Tag Archives: special days

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 July, 2016

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Click here for Special Days in July updated for 2020!

Have a happy and safe July!

betty jo

Bridges

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Has your family taken a bit of time to learn about bridges? We did and it was an awesome, multi level, and cross curricular study! With the Brooklyn Bridge opening May 24, 1883 , and the Golden Gate Bridge opening May 27, 1964, May is a great time to learn about bridges. However, if bridges in May doesn’t work for you, the third Saturday in October is “Bridge Day” and “Historic Bridges” is one of the themes for the month of November! Of course, you don’t need a special day to learn about bridges and can add a study as your calendar allows. Below are the links to the online resources we used. And, remember to check with your local library for bridge books and movies.

Bridge Building Video – Learn some of the important differences between arch, suspension and cable-stayed bridges

http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/videos/engineering/bridgebuilding.html

Bridge Facts –

http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/engineering/bridges.html

Photo Gallery of Bridges Around the World

http://science.howstuffworks.com/engineering/structural/bridge-pictures.htm#page=0

Virtual Tour of the Golden Gate Bridge –

http://goldengatebridge.org/photos/bridgewalk.php

I didn’t give the boys any instructions, but just gave them the supplies from the following projects, and told them to build! We tested them with weights (stacking cans of food), and with our remote control cars.

How to Make a Strong Paper Bridge – http://www.ehow.com/how_6321787_make-strong-paper-bridge.html

Build a Bridge Challenge with Recyclables And Materials from Around the House – http://inspirationlaboratories.com/science-at-home-strength-of-materials/

Spaghetti Bridge Engineering Project – https://www.teachengineering.org/view_activity.php?url=collection/wpi_/activities/wpi_spagetti_bridge/wpi_spag_act_joy.xml

Build It Big – Bridge Challenge Interactive, Photo Gallery, Forces Lab, Meet the Engineers http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/bridge/index.html

Bridge Quotes and Idioms Explained – http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/bridge

And for family reading, we picked up a copy of Bridge to Terabithia, and the movie, too. We think it’s interesting to compare books to their movies.

Bridge to Terabithia Lit Guide, Summary, and Quiz – http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/terabithia/

And if you’re learning about bridges this October, don’t forget to include the bridge from The Legend of Sleepy Hollow!
http://gutenberg.org/ebooks/41

Field trips were fun and easy with this study. We took an up-close look at a few bridges in our area.

I hope you enjoy the bridges study as much as we did! Oh, by the way, the pretty stone bridge crossing the lake in the above photo was a construction project my husband worked on years ago.

betty jo

Special Days in June, 2016

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Click here for the Special Days in June list updated for 2020!

Special Days in May, 2016

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Click here for Special Days in May updated for 2020!

How to Talk Like Shakespeare and Other Learning Resources

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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 April, 2016

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Click here for Special Days in April updated for 2019!

Agriculture, Brains, Shakespeare, Wildlife, Pi, Butterflies, Sleep, and St. Patrick

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According to Special Days in March, 2018 , the week beginning March 11 is overly full of learning potential! In fact, this week has so many “daily specials” that it’s proving difficult to narrow our learning topics down. Regardless of what direction we go with this week’s learning, I have some terrific resources available.

“Ag Week” begins March 11 with another agriculture learning opportunity, “Ag Day” coming next week on the 20th.

Dozens of Lesson Plans for K-12 Teachers – http://www.agclassroom.org/teacher/index.htm

Kid Zone, Virtual Tours, and Ag Facts for Students – http://www.agclassroom.org/student/index.htm

“Brain Awareness Week” begins March 12th

Learning Resources and Activities – https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2015/03/16/brain-awareness-week-2/

Shakespeare Week also begins March 12th! These resources were originally gathered up for his birthday in April but will work for this week too! https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/04/23/happy-birthday-william-shakespeare/

And, March 12 is the beginning of “National Wildlife Week”

K-12 Resources for “teaching about various aspects of the wilderness around them” – http://sciencenetlinks.com/collections/national-wildlife-week/

March 14 is “Pi Day“

Pi Resources for Activities, Music, and Articles – http://www.teachpi.org/

Printable Pi Lessons and Activities https://www.yummymath.com/2019/get-ready-for-pi-day/?fbclid=IwAR23wjT0m1r936hkHa2-OSmomW-SmbhjYvMUXprWIEwv6kRaTFtqMiRYizA

The 14th is also “Learn About Butterflies Day”. Butterfly research project, activities, ideas, and resources! http://www.franw.com/2014/06/butterflies.html

Friday, March 16 – World Sleep Day

“This sleep education program has been released in conjunction with World Sleep Day and aims to teach students why sleep deserves its place alongside diet and exercise as one of the pillars of good health.” – http://www.sleephealthfoundation.org.au/childrens/world-sleep-day.html

Saint Patrick’s Day is March 17

Learning Resources and Activities – https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/03/15/learning-resources-for-st-patricks-day/

I’d love to hear about how you’re using Special Days this week! Leave a comment and share your plans.

betty jo

Special Days in January – Learning Resource List

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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