Tag Archives: teacher resources

Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah!

Several years ago my family included Hanukkah as one of our December holiday studies.  The older kids remember it, but the younger boys do not.  So, that’s my cue to include Hanukkah learning into our homeschooling lessons!  Below are some wonderful online resources and activities that I’ve found for us as we explore this 8 night celebration.

Candle lighting, Maccabees, Dreidels, Latkas, and more … https://www.myjewishlearning.com/category/celebrate/hanukkah/

How to Make and Play a Dreidel Printable   https://www.familyeducation.com/…/hanu…/hanukkah-dreidel

Menorah Craft Instructions                                                           http://blog.jugglingfrogs.com/2007/12/how-to-make-chanukah-menorah-chanukiyah.html

Hanukkah Arts and Crafts Projects   http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/hanukahartscraftsideaskidsprojects.html

Printable Writing and Coloring Pages and More   https://www.activityvillage.co.uk/hanukkah-printables

Lapbook Printables                                http://www.homeschoolshare.com/hanukkah_lapbook.php

Printable Word Games and Activities          http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/hanukkah/

3 Hanukkah Math Lessons                                                           https://www.yummymath.com/2017/why-are-the-dates-of-hanukkah-different-every-year/

8 Christian Hanukkah Readings and Devotions on Light   http://heartofwisdom.com/biblicalholidays/2016/12/07/hanukkah-readings-for-eight-nights/

Hanukkah Piano Sheet Music Printables and MP3 Downloads   http://www.gmajormusictheory.org/Freebies/Holidays/Hanukkah.html

Maccabeats Haukkah Music Videos                                                      https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgWWM18u2RI0sAiiWDjmaPFa6s16KLd7A

Hulu is currently streaming Rugrats Chanukah!   Also, if you have access to Disney Jr., Little Einsteins, Special Agent Oso and Puppy Dog Tales have Hanukkah episodes.

Hanukkah Sameach!  (Happy Hanukkah in Hebrew)

betty jo

 

 

Learning Resources For Special Days In December

December has such wonderful learning opportunities.  Here’s a helpful resource list for learning from the December calendar.  And, check back often throughout the month for updates, edits, and more resources!

BIG List of holidays, birthdays, themes, and historic dates for December https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2020/11/29/special-days-in-december/

Free Printable  –  Special Days in December

My favorite calendar based learning resources for any month   https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2016/07/31/learning-resources-for-special-days/

This will be my twentieth December of teaching Christmas related lessons!  Here’s my collection of Christmas Resource Lists!                      https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2018/12/01/christmas-resource-roundup/?fbclid=IwAR1gf3z8qw3cfnsTW8iXnDn0b40RdnQHWQ_nAHRdm8oGDhcQScArL0N8pFM

President’s with birthdays in December

  • Dec. 5 – Martin Van Buren born 1782
  • Dec. 28 – Woodrow Wilson born 1856
  • Dec. 29 – Andrew Johnson born 1808

Resources for all Presidents –  https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/02/14/resources-for-presidents-day/

December Statehood Anniversaries and Country Independence Days:

  • Illinois – Dec. 3, 1818
  • Finland Independence – Dec. 6, 1917
  • Delaware – Dec. 7. 1787
  • Tanzania Independence – Dec. 9, 1961
  • Mississippi – Dec. 10, 1817
  • Indiana – Dec. 11, 1816
  • Republic of Upper Volta Independence – Dec. 11,1958
  • Kenya Independence Day – Dec. 12, 1963
  • Pennsylvania – Dec. 12, 1787
  • Alabama – Dec. 14, 1819
  • New Jersey – Dec. 18, 1787
  • Nepal Independence – Dec. 21, 1923
  • Libya Independence – Dec. 24, 1951
  • Iowa – Dec. 28, 1846
  • Texas – Dec. 29, 1845

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

December’s Daily Specials

Dec. 1  –  Cookie Cutter Day  –  Craft Projects                                           https://www.redtedart.com/cookie-cutter-craft-ideas/

Dec. 2 – Missionary Mary Slessor born 1848 – Find a biography suitable for most any reading level  http://www.wholesomewords.org/biography/biorpslessor.html

Dec. 2 – CT Studd born 1860  Pick one of these biographies to read  http://www.wholesomewords.org/biography/biorpstudd.html

Dec. 3  –  Galileo invented the Telescope 1621 –  Galileo Resources   https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/04/25/galileo/

Dec. 4  –  World Wildlife Conservation Day  –  Endangered Species Index   https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/directory

Dec. 5  –  Bubblegum Day  –  Resource and Project List   http://www.franw.com/2011/09/bubblegum.html

Dec. 6 – Mitten Tree Day – Video story                                                     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EODSI1vGOA&list=RD0EODSI1vGOA&index=1

Then donate a pair of gently used or new mittens to a clothing charity.  Also, if you have any mixed matched mittens, (I know we do),  don’t toss them, use them for these cute mitten puppets  http://craftsbyamanda.com/2014/03/easy-mitten-puppets.html

Dec. 6 – St. Nicholas Day  –  Biography, Traditions, Games, and Stories  http://www.stnicholascenter.org/pages/home/

Dec. 7 – Letter Writing Day – How to Write Christmas Letters and Printables  http://www.blessedbeyondadoubt.com/write-christmas-letters-free-templates/

Dec. 7 – Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day 1941 —  Lesson Plans and Classroom Activities   http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/calendar-activities/pearl-harbor-attacked-japanese-20363.html

Dec. 7  –  Sculptor/Artist Marie Grosholtz Tussand born 1761  –  Museum Website with a peak at “What’s Inside”                                                                     https://www.madametussauds.com/london/en/

Dec. 8  –  First Greeting Card printed 1843  –  The History of Christmas Cards             https://www.whychristmas.com/customs/cards.shtml

Dec. 8  –  Pretend to be a Time Traveler Day  –  Creative Writing Assignment                 https://layers-of-learning.com/more-creative-writing-time-travel-style/

Dec.9 –  Debut of A Charlie Brown Christmas 1965 – “Peanuts” Learning Resources and Activities  https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/10/02/peanuts/

Dec. 9 – Petrified Forest National Park established 1962 –  http://www.nps.gov/pefo/index.htm

Dec. 10  –

Dec. 11 – Northern Lights Recorded for First Time 1719 –  http://www.kidsastronomy.com/Aurora_article.php

Dec. 12  –  Ginger Bread House Day  –  Resources and Activities   http://www.franw.com/2017/12/gingerbread-activities.html

Dec. 12  –  Hot Cocoa Day  –  Recipe and Projects       http://www.franw.com/2013/12/homemade-hot-cocoa-mix.html

Dec. 12 – Poinsettia Day –  Resources and Activities            http://www.franw.com/2017/12/poinsettia-resource-page.html

Dec. 13 – Ice Cream Day – Resources, Activities, and Recipes – http://www.franw.com/2011/07/ice-cream.html

Dec. 13  –  Santa Lucia Day  –  Origins and Traditions  https://www.whychristmas.com/cultures/sweden.shtml

Dec. 14 – Christmas Bird Count Week begins – Resources and Activities – http://www.franw.com/2014/03/bird-watching-activities.html

Dec. 16 – Missionary Amy Carmichael born 1867 – Learning ideas and resources  http://www.playeatgrow.com/2012/05/grow-amy-carmichael-may-missionary.html/

Dec. 17 – Missionary Isobel Kuhn   Read a short biography about her http://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/1901-2000/the-kuhns-rainy-season-bible-school-11630767.html

Dec. 31 –  New Year’s Eve  –  https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2016/01/01/new-years-resources/

My apologies for not having a quick resource for the other special days in December, but we take our winter break before Christmas and continue it through New Year’s Day.

betty jo

Special Days in December, 2017

Click here for Special Days in December updated for 2019

May Resources

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 –

  • Harry Truman born May 8, 1884
  •  John F. Kennedy born May 29, 1917

Learning Resources for Presidents https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/02/14/resources-for-presidents-day/

May Statehood Anniversaries –

  • Minnesota – May 11, 1858
  • South Carolina – May 23,1788
  • Rhode Island – May 29, 1790
  • Wisconsin – May 29, 1848

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

The Super Bowl

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A few years ago I put together a cross curriculum resource list for Super Bowl related lessons.  I have updated the post for 2017 and super Bowl 51!.

https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2015/01/31/the-super-bowl/

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betty jo

 

 

 

Special Days in February, 2017

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Click here for the updated Special Days in February 

Inauguration Resources

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Our main current events and history study for the week will be centered on the Presidential Inauguration coming up Friday, January 20.  Below are the online resources I’ve found to use as we learn about Inaugurations past and present.

Meet Donald J. Trump  Biography Article from Time for Kids News   http://www.timeforkids.com/news/meet-donald-j-trump/415956  and Meet Mike Pence  http://www.timeforkids.com/news/meet-mike-pence/439811

Short Article about the Inauguration Day Activities and Schedule  http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/government/presidentialinauguration.htm

Quotes from Past Presidential Inaugural Speeches   http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/ushistory/presidentialinauguraladdresses.htm

Facts and Stories from Past Inaugurations  http://www.helpteaching.com/blog/interesting-facts-and-stories-from-inauguration-days-past.html

Inauguration Resources from The White House  http://ourwhitehouse.org/history-civics/inaugurations/

History of Inaugural Foods   http://wtop.com/food/2017/01/all-the-presidents-meals-the-history-of-inaugural-food/slide/1/

Complete Schedule of Events and Performers (Parental Guidance Alert! This site is not geared for children but for adults.  It  contains several ads around the article and events list that may not be suitable for children nor relevant to the study!)   http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2017/01/12/Donald-Trump-inauguration-schedule-of-events-performers-and-inaugural-balls/1021483641496/

The White House Moving In Moving Out Plan  –  ” The most frenzied American ritual you’ve never seen is called the “transfer of families,” a five-hour tsunami of activity that transforms President Obama’s home into President Trump’s.”   https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/local/white-house-transition/

Inauguration Security Concerns (Parental Guidance Alert! This site is not geared for children but for adults.)   https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/27/us/politics/donald-trump-inauguration-security.html

Printable Inauguration Bingo  http://www.hiphomeschoolmoms.com/presidential-inauguration-bingo-game/

Presidential Inauguration Printable Word Search, Cross Word, and Vocabulary Puzzles    http://homeschooling.about.com/od/freeprintables/ss/inauguralprint.htm#step1

“Prayer for Our Leaders” Printable Coloring Page (based on 1 Timothy 2 1-4)   http://ministry-to-children.com/prayer-for-our-leaders-coloring-page/

betty jo

 

 

 

 

 

Special Days in September, 2016

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An Olympic Games Update

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That’s our latest chalkboard wall mural! And, part of our 2016 Olympic Games studies.  We’ve loved learning about Brazil, how to speak a little Portuguese, watching the events, and athlete interviews.

We picked up some awesome books during our weekly library trip.

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I posted our resource list last week and have made some tweeks since actually beginning the study.  Sadly, one of the Portuguese language links ended up with some inappropriate for children (or parents) phrases.  That link along with a couple of others have been removed.

After seeing broken bones, bandage wraps, bruises, and other injuries, I added a link to a couple of great articles for kids about sports safety and athlete health.  Learning good sportsmanship has now been added to the resources.  And, some more faith, science, and math connections, too.

Oh, and what about an Olympic Party?  Sounds fun!  I found a resource for foods, recipes, and decorations!

You can see the newly revised Learning Resources for the Olympic Games here https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2016/08/03/free-learning-resources-for-the-olympic-games/

If you’re interested in more about our chalkboard wall, you can see our art projects here  https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/one-of-our-favorite-things-the-wall/

Hope you’ll be enjoying the Rio games with your family, too!

betty jo