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JANUARY
1/21/08	MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. seattletimes.nwsource.com/mlk This holiday did not become nationally observed until 1983. This site provides information on King's life, legacy, and the holiday, as well as background on the civil rights movement. Other features of the site include sound clips of King's speeches, a photo gallery documenting King's life, and an Interactive Classroom that contains student essays, a quiz on King's activism, a study guide to the civil rights movement, and additional Web links.
1/1/1892	ELLIS ISLAND: THE NEW WORLD www.thehistorychannel.com/exhibits/ellisisle This History Channel site features the history of Ellis Island, once owned by a butcher named Ellis. The site also explains the islands rise to fame, its decent into decay, and its reconstruction and rise as one of the foremost American tourist attractions. It also provides a breakdown of how many people from each country came to America as well as essays on what the immigrants experienced on Ellis Island.
1/1/1863	EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION www.archives.gov/exhibit_hall/featured_documents On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed his executive proclamation declaring "all persons held as slaves" within the United States "henceforward shall be free." This page provides a transcript of the Emancipation Proclamation and images of the original document. The site also contains an essay called "The Emancipation Proclamation: An Act of Justice," which discusses what the proclamation meant and an audio clip of a former slave discussing the work and living conditions after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued."
1/1/1863	NATIONAL BRAILLE ASSOCIATION www.nationalbraille.org/AboutBraille Louis Braille, born on January 4, 1809, invented Braille, a code of patterned dots felt with the fingertips that allowed blind people to read and write. The National Braille Association's Website offers information on Braille's life, how he created the code, how it is used, and the changes it has undergone since its invention.
	AUTISM SOCIETY OF AMERICA www.autism-society.org January is Autism Awareness Month. The Autism Society of America maintains this site to continue its mission to "promote lifelong access and opportunities for persons within the autism spectrum and their families." The site provides extensive information on autism, membership, state and local resources, news, and events.
1/21-25/08	NO NAME-CALLING WEEK http://www.nonamecallingweek.org/cgi-bin/iowa/home.html More than 30 organizations have come together to create a national "No Name-Calling Week." The project aims to bring attention to the problems of bullying and name-calling in schools and to spark discussion on how to eliminate name-calling for good. The project is tailored to grades 5 through 8 because studies show name-calling is most acute during these years, but it can be adjusted for students and teachers for other grade levels as well. No Name-Calling Week's goal is to educate students and teachers nationwide about the harms of name-calling and to help create environments in which name-calling is unacceptable. The project has developed a resource guide with instructions for organizing and publicizing "No Name-Calling Week" in individual schools, lesson plans, and curricular material, and further resources for those who wish to extend the experience.

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DECEMBER
12/17	Wright Brothers First Flight Centennial--December 17, 1903 http://www.nasm.si.edu/wrightbrothers/ This site by the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum provides information on the lives of Orville and Wilbur Wright, the history of their creating the first flying machine, significant milestones, artifacts, classroom activities, and interactive experiments. http://www.wright-brothers.org/ The Wright Brothers Aeroplane Company and Museum of Pioneer Aviation is a forum for early aviation historians and enthusiasts. This fun and informative site contains information and historical photographs of the Wright brothers and their airplanes, and the story "behind" the story of the 1901 Wright wind tunnel and balances. It also contains kite plans, engineering drawings for the 1902 Wright Glider, sources for kits that you can buy to build a Wright Flyer and other Wright aircraft, photos of the Wright brothers, and resources for early aviation and neat stuff for science and social studies homework. A great site for both browsing and research.
12/25/07 - 1/2/08	HANUKKAH www.historychannel.com/exhibits/holidays/hanukkah The Festival of Lights, or Hanukkah, is the Jewish holiday that celebrates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem over 2,300 year ago. This site takes an indepth look at the history behind Hanukkah, reveals the significance of Hanukkah symbols and foods, and examines recordbreaking Hanukkah feats performed by Jewish students from around the world.
12/7	REMEMBERING PEARL HARBOR www.nationalgeographic.com/pearlharbor/ December 7 marks the anniversary of the 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii--the pivotal event that prompted the United States to enter World War II. This site provides a detailed account of the events that occurred before, during, and after the attack.
12/25	CHRISTMAS www.howstuffworks.com/christmas.htm This site discusses "How Christmas Works" as though it were explaining the holiday to a "friendly" space alien. Included are a collection of articles written by computer scientist Marshall Brain. The Lots More Information section features links to related Howstuffworks articles.
12/25/07 - 1/2/08	CHANUKAH FOR KIDS www.chabad.org/holidays/chanukah/article?AID=235816 This site, which is a project of the American Friends of Lubavitch, provides Chanukah insights, tidbits, recipes, games, greeting cards, a global events directory as well as the story of Chanukah and the tales of lights. Also included are menorahs around the globe and a how-to- on Chanukah.
12/26-1/1	KWANZAA http://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org/ Kwanzaa, which is observed from December 26 through January 1, is a celebration of family, community, and culture for many African-Americans and Africans worldwide. This site provides a wealth of information including Kwanzaa roots, branches, greetings, gifts, decorations, celebrations, and more. Also outlined are the seven principles of Kwanzaa.
12/10	DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS http://www.udhr.org/index.htm On December 10, 948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was signed, led by the Chairperson of the United Nations' Commission on Human Rights, Eleanor Roosevelt. It declared "the inalienable rights and fundamental freedoms of each and every person on the face of the earth." December is now Universal Human Rights Month in honor of this declaration. This site provides extensive information on the history of the document and the people involved in drafting it. The Timeline shows events related to human rights throughout history. Also included are numerous links to related information.
12/16	AMERICAN REVOLUTION: BOSTON HARBOR http://www.pbs.org/ktca/liberty/chronicle_boston1774.html This site is part of the online companion to the 1997 PBS documentary, "Liberty! The American Revolution." The crucial role of the Boston Tea Party, which occurred on December 16, 1773, is discussed at this site. The site describes how a group of men dressed as Native Americans is discussed at this site. The site describes how a group of men dressed at Native Americans invaded three docked ships and threw 342 crates of British tea into the harbor to protest British taxes on the American colonies. Also included are links to biographies and descriptions of key events.

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NOVEMBER
11/1-2/07	FOOD FOR THE ANCESTORS: DAYS OF THE DEAD http://www.pbs.org/foodancestors/ Days of the Dead, or Dias de los Muertos, is a traditional Mexican week-long holiday in November at which time the souls of the dead are believed to return to be with their families for one night. The PBS site explains the meaning and traditions in regards to this holiday. Learn about the food and art of Days of the Dead, as well as Mexican views of death. Also included are lesson plans for middle and high school students.
11/20-23 /08	California School Library Association (CSLA) Annual Conference http://www.schoollibrary.org/con/ The CSLA Annual Conference will be held at the Sacramento Convention Center in Sacramento, California on November 20-23, 2008.
	AMERICAN INDIAN HERITAGE MONTH www.nativeweb.org Much of this site's content is devoted to Native American culture, history, and modern life. Native Web provides a "cyber-place for Earth's indigenous peoples" by offering an extensive list of Internet resources for those seeking information about native peoples.
11/11	VETERANS' DAY www.vfw.org This site features several ways for students and teachers to connect with their local veterans, including essay contests, letter writing campaigns to veterans, teacher of the year nominations, and lesson plans.
11/22/07	THANKSGIVING www.historychannel.com/exhibits/thanksgiving A History Channel site devoted to debunking some Thanksgiving myths. Truths are revealed about the foods eaten at the feast, the pilgrims' 17th-century table manners, and the daily life of the pilgrims and their neighbors, the Wampanoag Indians.

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OCTOBER
10/23 - 10/31	RED RIBBON WEEK http://www.cadfy.org/redribbon.htm Red Ribbons are worn and displayed during National Red Ribbon Week, October 23-31, to demonstrate a visible and unified commitment toward the creation of a drug-free America. During Red Ribbon Week, millions of people throughout California and the nation proclaim �no use of illegal drugs, and no misuse of legal drugs!� The Red Ribbon Celebration has become institutionalized within schools and communities throughout the United States to raise awareness about the problems of substance abuse and prevention strategies that work! CADFY provides statewide training, technical assistance and resources to community organizations, schools, and interested groups on implementing an effective Red Ribbon Week Celebration promoting year-round prevention efforts in your school or community. CADFY�s Red Ribbon Handbook is available on-line as a resource for Red Ribbon Week activities.
10/16	ALL ABOUT WORDS: DICTIONARY ACTIVITIES! www.education-world.com/a_lesson/lesson206.shtml Dictionary Day, which is observed on October 16, honors Noah Webster who helped standardize English language through his dictionaries. This site, by Education World, assists teachers with incorporating Webster's work into their classrooms. There are lesson plans and activities designed to discover the origins of atypical and everyday words, create a personalized classroom dictionary, and match phonetic spellings to actual spellings. Accompanying each lesson are printable worksheets.
10/16-18/08	California Reading Association (CRA) Annual Conference http://www.californiareads.org/ The 40th Annual Conference will be held at the Sacramento Convention Center in Sacramento, California, October 16-18, 2008.
10/31	HALLOWEEN HISTORY www.historychannel.com/exhibits/halloween The origins of Halloween date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. Celts believed that on the day before the new year, October 31, the worlds of the living and dead collided. This site features an overview of the history of Halloween, the story behind jack-0-lanterns, and a collection of ghost stories. Additionally, the site highlights Halloween celebrations around the world.
10/15-19/07	NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH WEEK http://docs.schoolnutrition.org/meetingsandevents/nslw2007/nslw.asp This site features themed menus and recipes to commemorate National School Lunch Week. Also includes easy and fun recipes for children.
10/5-11/08	FIRE PREVENTION WEEK http://www.nfpa.org This official National Fire Prevention Agency (NFPA) Web site provides information on Fire Prevention Week, as well as materials for teachers, parents, and students. Younger audiences will find Sparky the Fire Dog's Web site a fun and entertaining way to learn about fire prevention. The theme of 2007 Fire Prevention Week campaign was "Practice Your Escape Plan." The theme for the 2008 campaign will be announced in June 2008.
10/12 (1492)	COLUMBUS DAY http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/oct12.html This site commemorates Christopher Columbus' arrival in the New World. The site details the history of Columbus Day celebrations in the United States and includes images of related objects. Also provided are links to helpful resources.
10/13/07	Eid al-Fitr www.infoplease.com/spot/ramadan1.html Ramandan is a "month of blessing" marked by prayer, fasting, and charity. Muslims believe that during the month of Ramandan, Allah revealed the first verses of the Qur'an, the holy book of Islam. Ramandan ends with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which in 2007 occurs on October 13. Literally the "Festival of Breaking the Fast," Eid al-Fitr is one of the two most important Islamic celebrations (the other occurs after the Jajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca). At Eid al-Fitr people dress in their finest clothes, adorn their homes with liights and decorations, give treats to children, and enjoy visits with friends and family.
10/4-10/10	WORLD SPACE WEEK www.spaceweek.org In 2000, the United Nations began World Space Week which is celebrated annually in October by 50 nations. Maintained by the Space Week International Association, this site provides background information as well as materials for teachers.
	NCPC: NATIONAL CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL www.ncpc.org/ October is Crime Prevention Month. This site by the National Crime Prevention Council provides detailed information on making neighborhoods safer. Included is a wealth of information on crime prevention such as neighborhood watches, child abuse, nonviolent crimes, and homeland security. The site also contains case studies, general reference resources, and legal and legislative updates. Younger children may enjoy the McGruff site where McGruff and Scruff remind kids to stay safe.
10/29/29	LEARNING ADVENTURES IN CITIZENSHIP: THE GREAT DEPRESSION IN NEW YORK http://pbskids.org/bigapplehistory/business/topic19.html On October 29, 1929, the stock market crashed causing millions of people to lose their jobs and homes, and go hungry. This was the start of the Great Depression. This site, which is an online companion to the Public Broadcasting Services program "New York: A Documentary Film," offers students a look inside Depression-era New York City. Learn about the drastic measures people took to survive and view the photographs from the era. Activities are also needed to help students personalize this era of American history.

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SEPTEMBER
9/17 (1787)	CONSTITUTION DAY www.archives.gov/education/lessons/constitution-day/ On September 17, 1787, the delegates to the Constitutional Convention met for the last time to sign the United States Constitution. This site by the National Archive and Records Administration provides activities, lesson plans, and general information for teachers and students of all levels on observing Constitution Day. A wealth of information relating to constitutional issues may be found under Resources.
9/17/87	U.S. GOVERNMENT FOR KIDS http://bensguide.gpo.gov/ This site, which is a service of the U.S. Government Printing Office, teaches about the U.S. Constitution. It includes information on the branches of the U.S. government, historical documents, and how laws are made. Information is sorted by grade level with topics and contents tailored to each grade. The site also provides resources for teachers and parents.
9/4	LABOR DAY www.dol.gov/opa/aboutdol/laborday Labor Day, which is celebrated on the first Monday of every September, is an annual tribute to the contributions workers have made to the country's strength, prosperity, and well-being. The site also recalls the founding of Labor Day and details some of today's more popular traditions.
	HARD LABOR http://www.factmonster.com/spot/labor1.html Labor Day, the annual tribute to the contributions workers have made to America's strength, prosperity, and well-being is celebrated the first Monday of September. This site provides information on labor unions that played important roles in establishing the holiday. Other resources include the history of Labor Day, as well as facts and statistics on earnings and employment.
	FOOD SAFETY EDUCATION http://www.foodsafety.gov/~fsg/fsgkids.html National Food Safety Education is observed during September. Sponsored by the International Food Safety Council, this site promotes greater understanding of the importance of safe food handling. Available for downloading are planning kits that include resources for teachers.
	NATIONAL GRANDPARENTS DAY http://www.grandparents-day.com National Grandparents Day is celebrated the first Sunday after Labor Day. This day is designed to encourage young people to draw on the experience and wisdom accumulated by their grandparents. A number of activities are suggested for groups and families. The site also features information about the Forget-Me-Not program of nursing home visitation, a volunteer opportunity that may appeal to people whose grandparents are no longer living.
9/15-10/15	CELEBRATE HISPANIC HERITAGE http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/hispanic/ The activities at this Scholastic site will help students discover the Hispanic culture. The site provides information on famous Latinos as well as the Hispanic history. Teachers will find lesson plan suggestions, extensive activities, and more.

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AUGUST
August 26	WOMEN'S EQUALITY DAY http://www.nwhp.org/events/equality-day/history-of-equality-day.html August 26 was designated as "Women's Equality Day" by the U.S. Congress in 1971. Women's Equality Day commemorates women's continuing efforts toward full equality and the 1920 passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution granting women the right to vote. This was the culmination of a massive, peaceful civil rights movement which began in 1948 at the world's first women's rights convention in Seneca Falls, New York.
1492	AN ONGOING VOYAGE http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/1492/ This online exhibit of the Library of Congress is about Christopher Columbus' voyage to the New World. This site discusses the pre-Columbian Americas; European expansion; and how the European, African, and Native American people reacted to each other. Also included are recommendations for further reading.
August 2, 1909	SECRETS OF MAKING MONEY http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/moolah/ Although the first Lincoln penny was issued on August 2, 1909, bills and coins haven't always been the center of trade. This site explores the history of money from cattle to the future of money and digital cash. The site explains the practice of bartering, which predated the use of money. The Teacher's Guide section includes a printable activity, an online activity, and suggestions for lesson plans.
August 28, 1963	MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. AND THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/mlk/ On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech to an audience of more than 200,000 people. Although legislators proposed a Martin Luther King holiday only four days after the civil rights leader's assassination in 1968, the holiday wasn't observed nationally until 1983. This site, created by the The Seattle Times, offers information on King's life, legacy and the holiday, as well as background on the civil rights movement. This site features audio files of King's speeches, a photo gallery that documents his life; and a study guide that offers a lesson plan and suggested classroom activities.
August 26	WOMEN IN AMERICAN HISTORY http://search.eb.com/women/ August 26 is Women's Equality Day, which marks the passage of the 19th Amendment that granted women full suffrage. This site by Encyclopedia Britannica uses a timeline format to examine the contributions made by women to the development of the United States. This historical overview is divided into four chronological periods: 1600-1820, 1820-1880; 1880-1920; and 1920-Present. The introduction to each period includes a brief overview of women's accomplishments, and each timeline offers links to biographies. The site also includes a study guide, recommended readings, and links to related resources.
August (1998)	NATIONAL INVENTORS' MONTH www.inventorsdigest.com In August 1998, National Inventors Month was created as a national month-long celebration of ingenuity. This site provides background information about the event, a list of 230 products not invented by major corporations, invention "factoids," hints on developing your own invention, and resources from the United Inventor's Association.
Aug 5, 2008	NATIONAL NIGHT OUT www.nationaltownwatch.org/nno Sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch, National Night Out "is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs; strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back." The site has registration forms, frequently asked questions, lists of the communities that participated last year, and links to related sites.

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JULY
July 4	INDEPENDENCE DAY wilstar.com/holidays/july4.htm In celebrating America's birthday, this site presents some of the documents which helped to forge and define American democracy and independence. You will find the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Magna Carta, and the Mayflower Compact. Other items on display include the texts of the Emancipation Proclamation, the Gettysburg Address, and George Washington's Farewell Address. The Pledge of Allegiance is accompanied by guidelines for displaying the U.S. flag.
July 4	HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA www.holidays.net/independence This site celebrates the Fourth of July and includes the story of how the founding fathers laid the groundwork for American independence. On display is the full text of the Declaration of Independence, along with a list of all its signatories and their home states.
July 4	TEACHING WITH HISTORIC PLACES: INDEPENDENCE DAY http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/twhp/jul00.htm Americans' Independence Day is July 4. This site by the National Register of Historic Places offers ways to commemorate this holiday with 8 lesson plans. These lesson plans cover locations of the Revolutionary War, Pennsylvania, Saratoga, New York, and Bunker Hill in Massachusetts. Students will learn such concepts as rebellion, loyalty, commemoration, liberty, and revolution. Each activity offers related maps, images, readings, and historical context.
July	REEF EDUCATION NETWORK www.reef.edu.au/ Coral Reefs Awareness Week is the third week in July. Australia's University of Queensland offers this guide to the "rainforests of the sea." The site provides information on the origins of reefs, their designs, their animal inhabitants, how reef animals co-exist, and research developments in the Research Hut section.
July	FIREWORKS SAFETY www.fireworksafety.com The National Council on Firework Safety has designed this site to promote fireworks safety. You will find laws of the individual states, which vary widely. Also included are regulations that apply to each state, along with suggestions for buying fireworks and conducting safe public fireworks displays.
July 11	GEOGRAPHY STANDARDS www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/standards/09/ The world's population hit 6 billion in 1999. The United Nations declared July 11 World Population Day. This site provides a collection of lesson plans, activities, and Web resources aligned with U.S. geography standards. It also presents four lessons to show the characteristics, distribution, and migration of the human population on the Earth's surface. Lessons are accessed by grade level. Interactive presentations and activities are also included.
July 20, 1969	APOLLO TO THE MOON www.nasm.si.edu/galleries/attm/attm.html On July 20, 1969, astronaut Neil Armstrong stepped onto the moon. This site of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum relives the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo missions that made the Apollo 11 moon landing possible. Images of astronauts, space artifacts, space vehicles, as well as a timeline, accompany the detailed descriptions of this historic achievement.
1753	LIBERTY BELL ushistory.org/libertybell A symbol of American independence, the Liberty Bell, was used to summon citizens of Philadelphia. The bell cracked the first time it was rung on March 10, 1753. This site provides a comprehensive history of the bell, facts, quotations, and a timeline.

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JUNE
June 14	FLAG DAY www.americanflags.org A site of the National Flag Foundation whose primary mission is to teach America's youth to take pride in the flag and strive to become responsible citizens.
June 14	FLAG OF THE U.S. www.usflag.org/toc.html This site is an excellent source of flag information, including flag etiquette. The site provides information on the American flag, a history of the Pledge of Allegiance and Flag Day, and information on how the flag came to be known as "Old Glory." Also included is the story of Francis Scott Key's experience in witnessing the British bombardment at Fort McHenry, which led to his composition of the national anthem.
June 19	AFRICANS IN AMERICA http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/home.html On June 19, 1865, the Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, bearing the news that all slaves had been freed under the Emancipation Declaration, which had been issued more than 2 years earlier. This PBS site includes a collection of stories, commentaries, biographies, images, and documents about America�s journey through slavery. The site tracks the history of slavery from 1450 to 1865. Each section includes a historical narrative, resource bank, and teacher�s guide. Also included is a student activity guide.
June 15	BENJAMIN FRANKLIN http://www.pbs.org/benfranklin/ On June 15, 1752, Benjamin Franklin performed his famous kite experiment. His discoveries about electricity and his resulting inventions continue to be used more than 250 years later. This site by PBS features Franklin�s many accomplishments�both scientific and political. Teacher resources are included.
June 14	FLAG HISTORY http://www.pbs.org/capitolfourth/flag.html On June 14, 1777, in Philadelphia, the Continental Congress passed an act to establish an official flag for the United States. In 1949, President Truman commemorated the occasion by declaring June 14 Flag Day. The site offers interesting facts about the American flag and Flag Day, including federal guidelines for displaying your flag.
June 5, 1783	HOT AIR BALLOON FLIGHT http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/balloon/ On June 5, 1783, the Montgolfier Brothers launched the first-ever hot air balloon flight, which was one of aviation�s greatest challenges until 1999, at which time a deteremined team of pilots and engineers successfully circumnavigated the globe flying a minimum of 12,500 miles nonstop. This PBS NOVA site tracks earlier attempts at the around-the-world flight and explores the science of hot air ballooning. Also covered is the history of ballooning as well as teacher resources.
June 3, 1965	CHALLENGING THE SPACE FRONTIER http://teacher.scholastic.com/space/ On June 3, 1965, NASA carried out its first successful spacewalk. Since then, scientists have been exploring space and making landmark discoveries�astronauts have walked on the moon, orbited the Earth, and much more. This Scholastic website begins at Mission Central, where you will be briefed on your mission as a student: learn about three space missions; meet three astronauts; explore 20 space firsts; and make your own timelines of key events in space exploration. Visit the NASA website, the First U.S. Spacewalk�Gemini 4, to view stunning photos of this early mission.
Safety Month	CRASH-FREE JUNE http://www.nsc.org/nsm/ The 2005 National Safety Month theme, �Safety: where we live work and plan,� reflects the need for injury prevention awareness in the workplace, in our homes and communities, and on our roads and highways.
Safety Month	SAFE KIDS www.safekids.com The Online Safety Project has created this site which provides advice about what families can do to ensure the online safety of all their members. Useful features include the Family Contract for Online Safety.
Safety Month	SAFETY SCHOOL www.nhtsa.dot.gov/kids/safeschool This site, for elementary school children, is created by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Students can test their safety knowledge and learn about myths and realities and helmets. Also included are lesson plans and coloring books that may be downloaded.
June 19, 1865	JUNETEENTH www.juneteenth.com Juneteenth, which originated in Galveston, Texas, is considered the oldest-known celebration of the ending of slavery. Two and a half years after President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, union solders announced in Galveston that the war had ended and that all salves were now free. As stated on the website, Juneteenth today commemorates African-American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement. This site gives a history of Juneteenth, links, and information about worldwide celebrations.

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MAY
May 5	SHINTO FESTIVALS http://www.koinobori.ru/eng/koi/tns.shtml Tango-no-Sekku, or Boys' Festival, is a centuries-old observance. In late April and early May, multicolored carp-like streamers of paper or cloth my be seen flying from bamboo poles over the rooftops of thousands of homes. Each streamer represents the presence within that household of a male child. Although May 5 is officially Children's Day in Japan, celebrating the promise of all the nation's boys and girls, many Japanese still adhere to the ancient tradition of Tango-no-Sekku.
May 11, 2008	MOTHER'S DAY http://www.atozteacherstuff.com/themes/mothersday.shtml This collection of engaging activities and resources for Mother's Day is offered by A to Z Teacher Stuff, an online lesson plan directory. Included are easy crafts children may make for their mothers, classroom activities, and links to site about the history of Mother's Day and its traditions.
National Bike Month	MAY IS NATIONAL BIKE MONTH www.exploratorium.edu/cycling/ This site, hosted by the Exploratorium Museum of San Francisco, explores the science of cycling. Information is presented on the unique culture of cycling as well as the history of cycling from the early 19th Century through the present. Main sections include The Wheel, Drives and Gears, Braking and Steering, Aerodynamics, and Human Power.
Mental Health Month	CHILD & ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRY www.aacap.org May is Mental Health Month. This site, by the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, provides information on symptoms and mental illnesses that affect teenagers, questions and answers about child and adolescent psychiatry, facts about guns and violence, and information on clinical trials and surveys.
Asian-Pacific Heritage Month	ASK ASIA www.askasia.org/ May is Asian-Pacific Heritage Month. This site, by AskAsia (a national nonprofit dedicated to increasing American understanding of Asia) offers resources to enrich lessons on Asia and Asian culture. Included are lesson plans, teacher workbook, annotated bibliographies, and downloadable images and maps. Also has activities, games, and quizzes created for kits, as well as an introduction to Asian language, music, and art.
Women's Health Care Month	OFFICE OF WOMEN'S HEALTH www.fda.gov/womens The Office of Women's Health, established by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provides a weath of information on women's health issues within the FDA's network. Locate information on Accutane, birth control, breast cancer, eating disorders, cosmetics, high blood pressure, estrogen, mammography, menopause, nutrition and weight loss, osteoporosis, Pap smears, pregnancy, and toxic shock syndrom. Also provides information which focuses on teens health concerns.
May 5	CINCO DE MAYO www.vivacincodemayo.org/history.htm This sites provides historical information about this holiday which is celebrated to commemorate a Mexican victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla in 1862
May 6	HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY www.ushmm.org/education This site by the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum is dedicated to educating the public about the Holocaust. This site also has special sections for students, teachers, adults, and families including activities, teaching materials and resources.
May 6	YOM HASHOAH http://history1900s.about.com/cs/holocaust/a/yomhashoah.htm This site explains how Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Rememberance Day, was established, and how it is observed. Provides information on future dates of Yom Hashoah. Also included are links to Yellow Badge, photos of the holocaust, and reading suggestions.
May 12-18, 2008	CHILDREN'S BOOK WEEK http://www.cbcbooks.org/cbw/ Children's Book Week introduces young people to books, authors, illustrators and ideas in schools, libraries, homes and bookstores. Through Children's Book Week, the Children's Book Council encourages young people and their caregivers to discover the complexity of the world beyond their own experience through books. Children's Book Week will be observed May 12-18, 2008
May 31	MEMORIAL DAY www.historychannel.com/exhibits/memorial Memorial Day, which is celebrated on the last Monday in May, is the day we honor those who died while protecting the United States. This site of the History Channel tells the story of Memorial Day. The site has video clips that can be downloaded and provides brief snyopses of U.S. wars.

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APRIL
April 2	HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN'S 200TH BIRTHDAY Hans Christian Anderson, born April 2, 1805, in Odense, Denmark, began his career writing poetry. Among some of his most famous tales are The Emperor's New Clothes, The Little Mermaid, The Ugly Duckling, The Little Match Girl, The Red Shores, The Tinder-Box, Thumbelina, The Fir-Tree, The Snow Queen, The Princess and the Pea, The Steadfast Tin Soldier, and The Nightingale. In addition to his (approximately) 350 stories, he was also a master intricate paper-cutter, a Scandinavian handicraft. http://www.underthesun.cc/Classics/Andersen/ A listing of his works and timeline of his life and publishing dates, along with the stories online. http://www.andersen.sdu.dk/index_e.html A site sponsored by the Hans Christian Andersen Center http://falcon.jmu.edu/~ramseyil/andersen.htm Teachers' Resource File with lesson plans http://www.fisher.k12.il.us/denmark/denmark.htm A U.S. students' "Denmark Page" from Fisher Grade School. Includes a map of Denmark! Go back to their http://fisher.k12.il.us/denmark/textpage.htm home page for the project and read about their school-wide activities and Danish school counterpart, who exchanged holiday information with them. http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/ A news article from the BBC shows (current) HRH Crown Prince Frederick of Denmark in front of a portrait of Hans Christian Andersen. This short article has some interesting tidbits, especially about why he may have written his famous "Ugly Duckling" story. From this article: "He also wrote a tale called The Philosopher's Stone, 138 years before J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was published."
April 30	Children's Day / Book Day www.patmora.com/dia.htm The purpose of El dia de los ninos/El dia de los libros is to emphasize the importance of advocating literacy for every child, regardless of linguistic and cultural background. The celebration recognizes children, books, and literacy, and is both cross-cultural and intergenerational. This day aims to foster a love of reading in all communities. Included are tips for parents on how, when, and why to read to very young children, and how to encourage reading in children ages five and up.
April 22	EARTH DAY www.earthday.net This site by the Earth Day Network provides a wealth of information about Earth Day and environmental concerns. The K-12 Education Teachers Corner offers many educational resources, including handouts and activities.
April 21-27, 2008	TV TURNOFF WEEK www.tvturnoff.org The TV Turnoff Network created TV Turnoff Week, which is observed the last week of April. This nonprofit organization encourages children and adults to watch less television for a healthier lifestyle. It is estimated that on the average children in the U.S. spend more time watching television than they do in school each year.
April 14-15, 1912	TITANIC search.eb.com/titanic/01_01.html Created by the Encyclopedia Britannica, this online exhibit features period photos and historical information on the British luxury passenger ship Titanic, which collided with an iceberg and sank at 2:20 a.m. on April 15. This site also features related links and recommended reading.
April 20-26, 2008	SKY AWARENESS WEEK weathereye.kgan.com April 20 - 26 is Sky Awareness Week in which everyone is encouraged to observe the sky--the sun and moon, the clouds, and even the color of the sky--and make their own weather forecasts. This site provides a wealth of resources on the sky and weather featuring online lessons for grades 2-12 including experiments and quizzes. There are also lesson plans and activities for teachers and parents. For additional information, visit the National Sky Awareness Week Web Site. http://www.weatherworks.com/skyawareness.week.html
April 15, 1947	JACKIE ROBINSON AND OTHER BASEBALL HIGHLIGHTS 1860s-1960s memory.loc.gov/ammem/jrhtml/jrhome.html On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson, a rookie for the Brooklyn Dodgers, stepped onto Ebbets Fields as the first African American in the 20th century to play baseball in the major leagues. Robinson is credited with breaking the color line in major league baseball and creating opportunities for African American athletes. This site, which is part of the Library of Congress American Memory collection, spans a century of baseball history and features a 5-part exhibit on Robinson's career and segregation in baseball. Historical images from the Library of Congress illustrate each chapter.
April 1	APRIL FOOL'S DAY teachers.infoplease.com/spot/aprilfools1.html April Fool's Day began during the 16th-century transition from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar. This light-hearted day of fun and foolery has serious origins. This site provides information on the history of April Fool's Day as well as famous hoaxes and the Gregorian calendar

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MARCH
March 2	READ ACROSS AMERICA www.nea.org/readacross Read Across America, a national reading plan sponsored by the National Education Association (NEA) and the Jessie Wardlaw Williams Reading Council. The event celebrating Dr. Suess' 100th birthday and NEA's National Reading Project will be held at the Oroville Branch Library on March 2 from 3:30 to 5:30 and will feature art projects, face painting, and local dignitaries reading stores.
	CELEBRATING WOMEN'S HISTORY www.galegroup.com/free_resources/whm/index.htm This site contains biographies of more than 100 notable women and a timeline of key events. An extensive list of links leads to further information.
	MUSIC IN OUR SCHOOLS MONTH http://datadragon.com/education/instruments/ Every March, Music on Our Schools Month is celebrated to underscore the important role music plays in childhood development. This site teaches younger students the names and sounds of musical instruments. Students may click on the instrument's picture to hear its sound. Also featured are illustrations and brief descriptions of the instruments. Finally, there is a section on learning to read music.
	THE FIRST LADIES OF THE UNITED STATES www.whitehouse.gov/history/firstladies/ At this students can learn about 40 women who have been U.S. First Ladies. A portrait or photo accompanies each fairly detailed biography. Each biography is linked to a companion biography of the First Lady's husband.
	MULTIMEDIA SITES IN WOMEN'S HISTORY http://www .mtsu.edu/~kmiddlet/history/women/wom-mm.html This site is a collection of links to women's history sites that use some combination of images, text, video or sound. It is part of a larger site called "American Women's History: A Research Guide" hosted by the Todd Library at Middle Tennessee State University intended for use by serious researchers needing primary sources.
	NATIONAL WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH http://www.nwhp.org/ In 1987, the U.S. Congress established March as National Women's History Month. The National Women's History Project was one of the moving forces behind this. Included in this site is "The Learning Place," where teachers, students, and parents can access resources to help celebrate Women's History Month, including biographies, a history quiz, and other special resources. Also presented is a page of programs and special events scheduled for the observation. The March 2005 theme is "Women Change America."
March 17	HISTORY OF ST. PATRICK'S DAY http://www.historychannel.com/exhibits/stpatricksday/ This site, presented by The History Channel, looks at the history of St. Patrick's Day, which is celebrated on March 17. Included is extensive text describing who St. Patrick was, along with the evolution of the holiday, celebrated in his honor. Short biographies are given for some famous Irish personalities, such as James Joyce, Michael Collins, and William Butler Yeats. The Interactive Ireland section contains a clickable map that teachers about different regions of the country.
March 20	FIRST DAY OF SPRING http://kids.msfc.nasa.gov/news/2000/news-vernalequinox.asp With this site from NASA, the process behind the change of seasons can be discovered. One may learn how the sun influences our seasons and weather, and why many countries and U.S. states use Daylight Saving Time. Also included are definitions and pronunciation guides to important terms, such as equinox and solstice; links to other sites about the seasons; instructions to build a sundial; and a fill-in-the blank game.

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FEBRUARY
	CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH www.historychannel.com/exhibits/blackhist/main.html The History Channel compiled this archive of biographies of famous African Americans with links to other sites related to the person being profiled.
	THE AFRICAN AMERICAN JOURNEY www.gale.com/free_resources/bhm/index.htm World Book offers a detailed introduction to African American history divided in to five segments. This is an excellent gateway to the study of African American history both for its content and its links to related sources.
	BLACK FACTS ONLINE www.blackfacts.com This site is useable all year long. Type in a month and day and be rewarded with a list of interesting events that happened on that day in African American history.
	BLACK HISTORY IN AMERICA teacher.scholastic.com/activities/bhistory This site by Scholastic includes projects designed for grades 3-8, and provides a timeline outlining important events and people in African-American history, with links to relevant sources. Also includes a online curriculum guide with lesson plans, rubrics, and assessments.
	AMERICAN HEART MONTH http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3014853 This official web site of the American Heart Association provides a broad range of general information about heart attack and stroke under Warning Signs, Family Health, and Risk Awareness. In addition to information for health consumers, the site has areas for health professionals. Also included is a section on free teacher resources including lesson plans, handouts, and activities that can be used during American Heart Month or year-round.
Feb. 2	GROUNDHOG DAY http://www.punxsutawneyphil.com Groundhog Day is celebrated every year on February 2. When a groundhog's shadow tell us if we are going to have six more weeks of winter. The site features free postcards, a photo gallery, Groundhogese Translator, and an area where you can ask questions of the groundhog, named Punxsutawney Phil. Also included is a table of Punxsutawney Phil's predictions dating back to 1887.
Feb. 11-15, 2008	NATIONAL BURN AWARENESS WEEK http://library.thinkquest.org/10624/burns.html?tqskip1=1 The second week in February is National Burn Awareness Week. This site, which is student-created, covers the four basic types of burns: thermal, chemical, electrical, and solar. Included are east-to-understand first-aid instructions for treating burns and tips for prevention.
Feb. 14	VALENTINE'S DAY http://www.historychannel.com/exhibits/valentine The site provides an overview of the history of Valentine's Day. Information on St. Valentine and true-life love stories is provided.
Feb. 18	EARTHRISE: PLUTO http://www.thinkquest.org/library/site_sum.html On February 18, 1930, American astronomer Clyde Tombaugh discovered Pluto, the ninth planet from the sun. This student-created site provides a brief history of Pluto and some quick facts, including the length of its year, its diameter, and its distance from the sun. Also included is information about Pluto's moon, pictures of the distance planet, and an animated video file of the planet's rotation.
Feb. 18	PRESIDENT'S DAY http://www.whitehousehistory.org/ This site, which is maintained by the White House Historical Association, is an informative resource for facts about America's house and the people who have lived, worked, and visited there. Features include a virtual White House tour, the objects and artwork Presidents have left behind, biographies of American Presidents and First Ladies, and timelines illustrating how developments in architecture and technology have influenced the White House. The Learning Center includes lesson plans for teachers and interactive activities for students related to a variety of curriculum areas.

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	Don McNelis - Superintendent 1859 Bird Street Oroville CA 95965 Phone: (530)532-5650	Search BCOE Web Site