Integrating Holidays: Cinco De Mayo

Cinco de Mayo, the 5th of May, is a day celebrated in America as a day of heritage and pride. In Mexico, primarily in a town called Puebla, it is a holiday called, El Dia de la Batalla de Puebla (The Day of the Battle of Puebla).In the state of Puebla, the date is observed to commemorate the Mexican army's unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, under the leadership of General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín. It is not Mexico's independence day-that is September 16th. Here are a few books you will enjoy to check out.

So what fun literacy things can you and the kiddos do to recognize and celebrate Cinco de Mayo? How about sing about it? Here are some songs you can read and sing along together to familiar children's tunes. And of course, cook up some Mexican food and enjoy a great meal. All Around Puebla (to the tune of Pop Goes the Weasel) France invaded Mexico In 1862, Thinking they would march, march, march, march Right into Mexico City. But what they had not counted on Was General Zaragoza Who ordered his men to fight, fight, fight, fight, Fight for their freedom. So all around Puebla The Mexicans chased the French, Until the last French soldier gave up – Cinco de Mayo! Cinco de Mayo (to the tune of Are You Sleeping?) Cinco de Mayo, Cinco de Mayo, The fifth of May, The fifth of May Is the anniversary Of a great victory For Mexico. For Mexico. Today’s a Day to Celebrate (to the tune of London Bridge) Today’s a day to celebrate, Celebrate, celebrate, Today’s a day to celebrate Courage under fire. The Mexican Army, they were poor, They were poor, they were poor, The Mexican Army, they were poor, But that did not stop them. They followed orders and charged ahead, Charged ahead, charged ahead, They followed orders and charged ahead, Routing the French forces. A great victory they did win, They did win, they did win, A great victory they did win In the Battle of Puebla. Today’s the Fifth of May (to the tune of The Farmer in the Dell) Today’s the fifth of May, “Cinco de Mayo,” we say, Let’s join hands and sing and play – It’s Cinco de Mayo today.

Integrating Seasons: Earth Day

Today's Google grows on you!

Today is Earth Day. Earth Day, which was founded by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson as an environmental teach-in in 1970, is celebrated in many countries each year on April 22. Hopefully the weather is nice and you can get outside. The NY Times had a great article on 10 Ways to learn about the environment. Click HERE to get some ideas. Activities that inspire inspiration and awareness is what today is all about. Go on a walk, plant a flower, look for bugs. And at the end of the day, write about ways you can love the earth.

Integrating Seasons: Spring Games

Last year we talked about a few books you could read for Spring, here is the link if you need some ideas.

Spring 2011

I want to try and do an activity this year, that I cannot remember the last time I did it. If I ever did it. How many of you have ever flown a kite?


This book is for kids learning about verbs. Perfect for grades 1 and up.


This book is perfect for a simple read and beginning readers.

And let's not forget our cute furry frien, Curious George

Integrating Culture: St. Patrick's Day

Thanks to Pinterest, people are getting ideas to do so many fun things and crafts. I hope that these books will help to pair up with the cute green foot prints and green food coloring I spied earlier this week. Getting the little one excited about a tricky leprechaun will be fun!

Last year, I gave a writing activity for the older kiddos. You can see the link here: St. Patrick's Day

This year, here is a baby book, along with a few more picture books.

Integrating Holidays: Happy Valentine's Day!!

Make February 14 a special day with activities that extend Valentine's Day into academic subject areas. You can do counting for math, experiements in science, and of course writing in Language Arts.

The kids can make Homonym Hearts, Synonym Hearts, Ideas to Write from the Heart, and write a short story on "All about Valentine's Day". Just click on the words to see the links. They are free printables.

Of course, you can google all kinds of activities as well. Have fun teaching them why we have a day dedicated to LOVE. There is nothing wrong with that. It's what the world needs now, right? You could even find songs all about it everywhere and then have your kids write their own poems and songs.
Here are some fun books to read with your kids while you make cookies, cards, and decorate card boxes.

I love the stories of a love of child and parent best:





These are oldies, but goodies. I only recommend paper backs for a few reasons:
1. Older kiddos can read them to siblings
2. That's all we parents have time to read and reading is important-to our children as well as for ourselves.
Of course there are chapter books out there, and I will dedicate more posts to those, should you need longer reads for your kids.


Olive, the Other reindeer was a cute book and now she is back!

Have a Happy Valentine's Day!!

P.S- I really wish I could get these posts out to you sooner, so you can order the books, but as a working mom myself, it is close to impossible. I can only hope to share these with you and the local library or book store has them. You don't have to read them on that day, but all year through. Enjoy!!

Integrating Culture: Chinese New Year

2012 is the year of the Dragon. It is going to be a legendary year! This starts the calendar year of the Spring Festival in China. January 23rd, 2012.
Here are a few books that you can look for to read throughout this month. Hopefully, your local library has a few books to enjoy.






Now that you have a few ideas, get some sheets, paper and old shirts to make your own moving dragon with your family.

Integrating History: Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dr. King wrote a pledge and would have the marchers sign it during Civil Rights march, I recreated a shorter version of what they would say. Dr. King was a nonviolent man and had each marcher read and sign a pledge.

I had to take anything out that mentioned God or Jesus, because it was done in a public school. I will post both for you.

(edited version)
Pledge of Nonviolence
A portion of the pledge which was required to be signed before a person was
allowed to march for Civil Rights back in the 1960’s:

1. Remember the nonviolent movement seeks justice and reconciliation – not victory.
2. Walk and talk in the manner of love.
3. Observe with friend and foes the ordinary rules of courtesy.
4. Perform regular service for others and the world.
5. Refrain from violence of fist, tongue and heart.
6. Strive to be in good spiritual and bodily health.

The Civil Rights Marchers would march in protest and while they were treated bad, hit, yelled at, arrested and jailed, they were committed to non-violence.

Be a student of Dr. Martin Luther King’s dream-work together for all people. Remember because of him and his beliefs, we can all be in school together.

I, _________________ (name), sign on January 11, 2012, will do my best to work to be a better person and to uphold the values of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s. dream.


Dr. King's full version:
The pledge of nonviolence written by Martin Luther King Jr., and signed by his marchers, 1963
1.As you prepare to march meditate on the life and teachings of Jesus


2.Remember the nonviolent movement seeks justice and reconciliation - not victory.


3.Walk and talk in the manner of love; for God is love.


4.Pray daily to be used by God that all men and women might be free.


5.Sacrifice personal wishes that all might be free.


6.Observe with friend and foes the ordinary rules of courtesy.


7.Perform regular service for others and the world.


8.Refrain from violence of fist, tongue and heart.


9.Strive to be in good spiritual and bodily health.


10.Follow the directions of the movement leaders and of the captains on demonstrations.


Print Name ______________________________
Signature _______________________________