It's a month for discovering, exploring, inventing...playing!
And a monthful of amazing moments in history. Check it out for a day-by-day month that's FABULOUS!
February 1: NATIONAL FREEDOM DAY celebrates President Abraham Lincoln signing the 13th Ammendment of the United States Constitution outlawing slavery in 1865. *Here's a special story to share.
February 2: GROUNDHOG DAY. It's said that if the groundhog peeks out of its burrow and sees its shadow, there will be six more week of winter weather. No shadow sighting and winter is over right then. Click to link to fun activities for the day from Scholastic.
OR try this Alaskan native peoples way for forecasting what weather's coming. They hold a tug of war. On one side are the Ducks, anyone born during a summer month. On the other side are the Ptarmigans, anyone born during a winter month. If the Ducks win, winter will soon be over. If the Ptarmigans win, more winter weather is ahead.
February 3: FLOAT FREE In 1984, two American astronauts floated free of the space shuttle Challenger. It was made possible by a nitrogen jet-propelled backpack called the MMU (Manned Maneuvering Unit). *I have to share that while working on my book PIONEERING SPACE I had a chance to test drive the trainer for the MMU. I was on Earth not in space but it was still fantastic.
February 4: CHARLES LINDBERGH was born. In 1927, he made the first solo nonstop flight across the Atlantic in a plane called The Spirit of St. Louis.
February 5: RUBBER BOOTS were first introduced in 1824 by J. W. Goodrich. Put on your boots and go outside on a scavenger hunt. See how many of these you can find.
- Something older than you are.
- Something younger than you are.
- Something that will not rot. Something that will rot.
- Something rough.
- Something Smooth.
- Something that will change over time.
February 6: BABE (George) RUTH was born in 1895. He was noted for hitting home runs and dubbed The King of Swing. Get to know him. Read about him. Then link to fun facts.
February 7: QUAKE In 1812 a series of earthquakes shook New Madrid, MO and caused the Misissippi River to flow backwards for several hours..
February 8: NATIONAL KITE FLYING DAY Check out this link to kite flying activities and history from Scholastic.
And for a little older readers...
February 9: WEATHER In 1870, Congress created the first public weather service. In 1970, it was officially named the National Weather Service. *I love walking in the rain and seeing the world all rain-changed. That's why I wrote this rainy day story. And it's about something real that happens when the weather is just---TOADY. :-)
February 10: SURRENDER France signed the Treaty of Paris in 1763, giving Canada to Great Britain. French is still spoken, especially in Quebec.
Here's a few fun French words and phrases to learn.
Oui (say whee) Yes
Merci (say mair-see) Thank you
De Rien (say du-rhee-en) Your welcome
February 11: INVENTOR'S DAY This is celebrated in honor of Thomas Edison's birthday because of all his many inventions, including an improved telephone, the phonograph, and a long-glowing electric light bulb. National Inventors Hall of Fame was founded in 1973, in Akron, OH. Moved to Alexandria, VA, in 2008.
February 12: ABRAHAM LINCOLN was born in 1809. *Two of my favorite books. :-)
February 13: HOORAY FOR SCHOOL The oldest public secondary school in America opened in 1635. John Hancock, Samuel Adams, Robert Paine and William Hooper, all signers of the Declaration of Independence, went to school there.
February 14: VALENTINE'S DAY
Check my blog archives for VALENTINE'S DAY IS FUN WITH HEART! to discover lots of ways for kids to make their own Valentine cards.
February 15: SUSAN B. ANTHONY was born in 1820. Her work was key in gaining women the Right to Vote.
February 16: OPERATION SANDBLAST The submarine USS Triton left New London, CT beginning what became the world's first underwater circumnavigation of the earth. It took 84 days and covered 41,500 miles. It also followed, generally, the route of the first ever circumnavigation of the globe by Ferdinand Magellan from 1519-1522.
February 17: NATIONAL RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS DAY. Think of some way to be nice to someone else.
February 18: ALESSANDRO VOLTA was born in Italy in 1745. He invented the electric battery. It's become NATIONAL BATTERY DAY. List at least 10 things you use that's battery-powered.
February 19: PHONOGRAPH In 1878, Thomas Edison received a patent for inventing the phonograph, which could play recorded sounds.
February 20: ANSEL ADAMS was born in 1902. His amazing photographs of nature encouraged people to want to conserve and protect nature. It's also LOVE YOUR PET DAY. *I have to share one of my favorite love your pet books.
February 21: WASHINGTON MONUMENT was completed in 1885. Work had begun 37 years earlier on July 4, 1848.
February 22: POPCORN While this may not be the exact date, it's believe February, 1630 was when Native American Quadequina introduced early colonists to popped corn. You may be shocked to learn popcorn was the original puffed breakfast cereal. Popcorn was also worn by the early Native Americans. Have kids pop up some jewelry too. After threading dental floss through a needle have them poke the needle through the thickest part of the popped kernel. String necklaces or bracelets. After wearing, hang outdoors for bird snacks.
February 23: TOOTSIE ROLL This chocolate-flavored candy treat was first introduced to the world in New York City. It was the first individually wrapped penny candy in the US.
February 24: STEAM SHOVEL This machine was invented in 1838 by William Otis and patented on this day in 1839.
February 25: READ ACROSS AMERICA begins today! It ends on March 2nd, Dr. Seuss's birthday. So be sure and read a Dr. Seuss book out loud today. *Here's my favorite.
February 26: NATIONAL TELL A FAIRY TALE DAY. It really is! *Here's one of my favorites.
February 27: POLAR BEAR DAY It's the day to celebrate this amazing animal. *I have to share one of my own stories about a polar bear because it's about a real bear--a very special polar bear cub.
February 28: NATIONAL TOOTH FAIRY DAY *And what could be a better way to end the fun. I hope all the young readers enjoy my very first WHAT IF YOU HAD!? book. Ask children what kind of animal teeth they would like to have and let them imagine having them!
I hope your FEBRUARY is FABULOUS!
