Rosa Parks was committed to the struggle for social justice and human rights until her death, inspiring millions of people around the world. Today, we celebrate her!
Rosa Parks was born on this day in 1913.
Grades
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Author E.B. White was born on this day in 1899.
K - 5
Calendar Activity
| Author & Text
Author E.B. White, most well-known for his famous children's book, Charlotte's Web, received high acclaim and awards for many of his works of fiction.
Grades
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Playwright August Wilson was born in 1945.
9 - 12
Calendar Activity
| Author & Text
Students use the Timeline Tool and Drama Map to create a decade-by-decade record and play of their community's history.
Grades
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Sherman Alexie was born in 1966.
3 - 12
Calendar Activity
| Author & Text
Students imagine they have been asked to participate in a museum exhibit, take photos/videos of a significant location, and write or record reflections. Students can also create an exhibit from something they have read.
Grades
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The "1984" Macintosh commercial aired today during Super Bowl XVIII.
3 - 12
Calendar Activity
| Historical Figure & Event
Original advertisements are created after students review advertising techniques they've studied.
Grades
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Today is Benjamin Franklin's birthday.
1 - 6
Calendar Activity
| Historical Figure & Event
Students discuss Benjamin Franklin's contributions to postal history, investigate the roles of the Postmaster General, and write letters to their classmates using the Letter Generator.
Grades
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Black Beauty author Anna Sewell was born in 1820.
3 - 12
Calendar Activity
| Author & Text
Through Sewell's novel, students explore the cruelty to animals and extend the discussion to current events, eventually presenting the information.
Grades
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The Barbie doll was unveiled in 1959.
7 - 12
Calendar Activity
| Historical Figure & Event
Students explore body image and advertising through an activity where they bring in pictures from magazines that they read and discuss gender representations in the media.
Grades
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On this day in 1907, Rachel Carson was born.
3 - 12
Calendar Activity
| Author & Text
Students learn about Rachel Carson, explore different environmental websites, and write a Diamante Poem about a particular habitat.
Grades
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The New York Times used the slogan "All the News That's Fit to Print."
7 - 12
Calendar Activity
| Historical Figure & Event
After discussing newspapers and their different points of view, students choose a current event, read editorials on the event, and share them with the class to identify the editor's point of view.
Grades
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Jackie Robinson was born on this day in 1919.
7 - 12
Calendar Activity
| Historical Figure & Event
Students read messages sent to the White House from Jackie Robinson and discuss his role as an athlete and a civil rights activist, as well as the role of athletes in society.
Grades
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The Space Shuttle Challenger exploded in 1986.
3 - 12
Calendar Activity
| Historical Figure & Event
Students interview a parent or another adult about the Challenger and hypothesize about differences. Students can also write about the Columbia disaster in 2003.
Grades
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Today is the birthday of Lewis Carroll, author of Alice in Wonderland.
3 - 6
Calendar Activity
| Author & Text
After reading one of Carroll's chapters, students plan an unbirthday party and do activities and preparation for the event.
Grades
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Elizabeth Blackwell became the first woman in the US to earn a MD degree in 1849.
3 - 12
Calendar Activity
| Historical Figure & Event
"Famous Firsts" are researched by students, followed by small group research and multimedia presentations to report research results.
Grades
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Amelia Earhart completed her solo flight from Honolulu to Oakland in 1935.
3 - 12
Calendar Activity
| Historical Figure & Event
Students explore the definition of a hero and use the interactive Venn diagram to identify the most common characteristics of a hero.
Grades
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Randolph Caldecott was born on March 22, 1846.
K - 12
Calendar Activity
| Literacy-Related Event
Students explore the history of the Caldecott Medal and create a classroom literary award modeled after the Caldecott.
Grades
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In 1969, the first human walked on the moon.
9 - 12
Calendar Activity
| Historical Figure & Event
As a class, students discuss Neil Armstrong's famous quote when he landed on the moon and explore the difference that one word can make, as well as the gendered language that Armstrong uses.
Grades
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Annie Moore becomes the first immigrant to enter Ellis Island in 1892.
3 - 12
Calendar Activity
| Historical Figure & Event
Students explore online resources about Ellis Island, interview an immigrant in the area, and publish their stories.
Grades
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The Wright brothers made their phenomenal flight!
3 - 6
Calendar Activity
| Historical Figure & Event
Students celebrate the Wright brothers' flight in 1903 by having a classroom celebration that includes a multimedia timeline and comparisons of the Wright Flyer to the planes we have today.
Grades
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Dr. Christian Barnard performed the first human heart transplant.
K - 6
Calendar Activity
| Historical Figure & Event
Students talk about the causes of heart disease and the role that diet and exercise play. Then, students find healthy dessert recipes and vote on one dessert to make in class.