I would like to welcome you to May! This month we celebrate the following days. Health science Units to prepare for Physical Fitness Month, National Nurses’ Day and World Asthma Day! Once you finish checking out those Units, I also have historical resources where you can learn about the beginning of the Lewis & Clark Expedition, Memorial Day, JFK’s Birthday, and the anniversary of the birth of the U.S. Constitution.
May is Physical Fitness Month!
#GetActive with your students this month and read up on relevant Health Science units like The Heart, Lungs, and Muscles. Kids will read about the science behind Exercise, The Body’s Major Muscles, and Dos and Don’ts for Lungs. Knowledge about how our bodies work will motivate kids to keep moving!
- On the Blog: Guest contributor and fourth-grade teacher Justin Birckbichler breaks down the way he incorporates movement breaks into his classroom! Read more.
May 1st – World Asthma Day
World Asthma Day is an annual event organized by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) to improve asthma awareness and care around the world. Asthma is a disease that makes it hard for a person to breathe, and many things can trigger an attack, like allergies, a change in the weather, or physical exertion.
- Related Topics: Lungs in Trouble, How Lungs Work, Lung Capacity and Dos and Don’ts for Lungs.
- Related Units: Lungs
- Check out our Print Title Lungs
- May 6th – National Nurses’ Day
For kids with parents or relatives who are nurses, this week filled with celebratory dinners and flowers from patients and loved ones. Teach kids about the valuable work this profession with resources from our Human Body Discover Map for inspiration.
- Related Topics: The History of the Fight Against Germs, Fighting Infectious Diseases in Our Time, and Questions and Answers About Blood
- Associated Units: Blood, Germs, Microbes, Heart
- Check out our Print Title Germs
May 14th – Beginning of Lewis and Clark Expedition In 1804
- May 14th marks the beginning of the Lewis and Clark Expedition which took place in 1804. Students will read about their encounters with Native Americans, grizzly attacks, and roaring rapids. Discover the bravery and teamwork that made their journey a classic tale of American exploration and adventure.
- Related Topics: Preparing for the Expedition, Highlights of the Expedition, The Lewis and Clark Expedition
- Associated Units: Lewis & Clark, Sacagawea, Explorers
- Games and Activities on Lewis and Clark
- Check out our Print Title Lewis & Clark
- May 18th Endangered Species Day
- The purpose of Endangered Species Day is to raise awareness about the national conservation efforts designed to protect endangered species and their habitats.
- Free Mini-Unit: Endangered Species
- Related Topics: Biodiversity and Evolution, The Human Impact, and Preserving Habitats and Protecting Wildlife.
- May 25th- Anniversary of the Constitutional Convention (1787)
- On May 25, 1787, delegates from seven states met in Philadelphia with the goal of revising the Articles of Confederation. Soon, representatives from five more countries arrived. Through the long, hot summer, the delegates debated many issues. In the end, they changed history.
- Related Topics: Constitutional Convention
- Associated Units: Constitution, How America Works
- Games and Activities on the Constitution
- Check out our Print Titles: Constitution, How America Works, and our American History Set.
- May 26th- Sally Ride’s Birthday (The First American Women in Space)
Sally Ride was the first American female to visit space. She was part of a mission called STS-7 where she controlled a robotic arm to send satellites into orbit.
- Related Topic: Space Exploration in the Twentieth Century.
- May 28th Memorial Day
- Memorial Day is a day to remember everyone who has fought and died for the United States in our armed forces. Take a tour online through historic monuments of Washington D.C., including the Arlington National Cemetery, The Korean War Veterans Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and more.
- Related Topic: Monuments of Our Capital
- Check out our Print Title Washington D.C.
- May 29th- John F. Kennedy’s Birthday
- John F. Kennedy III, our 35th president, was born on this day in 1917. In his short time in office, he established the Peace Corps, put the first man on the moon, and helped integrate black students into segregated college campuses.
- Free Mini-Unit: John F. Kennedy
- Related Unit: Mid-20th Century in the United States
- John F. Kennedy III, our 35th president, was born on this day in 1917. In his short time in office, he established the Peace Corps, put the first man on the moon, and helped integrate black students into segregated college campuses.
- Free Mini-Unit: John F. Kennedy
- Related Unit: Mid-20th Century in the United States
- Thank you,
- Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
- John F. Kennedy III, our 35th president, was born on this day in 1917. In his short time in office, he established the Peace Corps, put the first man on the moon, and helped integrate black students into segregated college campuses.
