October 2012 Activities

“October 2012 Activities” by Linda Martin Andersen

“A Writer’s Playground”

A place to find wordplay, writing, and monthly calendar activities for kids and those young at heart.

 

Think:  What does the word “October” bring to mind?

Halloween, hayrides, pumpkins, jack-o-lanterns, Fall leaves, haunted houses, Fall Festivals, cool nights, bonfires, jackets, ghost stories, homecoming games, football, trick-or-treat, and costumes.

What else happens in October?  Choose one of the conversation starters below and leave a comment.

Special Days in October:

• National Custodial Workers Day:  2  Thank a custodian for his/her hard work.

• Balloons Around the World Day:  3 (First Wednesday) Buy a bag of balloons (notice the alliteration).  What color did you choose?  Research a country with this as the dominant color of their flag.  Learn 3 facts about this country.

• Blessing of the Animals Day (aka Blessing of the Pets Day, World Pet Day):  4  Does your church recognize this day?  Do you have a friend who attends a church that does?  Consider attending a service.

• Ten-Four Day:  4  When is “Ten-Four” spoken?  What does it mean?  What jobs might use this signal?  Use the term in conversation with someone today.

• National Diversity Day:  5 (First Friday) Brainstorm ways to celebrate this day.  Which way will you celebrate?  Ask a friend to join you.

• World Smile Day:  5 (First Friday) Create smile posters or leave a Post-It Note with a smile.  Take them everywhere you go today.  Don’t forget to smile.

• 

  Laura Reeves’ artwork used by permission. Copyright protected. To purchase see http://www.reevesartwork.com

  World Communication Day:  7 (First Sunday) Think of ways to start a conversation with someone who is not one of your best friends.  Communicate with that person today.

• You Matter to Me Day:  7  Tell someone special, “You matter to me.”  Tell them why.

• Native American Day:  8 (2nd Monday)  Research Native Americans.  Share facts you learned.

• National Face Your Fears Day:  9 (2nd Tuesday) Book characters often face fears.  Name one book character, his/her fear, and how it was overcome.  Would you recommend this book?

• Stop Bullying Day:  10  At lunch or on the playground, ask friends what they think helps stop bullying.  What action will you take next?

• Day of the Six Billion:  12 What does this mean?  Ask friends, teachers, parents, Google it, etc. until you learn the answer if you do not already know.  Why is it important?

• Universal Music Day:  13 (2nd Saturday)  Pick a musical instrument you don’t hear often.  Listen to instrumental music with this instrument.  What emotion do you feel as you listen? 

• Clergy Appreciation Day (or Pastor Appreciation Day or Ministry Appreciation Day):  14  Find a way to give thanks for your pastor, your church, and its ministry.

•  I Love Lucy Day:  15 Watch a rerun, read about Lucille Ball, share your memories of favorite shows.

• National Grouch Day:  15 Read a book with a grouchy character.  Sesame Street has one, so does The Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, and Christopher Robin and the Hundred Acre Wood.  What are these characters names?  Name others. 

• Dictionary Day:  16  Name places where you can locate a dictionary.  Race a friend to find a word using different resources.

• Mulligan Day:  17  What is a mulligan?  What sport uses this term?  When would you like to have a mulligan and why?

• Reptile Awareness Day:  21  Check out a nonfiction book about reptiles.  Quiz your parents about different ones.

• United Nations Day:  24 What is the United Nations?  How is the day celebrated?  What other ways could it be recognized?

• Frankenstein Friday:  26  Who is Frankenstein?  How was he created?  Is he real or fiction?  If you were a scientist working on a cure for a disease, what would be your mission? Why?

• Make a Difference Day:  27 How can you make a difference today?  Do it.

• National Forgiveness Day:  27 (Last Saturday) What would our world be like if everyone forgave everybody?  Who will you forgive today?

• National Chocolates Day:  28 What’s your favorite kind of chocolate with ice cream?  Swirls in ice cream, chocolate chunks in ice cream, crunchy thin coat on a fudge bar, soft chocolate on an ice cream sandwich?  Something else?  Have you ever persuaded someone to try something new?  How did you convince them?

• National Knock-Knock Jokes Day:  31  Check out books from the library with knock-knock jokes.  Ask your friend(s) to check out copies too.  Take turns telling jokes.  Take a break and play outside and come back and ask more jokes.  Count the jokes as you go.  See how many you tell in a day.

Special Weeks in October:

• Universal Children’s Week: 1-7 How do you think this week should be celebrated?  Learn about children in other countries.  Many public libraries subscribe to databases about other cultures. 

• National Newspaper Week: 1-5 Visit the local library and look at the newspaper displays.  What are local titles?  What are national ones?  Spend time reading. 

• Spinning & Weaving Week:  1-7 Visit a museum with displays about spinning and weaving.  Attend a demonstration, if possible.

• World Space Week: 4-10 Consider visiting a planetarium, read nonfiction books about space travel, or read biographies about astronauts. 

• National Storytelling Weekend: 5-7 (1st Full Week) Do you know a storyteller?  If not, check out some library books and read folktales, fairy tales, fables, ghost stories,etc.

Linda M. Andersen copyright 2012

• Fire Prevention Week: 7-13 Review “stop, drop, and roll.”

• Great Books Week:  7-13 (1st Full Week) Have everyone in your family list one or two books they call great.  Check out the titles from the public library and takes turns reading a favorite section.  Visit here again on October 7 for a chance to meet a Newbery Award Judge. 

• National Metric Week:  7-13 (Week always has 10th in it)  Think metric.  Speak metric.  Measure metric.  GO metric!

• Kids’ Goal Setting Week: 8-12 What goals have you set for yourself?  What are you doing to achieve them?  Ask an adult to help you set goals and monitor your progress.

• World Rainforest Week:  12-18 Can you imagine spending time in the rainforest?  One of my friends did.  Check out Joy Acey’s blog posts with poems she wrote about her adventures.  See her photos below:  

•  http://poetryforkidsjoy.blogspot.com/search?q=rainforest

Macaw in Rainforest of Peru. Copyright 2012 Joy Acey

Monkeys in Rainforest of Peru. Copyright 2012 Joy Acey

 

 

• Teen Read Week:  14-20 Name your favorite authors for teens.  Read something by an author new to you.

• National Character Counts Week: 21-27 Name character traits.  Which are your strengths and which do you need to improve?  How? 

• National Chemistry Week: 21-27 Do you know someone who is taking chemistry?  Ask questions about the subject.

• Red Ribbon Week:  21-27 (Last Week)  Why is Red Ribbon Week celebrated?  How do you celebrate it

• National School Bus Safety Week:  22-26 (4th Week) How do you get to school?  Have you ever ridden a bus?  What rules do you think should be added to keep a bus ride safe?  Who can you discuss this with?

• Peace, Friendship and Good Will Week:  24-30 Name one way to improve each for the week.  Are you willing to continue doing what worked beyond a week?

• International Magic Week:  25-31 What is your favorite magic tricks?  Read and practice a magic trick.  Watch a magician’s act.

October is…

• Apple Month

• Bat Appreciation Month. What do you appreciate about bats?  Learn one more positive thing about them.

• Bullying Prevention Month  See October 10.  Think of other activities.

• Children’s Magazine Month. Read stories or articles from three magazines you don’t subscribe to.  Some magazines may be checked out from the public library.

• National Bake and Decorate Month Check for parent-child cooking programs.  Some craft stores may offer them.  Public libraries may also.

• National Book Month. Write a favorite author.  Buy a favorite author’s book.  Attend a favorite author’s book signing.  Consider doing these same things for a debut author such as the one spotlighted here this month:  Donna Earnhardt.

• National Crime Prevention Month.  Brainstorm terms about crime prevention.  Research careers in this field.

• National Dental Hygiene Month.  Do you need to replace your toothbrush?  Do you floss every day?

• National Go on a Field Trip Month. How many school field trips can you recall taking?  Where else would you like to go?

• National Stamp Collecting Month  Ask about this at your local post office?  Find out what stamps are popular now.

• Positive Attitude Month.  What could you do this entire month that demonstrates a positive attitude?  Would you be willing to try for two months?

*Thank you Brownie Locks.com for October celebration information.  For more October observances check out:  http://www.brownielocks.com/october.html 

Let’s talk:  Choose one or more of the conversation starters above and leave a comment.  Thank you for visiting “A Writer’s Playground.”  Please come again soon.  Bring a friend.

*Resources:  http//vertex42.com (calendar) and http://www.brownielocks.com/october.html(calendar observances)

Coming this week:  Debut Author, Donna

Earnhardt, and Signed Book Giveaway!

Copyright © 2012 Linda Martin Andersen

 

A Teacher Who Encourages Creativity

 

 

“A Writer’s Playground”–A place to find wordplay, writing, and monthly calendar activities for kids and those young at heart.

Today’s Theme:

Encourage Creativity–

Think outside the Box 

As a new school year kicks off, questions are in the air:  Who’s your teacher?  What’s your schedule? Which is your favorite class?

Many students would answer that art is their favorite class because it’s fun.  Art provides a chance to create and outstanding teachers encourage that creativity. 

Here to share more about art and creativity is Laura Reeves, an art teacher at an elementary school.  She is also the illustrator of a picture book series written by her former high school English teacher, Martha Goetz.  Talk about thinking outside the box!

Laura paints kitchen mural

Welcome Laura Reeves.

*Applause. 

Tell us about yourself, your art, and teaching art.

Laura’s Artist Statement:  Art is so much a part of me that I can’t imagine my life without it; I love the creative process.  The longer I am alive, the more I appreciate the gift of art.  I am inspired by simple things I see every day, as well as my own experiences, people I know, animals, and books and stories.  My Japanese heritage subtly but distinctly influences my art.  The children I teach influence my art as well: their artwork, humor, and fresh perspective on the world.
        Flowers and trees are favorite subject matter for me to paint and draw; God’s designs in nature are amazing and breathtaking and a lot of fun to paint.   A few of my favorite artists are Marc Chagall, Frida Kahlo, and Vincent Van Gogh, among countless others.  I feel very blessed to live a creative life, surrounded by family and friends.  I have been making art since I can remember, but it really feels as if I’ve only just begun…I specialize in individually commissioned paintings, murals, and illustration, but my experience includes several forms of art and design, including logo design, set painting for children’s theater, website design, and product design.  My paintings can be found in homes, businesses, and schools throughout North Carolina and in a few other states and countries, including Japan and France.

And now for the interview…

1.  Laura, today’s theme is “Encourage Creativity: Think outside the Box.” What does this mean to you?

Thinking outside the box is what art is all about.  However it is important to teach students the basic skills and elements of art so they have the tools with which to express their creativity.

2.  Describe yourself as an artist, remembering to keep today’s theme in mind.

I would describe my style as whimsical.  I don’t take my art too seriously; it would take the fun out of it.  I think art is a fascinating challenge.

3.  Name at least three ways students can “think outside the box” with art projects?

 First, don’t always stick with your first idea when brainstorming.  Sometimes the best ideas come later on in a brainstorming session.  Second, look past the obvious solutions/ideas.  Third, have fun.  Art is supposed to be fun.

4.  Name at least three ways students can “think outside the box” with other classroom assignments?

I would say the same as number 3.

5.  Describe a student art project that demonstrated “thinking outside the box.”

 Making up a monster is a very creative project in which students have to think outside the box.  The monster does not have to be realistic; it can be funny, silly, scary, whatever.  It can have as many arms, legs, eyeballs, etc. as you want. 

6.  Many students carry an art supply box.  What supplies would you suggest for an elementary child’s box?

Crayons, pencils, a pencil sharpener, color pencils, markers, and paper. 

7.  What art supplies would you suggest for middle school and high school students?

 the same as #6, except a wider variety of color pencils and higher quality art supplies

8.  Laura, please tell of a time that art made a positive difference for a student.

Any time a child is having kind of a bad day, and they leave art class feeling a little more cheerful, I am happy.  I think that happens all the time.

9.  September 10, 2012 is Swap Ideas Day.  Tell of a time students swapped ideas in art class.  Do you encourage students to swap ideas or to work independently?  Why?

My third and fourth graders like to make collaborative, elaborate drawings of towns, castles, etc.  They get ideas from books from the book shelf, their imagination, etc. It is interesting to see what they come up with.

10.  This is Apple Month.  Often students bring an apple for a favorite teacher.  How have you used apples as part of an art assignment? 

Not really, but I would like to do cut fruit and vegetable printing this year! 

11.  What words spoken by a student would mean far more to you than receiving a polished red apple?

“I love art class!”

12.  If you were leading students on a walk outdoors, what art activity might you suggest?

Doing crayon or pencil rubbings of leaves or sitting in a quiet spot and drawing from nature in a sketchbook. 

Thank you, Laura Reeves, for all you do for children and for art education.  And thank you for taking time to join us at “A Writer’s Playground.”

Have a great school year everyone!

To learn more about Laura Reeves and the Tristan Trapp book series, visit Laura’s websites:

http://www.reevesartworks.com/

http://www.tristantrapp.com/

Copyright © 2012 Linda Martin Andersen

September 2012 Activities

“September 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.

Think:  What does the word “September” bring to mind?  Labor Day.

What exactly is Labor Day?  Research it.  Is it a time to labor (work), not labor, remember something patriotic?  Do you know? 

 

What else happens in September?  Choose one of the conversation starters below and leave a comment.

Special Days in September:

• National No Rhyme (Nor Reason) Day:  1  What does this mean?
• Labor Day:  3
• Newspaper Carrier Day:  4 Do you know a newspaper carrier?  Ask your parent if you can interview him/her about the job.
• Be Late for Something Day:  5  Create a list of events you wish you could be late for.  Create a pass giving permission to be late and a reason for it. 
• “Neither Snow nor Rain” Day:  7 Who is known to work even in inclement weather?  Do you know someone with this career?  What job does he/she do?
• International Literacy Day:  8 What does literacy mean?  Why is it important?
• National Grandparent’s Day:  9 (First Sunday after Labor Day) How will you celebrate?  Will you call?  Send a card?  Visit?  Write a poem about your best memory with your grandparent(s).
• Swap Ideas Day:  10 Brainstorming is one way of swapping ideas.  What is another way?  **Check back here on Sept. 10, 2012 for a special post about an educator who encourages creativity.**
• Video Games Day:  12 Do you and your friends trade videos?  Do you checkout game books from your public library or attend gaming sessions?  What is your favorite game?  Have you taught friends to play?
• Kids Take Over The Kitchen Day:  13  What would you like to learn to cook?  Ask someone to teach you and then prepare the dish yourself on this special day.  If you have brothers or sisters, consider dividing the menu and prepare the entire meal.
• Big Whopper Liar Day:  15 (3rd Saturday)  What is a whopper? What are some things people often tell whoppers about?  Write a whopper tale or tell one.
• International Dot Day:  15 http://fablevisionlearning.com/dotday/ Read The Dot by Peter Reynolds and try activities listed here to encourage creativity.
• Mayflower Day:  16  What is the Mayflower?  Why is it remembered?  What could you do to celebrate?
• Stepfamily Day:  16  What is a stepfamily?  Are you part of a stepfamily?  What are some books you have read with characters from stepfamilies?
• Citizenship Day:  17  What do you have to do to become a United States citizen?  Do you know anyone who has applied for citizenship? Do you know anyone who has become a US citizen? 
• National Respect Day:  18  What is your definition of respect?  Make a list of people you respect.  Do you need to like a person to respect them?  Why or why not?
• Talk Like a Pirate Day:  19  What does it mean to imitate someone?  Can you imitate pirate talk?  Who else can you imitate?  Take turns imitating others with your friends.
• Dear Diary Day:  22 Do you have a diary?  Who do you let others read it?  Why do you think this day is called “Dear Diary Day?”  Name books about diaries.  Have you read any about worms, vampires, a wimpy kid,  Anne Frank, etc.?  Read or write in a diary today.
• R.E.A.D in America Day:  22 (4th Saturday)  What does R.E.A.D stand for?  When, where, and why did this begin?
• Punctuation Day:  24 Complete a grammar exercise with end punctuation.  Try one with commas.  Write a paragraph with no punctuation.  Mark where you pause.  What punctuation goes there, if any?  Do you have a grammar handbook?  What online sources do you use? 
• Google’s Birthday:  27 How old is Google?  What does “Google It” mean?  What does someone mean when they say to use the Google Box?
• World Tourism Day:  27  What are signs that someone may be a tourist?  What is a tourist trap?  Have you ever had someone ask, “Are you from around here?”  Why did they ask? Where have you traveled as a tourist?
• Ask a Stupid Question Day:  28 (Last School Day of the Month) When you say, “I have a stupid question,” how do most people respond?  “There’s no …”  Tell about a time you were embarrassed by your own question.
• National Museum Day: 29  Choose five states or countries.  Research museums in each location.  How many have you visited?  Which one would you most like to visit and why?

Special Weeks in September:

• International Enthusiasm Week:  1-8 What topics or school subjects get you excited and bursting with enthusiasm?  Find books or events you can attend.  Don’t forget to check the public library’s programming.
• Suicide Prevention Week:  9-15  Ask your parents for materials they’d recommend you read on this topic.  Do you know some of the warning signs?  Do you know anyone who commited suicide?  What should you do if you see any signs of potential suicide?
• Line Dance Week:  10-15 (Starts 2nd Mon. thru Sat.)  Name some line dances.  How many of these dances can you do?  Watch a movie with line dancing such as  Footloose (2011).  Look for DVDs using the Dewey Decimal System at the public library.  Line dancing (793s) and exercise with line dancing (613s).  Some library interfile nonfiction DVDs with books on the subject.  See how your public library organizes nonfiction DVDs.
• Pollution Prevention Week:  15-22 (Third Full Week) What is a pollution prevention program your family can adopt?  Your classroom?  Your school?  Is there a “street adoption” program in your area for groups to clean area roadsides?  Create a poster for pollution prevention.  Do you know any pollution prevention campaign poster slogans?  See if you can finish this one:  “Give a hoot…” 
• National Keep Kids Creative Week:  23-30 (Last Week)  What creative things can you plan for this week?  Challenge yourself even if you have to design your own program.  That gives you an opportunity to be all the more creative.

September is…

• Apple Month.  Set a timer.  Race a friend who  see who can name the most varieties of apples.  Spelling counts.
• Backpack Safety America Month.  research and discover these answers.  What is the pound limit recommended for filled backpacks?  What are the backpacks restrictions at your school?  For example, some schools require see-through backpacks.
• Children’s Good Manners Month. Challenge a friend to a Good Manners Contest.  Print out a blank September calendar template for each player.  List good manners words or actions.  One per day.  Set a timer or declare as the first person to write something in each square the winner, if no answer is repeated.
• International or National Guide Dogs Month.  Read a book about a guide dog.  Watch a movie on the topic.  Research the topic.  What ways are guide dogs and service dogs different? 
• International People Skills Month.  What are people skills?  Which is your strength?  Which would you like to improve?  How?
• Library Card Sign-up Month. Do you have a library card?  How often do you  use it?  What do you check out?  Do you use online data bases for research?  Do you attend programming?  What would you participate in more often?  Why?

Hibiscus from my house. Copyright Linda Andersen.

 

 

• National Prosper Where You Are Planted Month. If you were a plant, what type plant would you like to be?  Why?  What does prosper mean?  How would you prosper when compared with the type plant you selected?  What does it mean to prosper where you are planted, as a person?  How do you prosper where you’re planted?
• One-on-One Month. What do you think of when you hear one-on-one?  What are other uses of the expression?  Can you create a one-on- one expression of your own?  What would it mean?

*Thank you Brownie Locks.com for September celebration information.  For more September observances check out http://www.brownielocks.com/september.html

Let’s talk:  Choose one or more of the conversation starters above and leave a comment.  Thank you for visiting “A Writer’s Playground.”  Please come again soon.  Bring a friend.

*Resources:  http//vertex42.com (calendar) and http://www.brownielocks.com/september.html (calendar observances)

Coming Sept.10:  Laura Reeves, An Art

Teacher Who Encourages Creativity

 Copyright © 2012 Linda Martin Andersen