Bizarre and Fun Holidays

This article is a work in progress. I'm collecting information about the fabulous holidays for every month of the year. Check back each month for more links and references.

August Holiday Round-Up
There's something to celebrate each day in August! Check it out!

September Holiday Fun
Get the school year off with a bang on any day in September.

October Holidays to Remember
Here's a great list for October!

December Holiday Fun
Have some holiday fun in December.

March Holidays!
Here are some great ways to celebrate while we wait for warmer weather.

Of course, this wouldn't be one of the Tutor's lenses if we didn't connect it to teaching and learning! If you have children in your life, you want to keep track of these wild holidays. You can connect them with reading and research by finding out history or celebration ideas. Make connections with math by surveying, counting, graphing, or measuring. Make connections with social studies by studying cultures or demographics. Connect with science by experimenting. Connect with writing by making posters, creating poetry or short stories, or by writing directions or instructions for celebrations. You can even build logic, planning skills and more by designing and implementing your own celebration or party!

Most of all, keep everything in the spirit that it is intended-crazy, goofy fun. You will find that wacky holidays can add tons of enjoyment to learning, and with just a bit of planning, can fit into nearly any curricular area or theme.

Here are some ideas to get you started with creating your own learning experiences around a whacky holiday that seems like fun.

Do a Bit of Research
The internet is a great tool to learn more about a holiday's topic. Check it out on Google to uncover history, origins, and information about who's celebrating and why.

Create a Plan
Many of these crazy commemorations are trying to get people to do something on the same day. Can you participate? How?

Publicize
Make posters, invitations, or compose letters. Write persuasive essays or spread the word by talking to others. The more people you can get involved, the more fun you will probably have!

Don't Forget the Food!
What's a party without food? What snacks or themed foods can you connect with the celebration? If it's Take Your Houseplant for a Walk Day, you might try making a houseplant-shaped cookie and decorating it with green icing. Celebrate Dr. Seuss's birthday by making real green eggs and ham.

Get in on the Action
Children learn best by doing, so think up some activity that goes with the celebration. You can modify games you know by tweaking titles or names for positions. Try having the kids make up their own games, too. Can you think of ways to build awareness around your community? How about finding a way to turn the celebration into a service project?