Calendar of the Season
American Heart Month
As Valentine's Day draws near we are surrounded by paper hearts of all sizes. Take a moment to learn about the heart that beats within us by visiting http://www.fi.edu/learn/heart/index.html for older children.
Ground Hog Day
Traditionally, the groundhog is supposed to wake up on February 2, and come up out of his burrow. If he sees his shadow, he will return to the burrow for six more weeks of winter. If he doesn't see his shadow, he remains outside and starts his year, because he knows that spring has arrived early. German settlers brought this tradition to the US. It is based on Candlemas, a day that is halfway between the first day of winter and the first day of spring. In the U.S., the "official" groundhog is kept in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania and is called "Phil." Although it is a fun tradition it does not have any real importance in the culture of the US. See http://www.groundhog.org to learn more about Punxsutawney Phil.
Endangered Species Day
In 1973 the United States passed a law to protect animals that were in danger of becoming extinct. Tigers, elephants, otters and mountain gorillas are all in danger of disappearing from the earth. Draw a picture of these animals, visit the zoo to see them, read a book about them or learn more about endangered species at http://www.worldwildlife.org/species
Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is the annual American Football championship and a popular time for friends to gather in front of the TV. Last year 86 million people watched the game! To learn more about football visit the “Life in the US” section of this website. Besides football fans, the show attracts watchers for the half-time musical entertainment and also for the ads! Wondering what that’s about? See ads from the past several years at http://superbowl-ads.com/article_archive.
Dental Health Month
It's always important to children to brush their teeth but here is a special reminder! Brushing should last 2-3 minutes - use a timer to see how long the children actually brush. Visit http://www.healthyteeth.org for information, science experiments (do you know what happens to bone if it is soaked in vinegar?) and games about teeth. This is a good time to read books about loose teeth or going to the dentist if your children are at the right age.
Black History Month
February is Black History Month. Look for books at your local library or exhibits at your local historical society. Read more about it at http://www.tulane.edu/~wc/months/bhm.html.
Pancake Race
The first International Pancake Race was held on this day in 1950 in Kansas. The women in the race wear dresses and aprons and covered their heads in scarves to run a 415-yard (380 meter) course. Each woman also carries a pancake in a skillet and must toss the pancake three times. This would make a funny race for children with a shorter course and lightweight frying pans. Or you can tell them a story and make pancakes to eat, instead of racing with them!
Chocolate Chip Pancakes (from www.thatsmyhome.com)
1 1/4 C flour
1 T sugar
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1 T baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
2 eggs
1 C milk
4 T melted butter
3/4 tsp. vanilla
3/4 C chocolate chips
Preheat griddle or skillet. Combine flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Mix together liquid ingredients and beat into dry mixture until smooth. Fold in the chocolate chips. Pour 1/4 cup batter for each pancake onto hot griddle. Cook until the bubbles that form on top begin to pop, flip the pancakes, then cook a minute or so more.
Valentine's Day
Through the ages, many cultures have paused to celebrate love and romance in mid-February, but Americans use Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to tell almost everyone how much they care. Children usually exchange cards at school. Even more importantly, the observance of this day encourages a spirit of goodwill and respect for fellow human beings. Valentine's Day truly is a time of love, friendship, giving, and caring. For Valentine’s Day ideas and games see http://familyfun.go.com/valentines-day.
Galileo's Birthday
Born in 1564 this Italian physicist and astronomer is famous for his experiments dropping objects from the leaning tower of Pisa. You can conduct your own simple falling object experiments using two items that are different in weight – a piece of paper, feather or cotton ball dropped at the same time as a crayon or a stone – or whatever you can think of. Try different combinations with the children and record the results. Be sure not to drop anything breakable or where another person might be standing.
Louis Tiffany
Born in 1848 Tiffany (whose father started the Tiffany jewelry store) was a very fine painter but is best known for his work in stained glass. Make your own “stained glass” by following these easy instructions. This is a perfect use for broken crayons. Spread out newspaper and make crayon shavings (a small pencil sharpener is perfect for this). Cover the ironing board with newspaper and sprinkle the crayon shavings on a square of wax paper. Cover with another square of wax paper and more newspaper. Press the paper with a warm iron until the wax of the crayons is melted. These look beautiful hung in the window! Make a frame out of construction paper if you wish.
National Engineers Week
Everyday we use things that have been created by engineers. Sports equipment, high tech clothing, cars, planes and even plastic bottles were all designed by engineers. Children in middle and high school can explore this fascinating topic at http://www.discoverengineering.org. See how long a list of things you can make that wouldn’t be in our world without engineers.
President's Day
President's Day is a Federal holiday created to commemorate the births of former Presidents George Washington (Feb. 22) and Abraham Lincoln (Feb. 12). Throughout America, Presidents' Day is observed by big sales in the stores, closed schools and no mail. Things to do with children: The United States has had more than 40 presidents. How many can the children name? Who has been president during their lifetime? Take a look at American coins and bills; who are the Presidents pictured on each coin and bill? (Only dollar coins have a picture of someone who was not president.) Find out more about George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Why are they so important to the United States?
Post Office
On this day in 1792 the first postal service was created in the United States. Preschool and young elementary age children will love to create their own post office at home. You need envelopes (you can use new ones or save the return envelopes from junk mail), a rubber stamp and inkpad, stickers and some paper. Children can write a note or draw a picture to put in the envelope. They can use the stickers as stamps and the rubber stamp to make the “postmark.” They can deliver the mail to bedrooms or you can create mailboxes by stacking a few empty shoeboxes on their sides. There can also be a box to mail letters – use a larger shoebox or a small cardboard box with the top closed and cut a slot to put the letters through.
Emma Willard
Emma Willard was born in Connecticut in 1787. She was self-educated and thought it was very important for girls to learn the same subjects that were being taught to boys. She started the first school to teach math and science to girls and the first college to educate women.
Young children love to play school. You can take turns being the teacher. Read a book out loud in front of the ‘class.’ (Children that can’t read yet still like to ‘read’ to others.) If you have a small chalkboard or white board you can put assignments or lessons on the board. Paper and pencils are important for the work that needs to be done, but don’t forget to have recess!
Treasure Hunt!
Pretend you are all on a desert island looking for treasure. Make a map or place clues around the house leading the children through the hunt. This can be done with pictures for non-readers - draw a picture of the television, then at the television place a picture of the stove. At the stove place a picture of a bed, and so on to the end. The "treasure" can be a treat to eat, or a new game to play. Read books about pirates to add to the fun.
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