Tag Archives: special days

Special Days in June

Sweet Days of May

I know that this close to the end of our homeschooling year and having a bit more to go to be finished, I won’t be adding any extra learning days to our calendar. However, I suppose I’m a creature of habit, for once again I’m searching the activity calendars. There are several famous people’s birthdays and major event anniversaries coming in May that won’t be studied in our homeschool, but I thought that there might be days that we can still recognize just for fun.

After reviewing these calendars I have learned that May 6 is “No Diet Day”, but maybe that should be the theme of the entire month. My pancreas is going into insulin producing overload just reading through some of May’s special days.

1 – Parfait Day

2 – Truffels Day

11 – Eat What You Want Day

12 – Nutty Fudge Day

15 – Chocolate Chip Day

19 – Devil’s Food Cake Day

20 – Strawberry Shortcake Day

31 – Macaroon Day

Here are my favorite calendars with educational links in case you have room on your planner to include some special learning days.

May Holiday and Event Calendar http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/may-2013.html

Making the Days Count Calendar http://www.homeschoolshare.com/blog/2013/04/may2013-making-the-days-count-activity-calendar/

Famous People and Events Calendar http://www.se7en.org.za/se7ens-may

May’s Teachable Moments Calendar http://www.hsclassroom.net/free-math-resources-for-elementary-students/

Hoping you have a sweet May,

betty jo

Happy Birthday, William Shakespeare

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William Shakespeare was born April 23, 1564. And, in his honor, April 23 is “Talk Like Shakespeare Day”! A couple of years ago, we learned about his life and works as part of our Renaissance Unit Studies. Below are online Shakespeare resources for today or any day.

Fun Facts and Timeline https://www.theschoolrun.com/homework-help/william-shakespeare

Guide for How to Talk like Shakespeare http://www.shakespeare400chicago.com/talklikeshakespeare.html

Shakespeare Translator to Modern English https://www.shmoop.com/shakespeare-translator/

Shakespeare Invented Words and Phrases http://grammar.yourdictionary.com/word-lists/list-of-words-and-phrases-shakespeare-invented.html

Teacher and Student Resources https://www.folger.edu/

Shakespearean Sonnet Generator https://www.poem-generator.org.uk/

Globe Theater Educational Resources http://www.shakespearesglobe.com/education

Tour Stratford Upon Avon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D57ji9MnM2U

Notebooking pages http://www.homeschoolshare.com/shakespeare_notebook_pages.php

https://notebookingfairy.com/words-coined-by-shakespeare-free-notebooking-pages/

And, the kids will like playing some of these online puzzles and games http://www.folger.edu/education/sfk_kids/

Tales from Shakespeare for young readers http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/573

Stories of Shakespeare’s plays written for children http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1430

Literature Guides (scroll down a little bit for the Shakespeare collection) http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/index_author_s.html

Wishbone Shakespaw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MsSMBrkHWI&list=PLA95D27DD44814AB9

Animated Tales Video Playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0l3PC79f6wHJ4D7f_CtK9b21_9DzGlpl

Of course, there should be cake, because studying anyone on their birthday is better with cake!

Shakespeare Party Ideas and Printables https://www.uncommongoods.com/product/printable-party-kit-shakespearean-soiree

betty jo

For more of our Middle Ages/Renaissance Unit Studies click https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/03/08/keeping-the-code/

And here https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/03/07/art-day-sistine-chapel-style/

And here https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/04/06/raphael/

And here https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/03/12/gothic-revival-in-western-kentucky/

Poetry in Your Pocket

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April 18 is “Poetry In Your Pocket Day”. Though poetry has been carried around in pockets throughout history from the Renaissance to recent times, this special day was officially established in 2002.

To celebrate this day you need to select a poem, carry it with you in your pocket and share it with others throughout the day. Many libraries, bookstores, and schools will have events to celebrate Poetry In Your Pocket Day. For the history and details of Poetry In Your Pocket Day click here hhttp://www.poets.org/page.php/prmID/406

For our poetry studies in our homeschool we will be reading several types of poems and writing some original poetry. We will be using resources from these links:

Poetry lesson plans and activities http://www.theteachersguide.com/poetrymonth.htm

Free download from Currclick http://www.currclick.com/product/79594/Poem-in-Your-Pocket?affiliate_id=3162

Figures of Speech and Poetic Devices mini posters from http://jimmiescollage.co

I’ve already selected which poem is going in my pocket!
A Mother’s Love
This world has jewels, money, land
position, power, and mansions grand
But a mother’s love more precious far,
than all these other treasures are.

A mother nurtures, guides, protects
Her teachings each child’s life affects,
and when in later years they go,
away from home, and friends they know
Those teachings will provide the stay,
to keep them on the good straight way.

Though some may stray to taste the fruits,
of worldly pleasures — still the roots
of Mother’s teachings, love, and care
will some day draw them back to where,
the Savior’s love can them enfold,
and fill them with a spirit bold.

So children, each and every day,
honor your mother in some way —
To show that you appreciate,
she taught you how to love, not hate.
To comfort you, to guide, to lead,
to be there in your time of need.

But best of all, — to show the way,
that leads to home with God some day.

…Brenda Ascott Fry

What poem is going in your pocket?

betty jo

April – More Than Showers

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Acts 14:17 “Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.”

Many homeschoolers will be studying earth sciences this month. Ours included. We will be making a backyard weather station, planting some flowers, and doing some special projects and going on field trips for Earth Day.

April is more than a month for rain showers it is Autism Awareness month (around here, J9 makes sure we’re aware of the blessings of Autism every day). It is also Children’s Book, Jazz Appreciation, Global Child Nutrition, Poetry, and Frog Month.

As if these are not enough special themes to work into our monthly homeschooling plans, the April calendar contains many more special days, observances, activities, and historical remembrances. Here’s the complete list of what April offers for learning:

April 1-7: Explore Career Options Week

1 April Fools Day (posted links here: https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/03/31/foolish-studies/), 1st photo of the sun (1845)

2 Peanut Butter and Jelly Day, Hans Christian Anderson born (1805)

3. Washington Irving born (1783), 1st Pony Express (1860), Jane Goodall’s birthday (1860)

4 School Librarians Day

5 Read a Road Map Day, Booker T. Washington born (1856)

6 North Pole discovered (Peary 1908), Raphael born (1483)

7 No Housework Day, World Health Day, National Dare Day, Metric System Day

8 Ponce de Leon born (1460), Dick Turpin born (1739), International Roma Day

10 National Sibling Day

11 National Submarine Day

12 Holocaust Remembrance Day, Drop Everything and Read Day, Paul Revere Day, Anniversary of 1st Space Shuttle launch

13 Guy Fawkes born (1570), Thomas Jefferson born (1743)

14-20 National Library, Astronomy, and International Whistlers Week

14 Titanic crash (1912)

15 Leonardo da Vinci born (1452), Jackie Robinson Day, Death of Abraham Lincoln

16 Wilbur Wright born (1867)

17 Ellis Island Family History Day

18 San Francisco Earthquake (1906)

20 National Pineapple Upside Down Cake Day

21-27 National Coin Week, Safe Kids Week

21 Henry VIII became king of England

22 Earth Day, Jelly Bean Day

23 St. George Day, William Shakespeare born (1564), James Buchanan born

24 International Astronomy Day

25 World Penguin Day, Anzac Day

26 James Audubon born (1785), Pretzel Day

27 Freedom Day (So. Africa), Johannes Kepler born (1571), Ulysses Grant born (1822), Samuel Morse born (1791), Arbor Day

28 Poetry Reading Day, James Monroe born (1758)

29 Duke Ellington born (1899)

30 Vietnam War ended (1975)

There is absolutely no way we can participate in all that April offers, but if it has anything to do with Earth Sciences or Middle Ages history, I’ll be adding it in with our homeschooling studies.

April blessings,

betty jo

Foolish Studies

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Being Easter weekend, I’m a bit behind on working on our homeschool’s April activities and special days calendar. However, with tomorrow being April Fools Day, I wanted to go ahead and share these fun links.

http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/ (be careful with this link, not everything is “child appropriate”)

http://spoonful.com/april-fools-day

Easy April Fools Pranks for Family to do at Home

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/aprilfool/

http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/april-fools-day/

http://www.education.com/results/?q=april+fools+day

http://www.sheknows.com/holidays-and-seasons/articles/827335/best-april-fools-day-pranks-for-kids (be careful on this site, it only has this one blog that is for kids the rest is not child appropriate)

Be on the lookout for more April study ideas coming tomorrow! No fooling!

betty jo

It’s Going to Be a Good Week

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One of my favorite things about homeschooling is that we do not have to stick to a preset schedule. If we want to veer off the “common core” path, we can. That’s exactly what I have planned for this week.

As I looked at all the different special days to possibly acknowledge, I decided it best if we just have a special kind of week of learning and put our middle ages studies on hold.

This is Holy Week so everyday we will follow what Jesus did these days so long ago. And,

March 25 – Passover (Exodus chapter 12 and we’ll be making unleavened bread and boiling eggs to dye then eat), and Tolkien Reading Day (everyone is already reading other selections, but we haven’t seen the Hobbit yet)

March 26 – “Make Up Your Own Holiday Day” (I wonder what the kids will come up with? I’m thinking, “Kids Doing Mom’s Chores Day”!)

March 27 – Robert Frost’s birthday, 1874 (poetry and biography notebooking)

March 28 – (Don’t laugh, even though I did) “Weed Appreciation Day” (the younger boys can go through our collection of herbal remedy books, but I think I’ll have the older two debate legalization of marijuana). And it’s “National Black Forest Cake Day” (I’m trying not to laugh again, but for someone else this might go hand in hand with the side effects of appreciating weed) – we have never made a Black Forest Cake, so maybe we’ll give it a try. And even more special than weeds and Black Forest Cake, it’s B14’s birthday! (he may not want Black Forest Cake)

March 28 – Good Friday – We’ll have to decide on a movie (Passion of the Christ, The Jesus Film, Story Behind the Cross) and we’ll try making Hot Cross buns.

It’s going to be a good week! I hope you will have one too.

betty jo

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Forgive Me Daily

March On – The Sequel

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As I studied the calendar for March I learned that Sunday, March 3 is, “I Want You To Be Happy Day”. Isn’t that everyday? Smiles always beat frowns. Tears from laughter are better than tears of sadness. So what is it that makes us happy? What is it that we can do today that will not only make those around us happy, but also ourselves? It’s a good thing that money doesn’t buy happiness, because I don’t have much of that.

Anyway, I’ve been thinking about what 1 thing I can to do to make each family member happy, and so far everything I’ve come up with is pretty simple. I have decided that I will take the dish turn for B14, not ask A21 to take out the trash, or E17 to babysit. I will play a game of chess, cards, or whatever Z7 wants to play immediately upon his request. I’m not sure yet what I’ll be doing to add a little happiness to A22’s day, but I know it will involve cheese and pineapple (homemade pizza?). J9 is easy, extended laptop and tv turns for him. My husband will be happy if I can keep from sending him on some errand and just let him have a day to stay home.

We all know that saying, “Nobody’s happy unless Momma’s happy”, perhaps a Sunday afternoon NAP will take care of that. Wishing you happiness , betty jo (ps: lots of views and comments on the blog would make me very happy, too)

For more about special days coming up this March take a look here: http://www.hsclassroom.net/2013/02/calendar-unit-study-national-awareness-days-in-march/

If you missed the first post of Forward March click the link on the sidebar.