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.)
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
Monday, August 21 is the date of the Great American Solar Eclipse. However, there is much to learn and observe before the event! Below is the collection of online resources we’ll be using for eclipse lessons and to prepare for the viewing.
Everything You Need To Know About the Solar Eclipse – Explanations, Diagrams, DIY Safe Viewing Projects, and more!
Animated and Interactive Eclipse Maps – Find out when and where
Eclipse History – NASA’s collection of historical eclipses starting with about 5000 BC including Chinese, Babylonians, and Greeks to current times.
Ancient People and the Solar Eclipse – Video
Solar Eclipse Folklore, Myths, and Superstitions
A Day With Two Dawns – Free Eclipse Ebook and Resources from Apologia
Eclipse Kit – Resources and STEM activities from NASA
Lapbooking and Notebooking Printables
Eclipse Vocabulary List with Games and Puzzles
Free Eclipse Printables and Resources
Math Lesson – Geometry of a Solar Eclipse
Our town is one of the prime totality viewing spots. We’ve decided to avoid the crowds that are expected at the various events and have our own back yard party.
For the party!
Sun, Moon, and Stars Coloring Sheets (most of these are suitable for teens and adults)
betty jo
There are many opportunities for science lessons on each Special Days list! Scientist and Inventor birthdays, invention and technology patents, animal days health related observances and awarenesses, food themes, conservation topics, weather related themes. discovery and disaster anniversaries, and even more! (See right sidebar for the current month’s list or use the search bar to access other months.)
For an example of how many science themed lessons are possible from a typical Special Days list, here’s what some of the August themed science study choices are.
I absolutely do not expect to cover all of those science themes and days. I will have to narrow it down as I work on our weekly plans. Some of our choices will not be a complete study but will be quick review discussion of past lessons. Others might be as simple as an online search of images or video or a definition while other science days will include more in-depth lessons and activities and could continue over several days.
Nearly all of our science lessons for the past 3 years have come from the ever growing Special Days lists. We check with our local library for books and videos. Also, a quick “Google” search will provide all kinds of ideas and resources for a DIY science study. I highly recommend including the words ” for students”, “for kids”, or “lesson plans” to rule out search results that won’t be of much help to you. Also, I will often include the word “free” in my search!
There are a few online resources that I tend to use over and over and I’ve listed those by topic below.
Scientists Biographies Resources:
Inventions Resources:
Resources for Animal Days (Zoology):
Resources for health related themes:
Chemistry –
Physics
Geology
Astronomy
This post is actually ‘Part 4’ of a series in which I’m explaining how my family learns across the curriculum with topics selected from the Special Days list. For the series introduction click here. For Part 1, how we use famous birthdays for biographies with resources, click here. And, Part 3 – geography with resources click here. Part 4 – electives and extras will be coming soon!
betty jo
Here is a wonderful list of free resources for learning (and teaching) through the month of June, Check back often for updates and more resources to be added throughout the month.
Click here for the Special Days in June List
June Themes
Statehood Anniversaries
Geography Resources https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2017/07/29/special-days-and-geography/
Presidents with June Birthdays
Learning and Review Resources for all presidents – https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/02/14/resources-for-presidents-day/
June Daily Specials
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 – Russian Language Day – Free Introduction, Basic, and Advanced Lessons with audio http://www.russianforfree.com/lessons-russian-language-contents.php
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 – World Oceans Day – Celebration and Activity Ideas – http://www.worldoceansday.org/
June 9 – Donald Duck debut 1934 – Watch The Wise Little Henhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5dowCyaP7I
June 11 – Great Barrier Reef Discovery 1770 – Learning Resources – https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/06/11/reef/
June 12 – Baseball Invented 1839 – History, Facts, Rules, Records http://www.baseball-almanac.com/
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 – Make Music Day – Online Music Making – http://fun2think.com/free-online-music-making-for-kids/
– Musical Instrument Crafts –http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/musicalinstrumentsartscraftstideashandmadekids.html
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 – Helen Keller born 1880 – Biography and Printables http://gardenofpraise.com/ibdkell.htm
June 28 – American Flowers Week – Resources and Activities https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2018/06/29/american-flowers-week/
My “Go-To” Resource List for Special Day lesson planning each month https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2016/07/31/learning-resources-for-special-days/
Happy June Learning!
betty jo
May is the end of the school year for many families, but it’s not the end of learning! Here’s some wonderful resources for learning through the month of May.
BIG list of May holidays, theme, historic events, famous birthdays, and more Click here for Special Days in May!
My “go-to” list of educational calendars and resources for every month https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2016/07/31/learning-resources-for-special-days/
Resources for Specific May Themes –
Presidents With May Birthdays –
Learning Resources for Presidents https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/02/14/resources-for-presidents-day/
May Statehood Anniversaries –
Special Days and Geography – How to and resource list https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2017/07/29/special-days-and-geography/
Resources for May “Daily Specials” – (The following list is not yet complete. I’ll be updating the daily specials with resources as we go through the month, so check back. And, if you have special day resource favorites, be sure to let me know and I’ll edit them in.)
May 1 – Save the Rhino Day – Lapbook Printables http://www.homeschoolshare.com/rhinos.php
May 2 – Play Your Ukulele Day – http://www.franw.com/2017/04/ukulele.html
May 3 – 1st Comic Book published 1934 – Resources and Activities http://www.franw.com/2015/04/create-comic.html
May 4 – Intergalactic Star Wars Day (May the Fourth Be With You) – K-8 Unit Study and Printables http://www.yearroundhomeschooling.com/free-star-wars-printables/
May 4 – Orange Juice Day – Orange Resources and Activities http://www.franw.com/2015/01/orange-resources.html
May 5 – Cartoonist Day – Charles Shultz and Peanuts are our favorites! – Learning Resources and Activities https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/10/02/peanuts/
May 5 – Cinco de Mayo – Resource List http://www.blessedbeyondadoubt.com/a-fun-list-of-cince-de-mayo-ideas-and-resources/
May 6 – English Channel Tunnel opened 1994 – Fun Facts http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/wonder/structure/channel.html
May 7 – Composer Johannes Brahms born 1833 – Biography, Quiz, and Music https://www.classicsforkids.com/pastshows.asp?id=191
May 7 – Composer Tchaikovsky born 1840 – Biography, Quiz, and Music https://www.classicsforkids.com/pastshows.asp?id=17
May 8 – World Red Cross Day – Stories of those helped by the Red Cross http://www.redcross.org/stories/
May 11 – Artist Salvador Dali born 1909 – Lesson Plans, Resources, Project Ideas http://elementaryartfun.blogspot.com/2011/03/salvador-dali-elephants-and.html
May 12 – Florence Nightingale born 1820 http://gardenofpraise.com/ibdnight.htm
May 13 – 1st Settlers arrived at Jamestown 1607 – Interactive John Smith and Jamestown Game http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/games/interactiveadventures/john-smith/
May 18 – Museum Day – 50 Famous Art Museums Around The World http://tammieadventuresinhomeschooling.blogspot.com/2015/03/50-famous-art-museums-around-world.html
May 22 – Artist Mary Cassatt born 1844 – Artist study, projects, and printables https://homehearts.com/2014/05/22/mary-cassatt-a-unit-study/
May 23 – Crohn’s and Colitis day – Article with audio for kids http://kidshealth.org/en/kids/ibd.html?ref=search#kha_11
May 23 – World Turtle Day – Learning Resources https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/05/23/world-turtle-day/
May 24 – Brooklyn Bridge opened 1883 – Multi Level, and Cross Curricular Bridges Study https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2016/05/27/bridges/
May 30 – Lincoln Memorial dedicated 1922 – Historic Footage video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3l7wvOxuME
Remember to check back throughout the month for new daily resources that will be added as they become available!
Happy May Learning!
betty jo
Still Learning Something New 