December Happenings 2006

December 1
Assembly Line
Henry Ford introduced the Assembly Line in his factory on this date in 1913. It produced a Ford car every 2 hours and 38 minutes. Research the assembly line and then set up an assembly line in your classroom to make a product. Take a virtual tour of the Henry Ford Museum.
Related Link: www.hfmgv.org/

Rosa Parks Day
This is the 51st anniversary of Rosa Park's arrest in 1955 after she refused to ride in the back of the bus. Find out more about this historic event in our civil rights history. A boycott began that did not end until Dr. King and Rev. Smiley rode in the front seat of the bus on December 21, 1956 - 381 days after the bus boycott began – and fifty-one years ago.
Related Link: www.achievement.org/autodoc/page/par0pro-1

Safe Toys and Gifts Month
Celebrate Safe Toys and Gifts Month by graphing the Top Ten toys for gift giving in your classroom. Research the safety features of kid's toys.
Related Link: http://kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/home/safe_toys.html

December 2
Heart Transplant
The first artificial heart transplant was performed on this date in 1982. Visit the Franklin Institute for a virtual tour of the heart.
Related Link: http://sln.fi.edu/biosci/biosci.html

December 4 - 12, 2007
Hanukkah
Today is the First Day of Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights. Find out what this holiday celebration is.
Related Link: www.chabad.org/holidays/chanukah/default.asp

December 5
California Gold Rush
President Polk announced to Congress the discovery of gold in California on this date in 1848. Write journal entries about what it would be like to travel west to California seeking your fortune in gold.
Related Link: www.huntington.org/Education/GoldRush/Entrance/lesson.html

Mozart
Mozart was born 250 years ago on this date in 1756. Create a timeline of his life.
Related Link: www.studio-mozart.com/mozart/index.htm

Walt Disney
Walt Disney was born on this day in 1901. His creation, Mickey Mouse, is famous all over the world. What other characters did he create?
Related Link: http://disney.go.com/disneyatoz/familymuseum/index.html

December 7
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
The Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on this date in 1941 and the U.S. entered World War II, declaring war on Japan. Find out more about Pearl Harbor and make a timeline of December 7th or of the events of World War II.
Related Link: http://plasma.nationalgeographic.com/pearlharbor/

December 10
Human Rights Day
Celebrate Human Rights Day. Find out about Human Rights laws and what we can do to make them work. Watch the newspaper for articles on human rights here in the United States or in other countries.
Related Link: www.un.org/av/special/hrday

December 17
Aviation Day
Celebrate the anniversary of the first Wright Brothers flight on this date in 1903 by having a paper airplane contest. If the weather is too cold, set up the competition in the school gym.
Try Flights of Inspiration for more ideas.

Wright Brothers Day
The Wright Brothers plane first flew on this date in 1903. Research flight and record the events from the Wright brother's plane to the present airlines.
Related Link: www.hfmgv.org/exhibits/wright

December 18
13th Amendment
The 13th Amendment, passed on December 18, 1865, abolished slavery in the United States. Find out how an amendment to the U.S. Constitution gets passed. Watch the newspaper for stories about new amendments to the constitution.
Related Link: www.usconstitution.net/constam.html

Electoral College
Electorates in each of the 50 states meet as members of the Electoral College to cast their vote for President of the United States during Presidential Election years. Visit Ben's Guide to find out how the Electoral College works.
Related Link: http://bensguide.gpo.gov/9-12/election/electoral.html

December 22
First Day of Winter
Today is the first day of winter. What is the weather today? Compare it to the weather on this day last year, last decade. Compare your weather to three other cities in the world. Graph your results.
Related Link: http://weather.gov

December 25
Christmas Day
Learn more about the Christmas holiday with lessons, activities and holiday cultures.
Related Link: www.teachersfirst.com

December 26 – January 1
Kwanzaa
This African American holiday is celebrated from 12/26 - 1/1. Find out more about this holiday.
RelatedLink: www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org/index.shtml

December 31
MONOPOLY™ patented
Monopoly is 71 this year. The game Monopoly was patented on this day in 1935. Can you find out how many Monopoly games have been sold? Research other board games to find out their history. Create a Monopoly board for your community. What would Boardwalk be called? What forms of transportation would you use? What subdivisions and landmarks would you include?
Related Link: www.hasbro.com/monopoly/

New Year's Eve
Today is New Year's Eve. What are your New Year's resolutions for 2007? Set goals for the rest of the school year. Create a timeline for achieving your goals.
Related Link: http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson/lesson044.shtml

Last updated November 2007