Working on lesson plans for the month? Here are some interesting holidays (holidayinsights.com) that might add a little spice to your curriculum. (Some of the dates fall on a Saturday or Sunday, but nobody will report you to the holiday police if you celebrate a different day during the week!)
January 18 is Thesaurus Day. What a perfect opportunity to show your students what a thesaurus is and model how to use it.
January 19 is National Popcorn Day. Put a clear jar on your desk and every time your students have good behavior put a piece of popcorn (cotton ball) in the jar. When the jar is full they earn a popcorn party.
Another cool thing to do with popcorn kernels is to plant them. Take an old jar and wrap a paper towel around the inside edge. Put dirt or sand in the middle of the jar and then squeeze a few kernels between the jar and paper towel. Water and place in a sunny window. Soon you’ll see a root and then a stem. Let your students record the plant growth.
(I was like a mother hen when the seeds started to grow. The roots appeared after 3 days and the photo shows the stem coming up in less than a week. I’d use sand next time because it’s cleaner.)
Popcorn Finger Play
Five little kernels sizzling in the pot. (Hold up 5 fingers.)The grease got hot and one went POP! (Clap hands.)
Four little kernels…one
No little kernels sizzling in the pot. (Show fist and shake head.)
The pan got hot and it went POP! (Jump up and clap hands.)