October: Special Days, Weeks, Events of the Month

October is One Busy Month!

I have quite a bit on my "to-do" list, both in the classroom and at home! After learning of all the "special days" for October, my list has gotten longer... Have a look at some below! I had to post this today so you could get started on any additions you want to make to your plans for the first week of the month!

1st week- 

• Get Organized Week

Cleaning Out the Clutter! Throwing Away Tons of Papers "To Be Filed" and Never Got Filed!
That Garbage Bag in Pic is a LARGE YARD/LEAF Sized Bag!!! 

2nd week- 

• National Pet Peeve Week --Do I Smell a Journal Prompt???? ;)
• International Letter-Writing Week 

3rd week-

• Teen Read Week -I love all of the mystery/fantasy books we use in literature circles for our Mystery/Fantasy Unit starting next week! See More about Teen Read Week Here

4th week-

• Peach, Friendship, and Good Will Week

October is the month for:

• Breast Cancer Awareness-- Visit Pink for October for badges, buttons, and backgrounds to show your support! I already changed my Facebook cover photo! And, here's one of their cute seasonal badges! ---------->
• Domestic Violence Awareness
• Adopt a Shelter Dog Month -You knew I'd squeeze something for my 4-legged friends in this post! I actually donate monthly to ASPCA! There are tons of things to teach young children and teens in regards to animals (responsibility, treatment, care, needs, etc.)
 Streaming video by Ustream
• Energy Awareness 
• Computer Learning
• National Stamp Month
• Squirrel Awareness Month
• Positive Attitude Month

Days for many of us to note: 

• World Vegetarian Day- October 1
• First Day of Sukkot October 1 
• International Day of Non-Violence- October 2
• World Farm Animals Day - October 2
• Balloons Around the World Day - October 3
• National Poetry Day- October 4
• World Animal Day - October 4
• Do Something Nice Day - October 5
• World Teachers' Day - October 5
• Columbus Day (Observed) - October 8
• World Post Day- October 9
• Fire Prevention Day - October 9
• National Stop Bullying Day - October 10
• Dictionary Day - October 16
• National Chocolate Cupcake Day - October 18 (Excuse for Class Cupcakes?? I think so!)
• Rainforest Day - October 19
• Reptile Awareness Day - October 21
• iPod Day - October 23
• United Nations Day- October 24
• National Forgiveness Day - October 27
• Summer Time Ends/Europe - October 28
• National Cat Day - October 29
• Internet Day - October 29
• Halloween - October 31

Busy month, I'll say! 
What do you have planned for your students during October?

FREE DOWNLOAD FOR VALENTINE'S DAY!

POSITIVE COMMENTS & MESSAGES TO STUDENTS! FUN WITH HERSHEY'S KISSES TAGS!

Students can cut out multiple tags to write positive comments to their classmates for Valentine's Day! Download contains 3 pages of printables and a page of notes to the teacher for using this activity! 
Great in any class, grade, or subject area!  Enjoy!

Unique, Significant, and Some Bizarre Holidays/Dates to Note & Maybe Share in Class:

We are all aware of the many well-known holidays such as New Year's Day,  Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Holiday (Birthday observed), Groundhog Day, Lincoln's Birthday, Valentine's Day, Presidents' Day...just to name a few!  

BUT, Did You Know These???

Dates I Don't See on My "Usual" Refrigerator Calendar & I Think Are Pretty Cool!
NOTE: I've started beyond today's date!

Though some dates are the same each year, others vary year to year---

Dates below are for January & February 2012

Those Noted in RED Tempt Me to Plan a Unique Lesson for Class! 
Certainly these make for spectacular writing prompts in various subjects!! 

JANUARY:

Bath Safety Month

National Book Month   --Everyone should find a new book to read!

National Volunteer Blood Donor Month  

National Thank You Month--to remind us to say "Thank You" when we should!

National Eye Care Month

National Braille Literacy Month

National Hobby Month

Days in January:

17th Ditch New Years' Resolutions Day (lol...if you must)

18th Thesaurus Day; Maintenance Day; Winnie the Pooh Day

20th National Penguin Day

21st National Hugging Day & Squirrel Appreciation Day

23rd Chinese New Year* & National Handwriting Day---AND Measure Your Feet Day 
                    (I won't even comment on the feet...)
24th Belly Laugh Day
26th Australia Day 
28th National Fun at Work Day   (I will be sure to announce this at school!)
     *2nd New Moon after Winter Solstice-- Chinese New Year!

FEBRUARY:

American Heart Month

Black History Month (Yes, I knew this & currently teaching a Unit involving it. :))
National Children's Dental Health Month
Chocolate Lover's Month   (Here's a teacher's excuse to eat chocolate for a  month!)
National Bird Feeding Month (I will have to add another bird feeder to my backyard!)
Days in February 
1st   National Freedom Day
2nd National Change Your Windshield Wipers Day
4th Thank a Mailman Day
8th  Boy Scout Day & Kite Flying Day
11th Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk Day (Anyone Teaching Idioms?)& Make a Friend Day
17th Random Acts of Kindness Day; National Public Science Day
20th Love Your Pet Day
21st  Fat Tuesday/Mardi Gras
22nd Be Humble Day, Walking the Dog Day (uh oh...I have 5 dogs...)
26th Tell a Fairy Tale Day
27th Polar Bear Day
28th National Tooth Fairy Day
29th LEAP DAY----Woah---I didn't realize it until today! 
           I am usually pretty good about donating blood, so I will be sure to put that on my "to-do" list for January! February, I must go for my dental check up, especially if I intend to use the chocolate excuse!  
It seems I have lots of planning to do---there are too many good lessons to be taught!

           I truly hope you found this post enjoyable, as I have thoroughly enjoyed conjuring up all sorts of things to do in class....knowing some of these unique holidays! I've enjoyed it so much that I think I may have to do this for every month!! Tune in For Upcoming Months!!! 

Regards,

FREE "PRESENTing...ME!" from Connie Casserly! Share, Share, Share!

Download this Free Product from Connie's TpT Store or by Clicking Thumbnail!

Or, find it on her site www.teachitwrite.com in the Lesson Plans: English Tab!

Thanks to Connie for Sharing this With All of Us!

**P.S. I will be posting the next "Get to Know This TpT Teacher-Author" tomorrow...be sure to tune in!!

                                                          Regards,

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