Will you be celebrating Cinco de Mayo?

Many people have a misconception about this day.  They think it is Mexican Independence day.  This is not true.  Mexican Independence day is on September 16th.

Cinco de Mayo marks the victory of the Mexican Army over the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862.  The city of Puebla celebrates this holiday, however not all of Mexico commemorates this day.  For more history on this holiday check out: Cinco de Mayo

Idea of the Day:

Do a few Cinco de Mayo activities with your children today.

- Make homemade tortillas

- Make homemade salsa

- Color Mexican flags

- Print out various Cinco de Mayo activities

apples4theteacher

Coloring Pages

Kaboose.com

Crafts and Activities

Why do we celebrate St. Patrick’s day?

I know my son will be asking me this question today so I decided I would be ready with an answer.  My son is very inquisitive and has a type A, needs to know all of the information personality.  There are times when I love this quality.  There are other times when this quality tests my patience.  For example, when we are late for school but he quickly needs to look up the answer to a question.

Therefore I decided to look up some facts about St. Patrick’s day to satisfy my son’s need for information.  It also gives me a sense of accomplishment that I am ready with the information.  Maybe this will help us get to school on time.

St. Patrick’s Day Facts:

- St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated annually on 17 March.

- It is named after St. Patrick, a patron saint of Ireland who is believed to have died on that day.

- The first St. Patrick’s Day parade took place in the U.S. in 1762.

- The first St. Patrick’s Day parade in Ireland was held in Dublin in 1931.

- St. Patrick’s Day is an official holiday in Ireland.

- It is not an official holiday in the U. S, Australia, U. K, and New Zealand but it is celebrated.

- Chicago started dyeing the river green in 1962.

For a more detailed history of St. Patrick’s day, check out these links:

Saint Patrick’s Day

Who Was St. Patrick?

The History of Saint Patrick’s Day

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Will your kids be learning about the Chinese New Year at home or at school?

This year the Chinese New Year will be February 14, 2010.  It is the year of the Tiger!

Teaching children about other cultures and traditions is very important.  Most classrooms today are filled with a number of different races and cultures.  Preschool and elementary children are just beginning to notice differences of hair, eye and skin color.  By taking the time to teach children about various cultures, they are better able to understand and appreciate differences.

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Have you read The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf with your children?

A couple weeks ago, my husband and I went to see the movie Blind Side. I thought this movie was great!  I always love a movie that is based on a true story.

During the movie, the mother reads The Story of Ferdinand to her children.  Being a huge fan of children’s literature, I had to read the story.

My children and I checked it out from the library and cuddled up to read it.  I wasn’t sure if they would like it.  There are no princesses and no colored pictures.  Simply a bull who likes to sit and smell the flowers.

They loved it!!!!!!!!!!  My 3 year old daughter wanted it read to her for the next three days.

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Will you be teaching your children about Martin Luther King Jr. next Monday?

I realize that Martin Luther King Jr. day is not until Monday, January 18th.  However as a parent, planning ahead can make life easier.  Since my children will have the day off from school, I feel it is important that we discuss why there is no school and teach them about Martin Luther King Jr.

Yes I am sure that on Monday I could go online and quickly pull up an article or activity to do with my children.  I decided that I would take some time this week to look through a couple articles and activities and find one that would work well for both a 6 year old and a 3 year old.

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