April Happenings 2006

April 1, 2006
April Fools' Day
Be Alert for practical jokes today!
Related Link: wilstar.com/holidays/aprilfool.htm

National Humor Month
NIEHS Kids' Pages has lots of jokes and trivia to use for National Humor Month. Click "School Days" for some funny "Classroom Bloopers."

Math Awareness Month
Math Awareness Month was first proclaimed by President Reagan in 1986 "to help encourage the study and utilization of math..."

April 2, 2006
Daylight Saving time begins on the first Sunday in April. "Spring forward." Turn your clocks ahead one hour at 2:00 a.m.
Related Link: http://webexhibits.org/daylightsaving

International Children's Book Day
Hans Christian Andersen was born 201 years ago today. Pick your favorite fairy tale and retell it in today's setting. Visit Crayola Crayon for Children's Book Day crafts and lesson plans.
Related Link: USBBY

April 2-8, 2006
National Library Week
It's National Library Week. E-mail an author or illustrator - Visit the ALA for links.
Related Link: http://libraryspot.com

April 7, 2006
World Health Day
World Health Day celebrates the beginning of the World Health Organization in 1948. Try this great UN Health Unit for middle school students. Lots to use for the K-5 classroom as well.

April 10, 2006
Young People's Poetry Week
Celebrate National Poetry Month with some of the curriculum ideas from this comprehensive list of poetry resources. There are some excellent poetry links on the Children's Book Council website.
Related Link: http://www.poets.org/page.php/prmID/6

April 13, 2006
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was born on this date in 1743. Research his life, including his part as author of the Declaration of Independence and his presidency.
Related Link: http://www.monticello.org

April 15, 2006
Titanic Sank
The Titanic sunk on this date in 1912. Research the exciting recovery of this sunken treasure and the lives of those aboard - victims and survivors.

April 16, 2006
Wilbur Wright
Birthday of Wilber Wright in 1867. He and his brother Orville made the first airplane flight in 1903. Visit the website to learn more about the Wright Brothers and explore the 100th anniversary of the Celebration of Flight which was in 2003.

April 17, 2006
Leonardo da Vinci
Birthday of Leonardo da Vinci. You decide...was his greatest contribution as an artist, scientist, or inventor?
Related Link: http://www.mos.org/leonardo

April 18, 2006
Paul Revere's Ride
Anniversary of Paul Revere's ride through Boston to warn colonists that the British were coming!
Related Link: http://www.cvesd.k12.ca.us/finney/paulvm/foyer.html

April 19, 2006
Battle of Lexington
Anniversary of the first battle of the American Revolution - the Battle of Lexington and Concord in Lexington, Massachusetts on April 19, 1775. Visit Road to Revolution from Education World for many activities on the American Revolution.

April 22, 2006
Earth Day
Today is Earth Day. Make posters to remind the community to protect our environment.

April 22 - 30, 2006
National Wildlife Week
"Get outside and celebrate" is the theme for National Wildlife Week. Watch wildlife, choose a project to rebuld a wildlife habitat, or learn more about wildlife with reading.

April 23, 2006
William Shakespeare Anniversary
Anniversary of the birth and death of William Shakespeare, born 1564 and died 1616.
Related Link: http://www.bardweb.net

April 24, 2006
TV Turn-Off Week
Turn your TV off April 24 - 30, 2006. Brainstorm a list of activities for parents and students to replace the time spent watching TV.

April 28, 2006
Arbor Day
Celebrate Arbor Day by planting a tree on the school grounds. Visit Paper U for more about trees and paper. Or, visit Educational in Nature for a thematic unit on trees and their uses.