Celebrating Grandparents: Memories, Stories & Love Across Generations

There are some teachers who teach us in classrooms…and others who teach us simply by sharing their lives with us.

Grandparents can be some of our children's greatest storytellers, cheerleaders, teachers, and keepers of family memories. 

National Grandparents Day, celebrated this year on Sunday, September 13, gives us a wonderful opportunity to help children recognize these special relationships while learning about families, traditions, history, and the connections between generations.

And while the day may have "grandparents" in its name, classroom celebrations can easily include grandparents, great-grandparents, step-grandparents, older relatives, family friends, or another special older adult who plays an important role in a child's life.  

Because at the heart of Grandparents Day is something beautifully simple: Celebrating the people who love us, guide us, and help connect our past with our future.

Here are five Grandparent Read-Aloud books to share:

Stories are a wonderful way to explore relationships between generations. Here are five books that can lead to meaningful classroom conversations.

1. How to Babysit a Grandpa by Jean Reagan: A funny role-reversal story told from a child's perspective about spending a special day with Grandpa.

2. How to Babysit a Grandma by Jean Reagan: The companion book celebrates all the fun and little traditions that can make time with Grandma memorable.

3. The Hello, Goodbye Window by Norton Juster: A beautiful story about a child's relationship with her grandparents and the ordinary moments that become treasured memories.

4. Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña: CJ and his grandmother travel through their community together, providing wonderful opportunities to talk about gratitude, kindness, community, and seeing beauty in everyday life.

5. The Truth About Grandparents by Elina Ellis: A playful celebration of grandparents that challenges some of the funny stereotypes children may have about getting older.

5 Meaningful Grandparents Day Activities

1. Interview a Grandparent.  Send home a few simple interview questions for children to ask a grandparent or special older adult. Children can bring their answers back and share one interesting thing they learned.

You're not just practicing interviewing and communication skills, but you're helping preserve a little piece of family history. 

2. Create a Grandparent Portrait: Have children draw a portrait of their grandparent or special person.

Then add a simple writing prompt: "My grandparent is special because…" Put the portraits together for a sweet classroom display or send them home as keepsakes.

3. Give a Grandparent a HUG! Not just an ordinary hug but a giant paper one! Trace or create two hands and connect them with long paper arms. Children can decorate their creation and add a message in the middle. "A BIG hug just for you!"

It's simple, personal, and exactly the kind of handmade treasure grandparents tend to keep. 

4. Plan Breakfast for Grandma or Grandpa: Let children pretend they're hosting a special Grandparents Day breakfast. Children can draw the meal, create a menu, count the foods, write labels, and even calculate how many plates, cups, or napkins they would need.

5. Make a Memory Heart: Give each child a large paper heart. Inside, have them draw or write about a favorite memory with their grandparent or another special older adult. Put the hearts together on a bulletin board.

Children may celebrate Grandparents Day without realizing that the holiday itself has a history!

My Grandparents Day Fact Booklet gives young learners an age-appropriate opportunity to discover why this special day is celebrated while also beginning to practice nonfiction reading and research skills.

Children can read about Grandparents Day, take notes, record their research, and then extend their learning through creative activities.

And because handmade gifts can be especially meaningful for this holiday, the resource also includes activities such as Hugs for Grandparents, Grandparent Portraits, writing prompts, coloring activities, and planning a special breakfast for grandparents.

It allows children to do more than simply learn about Grandparents Day.

 Every Family Has a Story. One of the most beautiful things about bringing Grandparents Day into the classroom is seeing just how different every family's story can be. Some grandparents live next door. Others live thousands of miles away.

Some children see their grandparents every day. Others may connect through phone calls, photographs, letters, or family stories.

Some children may have great-grandparents in their lives, while others have another older relative, neighbor, family friend, or special adult who fills that important role.

However our families look, we can help children understand that relationships between generations are worth celebrating.

Grandparents and older adults can give children something no worksheet ever could—a connection to another time, another generation, and a collection of stories that belong uniquely to their family.

So this Grandparents Day, make the cards and crafts. Draw the portraits. Give the hugs. But also encourage your little learners to ask questions. Listen to the stories. Discover the memories. 

Because one of the greatest gifts children can give their grandparents may simply be:

"Tell me what it was like when you were little."  

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Exploring the Air Around Us!

Have you ever stopped to think about something that is all around us, every minute of every day, but we can’t even see it? AIR! 

Air may be invisible, but it is incredibly important. We breathe it, plants and animals depend on it, it helps things move, and it is an essential part of life on Earth. For young children, that makes air a fascinating science topic filled with opportunities to wonder, investigate, experiment, read, and create!

September is a perfect time to explore this invisible helper because September 7 is the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies. This special day encourages people around the world to think about the importance of clean air and what we can do to help protect it.

For our youngest learners, we don't need to begin with complicated discussions about air pollution or climate science. We can start with something much simpler:

What is air? Where is it? Why do we need it? And how can we help keep it clean?

Suddenly, something invisible becomes very real!

These simple experiences help children understand that even though we can't see air, we can see and feel what air does.

That sense of discovery is a wonderful way to begin your clean-air learning.

5 Books to Share About Air, Wind & Our Environment:

Pairing science with children's literature helps young learners build vocabulary and connect new concepts to stories and illustrations. Try adding a few of these books to your week:

1. Air Is All Around You by Franklyn M. Branley - A classic early science book that introduces children to the idea that air is everywhere, even though we cannot see it.

2. Feel the Wind by Arthur Dorros - A child-friendly introduction to wind and moving air that pairs nicely with simple wind experiments.

3. The Wind Blew by Pat Hutchins- A playful story showing what happens when a powerful wind sends everyday objects flying through the air.

4. Like a Windy Day by Frank Asch and Devin Asch - A wonderful choice for connecting science with movement and imagination as children think about what it might feel like to be the wind.

5. The Lorax by Dr. Seuss - For a broader environmental connection, this familiar story can begin simple conversations about caring for trees, nature, and the world around us.

5 Hands-On Air Activities for the Classroom:

Now it's time to let children DO some science!

1. Catch Some Air - Give each child a balloon or use a plastic bag to "catch" air. Ask: Is the bag really empty?

Fill it with air and close it. Children can gently squeeze it and discover that something is definitely inside!

Talk about how air takes up space even though we cannot see it.

2. Make Air Move a Feather - Place feathers, cotton balls, or lightweight pom-poms on a table. Have children blow them from one side of the table to the other. Try blowing softly and then more strongly. Which makes the object move farther? It's a simple introduction to the idea that moving air can exert force and move objects.

3. Go on an Air Detective Walk - Head outside and become Air Detectives! Children can't see the air itself, so challenge them to find evidence that air is moving.

Look for:  leaves moving, branches swaying, flags fluttering,  clouds traveling across the sky, clothing or hair moving in the breeze; Create a class list titled "We Can't See Air, But We Can See What It Does!"

4. Make a Pinwheel - Create simple paper pinwheels and take them outside. Experiment with holding them still, walking with them, blowing on them, and standing in a breeze.

5. Clean Air Helpers - Talk about simple things families and communities can do to help care for the air and our environment.

Dig Deeper With an Air Fact Booklet

Once children have started observing and experimenting with air, they're ready to learn more about the science behind their discoveries.

My Air Fact Booklet and Activities was created especially for K–2 learners to help make this invisible topic easier to understand.

Children can read simple facts about air, build important vocabulary, record what they discover, answer comprehension questions, sort fact sentences, and extend their learning across different subject areas.

There's also room for creativity and hands-on learning because science shouldn't only be something children read about—it should be something they investigate, talk about, create, and experience.

The resource can easily fit into whole-group science, small groups, centers, independent work, or a larger Earth and environment unit.

Most importantly, it helps children begin answering that original question:

How can something we can't see be so important?

We may not be able to see air, but after a week of reading, experimenting, observing, creating, and wondering, our little learners will certainly know it's there!

So this September, step outside, feel the breeze, take a deep breath, and invite your students to discover the amazing invisible world that's been around them all along. 

We can't see air, but we can discover it, appreciate it, and learn how to help keep it clean.

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Keep Exploring! Discover Norway

Have you ever dreamed of visiting a place with towering mountains, sparkling waterfalls, deep blue fjords, and colorful villages tucked along the coast? Welcome to Norway, one of the most beautiful countries in Scandinavia!

One of the best parts of learning about countries is discovering that every place has its own unique story. Norway is known for its breathtaking landscapes, rich Viking history, delicious traditions, and people who love spending time outdoors. Recently, Norway has also been in the spotlight because of its talented soccer players, reminding us that sports can inspire us to learn about countries from all around the world.

Grab your Passport Journal because our next adventure begins in Norway! Here are some facts about Norway:

 Continent: Europe, Capital City: Oslo, Language: Norwegian, Currency: Norwegian Krone, Famous For: Magnificent fjords, Viking history, Northern Lights, Midnight Sun,

Stave churches, Mountains and waterfalls, Winter sports and soccer

Five Fascinating Facts About Norway

 Norway has one of the longest coastlines in the world because of its many beautiful fjords.

Hundreds of years ago, Vikings sailed from Norway in large wooden ships to explore new lands.

 During the summer, parts of northern Norway experience the Midnight Sun, where the sun barely sets!

 During the winter, visitors may see the magical Northern Lights dancing across the night sky.

 Norway is home to world-class athletes who compete in soccer, skiing, biathlon, and many other sports.

    Explore Norway with Our Classroom Resources

Learning becomes even more meaningful when students can read, research, create, and draw!

Our Norway Fact Booklet gives young learners an exciting introduction to this beautiful Scandinavian country through easy-to-read nonfiction text, research opportunities, comprehension activities, vocabulary development, and a fun Norwegian-inspired craft. Students can also complete a book report by using the included illustrations or creating their own drawings, making each project unique.

To continue the adventure, our How to Draw Norway resource lets students create their own Norwegian masterpieces step by step. They'll learn to draw:

   Norway Flag, Borgund Stave Church,  Urnes Stave Church, Viking Ship, Viking Helmet, Fjords, Krumkake, Traditional Soup. Royal Palace,  Ancient Rock Art, and Nordkapp (North Cape).

   Each drawing includes three differentiated writing activities, helping students strengthen writing, listening, fine motor skills, and confidence while learning about Norway.

Five Wonderful Read-Aloud Books

1. The Princess and the White Bear King by Tanya Robyn Batt: A Norwegian folktale filled with adventure and beautiful illustrations.

2. Children of the Northlights by Ingri D'Aulaire & Edgar Parin D'Aulaire: A charming introduction to Norwegian folklore and traditions.

3. Leif the Lucky by Ingri D'Aulaire & Edgar Parin D'Aulaire: Learn about Viking explorer Leif Erikson and early exploration.

4. The Race of the Birkebeiners by Lise Lunge-Larsen: A true story inspired by Norwegian history, courage, and perseverance.

5. If You Were Me and Lived in... Norway by Carole P. Roman: Perfect for introducing young learners to everyday life, culture, food, language, and traditions in Norway.

Five Classroom Activities:

 1. Stamp Your Passport

Locate Norway on a world map, color the Norwegian flag, and add a passport stamp to your classroom Passport Journal.



 2. Fjord Geography Exploration

Compare Norway's famous fjords to rivers, lakes, and mountains students may already know. Discuss how glaciers helped create these amazing landforms.



 3. Viking Engineering Challenge

Using recycled materials, paper, or craft sticks, invite students to design and build their own Viking ship.

4. Directed Drawing Adventure

Complete several drawings from the How to Draw Norway resource, then write fun facts or short stories about each picture.

5. Taste of Norway

Learn about traditional Norwegian foods like krumkake, lefse, and brown cheese. If possible, sample a Scandinavian treat or compare foods from Norway with foods students eat at home.



  Keep Exploring! Every country has something wonderful to discover. As your students travel through Norway, they'll explore breathtaking landscapes, fascinating history, delicious traditions, and amazing people. Along the way they'll strengthen reading, writing, geography, research, art, and critical thinking skills, all while discovering that our world is filled with incredible places waiting to be explored.

   So grab your Passport Journal, stamp your next destination, and keep your curiosity growing. Whether your journey begins with a map, a storybook, a directed drawing, or a nonfiction fact booklet, every adventure helps children become lifelong learners and world explorers. Where will your Passport Journal take you next?

 Resources are found in my store:

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Amazing August Animal Adventures

August is the perfect time to celebrate some of the world's most amazing animals! Whether your students are roaring with lions, trumpeting with elephants, buzzing alongside honey bees, or swimming with sharks, animal-themed learning naturally inspires curiosity, reading, science, geography, and creativity.

One of my favorite ways to keep children engaged is by encouraging them to become Junior Wildlife Explorers. As they learn about each animal, they can also discover where these incredible creatures live around the world. Grab a passport journal, stamp a new destination, and let each animal become the beginning of a brand-new adventure!

Lion Day – Kings of the Savanna

Lions are one of the world's most recognizable animals. Living primarily in the grasslands of Africa, they teach us about family, teamwork, and survival. Students are always fascinated to learn that lions live in groups called prides and that lionesses do most of the hunting.

Our Lion Fact Booklet helps young learners explore lion habitats, diet, life cycles, vocabulary, comprehension activities, writing pages, and a hands-on craft that reinforces what they've learned.

Elephant Day – Gentle Giants

Elephants amaze children with their enormous size, incredible memories, and close family relationships. Students love discovering how elephants use their trunks for drinking, eating, bathing, and even greeting one another.

Our Elephant Fact Booklet combines nonfiction reading with research pages, comprehension activities, vocabulary development, writing opportunities, and engaging crafts that make learning meaningful and memorable.

Honey Bee Day – Tiny Heroes of Nature

Although they're small, honey bees play one of the biggest roles in our world. They pollinate many of the fruits, vegetables, and flowers we enjoy every day. Learning about bees also opens wonderful discussions about habitats, life cycles, teamwork, and caring for our environment.

Our Honey Bee Fact Booklet introduces students to these amazing pollinators through easy-to-read nonfiction text, comprehension practice, writing pages, vocabulary, research activities, and creative extensions.

Shark Day – Ocean Superstars

Sharks have been swimming in our oceans for millions of years, making them one of Earth's oldest animals. Children are often surprised to discover that most sharks are not dangerous to people and that they play an important role in keeping ocean ecosystems healthy.

Our Shark Fact Booklet encourages students to investigate shark adaptations, habitats, diets, vocabulary, research skills, comprehension, writing, and engaging crafts that make ocean science exciting.

Five Wonderful Read-Aloud Books

National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Animals by Catherine D. Hughes

If I Ran the Zoo by Dr. Seuss

Bees by Laura Marsh

Surprising Sharks by Nicola Davies

Elephants Cannot Dance! by Mo Willems

These books introduce fascinating facts while building vocabulary, comprehension, and a love of reading.

Five Classroom Activities

 1. Wildlife Passport Journal

Have students "travel" to each animal's home by adding a passport stamp, drawing the country's flag, and recording one interesting fact they learned.

 2. Animal Research Station

Set up nonfiction books, maps, globes, and your Fact Booklets so students can become wildlife researchers and record new discoveries.

 3. Directed Drawing

Practice following directions while drawing favorite animals. Students can label body parts and write several interesting facts about their drawings.

4  Habitat Mapping

Locate each animal on a world map and compare habitats such as savannas, forests, oceans, and gardens. This activity beautifully combines science and geography.

5. Conservation Posters

Invite students to create posters encouraging others to protect wildlife and their habitats. Even young learners can become wonderful stewards of our planet.

Keep Exploring!

Every animal has a story, and every country has one too!

Learning about lions, elephants, honey bees, and sharks helps children discover that our world is filled with incredible wildlife, fascinating cultures, and beautiful places waiting to be explored. Whether reading a nonfiction book, completing a research activity, creating a craft, or adding another page to a Passport Journal, each lesson helps build curiosity that lasts far beyond the classroom.

Here's to a month filled with roaring discoveries, buzzing excitement, ocean adventures, and unforgettable learning, one amazing animal at a time!

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