May Week 1| An Idea for Every Day

(Updated 4/20/2022.)

Are you ready for May?  It's right around the corner whether you are or not!  May means flowers, mothers, Star Wars, and in our family - birthdays. For your celebration considerations, we offer our ideas up to you in several different ways:
Each day in May has a new reason to celebrate!  Combine these celebrations with learning, social emotional development and fun for your preschool to elementary learners.
Click here to download this calendar.
  • Find even more ideas for every day on our Pinterest board.
  • Return here weekly to read about the upcoming celebrations in more detail. 
And now, dear leaders, we will reveal to you ideas for every day of this upcoming week in May (May 3rd to May 9th).

Sunday, May 3rd - World Laughter Day

Discover ways to laugh the day away on May 3rd with Wolfe Stew.

You’ve heard the saying, “Laughter is the best medicine.”  Research confirms it. Among numerous additional positive effects, laughter boosts immunity and mood while negating effects of stress and pain (Robinson, et al., Laughter is the Best Medicine).  And, let’s be honest, we all know the world could use an extra dose of laughter right now.  But...how to laugh? It’s unlikely to happen naturally. Why not put yourself in situations that promote laughter?

Watch a funny movie. Make it a family affair and choose one from this family-friendly movie list assembled by Common Sense Media. Common Sense Media provides you with age range recommendations, a rating, a brief summary, potential elements of concern, and links to streaming or purchasing options. We found the following videos on each of the below streaming services.  Keep in mind, the age recommendation increases as each list continues:
  • On Disney Plus: Lilo & Stitch; Monsters, Inc.; Toy Story; Toy Story 4; Aladdin; Cars 3; The Emperor’s New Groove; Finding Dory; Ice Age; Inside Out; Moana; The Muppet Movie; Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made; Wreck-It Ralph; Freaky Friday; The Kid; The Sandlot; Zootopia; Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day; Diary of a Wimpy Kid; Home Alone; Ant Man; Guardians of the Galaxy 2
  • On Netflix: A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Famrageddon; Despicable Me; Groundhog Day; My Life as a Zucchini; Ferris Bueller’s Day Off; Monty Python and the Holy Grail
  • On Amazon: Paddington (with ads); Storks; Trolls; Blinded by the Light
  • On Hulu: Some Like it Hot; 13 Going on 30; The Bad News Bears; Little Shop of Horrors; Mrs. Doubtfire; Spaceballs; Blinded by the Light; Instant Family; Little Miss Sunshine

Read a humorous story.

Tell a joke (or two) with Tiny Bean's 300 + Best Jokes for Kids.

Monday, May 4th - Star Wars Day

Go on a galactic learning adventure on May 4th!  Find ideas at Wolfe Stew. for your preschool, elementary or sixth grade learner.

May the fourth be with you.  This household is a household full of avid Star Wars fans (one by marriage).  That being the case, we could not pass up a celebration of everything Star Wars.  The good news: Star Wars and learning easily go hand-in-hand.

Get to crafting with your Preschool and Kindergarten Learners.  Make a Yoda Shape Craft using this guide from Toddler Approved.  All you need is colored cardstock (construction paper would likely work too), scissors, a pencil, googly eyes, and glue.  Learn about shapes, colors, following directions, and build fine motor skills while building Yoda.  Happy your young ones will be.

Invite First to Third Grade Learners into the computer lab with this Star Wars coding opportunity from code.org.  In an hour, your learners will develop a Star Wars game by following instructions and building with blocks or JavaScript.  Even when using blocks, your learner has the opportunity to see the written code at the end of each level.

Go to the movies with your Fourth to Sixth Grade Learners. And no, we don’t just mean (re)watching the Star Wars movies (although that is an obvious choice on Star Wars Day).  No, head on over to starwars.com where science and Star Wars videos await.  Explore how close real-world science comes to Star Wars science. Topics include Boba Fett’s technology, space travel, robotic limbs, force powers, speeders and hover vehicles, helper droids, and more!

Tuesday, May 5th - Cinco de Mayo

May 5, 2020, the day you assemble tacos, play loteria, and make a book about Mexican traditions and history.

Cinco de Mayo – a day to eat tacos and hit pinatas while wearing sombreros.  A day in celebration of Mexican culture.  There is more to it, historically, and with one of our activities, you’ll get into the historical background of it all.  Let’s check out these activities now, shall we?

In Preschool and Kindergarten, play the Taco Game to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in style.  To prepare for it, you (the leader) will make taco shells out of manila envelopes and the toppings out of construction paper and felt.  For some of the toppings, you could even use buttons!  Have your learner help with the preparations and you’ll be developing their cutting skills too.  Taco shells made. Ingredients prepped.  All that’s left is assembling the taco.  But to make it into a game you’ll need a spinner.  Take turns spinning and adding the ingredients to assemble the taco.  Careful though - if the spinner lands on an already added ingredient, you’ll lose your turn! Head on over to J Daniel 4’s Mom to get your printable spinner, step-by-step instructions, and pictures.  Sombreros are optional.

The fun doesn’t stop there.  Have your First through Third grade learners play Loteríaa Mexican game similar to bingo.  With this activity guide from Education.com, your learners will not just play lotería, but will also create it.  Instead of calling out numbers, a lotería caller tells a riddle.  The answer to the riddle matches one of 54 pictures in their deck. First, your learners create the 54 calling cards, complete with riddles, or researched facts (choose your own or use the traditional items and riddles from Wikipedia).  Then, they make one unique board for each participant using pictures from the calling cards; each board showcases 16 unique pictures.  Boards complete.  Calling cards ready. All that’s left is to round up the family (class) and play your game.  Just remember to shout, “Loteria!” when you get four-in-a-row.

Your Fourth through sixth grade learners get to make an informational mini-book using this guide from Instructables by Lydia H19. To aid in research, we recommend the following sources:
  • At History.com, your learner will discover Cinco de Mayo history, details regarding The Battle of Puebla, traditions in Mexico, an explanation on why we celebrate it in the United States and a photo gallery of traditional festivals.
  • At How Stuff Works, research the history and celebration rituals in Mexico and the U.S.

Alternatively, have learners choose an image for each fact learned from research and make Cinco de Mayo themed calling cards to use in the lotería game, detailed above.

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo your way: assemble tacos, play loteria, create a mini-game, or simply say olé.

Wednesday, May 6th - Nurses Day

Learn about these modern heroes on May 6, 2020, by assembling a first aid kit, learning about Florence Nightingale or comparing present day and historical nurses.

The value of a nurse is currently highlighted in our world.  Take a day to honor them in your learning too.

In Preschool through First Grade, assemble First Aid Kits with this craft from DLTK Kids. You’ll first discuss the contents of an actual first aid kit, including considerations of special supplies based on unique destinations and groups.  Then, you have the option to create a real first aid kit for your family and/or have your learners create a simple craft to use as an imaginary first aid kit.  

Invite your Second and Third Grade Learners to watch this Florence Nightingale video. Learn English Kids thoroughly immerses your learner in Florence Nightingale learning by practicing relevant vocabulary in an online activity, watching the informational video, and sequencing video events.  If you’d rather do this activity away from the screen, Learn English Kids prepared for this option too.  Print the story and story activities with or without answers.  In fact, even if you participate in the online activities, you may desire to download the printables anyway.  Then, your reader can practice oral reading skills as they reread the familiar story. The printables are worth your consideration as they add wrap-up activities in addition to the vocabulary and sequencing practice.

Have your Fourth through Sixth Grade Learners compare historical nurses to modern nursesAfter reading about 25 Famous Nurses - Past to Present at Pulse Uniform and watching a modern-day nurse explain her routine on YouTube, it’s time to synthesize that knowledge into an original product. Start by completing a comparison chart or a Venn diagram (both from Read Write Think).  Then have learners summarize the information by writing a comparing sentence, paragraph, or essay; by formatting presentation slides; or by creating comparison collages.

After engaging in learning about nurses, we’re betting you and your learner discover even more reasons to respect this profession.

Thursday, May 7th - Day of Prayer

On May 7, 2020, spend time in prayer.  For our country, for your children, with your children, for your learners and throughout COVID-19.

While our world is always in need of prayers, it seems especially important lately.  We’ve gathered resources with insight into prayers for various groups. 

Now might be an ideal opportunity to develop praying strategies with your children.  Focus on the Family rounded up several strategies ideal for encouraging the habit of prayer with your children.  You’ll find strategies from worldwide prayers to personal prayers with inspiration from headlines to the Bible.  Head on over and see if you can’t find one strategy (or two) to try out with your child.

After teaching your child to pray, it's time to head to your room to pray for them.  Faith Gateway offers “5 Powerful Prayers to Pray over Kids - from Head to Toe." You’ll start with the mind and work your way to the feet, all while praying through scripture. With this mnemonic, we believe you’ll soon move from the paper to your own personalized prayers of praying for your child from head to toe.

Parents, you’ve prayed for your child’s overall spiritual well-being.  Now it’s time to pray specific prayers for their learning.  This Pinterest image pairs scripture with need for parents or teachers to pray over their learners.

Finally, Beth Ann Baus, a Crosswalk contributor, penned 10 COVID-19 related prayers.  Baus’ prayers are written for those who are isolated, doubting, infected, frustrated, fearful, parenting, unemployed, business owners, healthcare workers, and church leaders. Within these categories, we’re hoping there’s a prayer that resounds with your needs.

Friday, May 8th - Coconut Cream Pie Day

May 8, 2020 is a piece of pie.  A piece of coconut cream pie, that is.  Make a no-bake recipe, or have learners reverse engineer their own.

Remember how I told you I had to include Star Wars Day on this list?  Because of my family?  I’m pretty sure they would kick me out of the house if I didn’t.  Well, Coconut Cream Pie Day is included for selfish reasons.  It’s my favorite pie, folks - my annual birthday request.  When I saw there’s a day dedicated to this delectable dessert, it made the list, without reservation.

To celebrate with your learners, try this no-bake recipe from Education.com. As a bonus, you’ll learn about Kwanza too. 

Or, have learners create their own recipe using this Twinkl template. It’s always interesting to see how learners think you make a recipe.  And who knows, they might actually come close.  Consider having them taste test a coconut cream pie first before recipe creation.  As coconut cream pie is not usually loved by young ones, they could, alternatively, write a recipe for their favorite dessert. Because, let’s be real, it’s not all about me.

Saturday, May 9th - Lost Sock Memorial Day

May 9, 2020, a day to honor all the lost socks that served you well.  To commemorate, use the sock twin in a craft or repurpose it in useful ways.

A couple years ago, I homeschooled my niece and built the lessons for her around national days. Lost Sock Memorial Day was one of the ones I most remember.  Maybe because it’s such an odd holiday. Or maybe it’s because of how much fun I remember her having while making her lost sock puppet.  Regardless, because it was memorable for me, I want to pass the torch on to you.

First, take some time to match up all your mismatched socks. That way, you know the ones you use for the next step are truly the ones that match the lost sock.

Next, choose a way to memorialize the lost sock using its twin. Will it be a fishing game? Dragon puppet? Snake? Or some other sock craft featured at She Knows? Maybe you'd rather repurpose your lost sock’s twin as storage for game pieces, a holder for your glasses, a car cleaning cloth, or as some other worthwhile tool from Business Insider? Whatever you do, just know there’s no need to get rid of it; put that lost sock’s twin to good use!

Before You Go

We'd love to know:
  1. Which of these holidays most appeals to you?
  2. What activity would you include that we did not?
We'll see you next time leaders.  Until then, know we're praying you find a way to celebrate every day!

At Your Service,
Offering samplings of life by a husband and wife

Interested in even more educational resources?  Then stop by our Learning Lab.  It's here where we store all the educational resources we've cooked up to date.  



Comments

  1. I am so thankful for this blog. I am using it today to develop my art options for the next two weeks of distance learning during this uncertain time. Thank you so much for all of the prep work you have done. It makes the work of a classroom Art teacher turned a distance learning Art teacher so much easier. God bless you!!!

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    1. And we, Grateful Art Educator, are thankful for you! You made our day by visiting and taking the time to comment. We are so glad that you are finding the content useful and that its helping you during these difficult times of transitioning from classroom learning to distance learning. If you have any suggestions of what you'd like to see more of, how we could help you more, we'd love to hear your insights. Thank you again for coming by and may God also bless you!

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