“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)
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:
- 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.
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!
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