Category: October Classroom

• CLASSROOM – Space Week

  CLASSROOM – Space Week – Week 8

  Look to the sky for this Classroom as we enter into Space Week. It’s a great time to explore astronomy and STEM projects. Delve into the history of space programs all over the world, too. We’ll focus on a couple of projects for the classroom and make suggestions worthy of field trips, too.

  HOW TO OBSERVE

  Take the quiz. Try the projects. However, you participate, be sure to let your imaginations drift toward the stars and the possibilities that hover there.

  Follow us on Instagram @natdaycal and Twitter @NationalDayCal.  It’s where teachers seem to love us the most. Also, we’ll let you know when there’s a new project in our evening posts. To receive them, subscribe on the website at www.nationaldaycalendar.com

  Of course, as always, sharing on social media isn’t required; learning is. But if you do, please use #NDCClassroom to share on social media.

  THIS WEEK’S PROJECTS

  Download this week’s space quiz. The answer key is included too.

  Other Space Week projects include:

  • Build out the lunar phases – Whether students map out the lunar phases with construction paper, paint or draw them, be sure they also learn the terms and frequency. They may also demonstrate the phases using a flashlight for the sun and two different sizes of balls for the moon and Earth.
    • Each phase of the moon is dependent on where the moon is in orbit around the Earth in relation to the Earth’s orbit around the sun.
    • Full moon – The Earth, moon, and sun are in alignment. The sunlight portion of the moon faces the earth.
    • As the moon orbits the Earth, less or more of the sun’s light will be reflected back to Earth. First-quarter, third quarter, waning gibbous moon and waning crescent moons are in different portions of the cycle.
  • Identify constellations visible in the night sky with an adult in their home.
  • Find the Big Dipper. From there, determine where the North Star (Polaris) is. Using a compass determine if it points to true north.
  • See if you can spot the International Space Station. It’s visible from your location several times a week passing overhead. Wave to astronauts as they drift by!
  • Complete the Space Week puzzle.

  There are over 1,500 national days. Don’t miss a single one. Celebrate Every Day® with National Day Calendar®!

  October 3, 2019

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  Michele

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  Classroom, October Classroom

• NATIONAL DAY CALENDAR CLASSROOM – Week 12 – October 29, 2018

  NATIONAL DAY CALENDAR CLASSROOM – WEEK 12 – OCTOBER 28, 2018

  As we wrap up October, we talk about rolling up our sleeves, having a little fun, and checking our letters in the classroom. Starting with National Speak up for Service Day on October 30th, we will encourage serving our communities through public speaking. The next day, we’ll share some funny business on National Knock Knock Joke Day. Finally, we kick off November with National Family Literacy Day.

  Be sure to check out the trivia, crosswords and word search puzzles. Each week, we try to bring a variety of activities to celebrate the days on the calendar to keep your classroom curious.

  Sharing on social media isn’t required, learning is. But if you do, please use #NDCClassroom to share on social media.

  LESSON 1 – National Speak up for Service Day

  National Speak Up For Service Day takes place on October 30th and is a public speaking challenge for high school students designed to encourage others their age to be involved in their communities. Community service combined with public speaking develops strong values and connections to the neighborhoods we grow up in and an understanding of our individual rights and responsibilities as a citizen.

  Whether there is a Lions Club near you that participates or not, encourage your students to share their experiences volunteering in their community. They may help on clean-up day or work in a community garden. Maybe they donate services at the local animal shelter, recycling center, or hospital. Whatever they do, value their neighborhood pride and inspire them to spread some of the spirit to their classmates through a pep talk in public speaking.

  Lesson 2 – National Knock Knock Joke Day

  Enjoy these knock-knock jokes with your students and have fun while they make up their own!

  Knock, knock.
  Who’s There?
  Spell.
  Spell who?
  Okay. W. H. O.

  Knock, knock.
  Who’s there?
  Olive.
  Olive who?
  Olive you. Do you love me, too?

  Knock, knock.
  Who’s there?
  Donut.
  Donut who?
  Donut ask. It’s a secret!

  Knock, knock.
  Who’s there?
  Nobel.
  Nobel who?
  No bell, that’s why I knocked!

  Knock, knock.
  Who’s there?
  Wendy.
  Wendy who?
  When the bell works again I won’t have to knock anymore.

  Knock, knock.
  Who’s there?
  Wooden shoe.
  Wooden shoe who?
  Wooden shoe like to hear another joke.

  Lesson 3 – National Family Literacy Day

  We occasionally provide reading lists here in the classroom. For National Family Literacy Day, we’ve provided a fun shortlist to add to your collection. Whether borrowed or included in a family library, these books will make enjoyable reading for families of any size!

  Stitchin’ and Pullin’: A Gee’s Bend Quilt by Patricia McKissack and illustrated by Cozbi A Cabrera (2008) – ages 5-9

  Following Fake Man by Barbara Ware Holmes (2002) – ages 10 and up

  Posted by John David Anderson – (2017) – ages 8-12

  Oh Joy, Bok Choy & Other Greens for Me! by Dawn Noelle Archer, illustrated by Jaeger R. Held (2018) – ages 3-8

  Oona Finds an Egg (The Oodlethunks#1) by Adele Griffin and illustrated by Mike Wu (2016) – ages 8-12

  October 11, 2018

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  National Day Calendar

  •

  Classroom, October Classroom

• NATIONAL DAY CALENDAR CLASSROOM – WEEK 11 – October 22, 2018

  NATIONAL DAY CALENDAR CLASSROOM – WEEK 11 – OCTOBER 22, 2018

  Color the classroom excited! National Day Calendar leaps into week 11 with a fun project centered around National Color Day.

  The first lesson will allow students to experiment color and see how sugar reacts to different liquids. The second lesson provides an opportunity to explore how color plays a role in our daily lives.  As always, students can also visit the trivia page, take our crossword puzzle or word finds, too!

  Sharing on social media isn’t required, learning is. But if you do, please use #NDCClassroom to share on social media.

  Lesson 1

  Supplies: Colored candies such as Spree, Mike and Ike, Skittles, jujubes, or jelly beans
  timer
  1 cup water
  1 cup vinegar
  2 styrofoam plates each
  2 cups pencil

  Arrange candies in a circle around the edge of the first plate in any color pattern desired. Pour just enough of one liquid into the plate to cover the bottom of the plate. Start the timer. Using the attached form, track how the colors blend. When the color reaches the center of the plate, stop the timer. Repeat the experiment with the other liquid. Describe the differences.

  Which one do you prefer? Does one look more like a rainbow than the other? Describe any patterns you see in the project? How would you do this experiment differently?

  Lesson 2

  Pair students up into teams of two. Provide them with colored cards in primary colors. Similar to a word association game, one student will hold up a colored card and ask the other student to respond with the first word that comes to mind. It can be an emotion, person,  place or thing.  Have the first student record the responding student’s answer.  Have the students swap places and repeat. Compare answers with the classroom. Discuss similarities and differences.  Record your classroom’s responses on a chart similar to the one below.

  

  October 5, 2018

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  National Day Calendar

  •

  Classroom, October Classroom

• NATIONAL DAY CALENDAR CLASSROOM – WEEK 10 – Week of October 14

  

  NATIONAL DAY CALENDAR CLASSROOM – WEEK 10 – WEEK OF OCTOBER 14

  We don’t know about you, but National Fossil Day gets the inner child in us excited! National Day Classroom decided to explore unique fossil names and see if we could figure out how the names came to be a part dinosaur or fossil name. We created a matching game so your classrooms could join in the fun. This week is also National Dictionary Day, and as part of the assignment, students can practice their dictionary knowledge to help them along. Some of those scientific words are tough!

  We’ve made this week’s assignment in a printable PDF with answer key. Students can also visit the trivia page, take our crossword puzzle or word finds, too!

  Sharing on social media isn’t required, learning is. But if you do, please use #NDCClassroom to share on social media.

  ASSIGNMENT: Match the name of the dinosaur fossil on the left to the description on the right.

  NAMES

  1. Bambiraptor Feinberg
  2. Pelecanimimus
  3. Gargoyleosaurus
  4. Giraffatitan
  5. Dracorex Hogwartsia

   

  DICTIONARY WORK: Look up the following words to help you with studying fossils

  Carnivore

  Herbivore

  Omnivore

  Which are you?

  Answer Key

  1. B
  2. E
  3. A
  4. C
  5. D

  DESCRIPTIONS

  A. This fossil derives its name from a gothic form of architecture or character. As a herbivore, it would eat low growing plants that existed during the Jurassic period.

  B. Unlike the Disney character it was named after, this dinosaur was a carnivore. As the only predator on the list, it’s important to note part of its name translates to plunderer or thief.

  C.  A few characteristics that hint at this dinosaur’s namesake include that it was discovered in Africa, it was an herbivore, and because of one physical feature, it could always reach the highest leaves in the trees.

  D. Making our imaginations soar, this fossil discovery was named after a modern fictional character. Don’t fear this dragon king; it’s a herbivore.

  E. This omnivore had a pouch along its neck and was discovered in around modern-day Spain. It lived during the Cretaceous period, about 125 – 135 million years ago and likely aquatic plants, fish and other water-loving species, much like its namesake.

  September 28, 2018

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  National Day Calendar

  •

  Classroom, October Classroom

• NATIONAL DAY CALENDAR CLASSROOM – WEEK 9 – Week of October 8, 2018

  NATIONAL DAY CALENDAR CLASSROOM – WEEK 9 – WEEK OF OCTOBER 8

  This week in the classroom, students can celebrate at home or on the playground. American Touch Tag Day takes place on October 8th. There are a variety of versions around the world, even from neighborhood to neighborhood. No matter the differences, the goal is to get the students to play, expend some energy and play cooperatively.

  This week’s quiz comes from National Leif Erikson Day. Students can also visit the trivia page, take our crossword puzzle or word finds, too!

  Sharing on social media isn’t required, learning is. But if you do, please use #NDCClassroom to share on social media.

  National Leif Erikson Day Quiz
  
  National Leif Erikson Day Quiz Key

  September 13, 2018

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  National Day Calendar

  •

  Classroom, October Classroom

• NATIONAL DAY CALENDAR CLASSROOM – WEEK 8 – WEEK OF OCTOBER 1, 2018

  

  NATIONAL DAY CALENDAR CLASSROOM – WEEK 8 – OCTOBER 1, 2018

  National Walk to School Day on the first Wednesday in October kicks off our classroom during week eight. Walking is one of the best exercises the body can get. With the weather changing for most of the country, it’s a great time to challenge students to get moving.

  Another opportunity for the week is National Coffee with a Cop Day. Whether the gathering is big or small, the impact can be lasting. Consider arranging an invitation for your classroom.

  Of course, there’s always National Day Calendar trivia, crossword puzzles and word searches.  And last year’s Mad Hatter’s assignment can be found in the archive.

  Sharing on social media isn’t required, learning is. But if you do, please use #NDCClassroom to share on social media.

  September 11, 2018

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  National Day Calendar

  •

  Classroom, October Classroom

• NATIONAL DAY CALENDAR CLASSROOM – Week 8 – October 22 – 28, 2017

  

  NATIONAL DAY CALENDAR CLASSROOM

  Science and fun come together when National Greasy Food Day enters the week on October 25.  While celebrating foods such as French fries and potato chips should just be an occasional matter, we can take the opportunity to learn a little more about these foods.

  To complete this experiment in your classroom, you will need squares of brown paper and a variety of foods in small pieces.  Include foods that have a high grease content to those that have none at all.

  Here we have included six different kinds.  Alternatively, you can use this image to create a matching quiz.

  Food list

  • Cheese
  • Apple slices
  • Pretzels
  • French fries
  • Carrot
  • Waffle
  • Different kinds of potato chips
  • Baked Donut
  • Fried Donut
  • Cheese puffs
  • Peanuts
  • Crackers
  • Pears
  • Trail mix

  Instructions

  1. Set the project up in an area where it will be left undisturbed for the duration of the project.
  2. Have each student label each square of paper with the name of the food item that will be placed on it.
  3. Have the students place one food item per square of brown paper.
  4. Cover and leave the food to set for at least 15 minutes.
  5. Remove food and have students note the different sizes of grease spots.

  Questions

  1. Did different types of foods leave more or less grease on the paper? Why?
  2. Why types of food left the most grease? The least?
  3. How do greasy foods affect our health?
  4. Will you eat more of the foods with the smaller grease spots now? Why?
  5. Why type of fats do you think are better for you?

  A. Cashew
  B. Apple
  C. Cereal
  D. Sausage
  E. Cookie
  F. Cracker

  October 19, 2017

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  National Day Calendar

  •

  Classroom, October Classroom

• NATIONAL DAY CALENDAR CLASSROOM – Week 7 – October 15 – 21, 2017

  

  This week in the National Day Calendar Classroom we celebrate Noah Webster’s birth on October 16 which is commemorated through National Dictionary Day.  Our assignment pulls words from other days throughout the week to put our dictionary skills to work.  Open up your dictionaries and get ready to learn more about the complex and fascinating English language!

  

  The following words are found in this week’s observances on National Day Calendar.  Along with two words found in poems to feature Black Poetry day, challenge your students to find the words and follow the instructions to use their dictionary to complete the assignment.  Depending on the skill level of your class, some of the tasks may need to be removed.

   

  WORD LIST

  hagfish                                              aesthetician
  bisque                                               curd
  pasta                                                 grouch
  pharmacy                                         feral
  motorcycle                                       virtual
  commerce                                        mulligan

  Black Poetry Day Words

  gnaw – Maya Angelou – When Great Trees Fall by Maya Angelou
  fulcrum – Gregory Pardlo – Double Dutch by Gregory Pardlo

  • Find the definition for each word. Define the word in your own words.
  • Use the dictionary to help you pronounce the word.
  • If there is an etymology for the word, where does the word originate?
  • Use the word in a sentence.
  • Read each poem and discuss.
  October 9, 2017

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  National Day Calendar

  •

  Classroom, October Classroom

• NATIONAL DAY CALENDAR CLASSROOM – Week 6 – October 8-14, 2017

  

  The 6^th week of the National Day Calendar Classroom is now in session! We jump into a week ideal for first-person accounts of what National Chess Day on October 9, National Farmer’s Day on October 12, and Navy Birthday on October 13 really mean.

  The opportunity to invite someone into the classroom to speak to your students can enrich the lives of your class and the speaker, too.  Give upperclassman from the chess club a chance to make a difference in the lives of your students by inviting them to your classroom to teach the basics of chess.  Invite a veteran to speak about the U.S. Navy or perhaps ask a senior who may have spent his or her time at basic training over the summer for a visit.  A retired farmer, perhaps the grandparents of one of the children you teach would like to share their farming experiences.

  Put out the call.  Expanding their horizons and those of the people who join your classroom will be a lesson they will carry with them forever.

  We also offer a Farmer’s Day Puzzle this week. 

  October 6, 2017

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  National Day Calendar

  •

  Classroom, October Classroom

• NATIONAL DAY CLASSROOM – Week Five – October 1-7, 2017

  

  NATIONAL DAY CALENDAR CLASSROOM

  During Week Five, National Day Calendar Classroom sees several natural opportunities to incorporate the calendar into the students’ lives.  On October 2, National Custodial Worker’s Recognition Day offers the opportunity to discuss gratitude and respect for the people who help keep our buildings in tip-top working order.  Health and safety get a section on the first Wednesday of every October with National Walk to School Day.  Whether as part of a physical education challenge or handout to parents, there are several ways to incorporate this day into your curriculum.

  Our featured assignment will focus on National Mad Hatter Day on October 6 and the character created by Lewis Caroll in the Alice in Wonderland series.

  

   

  The Mad Hatter in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland riddled, “Why is a raven like a writing desk?” and set readers pondering.  On National Mad Hatter Day, create an atmosphere of adventure in all levels of development with this assignment riddled with opportunities for cultural exploration, language discovery and personal expression.

  You will need a hat for this assignment.  Depending on your grade level, you can either assign your students to bring small objects to put in the hat, write a riddle of their own or you can put riddles in the hat. During the lesson, each student can take turns drawing from the hat.

   

  

  

  Riddle Me This

  All classrooms can incorporate the first part of the assignment into their lessons.

  • Discuss the definition of a riddle that is appropriate for the understanding of the age group, and how it’s a fun puzzle using words.
  • Review the Mad Hatter’s puzzle and ask the students what they think the answer is.  How creative can they get?

  Pre K – Kindergarten

  • Have each child secretly select an object from the Mad Hatter’s hat and provide a riddle to their classmates what it is.  Can they guess?
  • Copy and print the above image to color.

  Grades 1-5

  • Either put pre-written riddles into the Mad Hatter’s hat or have the students write their own riddles and place them in the hat.  Each student will take turns drawing a riddle from the hat, reading the question aloud and then solving the puzzle.
  • If the student isn’t able to solve the puzzle, he or she can ask for assistance from the class.
  • Copy and print the above image to color.

  Grades 6-12

  • Many cultures have traditions of telling riddles as far back as the Dark Ages. These short riddle-poems took the form of cadences or humor.Discuss riddles across culture from the Anglo-Saxon and Viking traditions to Haiku poems. Consider how they are woven into the fabric of the culture. Do riddles improve critical thinking? Social interactions?
  • Have each student write their own riddle and place it in the Mad Hatter’s hat and take turns drawing a riddle from the hat.  Solve the puzzle and let the madness ensue!
  • Try this lesson in a foreign language class.
  September 29, 2017

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  National Day Calendar

  •

  Classroom, October Classroom