Click here for the updated BIG list of Special Days in November!
Special Days in November, 2018
20 Replies
Tag Archives: lesson plans
Around the World in 80 Days
In Jules Verne’s novel, Around the World in 80 Days, the calm, orderly main character, Phileas Fogg, makes a wager that he can travel around the world in eighty days. He does this on October 2, 1873. Today we have fun holiday in honor of this fictional occasion, “Phileas Fogg Win a Wager Day”! If your family hasn’t read Around the World in 80 Days, October 2 would be a perfect time to start. Of course, anytime is a good time to begin such a thrilling adventure.
We chose to “read” this classical story via audio a couple of years ago and the whole family loved it! The reader from “Loyal Books” was excellent. Please note that Around the World in 80 Days is not a children’s book. There are some rather mature scenes in Verne’s tale, however my youngest (11 at the time) was fine after some discussion. Actually, this book inspired a lot of discussion.
Here’s a collection of resources to add some extra fun and some lessons to the reading.
Learn to Play Whist (this is the game that Phileas Fogg was playing when he begins his adventure) https://cardgames.io/whist/
Listen to the audio book http://www.loyalbooks.com/book/around-the-world-in-eighty-days-by-jules-verne
Read the book http://literatureproject.com/around-the-world/index.htm
Several Free Printables https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Browse/Search:around%20the%20world%20in%2080%20days/Price-Range/Free
Study Guide https://www.shmoop.com/around-the-world-in-eighty-days/
Map of the trip https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Around_the_World_in_Eighty_Days_map.png
Interactive Game http://www.freeworldgroup.com/games6/gameindex/aroundtheworldin80days.htm
Vocabulary Lists (the vocabulary is intensive) https://www.vocabulary.com/lists/204437
Oh, and the movie from 2004 staring Jackie Chan? Let’s just say it was barely based on the book. Just barely.
betty jo
Special Days in October, 2018
Special Days in September, 2018
Wiffle Ball
According to the Special Days in August list, the 14th is the anniversary of the invention of Wiffle Ball. Wiffle Ball is one of the best backyard activities! The game doesn’t require expensive equipment, a large area, or a lot of people. It’s wonderful for PE and science (and history too)! Here’s some resources to learn about the history of the game, the science behind the Wiffle ball, and the rules on how to play.
“It all began in the summer of 1953 …” http://www.wiffle.com/pages/welcome.asp?page=welcome
The Science of How a Wiffle Ball Works https://www.popsci.com/article/technology/how-it-works-wiffle-ball-pitch
Game Rules http://www.wiffle.com/pages/game_rules.asp?page=game_rules
Wiffle Ball Pitch – Science Video
Have fun learning and playing!
betty jo
Special Days in August, 2018
Shark Week
The last week of July is the official Discovery’s Shark Week! This must be a popular summer learning theme for homeschools, summer schools, and families, because there’s awesome resources available! Here’s the resource links to what is being shared in the Facebook home education groups and through my e-mail subscriptions.
Free Lesson Plans https://www.discoveryeducation.com/?s=sharks
Watch Discovery Classic Shark Week Videos (PG Rating) https://www.discovery.com/playlists/watch-shark-week-for-free
Sharks Study Resources https://www.franw.com/2016/01/sharks.html
Shark Week Journal and Printables https://homeschool.bookshark.com/sharkweek/
All About Sharks – Resources and Activities http://www.blessedbeyondadoubt.com/25-shark-week-resources/
Shark Themed Resources https://themultitaskinmom.com/shark-week-resources/
Shark Week Freebies and Activities https://hiphomeschoolmoms.com/shark-week-freebies-and-activities-for-kids/
Finish this Story – Sharks http://www.blessedbeyondadoubt.com/shark-story-starters-fun-shark-week-resources/
Shark Attack Writing Prompt https://www.writersdigest.com/prompts/shark-attack
Unit Studies, Printables, Crafts, and Activities http://www.freehomeschooldeals.com/shark-week-educational-resources-free-printables-unit-studies-more/
Chalk Pastel Shark Week Art Tutorials https://www.hodgepodge.me/shark-week-art-tutorials/?fbclid=IwAR1kOndUBJDNQgO-d99kVW_ecFzye5c6aScOQoBz6xIwxoUVzsrAMTm_qKw
Fun Activities https://faithandgoodworks.com/shark-week-activities/
Crafts and Activities https://www.localfunforkids.com/crafts/2011/8/2/easy-shark-week-crafts-activities-for-kids.html
Crafts, Activities, and Recipes https://adayinourshoes.com/kids-activities-for-shark-weekfood-crafts-recipes-and-more/
betty jo
Snakes!
“Snakes. Why’d it have to be snakes?” asks Indiana Jones, and this homeschooling mama is asking that too! I know some people who have pet snakes and enjoy them and others who have extreme fear of them. Growing up in Kentucky, I’ve even heard rumors of snake handling in churches! Personally, I’m in more of a basic “just avoid them” category. Honestly, I’d rather avoid a snake study but “July 16 – World Snake Day” was marked on our list of Special Days in July , which means it’s an interest study request. I don’t want to say no to an interest study, and it’s been a while since we did an animal research project, so …
Here’s my collection of cross curriculum snake themed resources to share with you for when you find yourself facing a snake study.
Image Gallery: Snakes of the World
Labeled Anatomy Diagrams:
Live Science Article – Why We Fear Snakes
Importance of Snakes in the Ecosystem
Snakes in Religion search results
Read Kipling’s Rikki-Tikki-Tavi
Printable Worksheets and Activities
Snake Unit Study and Lapbook Printables
Snakes Notebooking Printable Pages
Songs About “Snakes” (Heads up! Not all will be appropriate for families)
Snakes in Art – Statues, paintings, pottery, drawings, and more, from ancient to modern day, and from all over the world. (Again, Heads up! Not all will be appropriate for families, but you can easily choose which pieces suit your study.)
Step by Step How to Draw a Snake
Printable Snakes and Ladders Game – “When you download the game, you will get a printable board and a set of question cards. With every move the player has to answer a question in order to stay on their new position. This game comes with the questions of the World of Knowledge game. But you can create your own set of questions. But you can also play it without any questions, just roll the dice and have fun!”
I couldn’t find a “snake” math resource so I’m thinking I can use some printable math task cards for the above Snakes and Ladders game.
There’s hundreds of thousands of snake related videos on Youtube and I’m sure we’ll watch a few of them. Since we’re fans of “Good Mythical Morning” I have this one saved for ‘fun?‘ and a crazy PE idea (not real snakes but maybe a rubber one or two).
I’ve already been to my local library’s website and put some snake books on the hold shelf. We don’t have a zoo in our area, but we do have nature centers and pet stores, so I think a field trip can be easily planned to wrap up our snake study.
betty jo
American Flowers Week
These photos are showing a few of the flowers we have growing in our backyard. We’ll be looking at them closely as we venture on to our next summer school study.
American Flowers Week begins June 28th and that’s a wonderful time to begin a summer school study about flowers! Here’s a fantastic list of free cross curricular resources for learning about and with flowers!
“American Flowers Week is the advocacy, education and outreach campaign …” Find out more about the celebration and how to participate at their website! https://americanflowersweek.com/
Photo Gallery of arranged flowers from all 50 states
Free US map of official flowers and each state’s official flower coloring pages
Photo Gallery of Official State Flowers
Free Flower Anatomy Printables
Step by Step Flower Dissection Instructions
Gardening and Flowers Vocabulary List
Wild Flowers Identification Guide
Step by Step How to Draw Flowers
Read Flower Stories, a public domain book from 1903
Video Tips, How To’s, and Projects from Flower Experts
https://www.youtube.com/user/expertvillage/search?query=flowers
Video Math Lesson with Fibonacci Flowers
What flowers do you have growing in your yard to homeschool with?
betty jo
Still Learning Something New 
