Integrating History: President's Day

If you can name all of these guys below, you are amazing. I still get hung up.

Today, buildings are closed.  

 My child asked why? Isn't there only one President? I would be silly to not explain to her the history of it all. Only then, did she look confused.

I luckily had these two books on hand.

That is as far as we have gotten today. 

For the older kids, there are so many other books that would be better for their reading level. These two are my particular favorites:

If anything, challenge yourself and your kids. Take that picture from the top of all the Presidents, add our current President Obama, copy it twice and play the matching game. Add their names for a challenge. Good luck and have a wonderful day off!!

Moment in history:

Last year, the living Presidents got together for this great picture. Isn't it great to live in a country where our leadership can get along and the torch passes peacefully?



Integrating History: Pearl Harbor attacks

On December 7, 71 years ago, there was an attack on Pearl Harbor. You can view pictures here:  Pearl Harbor Attack.

The next day, we went to war in what would be World War II. President Roosevelt labeled Dec. 7, 1941, "a date which will live in infamy."

This weekend take time with your kids and look up pictures and read about this day and the events that followed after it.

Have your student write a Christmas letter to a serviceman or woman thanking them for their service during a time of year when they could be with their family, but they are protecting us.

It may seem small, but it woul mean so much.

Integrating Culture: Hispanic Heritage Month

From September 15th to October 15th, tht United States celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month. According to Wikipedia: "September 15 was chosen as the starting point for the celebration because it is the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. They all declared independence in 1821. In addition, Mexico, Chile and Belize celebrate their independence days on September 16, September 18, and September 21, respectively."

Hispanic Heritage Month also celebrates the long and important presence of Hispanic Americans in North America, starting with the discovery of America by Spanish conquistadors led by Christopher Columbus on October 12, 1492. While we no longer receive the day off of school for Columbus Day, we do need to recognize that he discovered a land where we know occupy and live.

The contributions of Hispanic and Latino are many and to help guide you on who and the what, here is the government website you can read on what they are focusing on here: Hispanic Heritage

Here are a few books to read:

Here is a website I have sent to my teacher, but there are some names of Latinos you could have your child look up and read about. Scholastic.

Here are some more resources you can use during the last part of this month and all year long to recognize Hispanic and Latino Heritage: Parents Connect.

Integrating History: Constitution Day

Constitution Day, September 17th, 2012

This document is the Supreme Law of the United States and kids in the family should begin learning about what their rights are as US citizens. You can start small with the little ones or go big with the older kids.

Here is a website for a quick list of activities can be found here.

Another great website, Constitution Day, has information on the ratificaion of the Constitution and the Founding Fathers.
Activity:
For the older kids in your family, you could match the Founding Father with one interesting fact about that person. This activity woul take longer than one day.


Books:
Amazon has a great deal on two books I read that helps kids understand the purpose of this document a little more.
David Catrow is slowly becoming my new favorite author.

 You can talk about what rules are and why we have them as you read these books. Of course since it is still the beginning of the year, you can put in place school rules for the house like:
1. No TV on a school night
2. Reading after dinner for 30 minutes
3. We will play a board game as a family one night a week.

Whatever you think will fit your schedule and family needs. The kids will love creating rules for parents as well. Have the older kids write out a constitution for the family and everyone sign it to be placed in the playroom or bathroom of the house.

Recognize this document and how lucky we are to be an American. It is your role as a parent to help create functioning citizens in this country. Start now.