August Happenings 2006

August 1, 2006
Francis Scott Key
Francis Scott Key was born on this date in 1779. He wrote The Star-Spangled Banner. Why did he write it? Try the Related Link for a fun music activity.
Related Link: http://www.si.edu/resource/faq/nmah/starflag.htm

National Inventors Month
Make an Invention Timeline to celebrate National Inventors Month. Can you make the timeline stretch around the classroom?
Related Link: http://www.invent.org/hall_of_fame/1_1_search.asp

First U.S. Census
The first U.S. Census was completed on this day in 1790. There were 3,939,326 people in 16 states. Find out the total for the year 2000 by visiting www.census.gov

Create a graph of the population for each of the five decades since 1950. Make a prediction for the population in 2010. California now has 33 million people and is the largest state. New York is the second largest. Where do you think the largest population will be in 2010?

Anne Frank's Diary
Anne Frank made the last entry in her diary on this date in 1944. Have students begin a journal for the year to record their ideas and thoughts.
Related Link: http://www.annefrank.com/

August 1 - 7, 2006
International Clown Week
Bring in the Clowns. Celebrate International Clown Week by inviting a clown to the classroom. Try your hand at face painting or write a clown skit to act out.
Related Link: http://www.circusfit.com/

August 2, 2006
National Friendship Day
Congress proclaimed national Friendship Day in 1935. Write a letter to a special friend and tell them why you value his or her friendship. Explore The Meaning of Friendship in Children's Books [http://www.education-world.com/a_books/sr_week01.shtml] Nominate a favorite book character for "Friend of the Year."
Related Link: http://www.atozteacherstuff.com/Themes/Friendship/

August 6, 2006
First Atomic Bomb
On this date in 1945, the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. Research the use of bombs and bombings since this time and the impact they have had on current events.
Related Link: http://www.education-world.com/a_sites/sites037.shtml

August 7, 2006
Betsy Byars
Betsy Byars was born on this date in 1928. Since her first book in 1962, she has authored more than 50 books for young people. Visit the related link to research this famous children's author. Be sure to check out the autobiography with its creative timeline of her life. Have students create a similar timeline for their life.
Related Link: http://www.betsybyars.com/

August 9, 2006
Nagasaki
On this date in 1945, the atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki. How did this atomic bomb and the atomic bomb dropped three days earlier on Hiroshima impact world peace?
Related Link: http://www.exploratorium.edu/nagasaki/

August 10, 2006
Smithsonian Institute
The Smithsonian museum opened on this day in 1846 in Washington, D.C. Write a newspaper review of your favorite exhibit. Be sure to visit the Smithsonian website which is a portal for all the Smithsonian museums.
Related Link: http://www.si.edu

August 16, 2006
Roller Coaster patent
The roller coaster was patented on this day in 1898. Design your own roller coaster while learning about force and motion with this theme unit from Annenberg/CPB. Write a personal narrative about your most memorable roller coaster ride.
Related Link: http://www.learner.org/exhibits/parkphysics/

August 19, 2006
Aviation Day
National Aviation Day in honor of the birthday of Orville Wright on this date in 1871. Research pioneers in flight: Amelia Earhart, the Wright Brothers, and Charles Lindbergh.
Related Link: http://www.fi.edu/flights/index.html

California Gold Rush
The first claim to gold in California was made on this date in 1848 and the California Gold Rush began.
Related Link: http://www.pbs.org/goldrush/

August 26, 2006
Women's Equality Day
On August 26, 1920 the Secretary of State Bainbridge Colby certified the ratification of the 19th Amendment, giving women the right to vote. Find out more about the women who worked to obtain this amendment to our U.S. Constitution. Challenge students to search the National Archives (related link) to construct a timeline of the events leading up to ratification of the amendment by the 36th state.
Related Link: http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/woman-suffrage/