Tag Archives: special days

New Year’s Resources

Though my family is still on winter break from usual homeschooling lessons, I’ve been planning and collecting ideas and links for a New Year’s study to start next week. Below is what I’ve found. I hope you find the resources helpful for your New Years lessons, too!

Looking Back at 2015 and Looking Ahead to 2016 Printable – (This is what my family is using for our yearly traditional time capsule. Each of us will fill one out and place in a bottle to be packed away with our Christmas decorations. We’ll find them next December when we get the decorations back out.) http://www.modernparentsmessykids.com/2014/12/free-family-new-years-resolution-printable.html

Top News Stories of 2015 (parents of younger kids should view privately before sharing with the kids because there’s quite a few bad news stories) http://abcnews.go.com/US/year-review-13-biggest-news-stories-2015/story?id=35852690

Find out the “Most Searched, Most Watched” (again, parents should view first) of 2015 http://www.ourlittleearth.com/2015/12/most-searched-most-watched-this-year/

“New Year” Bible Verses – http://www.openbible.info/topics/new_year

Bible Based New Year’s Crafts and Activities – http://www.christianitycove.com/?s=new+years

New Year’s Interactive Games – http://www.primarygames.com/holidays/new_years/games.htm

New Year’s Games – Fun for families, friends, and co-ops – http://www.howdoesshe.com/15-fun-new-years-eve-activities-for-kids-or-adults/

“Lucky” Foods and Recipes for New Year’s – http://www.rd.com/food/fun/7-lucky-new-years-foods/

New Year’s Activities and Printables (lots of printables!) – http://activityvillage.co.uk/new-year

How to say “Happy New Year” in other languages – http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0923039.html

New Year Traditions from Around the World – http://www.123newyear.com/newyear-traditions/

New Year’s History Articles and Videos – http://www.history.com/topics/holidays/new-years

Movie Clips and New Year’s Music from the 1940’s, 50’s, and 60’s – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-2k7hKvaW0

Happy New Year Songs Playlist – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIAVVo9m5AI

Times Square Ball History – http://www.timessquarenyc.org/events/new-years-eve/about-the-new-years-eve-ball/history-of-the-new-years-eve-ball/index.aspx#.VobXKFJecx0

Times Square STEM Activity – http://jdaniel4smom.com/2015/12/new-years-ball-drop-stem-challenge.html

Times Square Math Challenge – http://www.yummymath.com/2015/the-times-square-ball/

Be on the lookout for more January resources and lesson ideas coming soon!

betty jo

Special Days in December, 2015

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Click here for Special Days in December updated for 2019

World Toilet Day

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At the start of each month, I show the boys the list of special days and let them put a check by the topics that interest them. And, being boys, of course they both checked November 19 – World Toilet Day! Though I didn’t exactly try to talk them out of learning about toilets, I did remind them that we were in the middle of our Thanksgiving studies. Z said, “Mom, aren’t we thankful for toliets?”. Yes, very thankful for toilets! So, a “Toilet” study has begun.

Below are our resources for learning about toilets. Or they will be once we can get passed the jokes. “Feeling a little flushed?” “School work sure is crappy today!” and such.

Who invented toilets? How long have toilets been around? What is an “s-trap? Answers to these and even an experiment http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/who-invented-the-toilet

History and Timeline for the Toilet http://www.edinformatics.com/inventions_inventors/flush_toilet.htm

How toilets work http://home.howstuffworks.com/toilet.htm

35 Toilet videos (I think the ones from “Dr. Know” and “G-Word” will suit us best) http://home.howstuffworks.com/toilet-videos-playlist.htm

How to say “Toilet” in 80 different languages http://www.indifferentlanguages.com/words/toilet

Proper Toilet Etiquette http://www.a-to-z-of-manners-and-etiquette.com/toilet-etiquette.html

Weird Toilets From Around the World http://blog.hostelbookers.com/travel/free-things-to-do/toilets-of-the-world/

Toilet Bowl Germs http://health.howstuffworks.com/diseases-conditions/infectious/5-diseases-toilet.htm

Recipes for Homemade Toilet Cleaners and Why You Should Make Them http://www.diynatural.com/homemade-toilet-cleaner/

And as the big finale to our World Toilet Day study, Flushed Away is on Netflix!

I guess today is one of those days when our school work is supposed to go down the drain!

betty jo

Monsters!

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Every October we pick a “Halloween(ish)” study theme. Last year the boys decided on “Monsters” as their focus. Here’s our collection of monstrous resources and activities.

Information articles about monsters and other Halloween(ish) creatures http://www.thealmightyguru.com/Halloween/Halloween-Monsters.html

Monster(ish) Vocabulary List and Word Games – https://myvocabulary.com/word-game-puzzles/monsters-vocabulary/

Video of Top 10 Monsters in the Bible http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RLsCXAYm-s

Monster Quiz Interactive http://www.factmonster.com/quizzes/monsters/1.html

Monster Mash song and dance trivia and instructions https://franw.com/2013/10/21/monster-mash/

Free audio book of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein http://www.audiobooktreasury.com/frankenstein-mary-shelley/

Literature study guide, video, and quiz for Frankenstein http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/frankenstein/

1910 Thomas Edison Film Frankenstein http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcLxsOJK9bs&list=PL3B36B6A9D24C5B23

Monster jokes! http://www.factmonster.com/spot/monsterjokes1.html

Recyclable bottle monster craft http://www.craftberrybush.com/2010/10/monster-mash.html

How to draw instructions for monsters and other Halloween(ish) characters – http://www.how-to-draw-funny-cartoons.com/cartoon-characters.html

Rock Monster Craft with driveway rocks, paint, and googly eyes http://www.freekidscrafts.com/rock-monsters/

Rice cereal monster treat sculptures and the googly eye blob are among these Monster Party ideas http://www.makeandtakes.com/monster-birthday-party-ideas

We scored these monster themed comic/science books at our library!

Over the years we’ve chosen many different studies during the month of October… Halloween origins and history, autumn science, mummies, bats, spiders, pumpkins, owls, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, the Salem witch trials, and probably a few others that I’ve forgotten about. This October, we are learning about SKELETONS for science, WEREWOLVES for literature (we skipped them with our monster studies), and GHOSTS for Bible studies! I’ll collect and share our resources soon. Do you do special Halloween studies? If you do, I’d love to hear about them!

betty jo

Special Days in October, 2015

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Click here for the list of Special Days in October updated for 2019!

Learning Resources for September

Special Days in September, 2015

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Click here for Special Days in September updated for 2019!

Annie Oakley

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According to the Special Days in August list, Annie Oakley was born Aug. 13, 1860. A few years ago we learned about her and added her to our timeline. As it turned out, our E (homeschool graduate) and a family friend happened to be around the house and decided to join us for our lessons. You know it’s a great study when the kids who are not required to have “school” join in for the learning! Below are the online resources we used as we learned, were entertained, and inspired by this bold and fabulous lady!

Bio and printables – http://gardenofpraise.com/ibdannie.htm

Memorable Quotes – https://sites.google.com/a/marlboroschool.net/the-one-and-only-annie-oakley/annie-oakley-quotes

1st episode of TV show –

Animated history video – Adventurers – Masters of Time – The Wildest West

And, if you need a target for shooting practice (bb guns, sling shots, archery, and water guns with dyed water for us) http://mytargets.com/

Online Wild West interactive game for kids http://www.y8.com/games/wild_west_shooting

betty jo

August Resources

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August’s calendar has wonderful learning opportunities! Here’s a resource list to help teach and learn throughout the month.

BIG List of Special Days in August

Specific August Themed Resources –

Artist Appreciation – Artist Biographies, Galleries, and Printables – http://gardenofpraise.com/art.htm
Aviation https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/08/17/aviation-week-learning-resources/
Immunization Awareness – Pros and Cons of Childhood Vaccines – http://vaccines.procon.org/
Inventors – Biographies, Photos, Quotes, and more – http://www.ideafinder.com/history/of_inventors.htm
National Parks – History, photos, maps and more – http://www.nps.gov/index.htm
Oranges – Nutritional and Activity Resources – http://www.franw.com/2015/01/orange-resources.html

Presidents with August Birthdays

Barack Obama – Aug. 4, 1961
Herbert Hoover – Aug. 10, 1874
William Clinton – Aug. 19, 1946
Benjamin Harrison – Aug. 20, 1833
Lyndon B. Johnson – Aug. 27, 1908

Awesome learning resources for the presidents – https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/02/14/resources-for-presidents-day/

August Statehood Anniversaries

Colorado – Aug. 1, 1876
Missouri – Aug. 10, 1821
Hawaii – Aug. 21, 1959

Special Days and Geography – States and Countries Geography Resources – https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2017/07/29/special-days-and-geography/

Special Days and the Evolution of Morning Calendar Time – Blog post explaining the how’s and why’s of using the Special Days lists for homeschooling or classroom activities

https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2017/07/14/special-days-and-the-evolution-of-morning-calendar-time/

Special Days and Biographies – How to and resources https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2017/07/21/special-days-and-biographies/

Special Days and Science – How to and resources https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2017/08/05/special-days-and-science/

More Special Days Learning Resources (for any month) https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2016/07/31/learning-resources-for-special-days/

Daily Specials for August (I’ll be updating the daily specials with more resources as we goalong through the month, so check back often for more! And, if you have any special day resource favorites, be sure to let me know and I’ll edit them into the list. I appreciate all the help I can get!)

Aug. 1 – Francis Scott Key born 1779 – Biography and “Star Spangled Banner” resources – http://www.franw.com/2013/07/the-star-spangled-banner.html
Aug. 1 – Spiderman Day – Resources and Activities http://www.franw.com/2017/05/spiderman.html
Aug. 3 (US), Aug. 4 (UK) – Watermelon Day – Facts, Resources, Recipes, and Activities – http://www.franw.com/2011/08/watermelon-day.html
Aug. 4 – Musician Louis Armstrong born 1901 – Cool Resource List –https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2017/08/03/louie-armstrong/
Aug. 5 – Exercise With Your Child Week begins * – Homeschool Mom Approved Youtube Exercise Videos https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/01/10/get-up-and-move-a-break-time-playlist
Aug. 7 – Lighthouse Day – Resource List http://www.franw.com/2017/06/lighthouses.html
Aug. 7 – Sea Serpent Day – Resource List http://www.atozkidsstuff.com/seaserpent.html
Aug. 8 – Odie Day – Garfield Resources https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/06/19/garfield-the-cat-not-the-president/
Aug. 8 – Ornithologist Florence Merriam Bailey born 1863 – Biography and Exhibit http://earlywomeninscience.biodiversityexhibition.com/en/card/florence-a-merriam-bailey

Aug. 8 – Smokey the Bear Advertising Campaign begins 1944 – History, games, wildfire facts and more – http://smokeybear.com/

August 10 – S’mores Day – Cross Curriculum Resources and Recipes – http://www.franw.com/2012/07/marshmallows.html
Aug. 10 – Snoopy’s Birthday – Peanuts Resources https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/10/02/peanuts/
Aug 11 – Play in the Sand Day – Learning Resources and Activities http://www.franw.com/2017/06/play-in-sand.html

Aug. 12 – World Elephant Day – Learning Resources and Activities – https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/08/10/elephants/
Aug. 13 – Annie Oakley born 1860 – https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2015/08/13/annie-oakley-2/
Aug. 14 – World Lizard Day – Huge List of Resources and Activities – http://www.franw.com/2014/05/lizard-resource-page.html
Aug. 14 – Wiffle Ball invented 1953 – Game History and Science Resource List https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2018/08/14/wiffle-ball/
Aug. 15 – Relaxation Day – Relaxation VS Stress Lesson Plans, Activities, and Resources https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2017/08/15/relaxation-vs-stress-resource-list/

Aug. 16 – Gold discovered in the Yukon 1896 – California Gold Rush http://www.ducksters.com/history/westward_expansion/california_gold_rush.php
Aug. 16 – Tell a Joke Day – Awesome jokes page for kids http://www.enchantedlearning.com/jokes/
Aug. 16 – Roller Coaster Patented 1898 – STEM Activity https://www.teachengineering.org/activities/view/duk_rollercoaster_music_act

Aug. 17 – Black Cat Appreciation Day – Cats Resource Page – http://www.franw.com/2014/08/domesticated-cats-resource-page.html
Aug. 18 – Bad Poetry Day – Poetry Resources https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2019/08/21/poetry-resources/
Aug. 19 – Orville Wright born – Resource List https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/08/17/aviation-week-learning-resources/

Aug. 21 – Hawaii Statehood 1959 – Resource List http://www.franw.com/search?q=hawaii
Aug. 21 – Poet’s Day – Poetry Resource List https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2019/08/21/poetry-resources/

Aug. 22 – Honey Bee Day – The Honeybee Conservancy Pre-K through 12 Lesson Plan Library http://thehoneybeeconservancy.org/2016/05/15/honeybee-conservancy-lesson-plan-library/
Aug. 23 – Ride the Wind Day – Wind Activities and Resources http://www.franw.com/search?q=wind
Aug. 24 – Mt. Vesuvius Erupted 79AD – Volcano Unit Study and Lapbook Printables http://www.homeschoolshare.com/volcanoes.php And, “Escape from Pompeii” – Adventurers Masters of Time Cartoon Series https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWI22TWLB1Q&list=PLD470AEDC93B07E3D

Aug. 24 – US Capital Building and White House burned 1814 – War of 1812 http://www.ducksters.com/history/us_1800s/war_of_1812.php
Aug. 24 – Pluto Demoted 2006 – NASA Explains “What is Pluto?” https://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/k-4/stories/nasa-knows/what-is-pluto-k4.html

Aug. 25 – Inventor Joshua Lionel Cowen born 1877 – Resource List https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2017/05/24/lionel-trains-special-day-august-25/

Aug. 25 – Ivan the Terrible born 1530 – Short Video Biography https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMqmQ-C5N6Y&list=RDQVkC9HbBppg&index=5
Aug. 26 – Mother Teresa born 1910 – Learning Resources – https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/08/26/mother-teresa/
Aug. 27 – 1st Tarzan story published 1912 – Read a Tarzan Story http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/search/?query=tarzan
Aug. 28 – Dream Day (Martin Luther King Jr. “I Have a Dream” speech 1963) – Learning Resources and Activities – https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/08/28/50-years-ago/
Aug. 30 – Toasted Marshmallow Day – Facts, recipes, and activities – http://www.franw.com/2012/07/marshmallows.html
Aug. 30 – Frankenstein Day (Author Mary Shelly born 1797) – Biography, Activities, and Learning Resources – http://www.franw.com/2011/10/mary-shelleys-frankenstein.html
Aug. 30 – Slinky Day – Science Experiments with Slinkies http://sciencing.com/science-projects-slinkies-8320196.html
Aug. 31 – Kinetoscope patented 1887 – Learning Links – http://www.franw.com/2015/08/kinetoscope.html

Special Days and the Evolution of Morning Calendar Time – Blog post explaining the how’s and why’s of using the Special Days lists for homeschooling or classroom activities

https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2017/07/14/special-days-and-the-evolution-of-morning-calendar-time/

Special Days and Biographies – How to and resources https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2017/07/21/special-days-and-biographies/

Special Days and Science – How to and resources https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2017/08/05/special-days-and-science/

More Special Days Learning Resources (for any month) https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2016/07/31/learning-resources-for-special-days/

Happy August Learning!

betty jo