Make 2019 the year you captivate your classroom!

Make 2019 the year you captivate your classroom! Which is what I hope I am able to do with Charlie. Because he will be going into Middle School next year and I want to make sure Charlie is prepared.

January 3 – Leonardo Da Vinci Tests “Flying Machine” (1496)

Although the test proved unsuccessful, it was over 400 years prior to the Wright Brothers first flight in 1912. Da Vinci might be most well-known as an artist, but he also had numerous inventions you might not be aware of. He was a true Renaissance Man, which is why he deserves his own Unit–-including a topic covering all of Leonardo’s Inventions.

January 5 – First Female Governor is Elected in U.S. (1925)

Nellie Ross was sworn in as Wyoming’s 14th Governor. Coming only five years after women gained the right to vote in the United States, this was a huge step in the right direction for equal rights. In our Unit on Suffragists, we examine the hard work and dedication from several generations, which resulted in major equality advancements.

Unit Topic: Before the Right to Vote
Unit Topic: The Fight Continues into the 20th Century

January 5 – National Bird Day

Also on January 5, we celebrate #NationalBirdDay. Some of the oldest creatures known to mankind, the first documented bird appeared about 150 million years ago–back when dinosaurs still roamed. They’ve also influenced numerous human inventions we commonly use today, from the pen to airplanes. Our Unit on Birdscovers the evolution and how they’ve nested themselves within various cultures.

Unit Topic: Feathers and Flight
Unit Topic: A Bird Up Close
Unit Topic: Songs and Mimicry

January 11 – Amelia Earhart’s First Solo Flight Across the Atlantic (1932)

January 11 – Amelia Earhrt's Flight Across the Atlantic

On this day Earhart became the first woman to pilot a solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean, departing from Canada and arriving in Northern Ireland, after just under 15 hours of flying time. The early to mid-1900’s were a pivotal time for advancements in aviation, leading up to–but also after her iconic flight.

Related Topic: The Mechanics of Flight
Related Topic: Early Attempts at Flight

January 17 – Ben Franklin’s Birth Date (1706)

In addition to being the 6th President of the United States, and lending his face to the $100 bill, he was many other things. Author, printer, freemason, postmaster, and scientist–among several others. Like Da Vinci, he was a modern-day Renaissance Man…and also has his own Unit on Kids Discover Online.

Unit Topic: Franklin’s Main Contributions
Unit Topic: Scientist and Inventor
Unit Topic: The Revolutionary War and Beyond

January 21 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day

MLK Jr. Day is observed on the third Monday of January, which is around King’s actual birthday of January 15. In our Unit on MLK Jr., we detail his various efforts that ultimately led to the passing of the Civil Rights Bill in 1964, and much more.

Unit Topic: Taking a Stand in Montgomery
Unit Topic: The Civil Rights Movement Grows
Related Units: Rosa Parks, Jackie Robinson

January 24 – The California Gold Rush Begins (1948)

Between 1848 and 1858, striking it rich was the dream that drove thousands of people to California and changed our country’s history forever. In our NEW Unit on The Gold Rush, you’ll step into a time machine, travel back to that crazy decade, and catch sight of the life and times of the gold-rush in California.

Unit Topic: Tools of the Trade
Unit Topic: A Changing Population
Unit Topic: A New Economy

January 30 – Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s Birth Date (1882)

Another iconic set of initials--FDR saw our country through some of it’s darkest days, implementing his New Deal in hopes to enable the United States to climb out of the Great Depression. Although at the time he was opposed by some, he ended up winning a record four presidential elections.