May 2012 Activities
Posted by lindamartinandersen on April 30, 2012
“May 2012 Activities” by Linda Martin Andersen
“A Writer’s Playground”
A place to find word play, writing, and monthly calendar activities for kids and those young at heart.
“April showers bring May flowers.”
May Activities
“April showers bring May flowers.”
Think: What else do April showers bring? April showers bring May fever. April showers bring May pollen. April showers bring May trips to the garden center for ________________, _______________, and _______________. What other thoughts come to mind about May?
Special Days in May:
- Mother’s Day (Sunday, May 13)
- Memorial Day (Monday, May 28)
Special Weeks in May:
- Be Kind to Animals Week (5-12)
- Children’s Book Week (7-13)
- Teacher Appreciation Week (7-11)
- Reading is Fun Week (13-19)
- Universal Family Week (12-19)
- Emergency Medical Support (EMS) Week (15-2l)
May is…
- Get Caught Reading Month
- National Military Appreciation Month
*Thank you Brownie Locks.com for May celebration information. For more May observances check out: http://www.brownielocks.com/may.html. Then try these:
- Name an observance that made you chuckle.
- Name one that is new to you.
- What is an observance you would propose be added? Why?
Brainstorm about May:
Think: May and keywords for the month–quotes, May flowers, books with “May” in the title.
Think: May observances and related words such as Mother’s Day, Mother, May I? (game).
Let’s talk: Choose one or more of the conversation starters below and leave a comment…
1. When you think of May, what quotes come to mind? Example: “Bloom where you’re planted.” What does that mean? Who do you know who blooms where he/she is planted? Tell why.
2. What flowers bloom in May in your area? What about other areas? What is blooming now in Spain, Japan, London? Choose another location if you’d like. Find these places on a globe or atlas.
3. Do you have a favorite flower? What is it? Do you have a special memory that comes to mind when you see, smell, or think of this flower?
4. Search for books with “May” in the title. What titles did you found? Select one from the library. Do you know how to do a book search from the library’s online listing? Tell about any “May” books you’ve read. For example: I recently read May B. by Caroline Starr Rose. It is written in verse, a type of poetry. Have you ever read a book in verse? May B is a historical novel about a girl abandoned on the Kansas prairie.
5. Create a special Mother’s Day card (Grandmother/Aunt/Foster Mom). Write a message about a special Mother’s Day memory or thank your mother for something she has done for you.
6. Did you know that there is a flower that is called a “May Pop?” What do you imagine it looks like? How do you think it got its name? Search and see if you are correct.
7. What is a May Pole Dance? Find pictures, watch a video, or try the dance with others.
8. When is “May Day” used as a distress call? Can you name a movie that used this call?
Thank you for visiting “A Writer’s Playground.” Please come again soon. Bring a friend.
*Resources: htttp.//www.vertex42.com (calendar)
Copyright © 2012 Linda Martin Andersen
A Writer's Playground 
Joan Y. Edwards said
Dear Linda,
I am very proud of your new blog. You worked really hard on it. I like the cloud and lightning that you drew. You persevered through thick and thin. I know that God is proud of you. You are really getting adept at learning and using different skills in your library job and for your blog. Hip Hip Hooray for you.
Celebrate you and your caring for others,
Never Give Up
Joan Y. Edwards
lindamartinandersen said
Thanks for all the swell comments, Joan. I posted a few more shapes on other pages to liven them up and to keep in practice. Thanks for helping me when I get stuck. You’re the best.
Joan Y. Edwards said
Dear Linda,
You’re very welcome. Thank you for putting me in your blog roll with a great group of bloggers. I am honored.
lindamartinandersen said
Joan,
Your blog encourages the development of a positive attitude. It delivers a message we all need to hear. I am happy to place it on my blog roll.
Carol Federlin Baldwin said
Welcome to the Blogosphere, Linda! I just shared this blog on FB. And will have to think about how I can tell others. Hope it goes well for you–this does seem to be a different type of blog–it’s hard to be different now a days,isn’t it?
lindamartinandersen said
Thanks so much for the warm welcome to blogosphere, Carol. It’s probably about as close to science fiction as I’ll come. 🙂 Thanks for the comment about the blog being original. That means a lot to me. How nice of you to post this on facebook. I plan to learn some about it next. So much to learn but it helps keep me young at heart.
Linda A.
Carol Federlin Baldwin said
And thanks for putting me on your blogroll too!
lindamartinandersen said
Hi Carol,
You’re welcome. It’s a great honor to have you on my blogroll.
Linda A.
Gretchen said
Hi Linda,
Your blog will be a great resource for everyone working with children. I love the concept of “playground” and especially your picture! Sounds like you are having fun with writing.
lindamartinandersen said
Gretchen, thanks so much for your kind words and compliments. I am very excited about this new way to play. I’m hoping kids will go from my posts to your schoolhouse project. It only seems logical to me to head back into the classroom after recess.
Linda A.
Donna Earnhardt said
What a great blog! The first topic, bloom where you are planted, is one that has. Even a huge part is my adult life since moving to concord. I miss my hometown so much and being able to hang out with my mama, sister and other family. So I really felt the Lord whispering that to my heart over the last 16 or so years. It has helped me see the sun shining around me and appreciate the rainy days even more!
lindamartinandersen said
Donna, I believe you’d bloom even if you landed on rocky soil. You’re a gem and your beauty rubs off on all those around you. I’m lucky to know you. I am glad you’ve found comfort during those times when you miss your family. Thanks for visiting and commenting. I really appreciate it.
Donna Earnhardt said
You are toooo kind, my friend! I am so proud of you for doing this. You’ve put a lot into it and I am going to use it with my kiddos!
lindamartinandersen said
Donna,
Passing this blog on to your kiddos is music to my ears. Thank you for letting me know you plan to use it. I’m doing a happy dance! Thanks for being proud of me for starting my own blog. I had a good friend’s help. What would we do without friends?
kamikinard said
Great job Linda. Welcome to WordPress! I tried to like your post, but it wouldn’t let me. 😦
lindamartinandersen said
Kami,
Thanks for the warm welcome. I’m sorry to hear that you couldn’t “like” the post. I’m still learning basics. Hopefully, this will be a fix I can learn. Please check back later.
Heather Montgomery said
This is great! What an appropriate way to stimulate curiousity and fun research for kids!
lindamartinandersen said
Heather,
You do so much to stimulate young minds. Your nature camps for children provide experiences only the great outdoors and an enthusiastic leader can. Your nature books open eyes to explore in more detail. Coming from you, I take this as an especially nice compliment. Thank you!
Roxie said
Hi Linda,
Looks like all the bugs are gone, I can ‘like’ your post and comment…before, even when I logged as it asked me to, I couldn’t. Glad to come back, try, and SUCCEED!!! if at first, you know the saying…welcome my dear! We are thrilled to have you join us playing around the wordpress neighborhood.
I adore your pic 🙂
namaste
Roxie
lindamartinandersen said
Roxie,
Thanks for welcoming me to the WordPress neighborhood. I’m so glad that you came back by for another visit and try. Thank goodness the glitch is no longer an issue. I appreciate that you “liked” my post and left a comment.
I’m looking forward to following your blog series on ghostwriting. Thanks for offering it. What a super idea!