William Penn received the deed to Pennsylvania from King Charles II in 1681. The deed was in lieu of paying a debt of sixteen thousand pounds. Children can learn more about Wiliam Penn at: William Penn.
Mar 042024
Mar 042024
Vermont State Flag
Vermont became the fourteenth state of the United States in 1791. A translation of the state’s name leads to its nickname, the Green Mountain State. The state is the sixth smallest in area, and only Wyoming has less population. Montpelier is the state capital. Two of its products are maple syrup and maple candy. Children could visit an Internet site at: Vermont. Idea: Children could enjoy pancakes and real maple syrup.
Mar 042024
Frances Perkins
Frances Perkins became the first female member of a Presidential cabinet in 1933. President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed her to be Secretary of Labor. She carried out many aspects of the New Deal, including the Civilian Conservation Corps, major improvements to social security, and laws regarding child labor. She served until June 30, 1945. Children could learn more at: Frances Perkins.
Mar 042024
Slinky
Slinky was patented by Richard and Betty James in 1947. Richard was trying to develop a spring that would suspend ship instruments even in turbulent waters. He accidentally dropped one of his springs, and the toy was born. Children can “walk” slinkies down an inclined plane by following the easy directions at: Slinky.
Mar 042024
Meindert DeJong (born Weirum, Netherlands, 1906; died Allegan, Michigan, July 16, 1991) wrote books for children. He received numerous awards for his books, including the 1955 Newbery Medal for The Wheel on the School. He also earned four Newbery Honor Awards: Shadrach in 1954, Hurry Home, Candy in 1954, The House of Sixty Fathers in 1957, and Along Came a Dog in 1959. In 1962 he was the first American to win the Hans Christian Andersen Award. Children can read more about him at: Meindert DeJong.
Prince Henry the Navigator (born Portugal, 1394; died Portugal, November 13, 1460) encouraged and expanded exploration of Africa and other lands. He planned more than fifty expeditions, but he never went on any of these trips himself. He brought in experts in cartography, astronomy and mathematics. Through his work, Portugal became a leading force in exploration. Children can learn more at: Prince Henry the Navigator.
Dav Pilkey (born Cleveland, Ohio, 1966) has written and illustrated at least 50 books for children. He has created the Captain Underpants series, the Dumb Bunny series, and the Dog Man series. Children could visit his site at: http://www.pilkey.com/.
Casimir Pulaski
Casimir Pulaski (born Winiary, Mazovia, Poland, 1747; died on the warship Wasp, October 11, 1779) was a military leader in his native Poland. He came to America after Poland was partitioned. He became a hero during the Revolutionary War. Pulaski was mortally wounded during the siege of Savannah.
Peggy Rathmann (born Saint Paul, Minnesota, 1953) is a children’s book author and illustrator. Her Officer Buckle and Gloria received the Caldecott Medal in 1996. Children can visit a website at: Peggy Rathmann. Idea: Students, like Officer Buckle, could make a list of safety tips.
Mar 052024
Cheese Doodle Day is today! The puffed and baked cornmeal snacks come in a variety of shapes, textures, and spiciness. However, everyone likes the cheddar cheese dusting best of all.
Mar 052024
Boston Massacre
by Paul Revere
Crispus Attucks Day harkens back to the Revolutionary War in 1770. The Boston Massacre occurred between colonists and British soldiers. Crispus Attucks, possibly a fugitive slave, was the first person killed in the fight. Several other men died, and others were wounded. Children can learn more about the Boston Massacre and Crispus Attucks at: America’s Library.
Mar 052024
Hula Hoop was patented by Arthur “Spud” Melin, co-founder of Wham-O, in 1963. About 25 million hula hoops were sold in the first four months of production. Hula Hoops are still popular today. Children could check this website for great games/exercises to play with Hula Hoops.
Mar 052024
Mem Fox (born Melbourne, Australia, 1946) has written at least 50 books for children. Her works include Yoo Hoo, Ladybug! and Goodnight, Sleep Tight. Children could visit a website at: Mem Fox.
James Merritt Ives (born New York, New York, 1824; died 1895) was part of the lithographic team of Currier and Ives. They published more than four thousand different scenes of events ranging from the commonplace to historic. At the time, the prints were used for decoration or book illustration. Now originals are rare and expensive. Children can view many of the works of Currier and Ives at: Currier and Ives.
Gerardus Mercator (born Rupelmonde, Flanders, 1512; died Duisburg, Germany, December 2, 1594) invented the Mercator projection for maps. He was able to portray more accurately the earth on a flat piece of paper. He also used the term atlas for the first time to refer to a compilation of maps. Because the Mercator Projection distorts the size of land masses at the poles, it is seldom used today. Children could learn more about Mercator and Mercator Projections at: Mercator. What kind of projection is most used today? Children could have fun at: Map Projections.
Howard Pyle (born Wilmington, Delaware, 1853; died Florence, Italy, November 9, 1911) was an illustrator. Children can read more about Pyle and then see many of his illustrations at: Illustrations. They can also learn more at: Howard Pyle.
Mar 062024
Oreo Cookies
National Oreo Day is today! Oreo cookies went on sale this day in 1912. Today 2,000 Oreos are produced a minute, and more Oreos have been sold than any other type of cookie. Children can learn more about the famous cookie at: Oreo History.