July 2015 and You

  “July 2015 and You” by Linda Martin Andersen

 

Here are This Month’s Top Four Recipients: July 2015 and You Awards (selected by me for this site only)

http://www.quozio.com

I chose “July 2015 and You” as this month’s theme to remind us that we are individuals, as well as a part of the whole.  Days bearing the words “global and international” were spotlighted.  I encourage you to check the award list and celebrate one or more of these in a special way.  Be connected to the world, as well as to your little corner of it.

Special Days to Celebrate in July..

• U.S. Postage Stamp Day: 1  What did postage stamps cost the year you were born?   Check here for answers to many questions about the postal service:

http://about.usps.com/

• I  Forgot Day: 2  Name three important things you forgot.  For example, a homework assignment, a friend’s birthday, etc.  Did you apologize?  Did you try to make it up somehow?  List ways to help you remember key things.
• Fourth of July or Independence Day: 4  Even if I don’t see fireworks on this day, I celebrate in my imagination.  If you live in the USA, what ways do you celebrate this holiday?
• Father-Daughter Take A Walk Together Day: 7  Share about a special time  one-on-one with a parent.
• Global Forgiveness Day: 7  What does this mean to you?  How can you experience this?
• Simplicity Day: 12  Name a simple, kind act you can do for someone today.   Who will receive this?
• International Town Criers Day: 13  I am writing a story which includes a child pretending to be a town crier.  What words might a town crier say?  How does his message usually begin?  What prop might he carry?  Research to learn more about town criers and their importance in history.  Do you see town criers today?  Why or why not?
• Take Your Poet To Work Day: 15  If you don’t know any poets personally, how could you take one to work today?  Check here for ideas too:  http://makesyoumom.com/take-your-poet-to-work-day-is-coming-july-15/
• Celebration of The Horse Day: 18-19  Do you read horse stories?  Read one to celebrate.  Visit horse stables in your area, a rodeo, or other events with horses.  Research horses. 
• Toss Away the “Could Haves” and “Should Haves” Day: 18  What positive statements could you make instead?  For example:  I made a wise decision when I… I am proud that I….I made a positive difference when I…
• Global Hug Your Kid Day: 20  Kids, I hope you receive lots of hugs today.  Adults, I hope you receive some also.
• Moon Day: 20  What would you like to learn about the moon today?  Check  websites, books,  the night sky, visit a planetarium, study through a telescope.  Read picture book about the moon.  Share one with a child.    Carol Baldwin, a writer friend, shared a link to School Tube on her blog.  Kevin Costner and Jullian Estell read Catching the Moon:  The Story of a Young Girl’s Baseball Dream (Marcenia Lyle)by Crystal Hubbard and Randy DuBurke.  Enjoy.

http://www.schooltube.com/video/e57d1a4b476441ec8c02/Catching%20the%20Moon%20read%20by%20Kevin%20Costner%20and%20Jillian%20Estell

Did you know there are moon flowers? See here:  http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/vines/moonflower/growing-moonflowers.htm

• Space Exploration Day: 20  Brainstorm space words.  Choose one as your space word of the day.   Draw, write, read about the word you selected.  Who can you share your experiences with? 
• National Lollipop Day: 20 Would you like to see how Dum-Dums are made?  How many do you think are made a day?  See here:

http://www.dumdumpops.com/games-videos/videos/how-dum-dums-are-made

• International Cake Day: 20  What if everyone in the world ate cake today or at least some bread?  We’d all have that much in common.  What else do you think you might have in common with everyone else?  What type cake would you nominate for this day?  If you know people in other countries, invite them to celebrate with cake on this day. 
• Tell An Old Joke Day: 24  What’s the oldest joke you know?  One about a chicken and a road?  A knock-knock joke?  Want to know some more old jokes?  See here:  http://lajollamom.com/kid-friendly-knock-knock-jokes/
• Carousel Day or Merry-Go-Round Day: 25–How old were you when you rode your first Merry-G0-Round?  Where were you?  Did you pick your seat or was it assigned?  Can you describe the animal you rode?  Did you ride alone or with an adult by your side?  Have you ridden a Merry-Go-Round since that day? 
• National Dance Day: 25  Name your favorite dance.  Have you ever taken dance lessons?  Have you attended a dance recital? Whose?  Have you participated in a dance recital?  Teach someone a dance step or two or earn a dance step or two yourself. 
• National Day of the Cowboy : 25  Brainstorm cowboy words.  Name an actor who plays a cowboy.  What movie or TV show was he in?  Do you have a favorite Western movie or TV program?  Ask your parents to name theirs. 
• Video Games Day: 25  What games do you play?  Tell about a day when you played video games with a friend?  What happened? 
• Walk on Stilts Day: 27  Have you ever seen anyone walk on stilts?  Where were you? Have you ever read a book about performers?  Check the library for books about circus performers.  Check for information about stilts.   
• International Day of Friendship: 30  Do you have any friends in other countries?  How do you know them?  How do you keep in touch?  Have you been to your friend’s country?  What keeps your friendship going? 
•  Paperback Book Day: 30  How many paperback books do you own?  Do you prefer hardback books or paperbacks and why?  Pull out one of your favorite  paperback books and read it today. 

 

Special Weeks in July…

National Zoo Keeper Week: 19-25  A big shout out to my favorite zoo keeper:  Melissa Barr.  Learn about her here:  https://lindamartinandersen.wordpress.com/2012/07/14/meet-melissa-barr-a-zookeeper-at-north-carolina-zoological-park/

World Lumberjack Championships: 23-25  Have you ever been to a lumberjack championship?  What events would you expect to see?  Research to learn more.  To see an earlier guest blog post by Tim Livingston featuring some lumberjack events check here:  https://lindamartinandersen.wordpress.com/2013/07/27/timber-sports-lumberjack-skills-in-axetion/

 

July is…

National Grilling Month

National Ice Cream Month

National Hot Dog Month

National Parks & Recreation Month

Sandwich Generation Month

Name your favorites for each of these categories or name an example you’ve never experienced and why you’d like to try it. 

For a broader list of special days to celebrate,  visit:  http://www.brownielocks.com/july.html

I hope you’ll leave a comment.  Thanks for stopping in.  Come again soon and bring a friend.  Please remember that children 13 and under need an adult to comment for them. Thank you!

It’s July–What Outings Are on Your Calendar?

“It’s July–What Outings Are on Your Calendar?” 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 “July” bring to mind? In the USA: fireworks, and all things red, white, and blue to celebrate the Fourth of July.  It also means days at the pool, lake, or beach.  Summer camps, Vacation Bible School, and time out of school.  Family reunions and family vacations.  Ice cream, watermelon, and fresh fruits and vegetables from the garden or a local produce stand.  Hot, humid days, sunburns, and time in the SUN.

Make a list of outdoor events you’d like to attend.  Discuss them with your family.  Volunteer to help with planning and preparation. 

Special Days in July:

• U.S. Postage Stamp Day:  1  For those who live in the U.S, visit your local post office today or some time this month.  Wish them Happy U.S. Postage Stamp Day.  Do you collect stamps?  Do you have favorites?  Ask to see a brochure of stamps for sale.  Why not buy a sheet, a book, or a roll of stamps?
• I Forgot Day:  2  Find a book about a character who forgets things.   Here’s one suggestion:  I Just Forgot (Critter Series) by Mercer Mayer
• World UFO Day:  2  What is a UFO?  Research a UFO sighting.  Do you think UFOs exist?  Why or why not?
• Compliment Your Mirror Day:  3  What is a compliment?  Give an example.  What does it mean to compliment your mirror?  Give an example.  When you see your mom look in the mirror, give her a compliment. 
• Fourth of July or Independence Day:  4  What is your favorite way to celebrate this day?  Have you been to a fireworks show?  Does your family grill out for the Fourth?  What foods do you serve?  Do you usually stay at home or go on vacation for this holiday?  Research early Fourth of July celebrations.  Did they have fireworks?
• Global Forgiveness Day:  7  What is forgiveness?  Do you know the expression “forgive and forget?”  What does it mean to you?  When I read the name of this celebration, I thought of more than one meaning for global.  Global can mean worldwide or all of something.  Have you ever forgiven part of what someone did to you and not all of it?   Tell about it.
• Tell the Truth Day:  7  What book character comes to mind?  Tell about a time when you were honest, even though  you knew you would get in trouble.
• International Town Criers Day:  8  What is a town crier?  What did he usually hold in his hand?  Why?  What words did he cry out to get your attention?  Why did he want people to hear his message?
• Slurpee Day:  11  How many different locations can you name where you have bought a slurpee?  What is the difference between a slurpee, an icee, ice cone, and shaved ice?  Which do you prefer?  Why?  Have you ever made your own?  Search for recipes.
• Collector Car Appreciation Day:  12  I know three car collectors.  Do you know any?  Have you ever been to a car show?  Did you talk to any of the owners?  Once, I passed by a house with a special glass showroom for collector cars.  What stories can you share about collector cars?  Here’s a photo of one I’ve ridden in. 

1929 Model A ride to celebrate my first magazine publication. Copyright 2012. Linda Andersen

• National French Fries Day:  13  Survey your friends and discover which fast food fries they prefer.  Ask which style they choose at home:  wrinkle cut, home fries, or skinny fries.  Find out how many eat homemade fries at home.  Ask if they deep fat fry or bake in the oven.  Chart your results.  Ask who eats fries with ketchup.  Consider gathering friends for a get-together where everyone brings his/her own fries.
• Gummi Worm Day:  15  What does it mean to “worm” something out of someone?  What does it mean to “worm” out of something?  http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/worm+out+of
• Do you know who created gummi candy?  Research to find out.  Name ways to have fun with gummi worms.  Here are some food suggestions: 
• Have you ever eaten a “dirt” cake?  Would you like to make one?  Gummi worms are optional.  http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/dirt-cake
• Here’s a link to a YouTube video showing how to make homemade gummi worms (sugar free)  Good for Type 1 diabetic kids (T1 Kids)  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEMqOMExjo8
• National Get Out of the Doghouse Day:  15  What does this expression mean:  get out of the doghouse?  Name comic strip characters who get in the doghouse.  Do you know book characters who do also.  Name them. 
• Celebration of the Horse Day:  20-21  Name favorite horse movies and books.  Brainstorm words you think of when you hear the word “horse.”   Find nonfiction books at the library about horses.  Use these resources to add to your brainstorm list.  Think of a horse project you can try such as interviewing someone who stables horses or make a collage about horses, etc.  Name famous horses and tell why they are remembered.  If you were to ride a horse, what kind would you like to ride and why?
• National Lollipop Day:  20  Name businesses that give away suckers to children.  Is a sucker different from a lollipop?  If so, how?  What flavor is your favorite?  Which is one you do not like?
• Cousins Day:  24  Do you have cousins?  Are they first cousins, second cousins, or some other category?  Who can explain the family tree to you?  Have you ever made one of your own?
• Tell am Old Joke Day:  24  What is one of the oldest jokes or riddles you know?  Change it somehow. Make it an original idea or borrow from another expression.  Tell it to a friend.  For example:  Why did the chicken cross the road?  “To see if the grass was greener on the other side.”
• National Dance Day:  27  Have you ever taken a dance class?  Which kind?  Tell a story about it to someone and have them share their experiences with you.  Ask them to teach you a dance step and you teach them one.
• Walk on Stilts Day:  27 Have you ever seen someone walk on stilts?  Where were you?  What people walk on stilts for their job?  Research and see.  Not all are entertainers.
• Aunties Day:  28  Name your aunts.  Name something you like about each one.  Find a way to let them know on this day.  Read a book with an aunt as character.  Yuri’s Brush with Magic by Maureen Wartski features an aunt from Japan who visits North Carolina. 

                                    Truman’s Aunt Farm by James Kim Rattigan is about a birthday gift from Aunt Fran.  What other titles do you know and recommend? 

• Rain Day:  29 Look for poems or stories that include rain.  Watch a documentary on TV or DVD about the tropical rain forest or other locations with high rainfall.  Watch a documentary about people who work in the rain or in areas that are swampy such as “swamp loggers.”  Research tropical storms, hurricanes, or flash floods.  Name ways to keep storm drains clean.  What other ideas come to mind?
• Paperback book Day:  30  How big is your paperback collection? Is it getting larger or smaller?  Why?  What do you do with copies you have read?  Consider swapping with friends or donating to a public library. 

Special Weeks in July:

• National Farriers Week:  7-13  What is a farrier?  What does he/she do?  Research about farriers.  Find books, videos, DVDs about the subject.
• National Ventriloquism Week:  17-21  Name a ventriloquist.  What was his/her dummy’s name?  Was the routine funny?  If so, who got to tell the punch line most times?  Why do you think so?
• National Scrabble Week:  21-24  Do you have a Scrabble game?  If so, who would you like to invite to play with you?  Or consider asking a friend who owns this game to teach you to play.  Why not have a family game night?  Invite friends to bring a favorite game board and enjoy a game night together.
• National Zoo Keeper Week:  21-27  What is a zookeeper’s job?  Revisit the interview with Melissa Barr at this blog last summer:  https://lindamartinandersen.wordpress.com/2012/07/14/meet-melissa-barr-a-zookeeper-at-north-carolina-zoological-park/  If we all call out Melissa Barr’s name, maybe she’ll join us again this summer!  Come on, shout it:  MELISSA BARR!
• World Lumberjack Championships:  25-27  What is a lumberjack?  Is that the same as a forester?  Research to see.  Check the link here to learn about competitions at the championship:  http://www.lumberjackworldchampionships.com/lumberjack-events.php

July is…

• Air-Conditioning Appreciation Days (7/3 to 8/15) Do you have air conditioning in your home?  Have you  ever had your air conditioner to break down?  How did you keep cool?  Have you ever stayed overnight somewhere with no air conditioning?  Tell about it.  Research air conditioning and its inventor.
• Family Reunion Month  Have you ever been to a family reunion?  Did everyone bring a covered dish or was a meal catered?  Were games played?  What did you enjoy most about your experience?  Would you like for reunions to continue?  What can you do to make that possible? 
• National Grilling Month  What comes to mind when you hear the word “grill?”  Does your family own a grill?  What is your favorite grilled food?  Tell about a time you went to a cookout.  
• National Ice Cream Month  What is your favorite flavor ice cream?  I read that the national flavor is “vanilla.”  If you nominated a favorite flavor, what would it be and why?  Survey friends to find out their responses.
• National Recreation and Parks Month  Name three parks or recreation centers you have visited.  Recall a memory you have of each one.  Would you recommend this location to a friend.  Ask a friend which ones he/she would recommend to you.  Create a flyer about favorite sites and post them around town or pass them out in your class in school.
• National Wheelchair Beautification Month  Who do you know who uses a wheelchair? Give a gift to beautify the ride this month.  Items to consider:  flag, silk flower, ribbons, streamers, and a sign. 
• National Blueberries Month Did you know that blueberries are very good for you?  Do you know why?  Consider going to pick some at a blueberry farm.  It would make a great outing.  Maybe you can make muffins or other desserts with blueberries.
• National Hot Dog Month  What day of the month do you think more hotdogs will be eaten this month?  Why?  Will you eat some that day?  What places do you think of when someone mentions hotdogs?  Why?  How do you like yours prepared?  With what toppings?

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

Thank you for visiting “A Writer’s Playground.” Please come again soon.  Bring a friend. 

Copyright © 2013 Linda Martin Andersen

July 2012 Activities

“July 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 “July” bring to mind?

• Fourth of July, fireworks, picnics, and family reunions.
• Swims in the pool, lake or ocean. 
• And no school. 
• Time to read whatever you like.  If you are interested in nonfiction, David L. Harrison and Cheryl Nathan’s book is sure to spark attention.  It compares volcanoes to fireworks.  Visit David L. Harrison at  http://www.davidlharrison.com/.  Check out his blog too.  There’s a page for kids to publish their poems.  See the illustrator’s site at http://www.cherylnathan.com/books.html .

Vocanoes–Nature’s Incredible Fireworks by David L. Harrison51gTrbuepXL__SS500_

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

Special Days in July:

• I Forgot Day: 2 (Name a time you forgot something.  What did you do about it?)
• Made in USA Day: 2 (Divide the room in half.  Check labels on one side of the room and have a friend check the other side.  Set a timer for three minutes.  The winner is the one who locates the most USA products.)
• World UFO Day: 2 (Watch old movies about UFOs.  Share titles you liked with a friend.)
• Fourth of July or Independence Day: 4  (Read books that mention the Fourth of July or Independence Day.  Suggested Middle Grade title:  Glory Be by Augusta Scattergood.  See http://augustascattergood.com/books/bk_glory.html)  Historical fiction centered around segregation of a public pool in Mississippi in 1964.  Apple Pie Fourth of July (Chinese American girl) and Declaration of Interdependence (poems) by Janet S. Wong.  See http://www.janetwong.com/books/index.cfm
• Global Forgiveness Day: 7 (Who do you need to forgive?  Send them a card.  Who do you need to ask to forgive you?  Send them a card.)
• Tell the Truth Day: 7 (What is that promise made on the witness stand at a trial?  Watch a movie about a court trial.)
• Chocolate Day: 7 (Plan a menu for the day.  Serve chocolate at each meal.  Help prepare the chocolate dishes.  Be sure to eat some.  Share with a friend.)
• Gummi Worm Day: 15 (Eat gummi worms while reading books about worms such as Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin at http://www.doreencronin.com/www.doreencronin.com/Home.html  and illustrated by Harry Bliss.  See http://www.harrybliss.com/main_content.html  Write a diary entry pretending you’re a gummi worm.  Look for Wiggle and Waggle (chapter book)by Caroline Arnold.  See www.carolinearnold.com  It is illustrated by Mary Peterson.  See http://www.marypeterson.com/  Check out the worm facts in the back of the book.)
• National Lollipop Day: 20 (List as many lollipop flavors as you can.  Assign a flavor to each friend and tell why you chose that one.)
• Toss Away the “Could Haves” and “Should Haves” Day: 21 (When have you used these words in a sentence?  Write down what you said and then toss the paper away.  Example:  I could have made a home run, if I hadn’t stopped at third.)
• Paperback Book Day: 30.  (Fill your backpack with paperback books.  Pull one out and reread it.  What’s your favorite paperback?  Recommend it to someone.  Swap  with a friend)
• Tell an Old Joke Day: 24 (Here’s one for you:  What are 3 good reasons to be a teacher?Answer:  June, July, and August.  Ask a friend to join you in  reading and sharing old jokes. Favorite first words of your conversation:  “Here’s one for you.” or “Do you know this one?”  Make up jokes or riddles of your own.) 

Special Weeks in July:

• Dog Days (3-11): (Do you know why this week got this name?  What does it mean?  Name three things you do to stay cool during Dog Days.  Ask friends for their ideas.)
• National Zoo Keepers Week (15-21): (When was the last time you visited a zoo?  What was your favorite animal doing when you visited his area?  What would you like to ask a zookeeper?  Be sure to visit “A Writer’s Playground” during National Zoo Keepers Week for your chance to ask a zookeeper a question.)
• National Ventriloquism Week: (18-21) (Find a ventriloquism act to watch in person or see one on television or a movie.)
• World Lumberjack Championship: 27-29.  (Research.  Can you name a real lumberjack and one from a folktale? What was his/her record?)

July is…

• Cell Phone Courtesy Month (Describe a sign you’ve seen in a public place reminding customers to use cell phone courtesy)
• Family Reunion Month (Do you know all your cousins, aunts, uncles?  Could you help plan a reunion?  What about a skype reunion?)
• National Grilling Month (What is your favorite grilled food?  Does your family grill inside, outside, with gas, charcoal,  or wood?  Who does the grilling at your house?)
• National Ice Cream Month (Have you ever churned ice cream?  What flavor of homemade ice cream is your favorite?)

*Thank you Brownie Locks.com for July celebration information.  For more July observances check out: http://www.brownielocks.com/july.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/july.html (calendar observances)

Coming next:  Meet Melissa Barr,a zookeeper from the North Carolina Zoological Park in Asheboro.  Celebrate National Zookeeper Week (July 15-21)

Copyright © 2012 Linda Martin Andersen