I wish I was more of a history buff. I really do. I do know the war of 1812 happened in 1812. Does that count? Well, in talking with my mom {who has agreed to be my “teacher assistant” this school year during school work some days – Yay!} about my lack of history knowledge, she suggested an activity that we’re going to totally do because it’s a quick and simple way to learn history. I also love it because it integrates math, reading and writing, too!
Learn about Special Dates on the Calendar
It’s so simple. At the beginning of each month, I look at the calendar and the upcoming special days. {Most calendars have the dates already on them, so you can get your information from there.} I decide ahead of time which special dates I’d like to zero in on for my child. For example, in October, I will focus on Columbus Day, but probably not National Boss Day.
I print off a blank calendar for my son {currently 2nd grade}. He writes in all the numerals for the dates. Then, we look online or gather up some library books for a simple introduction to each special date. Once we’ve talked about each one, he writes the name of the special date and a BRIEF description {your child needs to write small and complete sentences are not necessary}.
When we near some of the special dates, I will integrate other activities, read alouds and texts that he can read for himself about that particular date. Other dates I may not.
I plan on keeping these special calendars in a notebook for him so we can go back and review each month’s calendar often…to keep things fresh.
How Does this Help Kids Learn History?
Many times, the special dates we observe relate to our country’s history. For example, in America, dates like Columbus Day or Thanksgiving naturally teach kids about our country’s history. What is so cool is that other dates like Valentine’s Day or Halloween teach kids a little world history as well. And an added bonus: this quick and simple activity integrates several other content areas, too! You gotta love that.
Oh, did I mention a FREEBIE? To make it even quicker and easier, I have created blank calendar pages for each month of the year, like you see above. You’ll find a colored set as well as a black/white set. I kept the calendars s.i.m.p.l.e. {free of clip art} so that if you live in Australia, you can use them without the clip art being off-season. 🙂
You can download the FREE calendar pack HERE!
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~Becky
I love this idea. I enjoy history and will have fun doing this with my kids.
Homeschool Share and Currclick.com send out a monthly calendar that includes a lot more events that may not make it onto a regular calendar. For example, Amelia Earhart’s Birthday is on very few calendars but I have seen it on those.
I like the simplicity of your idea. I do a simple thing as well. We read one classics book per month. I have the kids find 3-5 interesting things that happened either during the setting time period or the life of the author. I find that allowing the kids to note points that interest them builds little hooks in their brains that later can be used to add other points of interest. Since we read the classics chronologically a road map of sorts forms in their minds that allows them to put history in perspective.