062918/talk_like_a_colonist.pdf
Devotions, Quotes, Prayers, and Bible verses for Independence Day http://www.graspinggod.com/4th-of-july.html
Learn about manufacturing the American Flag history and videos https://annin.com/
“Why do we celebrate the 4th of July with fireworks?” According to Slate, that answer is , “Because John Adams wanted us to.” Link here for the full article. http://www.slate.com/articles/life/explainer/2012/07/history_of_fireworks_in_america_why_do_we_celebrate_fourth_of_july_with_fireworks_.html
“Boom Pow Whizz” is an awesome article explaining the history of fireworks with a couple of suggested art and language arts activities. https://antiquitynow.org/2013/07/03/boom-pow-whizzz-the-history-of-fireworks/
Fireworks and Flags Math Activities http://www.yummymath.com/2016/4th-of-july/
Learn about the chemistry of fireworks and use the handy chart of to identify what chemical compounds are used to produce different colors http://www.scifun.org/CHEMWEEK/fireworks/Fireworks2017.htm
And here’s more firework chemistry including a highlighted periodic table http://sciencenotes.org/firework-colors-chemistry/
And to find out more about the elements that make the firework colors http://www.rsc.org/periodic-table
What’s inside a firework and step by step explanation of what happens when lit http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/fireworks/anat_nf.html
How It’s Made – Fireworks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hatDxw8-GRM
How It’s Made – Sparklers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LJ-lAANCw8
Steve Spangler’s – 4th of July Science https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZp7VTYJvQw
Homemade Fireworks Instructions (advanced and probably dangerous!) https://www.thoughtco.com/homemade-fireworks-projects-607331
BBQ and Grilling Safety Guide with kids https://www.ultramodern.com/how-to-grill-with-kids/
Kids Grilling Recipes and Tips http://www.kids-cooking-activities.com/easy-grilling-recipes.html
How Charcoal is Made Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pFLbB00ZJo
My family’s favorite 4th of July treat is this yummy and easy layered dessert using store bought angel food cake – cut into cubes, blueberries, sliced strawberries, and whipped cream.
Fun Learning Activities http://www.franw.com/2013/06/4th-of-july-americas-independence-day.html
4th of July themed Bible games and activities http://www.christianitycove.com/?s=4th+of+july
4th of July Party Games http://www.rd.com/advice/parenting/4th-of-july-10-fun-party-games/
4th of July themed Interactive Games http://www.primarygames.com/holidays/july4/games.htm
Patriotic Music for Kids http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/various-artists/album/americas-favorite-patriotic-songs-for-kids
And don’t forget to check with your local library! We found these …
And we don’t have to stop this study here! “The Pennsylvania State House bell was rung to summon the people of Philadelphia to gather for the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence on July 8, 1776. Though the bell wouldn’t be called the Liberty Bell until years later, the bell’s message of liberty certainly rang that day.”
The Liberty Bell – Learning Resource List https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/07/08/the-liberty-bell/
betty jo
Special Days in May, 2016
How to Talk Like Shakespeare and Other Learning Resources
Tis the twenty and third of April! Thus, we shall speaketh Shakespeare. (“Talk like Shakespeare Day” in honor of William Shakespeare’s birthday, April 23, 1564). We studied this author and his works a couple of years ago and have come back to learn with the resources we collected time and time again. Click here for our Shakespeare online link collection https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/04/23/happy-birthday-william-shakespeare/
betty jo
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
Still Learning Something New 