Products for May 2022

It’s Mayand here is a list filled with inspiration for May themes, events and holidays. Use these ideas to create your lesson plans and activities. Things will soon begin to slow down but May is filled with holidays and important days such as Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day and Memorial Day. 

On the fifth of May, Cinco de Mayo, Mexicans remember the Battle of Pueblo. In 1862, the Mexican Army won a battle over the French in Puebla. To commemorate this day there are parties and festivals with special food and decorations. This is a great opportunity to teach your kids about Mexican culture. 

The second Sunday is a day to honor mothers and other mother figures - grandmothers, aunties, and stepmothers. This tradition started in 1907 in America, when Anna Jarvis held a memorial service for her mother. Kids can learn more about the history behind the celebrations and make some crafts to celebrate important women in their lives. 

On the last Monday of May, we honor men and women who died while serving the United States Armed Forces. Many Americans visit cemeteries or memorials and hold family gatherings. Check out my Fact Booklet about Memorial Day for ideas about how to teach kids about this day. The resource comes with craftivities that will help kids to make a meaningful connection and develop a deeper understanding of the commemorations. 

There is a wide selection of animals that can be studied during the traditional zoo theme.  

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Importance of learning about other cultures: Cinco de Mayo

Learning about different cultures and their holiday celebrations in a positive environment can help students learn to celebrate diversity. Teaching about other cultures enhances kids' understanding of the world. Kids learn not to stereotype people and cultural awareness may lead to sensitivity and an awareness that everyone is unique.

Cultural awareness requires that a kid understand things from multiple points of view. Taking multiple perspectives is a vital component in critical as well as creative thinking. Developing critical thinking skills is an essential part of education and critical as well as creative thinking skills help kids to work towards making the world a better place.

 

Teaching kids about different holidays and festivities such as the Mexican Cinco de Mayo can minimize the fears and misunderstandings kids may have about kids from another culture. The enhanced understanding may result in less bullying. 

Exploring Cinco de Mayo in your classroom is a great opportunity to teach kids about Mexican history and culture. When you introduce kids to other cultures, kids from another culture can have the excitement of watching their friends learn about their culture. They may share and explain their worldview to their friends. This can bring harmony to the classroom. 

It is crucial when learning about other cultures that you ensure that you use appropriate educational material. Misunderstanding and wrong facts can do a lot of harm, for example, Cinco de Mayo is sometimes wrongly described as Mexico's Independence Day, which is celebrated on the 16th of September. Look for books and resources that use correct information and go beyond stereotypes. Offer kids a wide view of different cultures and support them to understand that there is never a right or better way. We are all part of a global village and understanding different cultures are vital stepping stones toward achieving better relationships and even a more peaceful classroom. 

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How to teach kids to care about Earth Day

Earth Day is a special day that is devoted to raising awareness and appreciation for our earth. It is celebrated on the 22nd of April and on this date people around the world think about ways to improve life on our planet. Kids that are involved in taking care of the planet may continue the tradition as they get older. As they observe and learn about nature, kids might develop a love and respect for nature.

Our planet is an incredible place filled with beautiful plants, fantastic animals and resources that allow us to enjoy our lives. This is exactly why it is important that we look after our planet. Let children be creative and come up with new, interesting ideas about ways to celebrate Earth Day. Activities such as planting trees, starting a  school garden or organizing an outside clean up are perfect ways to raise awareness and take action. It is crucial to create a sense of belonging to the wider natural world. Kids need to understand that they are part of a wider community and connection to nature is a vital thing to ensure that all kids are provided with opportunities to connect kids through animals and plants. 

Taking personal responsibility for our planet is important. A great way is by teaching your kids about the  3Rs Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Today, there is an updated version called 4Rs, which refers to refuse, reduce, re-use and recycle. Let kids define the words and gain a practical understanding of how we together can reduce waste and pollution, re-use what we have, and use less precious resources. 

Investing in a green future is a great theme where kids can be creative while exploring ways that green ideas mean a prosperous future. Let your kids explore solutions to combat our greatest threats. Support kids to develop skills and optimism to lead the movement towards a greener future. This year, inspire kids to act and innovate.

Enjoy tinkering and innovating this Earth Day! 

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Spring Reading 2022

Inspire your kids to love learning and reading by selecting Amazing, Awesome April Books! Ensure that each kid in your classroom has access to books that provides them with memorable and positive reading experiences. A great place to look for books that are perfect for the April classroom is to start by looking for award-winning authors and books. Yet, there are books that are outstanding even if they for some reason have not been selected for awards. A good plan is that look for books that draw on familiar experiences and are linked to the particular theme you are working on.

Introduce kids to the exciting world of insects. They will love reading about fireflies, butterflies, praying mantis, and bees. Educate and celebrate Easter by reading books about bunnies and eggs. Mix stories about the magic of Easter with books that explore the meaning behind the festival and cultural holiday. 

There are subjects that can be tricky to introduce to your kids, which is where books can be a perfect tool. Supplementing the learning about Earth Day and climate change with books that you can discuss together in the classroom. There is a wide variety of engaging books that can help kids get to grips with the changes in climate. Look for books that make kids feel empowered to be part of the solution. Books that call to action or provide your kids with lessons that they can take away and implement in their daily life are perfect. 

April 2022 Products

April is all about egg laying animals, insects and planet Earth. During this month, families around the world are celebrating Easter. In the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, Muslim families are observing Ramadan. In the classroom, you can teach kids about Islam, the Quran, Islamic practices, and the importance of Ramadan. You can educate kids by using books and stories about how Ramadan is celebrated.

 Plan for the future and live smarter! On the 22nd of April, we are celebrating Earth Day. Select resources about the environment and how to make a better word. Kids around the world want actions for the future of our planet and for their own future. In my TpT store, you’ll find resources that focus on changes we can make in our everyday lives and inspiring resources about the fight carried out by climate activists like Greta Thunberg.

  April has a lot to offer apart from Spring showers. Insects will be out and about as the weather warms up, so stock up on resources about insects. Armed with magnifying glasses and a good dollop of patience, the dive into the world of insects is fascinating and filled with endless discoveries.

Directed drawings activities are fun and educational and they are perfect for making learning about insects as well as Earth Day more engaging. Drawing oviparous animals like chickens, snakes, frogs, and ladybugs provides wonderful learning opportunities to better understand egg laying animals.(All products found in my store).

Happy exploring, drawing, and learning!

Using Science and History with young children in the classroom

Children are born with a sense of wonder and a desire to understand the world around them. Through play young children, learn a wide variety of science concepts. Young children love to ask questions about how things work and why things are the way they are.

It is important to focus science lessons on things that young children can see, hear, taste, smell and even touch if it is suitable. March is it perfect time of the year to start long-term science projects such as growing plants.

Be observant and listen for questions that children do not put into words. Children's actions, like digging in the dirt can give us a clue for what they are wondering - Does anything interesting build a home in the dirt? These types of questions are often the perfect starting point for direct investigations and conversation as compared to children’s verbal questions. 

Curiosity motivates children to explore and try new things and this is an important scientific attitude. Creating a safe environment where children can explore and discover things nurture their curiosity and promotes scientific learning.  

      

Social science is also a great opportunity to spark an interest in learning. History like science relies on question-asking. Often stories about historical events have been told by men and those with powers. By using a wide variety of books and materials and allowing kids, even young children, to look for information they learn to develop their own interpretation. 

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