Homemade Pizza
National Pizza Day is today! Statistics regarding pizza are astounding. Around three billion pizzas are sold every year. That means that around 350 slices of pizza are gobbled down every second. Pepperoni is the favorite type of pizza. Children could poll their friends as to everyone’s favorite type of pizza. That could include all kinds of pizzas: thin crust, Chicago style, gluten-free, even cauliflower crust. And the toppings! Where do we begin?
1943 Photo of Weather Service Office
United States Weather Service was created in 1870. Today the Weather Service is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Children can find out more about the Weather Service at: http://www.weather.gov/owlie/science_kt.
Volleyball was invented by William G. Morgan of Massachusetts in 1895. He invented the game to be played indoors and that would provide good exercise but not as much physical contact as other sports, for example basketball.
The Beatles
Beatles appeared for the first time on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1964. Over 73 million people watched the program. Idea: Have the class create acts for a variety show.
Halley’s Comet
Halley’s Comet was visible in 1986. Named after Edmund Halley, the scientist who conducted extensive research on the comet, the comet has been documented since 240 BCE. The comet will appear again around July 28, 2061. Children could learn more about comets at: Comets.
Dick Gackenbach (born Allentown, Pennsylvania, 1927) has written and illustrated over 70 books for children. His works include Harry and the Terrible Whatzit and Hattie Rabbit.
William Henry Harrison
William Henry Harrison (born Berkeley, Virginia, 1773; died Washington, DC, April 4, 1841) was the ninth president (1841) of the United States. After a successful military career, he served in the House of Representatives, the Senate, and as ambassador to Colombia. His presidential campaign slogan was “Tippecanoe and Tyler Too.” His inaugural address was delivered in the cold and rain. He developed pneumonia and died a month later. Children could visit a website at: William Henry Harrison. They could find out what happened at Tippecanoe.
Amy Lowell (born Brookline, Massachusetts, 1874; died Brookline, Massachusetts, May 12, 1925) was a poet. Children can learn more about her life at: Amy Lowell. Children can read some of her works at: Project Gutenberg.
Lydia Estes Pinkham (born Lynn, Massachusetts, 1819; died Lynn, Massachusetts, May 17, 1883) produced and sold Lydia Pinkham’s Vegetable Compound. Containing about 18 percent alcohol, the medicine was supposed to be therapeutic. After her death, the business became quite sound financially.
Alice Walker (born Eatonton, Georgia, 1944) is an author and social activist. One of her books is The Color Purple, which received the 1983 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. She is the first African American woman to receive a Pulitzer. Children can visit her website at: Alice Walker.