February–How do you pronounce it?

“February–How do you pronounce it?” by Linda Martin Andersen Think of February, and you’ll probably think of Valentine’s Day and love.  What is love?  Ask 10 people and you’ll probably get 10 different answers.  But that’s not all, we can’t even decide how to pronounce the month of love–February.  Oh my! According to  Merriam-Webster.com, two pronunciations are listed for February: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/February I found several different pronunciations for February on You Tube sites. One thing I can say for sure, there are lots of things to celebrate in February.  I hope you’ll plan fun things to do on many different days.

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February is…

• American Heart Month–Just recently, a friend told me that someone she knew had received a pacemaker.  Do you know anyone with one?  Or someone who has had heart bypass surgery?  A heart transplant?  What heart healthy tips do you know and follow?
• Bake for Family Fun Month–What do you and your family cook/bake together?  Ask friends what they prepare together.  Try something new. 
• Dog Training Education Month–Has one of your pets attended obedience school?  What did he learn? What did you learn?
• International Expect Success Month–My parents always expected success in my schooling.  What are some ways this is shown?
• Library Lovers Month–Check out a stack of library books. Choose a picture book author you haven’t read and binge on their words.  No need to worry about calories either!
• Love The Bus Month–I used to drive a school bus when I was a high school student.  Would you want to be a bus driver?  What would be something good about it?  Not so good? 
• National Bird Feeding Month–What kind of birds are seen in your area this time of year? 
• National Black History Month–Check a library’s display and find a book on this topic that you haven’t read.  Read it and share what you learn with someone.  Attend special planned events in your area. 
• National Cherry Month–I displayed artificial cherries in a container for a table centerpiece before I even knew this was national cherry month.  Eat cherry products this month.  What will you choose to eat that contains cherries?
• National Children’s Dental Health Month–Is it time for a new toothbrush, dental floss, mouth rinse, etc?  Do you need to make an appointment with the dentist.  Don’t delay!
• National Haiku Writing Month–Thanks to all who write and post poems! 
• National Hot Breakfast Month–My grandson made pancakes for his mom.  Now that’s sweet.  What hot breakfast has someone made for you?
• National Mend A Broken Heart Month–How would you suggest mending a broken heart?  Whatever you do, don’t send all the kings’ horses and all the kings’ men.  We all know that doesn’t work. 
• National Time Management Month–Do you often say, “I didn’t have enough time?”  Is there anything that can be done about it?  What time management skills are your strengths? What skills need improvement?  Who or what can help?
• National Women Inventors Month–Can you name three women inventors in a minute?  Ask a friend the same thing.  If the answer is “No,” research.  Set a goal to learn about at least three woman inventors and what they invented. Which one inspires you and why?
• Plant the Seeds of Greatness Month–What are seeds of greatness?   What seeds of greatness are you growing?
• Youth Leadership Month–Name a youth leader you admire.  Tell why?

 

 Special Weeks in February

• Boy Scout Anniversary Week: 1-7 Thank a Boy Scout and any troop leader for their dedication to the scouting program.
• Children’s Authors & Illustrators Week: 1-7 (First Full Week) Buy or check out books by an author you haven’t read or an illustrator you don’t know.  Look for their website, with parent permission.
• National School Counseling Week: 2-6 Do you have a school counselor?  Introduce yourself to this person if you haven’t already.  Ask about her job or thank the counselor for what she does.  Can you name one or more of her duties?
• Random Acts of Kindness Week: 9-15  Think of some kind act you can do for several people.  Challenge yourself by choosing someone other than a friend.
• International Friendship Week: 9-13  Think about the character traits of your friends?  Do they all have one or more in common?  What traits are these? 
• National Pancake Week: 15-21  What’s your favorite variety? How could you decorate pancakes for a friend or a family member? 
• Texas Cowboy Poetry Week: 27-28  What is cowboy poetry?  Have you ever read any?  Do you have to live in Texas to write cowboy poetry? 

 

Special Days in February

• G.I. Joe Day: 1  Who is G.I. Joe?  Why do you think he was popular?  Is he still popular?  How do you know?
• Popcorn Day: 1  What is your favorite brand of microwave popcorn?  Have you ever tried an experiment to see which brand pops the most kernels?  It makes a fun science project. 
• Robinson Crusoe Day: 1  If you could meet Robinson Crusoe, what would you invite him to do and why?  Do you think he’d enjoy his day?
• Super Bowl XLIX: 1  Can you read this numeral?  What kind of numeral is it?  What others do you know?
• Groundhog Day: 2  Which would you rather see:  a groundhog or a sled dog?  Where might you find each one?
• Sled Dog Day: 2  Name ways sled dogs are used.  Have you ever seen a sled dog or watched a television program about sled dogs?
• World Play Your Ukulele Day: 2  What does a ukulele look like?  Have you heard one played?  Where could you hear one?
• World Wetlands Day: 2 Have you ever been in an area declared as a wetlands?  What does that mean?
• Weatherman’s [Weatherperson’s] Day: 5  Does your family watch the weather, read forecasts in the newspaper or online?  When has the weatherman’s forecast helped you plan for your day?
• Canadian Maple Syrup Day: 6 Check your syrup.  Is it Maple Syrup?  Is it Canadian Maple Syrup?  What is your favorite way to eat syrup? 
• National Doodle Day: 6 What do you like to doodle?  What do you doodle?  Do you doodle while you take notes in class?  Why or why not?
• Bubble Gum Day: 6 Ask your friends to name their favorite flavors of bubble gum.  Favorite brands too.  Do you prefer chewing gum or bubble gum?  Why?
• Girl Scout Cookie Day: 6 What is your favorite flavor Girl Scout cookie?  Have you ever given these as a gift? 
• Give Kids A Smile Day: 6  Adults:  Can you make a child smile?  Kids:  Can you make an adult smile?  Why do we sometimes try to hold in a smile?
• Ice Cream For Breakfast Day: 7  If you were going to have ice cream for breakfast, what breakfast food flavor would you like to have?
• Ballet Day: 7  Name a favorite ballerina book.  What animal would you like to see star as a ballerina in a book?  Draw the scene you are imagining.
• Autism Sunday: 8 Do you know anyone who has autism?  Name things that are difficult for this person.  Have you ever helped another student in class?
• Take Your Child To The Library Day: 7  When was the last time you went to the public library?  What is your favorite section there?  How many books do you usually check out?
• National Stop Bullying Day: 9 Do you think there is more or less bullying today?  Why?  What do you think would help stop bullying?
• Read in the Bathtub Day: 9 What’s better than bubbles in the tub?  Books of course!  That is, if the tub is dry or you’re extra careful one!  What type books do you think would be just right for reading in the bathtub?  Why?
• Extraterrestrial Visitor Day: 10 Can you imagine yourself as a friend to an extraterrestrial?  What do you think you might both enjoy? 
• Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk Day: 11  What do you think this expression means? Ask an adult.  Think of it when you pour your milk.
• Get Out Your Guitar Day: 11  Can you play guitar?  Do you wish you could play in a band?  What instrument would you like to play?  Have you ever taken lessons?
• National Shut-in Visitation Day: 11  Who is a shut-in?  Do you think all people in nursing homes are shut-ins?  Why or why not?
• Lincoln’s Birthday: 12 Describe Abraham Lincoln to someone and see if the person can name him from your clues.  Which clue do you think was best?
• Paul Bunyan Day: 12 (Born Feb. 12, 1834 in Bangor, ME) Read a book about Paul Bunyan  today.    Describe the setting for his stories.  Why do you think Paul Bunyan tales are still told today?
• Blame Someone Else Day: 13 Name a time when someone else blamed you for something you didn’t do?  Can you also name a time when you blamed someone else for something you did?  Why do you think people do this?
• National Donor Day: 14  My husband is a lung transplant recipient.  Do you know what that means?  Do you know about organ donation?
• Valentine’s Day: 14  Smile every time you wish someone Happy Valentine’s Day.  Will you make cards or give gifts today?
• World Whale Day: 14 What does it mean to make today “a whale of a day?”  Do you have favorite whale books or stories?  Share them today.
• National Hippo Day: 15 Why do you think we call a hippopotamus a “hippo?”  What does it mean to say someone looks like a hippo?  Is that a compliment or an insult?  Why?
• Presidents Day: 16  How can you celebrate George Washington and Abraham Lincoln today?  Other presidents?  Perhaps you’d like to research one of them. 
• My Way Day: 17  If you could have your way all day today, what would that look like?  Would it make you happy?  Would it make others happy too?
• World Thinking Day: 22 What can you think on today about our world?  Are there any changes you are willing to make?  What are they?
• George Washington’s Birthday: 22  Where do you see this person’s picture?  What comes to mind when you hear his name?
• Inconvenience Yourself Day: 25 Why would anyone be willing to inconvenience themselves?  Name a way you are willing to do this today.
• For Pete’s Sake Day: 26  What do you think “for Pete’s sake” means?  Ask an adult.  Have you ever heard it said?  Why do you think someone said this instead of something else?
• National Tooth Fairy Day: 28  What is the most money the tooth fairy ever left you?  Do you have any loose teeth?  Tell about a time someone helped you pull a loose tooth. 

What special things will you choose to do this month?  Please leave a comment below.  Thanks for visiting “A Writer’s Playground.”  Come again soon and bring a friend. Children 13 years old or older may leave a comment. Read more about the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. (COPPA) See: http://www.coppa.org/coppa.htm

It’s February. Don’t You LOVE It?

“It’s February.  Don’t You LOVE It?” 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 “February” bring to mind?  Cupids, bows and arrows, valentines, chocolates, flowers, sweethearts, romance, etc.  Check the listing below for many more ways to remember February.

Special Days in February:

• Bubble Gum Day:  1—-Smack your gum.  Blow a bubble.  Read Bubble Gum by LisaWheeler and learn what happens when toad gets stuck in gum.  For activities and an except check the author’s site here:  http://www.lisawheelerbooks.com/LW/bubblegum.html

• Have a contest for… the biggest bubble, chewing one piece all day long (honor system), or naming 10 different flavors in 10 seconds.  

• Survey your friends.  Categories:  Favorite flavors, those who can blow a bubble, or those who can rub their belly and chew at the same time.   What other categories can you name? 

• Picture book writers, check out Lisa Wheeler’s Boot Camp at www.lisawheelerbooks.com

• Give Kids a Smile Day:  1  Kids, remind adults all day that it’s “Give Kids a Smile Day.”  Count the number of smiles you get.  Be sure to give one back.

• Groundhog Day:  2  In or out?  Spring or winter?  Shadow or no shadow?  Which do you wish for?  Why?

• Have you read Punxsutawney Phyllis by Susanna Leonard Hill?  I hope you will.   Check out the author’s website at http://www.susannahill.com/punxsutawneyphyllis.html

• Picture book writers, Susanna Leonard Hill conducts online writing courses.  Check it out at www.susannahill.com

• Sled Dog Day:  2  Create writing prompts about sled dogs and dog sled races.  Place each prompt on a slip of paper and share them with your teacher.  Perhaps your class will use one or more of these today or later this month.

• World Wetlands Day:  2  What is a wetland?  Where have wetlands been drained?  Is draining wetlands recommended today?  Why or why not?

• Ballet Day:  7  Have you ever attended a ballet?  Have you ever taken ballet class?  Have you been in a recital or performance?  Do a subject search on your public library or school library site and see how many books are in their collection about ballet.  Which genre had the largest collection?  Look for one that interests you.   

• Laugh and Get Rich Day:  8  What do you think this special day is all about?  Do you know the expression “laugh all the way to the bank?”  What do you think that means?  Discuss your ideas with a parent.

• National Stop bullying Day:  9  Tell about a time you were afraid of a bully.  What do these terms mean:  bully, victim, and bystander?  What can you do to prevent or stop bullying?

• Read in the Bathtub Day:  9  Have you ever read in the bathtub?  Have you ever played with toys in the bathtub?  Tell a bathtub story you know.

• National Shut-in Visitation Day:  11  What is a shut-in?  Do you know one?  When have you visited someone who is shut-in?  Tell about it.

• Lincoln’s Birthday:  12  Pretend you were asked to do a photo shoot of Lincoln and Washington.  What backgrounds would you use?  Why?  What prop would you have each to hold?  Are the images you see of these presidents on bulletin boards the same cardboard headshots you’ve seen for years?  Get creative this year.  Research images, books, online sites.  Make a collage.  Learn facts  about Lincoln and Washington while you look for photographs.

• Paul Bunyan Day:  12  If you were to run into Paul Bunyan, who would mostly likely be with him?  What would they be doing?  Read a book about this folk hero.  Tell how you are like him.  How are you different. 

• Ferris Wheel Day:  14  Ferris wheels–Do you love ’em or hate ’em?  Have you ever ridden a double ferris wheel?  Pinpoint the states where you’ve visited amusement parks.

• National Donor Day:  14  What is an organ donor?  Research to learn more.  What organ is most frequently donated?

• Valentines Day:  14  What is your favorite valentine symbol?  Why?  What would be your ideal Valentine’s Day celebration?  Tell about a special Valentine’s Day memory.

• National Hippo Day:  15  What hippo book characters do you know?  Do a title search at your library and read fiction and nonfiction hippo books. 

• National Gum Drop Day:  15  Do you eat gum drops?  Have you ever used them to create craft projects?  Name what you made.  I’ve made  gum drop trees for Christmas.  Have you?       

• My Way Day:  17  Name five things you would ask for if it was “My Way Day.”

• Battery Day: 18  Survey friends and family for their favorite “toy” that uses batteries.  What size does it require?

• Cow Milked While Flying In an Airplane Day:  18  Just for fun name an animal, an action, and a mode of transportation.  Make it a special day to celebrate.  Please leave your creation in the comment section.

• Pluto Day:  18  Brainstorm the word “Pluto.”  Which is your favorite use for the word?  Why?

• Presidents Day:  18  Which presidents are celebrated this day?  What will you do to celebrate?  See the suggestions above for Lincoln’s birthday on Feb. 12.

• World Thinking Day:  22  What are three key things that the world needs to think about? 

• George Washington’s Birthday:  22  What picture comes in your mind when someone mentions George Washington’s name?  Research to learn three important facts you did not know about George Washington.  Would you rather have known him when he was a child, a general, or a president?  why?

• International Sword Swallowers Day:  23  Have you ever seen a sword swallowers perform?  Look for books and research about sword swallowers.  Locate jokes and riddles about them too.  Check for performances on videos or dvds. 

• For Pete’s Sake Day:  26   What does this expression mean:  For Pete’s Sake.  When do people use this saying?  Have you ever heard it?  When?

• Inconvenience Yourself Day:  27  What does it mean to inconvenience yourself?  Why would you do that?  Look for ways to show respect for others, self, and things.

• National Tooth Fairy Day:  28 Book Titles  What story can you tell about leaving a tooth for the tooth fairy?

Special Weeks in February:

• Children’s Authors & Illustrators Week:  3-9  Who is your favorite author?  Who is your favorite illustrator?  Tell a friend and ask who is his/her favorite.  Consider reading something by that author or illustrator.  Visit an author or illustrator’s website.  Check out their published books.  Look for a title you’d like to read.

• International Coaching Week: 3-9  Who is your favorite coach.  Make a card and send it.  Bake a plate of cookies and deliver it.

• International Friendship Week:  4-8  Who is your best friend?  Do you have a friend in another state or country?  Think of something you can do for your friend.  Do it!

• National School Counseling Week:  4-8  Does your school have a counselor?  Name three or more things the counselor does for students.  Have you ever talked with him/her?  What can you do to recognize this person?

• Jell-O Week: 10-16  What is your favorite flavor?  Do you like fruit  in your jello?  Do you eat it with whipped topping?  Ask your parents if you can help make some.  Eat jello with your family.  Just for fun, create ways to eat it.  For example, tap it with a spoon and count to three.  Is it still wiggling?

• National Pancake Week:  10-16  Can you name pancake varieties from A-Z?

• Random Acts of Kindness:  10-16  Who could you do something nice for without telling them your plans ahead of time?

• National Green Week:  11-17  What does “green” mean to you? What ways do you practice being “green?”  Please visit again on February 11, 2013 for a guest blog by tween author Bonnie Doerr about “being green.”

• Great Backyard Bird Count:  15-17  Have you ever participated in this event?  Learn more about it.

• Read Me Week: 21-25  How will you celebrate?  Do you have a book on a shelf you’ve never read or one you haven’t read in a year or more?  Read anything you like, just read!

• Peace Corps Week:  25-3/3  Research about the Peace Corps.  Do you know anyone who has volunteered for this group?  What things has the Peace Corp done to assist others?  Name at least three things.

February is…

• Heart Month  What celebrations are going on in your community?  Read a nonfiction book about the heart.  Read a fiction book with “heart” in the title.  Name heart healthy exercises.

• Bake for Family Fun Month  What will you and your family bake for fun?  Try doubling a recipe.  Learn a substitute for a food ingredient.  These are included in many cookbooks.

• Dog Training Education Month  What kind of trainings are there for dogs.  Research and see.

• From Africa to Virginia Month  Do some globe or world atlas studies.  Study and learn the names of locations.  Check your public library for a data base on world cultures.  Learn about somewhere you’ve never been.

• International Boost Self-Esteem Month  Joan Edwards, a friend of mine likes to say, “Do something to celebrate you.”  I hope you will take her advice.

• International Expect Success Month  Name a success you have had recently.  Name one you expect to have this month.

• Library Lovers Month  Please tell a librarian something you love at the library.  Try something new there this month.

• National Black History Month  Research two African American heroes who are lesser known.

• National Children’s Dental Health Month  Who is your dentist?  Call him/her and say, “Thank you.”  How can you improve your dental health habits.

• National Time Management Month  How can you spend your time more wisely?  Share your ideas with your parents.  Set a goal for one of these areas.  Good luck!

• Youth Leadership Month  Name one or more youth leaders who has made a difference in your life.  What ways has this person helped you to be a better person?  Thank them for that improvement.

• Lent:  What is Lent?  How is it celebrated?  Have you ever given up something for lent?  What does that mean?

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

Coming soon:  A guest blog by Bonnie Doerr for National Green Week (Feb. 11-17)

Copyright © 2013 Linda Martin Andersen

August 2012 Activities

“August 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 “August” bring to mind?

• End of summer vacation
• School supplies, fall clothes, backpacks, and all things Back to School.
• Tax Free Weekend–Here’s a link to Department of Revenue in North Carolina.  Check to see if your state participates.  http://www.dor.state.nc.us/press/2012/salesholiday.html

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

Special Days in August:

• Respect for Parents:  1  What’s one way you show your parents respect?  What’s one way you can improve?
• World Wide Web Day:  1  Brainstorm internet terms.  Name ways the internet has made positive and negative differences.  Use the internet to connect with family and friends near and far away.
• Watermelon Day:  3  List the products you know with watermelon flavor.  Which would you recommend to a friend?
• National Chocolate Chip Day:  4  What can you add chocolate chips to today?  Pancakes, cookies, trailmix, etc.
• National Mustard Day:  4 (1st Saturday)  Read the parable of the mustard seed.  What do you think it means?  Do you like hotdogs and hamburgers with or without mustard?  Do you like honey mustard or spicy mustard? 
• Social Security Day:  4 Ask your parents or grandparents to explain what Social Security is.  Do they predict it will exist in the future?  What would they recommend be done, if anything?
• Friendship Day:  5 (1st Sunday) Visit again on Friendship Day for an interview with Julie Bowe. Also, enter a giveaway for a signed copy of My Extra Best Friend, the last book in her “Friends for Keeps” Series.
• National Kids’ Day:  5 (1st Sunday) What would be your idea of a picture perfect Kids’ Day?
• Vinyl Record Day:  12 Ask your parents or grandparents about the history, size, and speed of vinyl records.  Does anyone you know collect these?  Have you ever played one on a record player?
• International Lefthander’s Day:  13  Research names of people who are lefthanded.   Tell of a time you noticed a left-hander doing something differently from a righthander.  What are other things they do differently?
• Poet’s Day:  21  I know a poet who writes a poem a day for kids and posts it on her blog.   She told me that she wished she could eat a sandwich with her favorite poet for Poet’s Day.  I can’t arrange that, but maybe I can persuade you to share one of your poems with her. Follow this link to meet Joy Acey, the Princess of Poetry:  http://www.poetryforkidsjoy.blogspot.com/ Leave her a comment.  Follow her blog and begin writing poetry every day like Joy.
• Senior Citizen’s Day:  21  What is a senior citizen?  Make a list of all the senior citizens you know.  Do they live in a rest home, nursing home, at home, with family members?  Do you have senior citizens in your neighborhood?  In your church?  How can you help seniors?  Get your parents’ permission first.

Special Weeks in August:

• International Clown Week:  1-7 Do you know anyone who is afraid of clowns?  What is that fear called?  What is your most pleasant memory of a clown?  What is your favorite book with a clown?  Read it again.  What fast food restaurant(s) uses a clown character for advertising?  Where else do you see clowns?
• Exercise With Your Child Week:  6-12  What type exercise does your family do together?  What would you like to do together?  Why not ask?
• National Scrabble Week:  11-15  Have you ever played Scrabble?  Other word games?  Have you ever visited a library for a game night there?  Does your family play board games together?  Why not start a board game club?
• National Aviation Week 15-21 Visit Wright Brothers Memorial in Kitty Hawk, NC, home of the first successful airplane flight in 1903.  Check their website:  http://www.nps.gov/wrbr/index.htm  The park schedules events for kids including homemade kite flying and a way to earn Junior Ranger badges.  Read a book about Wilbur and Orville Wright.
• Little League Baseball World Series:  17-26 Research the history of Little League Baseball.  Have you ever played for a baseball team?  What position did you play?  Tell about a favorite memory.
• Be Kind to Humankind Week:  25-31 What are random acts of kindness?  Try one.  Get parent permission first.
• National Safe at Home Week:  27-31 (Last M-F Week)  Do you have a home safety plan?  A fire escape plan?  Create and post an evacuation plan and practice it.  Schools have drills.  Homes can too.

August is…

• American Indian Heritage Month  What Native Americans are in your area?  Learn more about one of them.  Read books about Native Americans.
• What Will Be Your Legacy Month  What is a legacy?  What do you want yours to be?  Discuss your ideas with your parents.  Set goals.

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

Coming next: Meet Julie Bowe, author of “Friends For Keeps” Series and Register for a Signed Copy Giveaway

Copyright © 2012 Linda Martin Andersen