May Day May 1

May Day is celebrated around the world as a festival of happiness and joy. Teachers can use the observance of May Day as a source of multicultural activities that can complement a May curriculum. Maypole dancing is the great tradition of May 1st. May Day (May 1st) has long been associated with spring festivals and coincides with the ancient Celtic celebration of Beltane, (from the Celtic sun god Belenus.) It began in Europe as a celebration of the first spring planting, but eventually evolved into an event that would bring many people together. May 1st, often called May Day, just might have more holidays than any other day of the year. It's a celebration of Spring, a day of political protests, a neopagan festival, a saint's feast day, and a day for organized labor. In many countries, it is a national holiday.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/May_Day May Day Info Disputed

http://www.classbrain.com/artholiday/publish/article_360.shtml May Day

http://www.teacherplanet.com/resource/mayday.php Theme Resources

http://www.geocities.com/holidaysfun/mpoems.htm Poems, Links, Fun

http://www.annieshomepage.com/mayday.html May Day Page

http://www.geocities.com/traditions_uk/mayday.html May Day Info UK

http://www.preschooleducation.com/smayday.shtml Songs

http://www.dltk-kids.com/crafts/may/mmaydaypole.html Maypole Craft

http://crafts.kaboose.com/may-day-crafts.html Crafts-Flowers, Baskets, Plates

http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/mayholidays/a/aa041700a.htm May Day Ideas

http://www.first-school.ws/features/holiday/maydaystorypage.htm Story-Song

http://geocities.com/mrsjacksonsclass/mayday.htm May Day Theme Resources

May Lesson Plan Ideas

Teaching Tip: May Lesson Plan Ideas By: Teachnology Staff

Here are some May lesson ideas for your class.

1. National Postcard Week- Start an inter-school penpal program.

2. National Physical Fitness and Sports Month- Include sports in your lessons.

3. National Photo Month- Scramble a picture for a daily activity.

4. National Transportation Month- Have students decide what the next transportation break through is or will be.

5. Cinco De Mayo- A class related Piñata.

6. No Socks Day- Cover your nose.

7. Kite Day- Have students write about the adventures of a kite that got away.

8. Memorial Day- Write letters of thanks to veterans.

9. Mother's Day-Gifts and Lessons

This Week in History

1686: The first volume of Isaac Newton´s was “Principia” is published.
1914: W. H. Carrier patents the air conditioner.

Inspiring Quote“We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.”— Cynthia Ozick
Jokes You Can Tell in ClassWhy do bees hum? Because they don't know the words.

Taken from http://www.teachnology.com/monthly/may/ Newsletter
May Teacher Resource Guide http://www.teachnology.com/monthly/may/
Memorial Day Theme: http://www.teach-nology.com/themes/holidays/memorialday/
Mother's Day Theme: http://www.teach-nology.com/themes/holidays/mothersday/
Animals Teaching Theme: http://www.teach-nology.com/themes/science/animals/
Spring Teaching Theme: http://www.teach-nology.com/themes/holidays/spring/
Explorer's Theme: http://www.teach-nology.com/themes/social/explorers/
Inventor's Theme: http://www.teach-nology.com/themes/science/inventors/
Women's Theme: http://www.teach-nology.com/themes/social/womenshistory/
Planning Lessons for May: http://www.teachnology.com/monthly/may/may.html
Cinco de Mayo Theme: http://www.teach-nology.com/teachers/lesson_plans/holidays/cincodemayo/
Science Webquests: http://www.teach-nology.com/teachers/lesson_plans/computing/web_quests/science/
May Themes: http://geocities.com/mrsjacksonsclass/maydays.htm

Graphics By:Caleb's Country Corner

April Showers Bring May Flowers

April Showers Bring May Flowers

The benefits of waiting for the April showers to bring May flowers are great. May brings the beginning of the warmer months when the highest number of plants can be found blooming about the world. So next time you’re gloomy about the weather, keep in mind the classic rhyme, April showers bring May flowers. Whether it is for your kids at home or for your classroom, let me help you with Spring time theme planning. See the list of themes or check out these themes: Spring, Gardens, Flowers, Kites, Birds, Bugs, Farms, Picnics, Reptiles, Earth Day, Mother's Day, Weather, Zoos and more on my homepage at http://geocities.com/mrsjacksonsclass/ .

Because observation is such a basic learning tool, springtime provides an ideal climate for learning outdoors. A nature walk or a picnic will provide excellent opportunities for discovery, observation and discussion. Does spring fever have your students all a-buzz? Use their boundless energy to help them learn about the bees, flowers, trees, plants, weather, animals, and seeds. The essential elements of the season are universal. In every country, in every city, in every pond and forest, and yard, life is beginning again. April Showers Bring May Flowers used to be my favorite poem so I decided that I could teach the genre, celebrate National Poetry Day, and learn about springtime and nature all at the same time. The students will do plant experiments, observe and record the needs of plants (air, sun, water, soil). They will watch as seeds sprout and grow. They will learn as life begins again.

Resources:

http://www.education-world.com/a_lesson/lesson105.shtml Lessons Themes
http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/spring/kids-crafts/ Crafts
http://www.preschooleducation.com/sspring.shtml Poems and Songs
http://webtech.kennesaw.edu/jcheek3/april.htm April Earth Day Resources
http://www.dltk-kids.com/crafts/april_showers.htm April Shower's Crafts
http://www.annieshomepage.com/aprilfun.html April
http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/docs/elemsci/gr1udesc.html Gr. 1 Unit Plants
http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/docs/elemsci/gr2udesc.html Gr. 2 Unit Weather
http://www.lessonplanspage.com/ArtScienceAprilShowersBringMeFlowersWallMural1.htm Lesson
http://familycrafts.about.com/od/springcrafts/Spring_Craft_Projects.htm Crafts & Graphics

http://www.first-school.ws/activities/science/drippy.htm Water Cycle
http://www.123child.com/UBB/showthread.php?t=2572 April Showers, Rain/Rainbows Activities, Books, More
http://feelingsandflowers.com/136/april-showers-bring-may-flowers-%E2%80%93-discussing-the-rhyme/ Info
http://www.highlightskids.com/GamesandGiggles/HiddenPics/HiddenPicsPrintable/HP2079aprilShower.asp Picture
http://blogs.scholastic.com/tech_tutors/2009/04/april-showers-bring-may-flowers-and-other-poetry.html Blog

http://www.geocities.com/mrsjacksonsclass/maydays.htm May Day Theme Resources

Secretary's Week

Administrative Professionals Day or Secretary's Day

Since 1952, the International Association of Administrative Professionals has honored office workers by sponsoring Administrative Professionals Week.
2009 Administrative Professionals Week Theme is:

Excellence in Action!

Administrative Professionals Week (April 19-25, 2009)

Administrative Professionals Day (April 22nd, 2009)
It is celebrated on the Wednesday of the last full week in April.

Secretaries Appreciation Week is the 3rd week in April.
Source: http://www.iaap-hq.org/APW/apwindex.htm

http://www.annieshomepage.com/secretarysday.html Annie's Secretary's Day
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Administrative_Professionals'_Day Administrative Professionals Day

Arbor Day

Celebrate Arbor Day on April 24, 2009

What is Arbor Day?

Arbor Day is a nationally celebrated observance that encourages tree planting, learning, and caring for trees. National Arbor Day was founded by J. Sterling Morton in 1872. Arbor Day is the last Friday of April making it land on April 24, 2009. Some of the states celebrate this tree-loving holiday on other days of the year. In 1970, President Richard Nixon proclaimed the last Friday in April as National Arbor Day. Arbor Day is now celebrated in many other countries. Teachers can use these resources to help connect young children with nature.

Learn more history and see the rest at http://www.arborday.org/arborday/history.cfm .

http://www.arborday.org/kids/resources.cfm Education Resources
http://stepbystepcc.com/holidays/arborday.html Theme, Books, Art, Songs, Poems
http://www.teach-nology.com/themes/science/arborday/ Teaching Theme
http://edhelper.com/DailyThemes_April_29_1.html Theme Unit
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/arborday/ Crafts
http://www.theteachersguide.com/arbordaylessonplans.htm Lessons, Crafts, Clipart
http://www.teacherplanet.com/resource/arbor.php Arbor Day Resources
http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/arbor-day/ Activities, Crafts
http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/arbor-day/poems-rhymes/ Poems
http://abcteach.com/directory/seasonalholidays/arbor_day/ Printables
http://holidays.kaboose.com/arborday-printables.html Printables
http://www.arbor-day.net/ History
http://atozteacherstuff.com/Themes/Trees/ Lessons
http://www.lessonplanspage.com/ArborDay.htm Lessons
http://webclipart.about.com/library/weekly/aa041800.htm Clipart
http://www.mhcbe.ab.ca/ict/Projects/treesforest/treesForests.htm Webquest Gr. 6
http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/eek/veg/arbor.htm Happy Arbor Day Info
http://www.hope-elem.org/Links/Teacher.htm#Earth%20Day/Arbor%20Day Earth Day Arbor Day Sites
http://www.arborday.org/trees/whattree/ Tree Identification
http://geocities.com/mrsjacksonsclass/plantstrees.htm Plants Trees

Layers of Planet Earth

Teaching Tip: Layers of Planet Earth
By: Sarah M., Grade 7 & 8 Science Teacher

To teach a child the layers of Earth is a difficult task, he/she can not imagine what we are describing. So I took an apple and cut it in half. Wow! Every part we want to describe is in that apple. Starting from the core moving upward to the apples skin which, represents the Earth´s crust. It even led them to draw the layers. They are reminded of the Earth's layers each time they have an apple. Try it! It works!

This tip was brought to you by Teachnology.com, a free and valuable resource for teachers.
http://www.teachnology.com/themes/science/earth/ Earth Day Teaching Theme
http://geocities.com/mrsjacksonsclass/earthday.htm Earth Day Resources

Earth Day Theme and Resources

Earth Day

In the Beginning...In 1963, former Senator Gaylord Nelson began to worry about our planet. (A senator is a person that the people of the United States have chosen to help make the laws.) Senator Nelson knew that our world was getting dirty and that many of our plants and animals were dying.
He wondered why more people weren't trying to solve these problems. He talked to other lawmakers and to the President. They decided that the President would go around the country and tell people about these concerns. He did, but still not enough people were working on the problem.
The IdeaThen, in 1969, Senator Nelson had another idea. He decided to have a special day to teach everyone about the things that needed changing in our environment. He wrote letters to all of the colleges and put a special article in Scholastic Magazine to tell them about the special day he had planned. (Most of the schools got this magazine and he knew that kids would help him.)
The HolidayOn April 22, 1970, the first Earth Day was held. People all over the country made promises to help the environment. Everyone got involved and since then, Earth Day has spread all over the planet. People all over the world know that there are problems we need to work on and this is our special day to look at the planet and see what needs changing. Isn't it great?

One person had an idea and kept working until everyone began working together to solve it. See what happens when people care about our world?

Taken from:

http://holidays.kaboose.com/earth-day/index.html Crafts, Games, History, Quiz, Books, and Resources
http://holidays.kaboose.com/earth-day/history/earthday-history.html History
http://crafts.kaboose.com/holidays/earth-day/plants/index.html Growing Plants http://crafts.kaboose.com/papier-mache-globe.html Papier-Mache Globe Info
http://holidays.quiz.kaboose.com/60-kids-what-s-your-earth-iq Quiz
http://holidays.kaboose.com/earthday-learn.html Books
http://funschool.kaboose.com/globe-rider/earth-day/index.html Fun Games

More resources for Earth Day can be found at : http://geocities.com/mrsjacksonsclass/earthday.htm

Earth Day, Week, and Month of April

Celebrating Earth Day on April 22 With Students

Alan Hoffmann and Katherine Leathem 1991 Woodrow Wilson Biology Institute

Earth Day affords science teachers with an outstanding opportunity to focus student's attention on the environment and to stimulate their creativity and imagination, so that they can act persuasively to help solve environmental problems. Our belief is that all schools should make this day a tradition which students and faculty eagerly anticipate. The organization of activities for such an event lends itself to an interdisciplinary approach which allows for school-wide participation in the learning process.
Our suggestion is that Earth Day evolve into a week of activities that tend to be student- action oriented. Ideally, these activities will provide them with a means to act on their convictions. Most importantly these activities can provide a progressive model which can make Earth Day activities part of the schedule all year long. It is our charge to keep fresh in the minds of our students the motto that "Earth Day is every day".
Go to http://www.woodrow.org/teachers/bi/1991/earthday.html to see a list of examples of activities at various levels of involvement to be used for Earth Week, Day-22, or Month.

See more Earth Day resources at http://geocities.com/mrsjacksonsclass/earthday.htm . I was looking for ideas for my blog and I found this article that listed many projects for Earth Day and Month. Please visit their site at http://www.woodrow.org/teachers/bi/1991/earthday.html to see the many activities and projects that you can use to make every day an Earth Day.

National Poetry Month and Week-April

April is National Poetry Month!

The initiative was established by the Academy of American Poets in 1996 as a month-long, national celebration of poetry. It is a time to celebrate poets and their craft. Various events are held throughout the month by the Academy of American Poets and other poetry organizations. It is a great time to explore the world of words with your kids! Introduce your students to a variety of poetic forms. Assign one or two students each day as “poet of the day” for the month of April. Then provide students with several models for creating different forms of poetry. Have each student select one form of poetry and write an original poem and illustrate. Assign a day and have students read their poetry out loud to the class.

"National Poetry Month (NPM) brings together publishers, booksellers, literary organizations, libraries, schools, and poets around the country to celebrate poetry and its vital place in American culture." Visit the Academy of American Poets for more information. Scholastic features wonderful resources and activities here. Education Oasis's article, "Painlessly Bringing Poetry into Your Classroom includes a list of activities. Interested in combining technology and poetry? Check out "Creating Poetry Videos."

Young People's Poetry Week. April 14-20. Sponsored by the Children's Book Council, in collaboration with the American Academy of Poets and the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress. Visit the following sites for more information, activities, and resources:
Academy of American PoetsThe Center for the Book Children's Book Council

Taken from: http://teacher.scholastic.com/lessonrepro/k%5F2theme/poetry.htm National Poetry Month Ideas
http://www.teacherplanet.com/resource/worldpoetry.php Poetry Theme Unit
http://www.readwritethink.org/calendar/calendar_day.asp?id=478 World of Words
http://farmschool.wordpress.com/2009/03/22/national-poetry-month-2009-essential-pleasures/ Blog Resources
http://www.squidoo.com/national-poetry-month-april Ways to Celebrate American National Poetry Month

http://geocities.com/mrsjacksonsclass/ See All of the Poetry Pages & Resources

Education World editors have gathered poetry resources from their archive to help teachers everywhere celebrate National Poetry Month. Below you will find the following archived resources on their site:
Poetry Lesson Plans
Teacher-Submitted Lesson Plans
More Poetry Activities and Projects
Poetry Articles and Resources

Taken from:http://www.education-world.com/a_special/poetrymonth.shtml
Taken from: image © 2009 by The Academy of American Poets
Taken from: http://teacher.scholastic.com/lessonrepro/k%5F2theme/poetry.htm

Happy Easter Teaching Theme Resources

Take advantage of these resources about Easter! You can visit each year to plan your Easter lessons and see the new resources. Share the interactives on your projector or interactive whiteboard. Have students explore on their own! Use some of these free lesson plans with your students. As you study other cultures, be sure to include some resources for students to research the celebrations in other countries. You can set up a computer learning center celebrating the Easter holiday. If you are looking for a quick and easy seasonal activity (that has some educational value), visit these sites! Have cooperative learning groups choose an activity and complete together. Have the groups share their projects with the rest of the class. So go ahead and start looking below for activity sheets, lessons, poems, ideas, and much more to make spring learning fun in your classroom! I hope you will find many ideas for Easter fun.

Taken from Teacher's First Resources for Easter at: http://www.teachersfirst.com/holiday/easter.cfm

More Easter Resources:

http://www.geocities.com/mrsjacksonsclass/easter.htm Theme Resources

http://www.suelebeau.com/easterpassover.htm Easter, Ash Wednesday, Passover

http://www.teach-nology.com/teachers/lesson_plans/holidays/easter/ Lessons

http://www.teach-nology.com/themes/holidays/easter/index.html Teaching Theme

http://www.teachingheart.net/easterpage.html Great Thematic Unit

http://www.littlegiraffes.com/easter.html Teaching Theme-Art

http://www.dltk-holidays.com/easter/crafts.html Easter Crafts

http://www.teacherplanet.com/resource/easter.php Easter Resources General & Christian

http://www.theteachersguide.com/easter.htm Resource site & book filled with lessons & cross-curricular activities. It has management ideas, creative suggestions for the classroom, & a bibliography.

April Lesson Plan Ideas

Teaching Tip: April Lesson Plan Ideas
By: Christy Snider McCormick, Secondary Mathematics

Here are some April lesson ideas for your class.
1. Earth Month- Relate the Earth to something you see everyday.
2. National Humor Month- Make subject related jokes.
3. National Poetry Month- Write a love poem to Earth.
4. National Youth Sports Safety Month- Calculate the speed of collisions in a local sport.
5. National Frog Month- Write as if you were a frog.
6. April Fools´ Day- Convince students they are going on a crazy field trips.
7. Income Tax Day- You win a big prize. How much does Uncle Sam let you have?

This Week in History
1858: A Pencil with an attached eraser patented.
1918: Daylight savings time is first observed in the US.

“Teach a child how to think, not what to think.”— Sidney Sugarman

Written and Taken FromTeachnology Newsletter at
http://www.teachnology.com/newsletters/455.html
http://www.teachnology.com:80/

More Earth Day and April Theme Units and Resources:
http://geocities.com/mrsjacksonsclass/aprilthemes.htm
http://geocities.com/mrsjacksonsclass/earthday.htm