Winter is the season of ice and snow, but it also includes celebrations to light a fire of learning. Count on INFOhio for engaging digital resources to explore history, culture, science, and creativity with your students to warm up your classroom.
Winter begins with many cultural and religious holidays, including Christmas, Kwanzaa, and Hanukkah, when families and friends gather to celebrate. To make the most of the time away from school and support family literacy, be sure to share Let Family Literacy Burn Bright this Winter Season. This blog post has many INFOhio resources and accompanying strategies to help families prioritize literacy through interactive eBooks and fun activities. Share this choice board with families as students leave for winter break and empower families to read, talk, listen, and sing all season long.
The winter season is also a great time for activities, both indoor and outdoor, that feature snow and ice. This choice board has eBooks about winter sports and crafts that will keep students engaged even if going outside isn't an option! Indoor recess? No problem! Check out titles on skiing, skating, and sled dogs as well as craft and project books to keep students engaged.
Rosa Parks Day
Almost 70 years ago on December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks made history when she refused to give up her seat to a white passenger. Her revolt against segregation in the southern United States sparked the actions that would eventually become known in history as the Civil Rights Movement. Help students learn more about Parks, her arrest, and the Montgomery Bus Boycott that changed the country. Check out the resources below to guide students in all grades through the life of Rosa Parks.
Grades PreK-3
Rosa and Rosa Parks—This fiction and nonfiction eBook pair from BookFlix will engage and inform primary students.
Grades 4-8
Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott—This graphic novel is an engaging adaptation of the events beginning on December 1, 1955.
The Untold Story of Sarah Keyes Evans, Civil Rights Soldier—Keyes was the first Black American and a veteran who refused to give up her seat. Read more about her in this eBook.
Grades 9-12
History of Black Achievement in America: Civil Rights—This video includes a segment on Rosa Parks and her impact on American history.
History of Women's Achievements in America: America Becomes a Super Power—Learn more about Parks in this video highlighting women in American history.
World Wildlife Conservation Day
December 4 is recognized as a day to raise awareness of wildlife extinction, endangerment, and threatened species. Students can learn more about animals and species in danger and the conservation efforts to preserve them using this choice board. Appropriate for students in grades 4-8, the resource features eBooks about endangered animals and the people who work to protect them.
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
On December 7, 1941, Japan attacked the American Naval Base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. Killing 2,403 Americans and wounding 1,178, the attack was the event that launched the United States into World War II. Each year, the United States remembers the people who died or were injured protecting the freedoms and liberties of the United States, who ultimately became part of history on this "Day of Infamy."
Help students understand more about the road to Pearl Harbor, the day of the attack, and the effects on the world with this choice board featuring eBooks and videos. The content is appropriate for students in grades 5-9.
Winter Solstice
At 4:19 AM on December 21, the path of the sun will be farther south than any other time of the year. This is the Winter Solstice, a day with least amount of sunlight and the longest night.
Check out What's a Solstice? from Spider magazine, provided by EBSCO. The helpful graphic illustrates for primary students how the Earth's path creates the solstices and the seasons we experience.
Older students can dig into the Research Starter from EBSCO on the Winter Solstice. The article gives an overview of the science of the solstice, as well as the cultural and historical effects this longest night has had on the earth.
National Trivia Day
Start off the new year with some little known facts! January 4 is National Trivia Day. Get ready to share facts, astounding details, and historical data by brushing up on trivia from this choice board. Challenge students to create their own trivia quiz after reading these eBooks that will stump friends and family.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15, but his legacy is celebrated each year on the third Monday in January. This leader of the Civil Rights Movement preached peace over violence and love over hate. He is remembered each year for his work in proclaiming equal rights for all Americans. Though he was assassinated in 1968, this leader's words live on. Students in all grades can hear the power of his message in the eBook Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
National Puzzle Day
Exercise for brains, puzzles come in all shapes and forms. January 29 celebrates the puzzle, whether jigsaw, crossword, 3D, or other brain teaser. Take the day and explore the puzzles featured on various INFOhio resources:
Black History Month
In February, the nation celebrates the history and accomplishments of Black Americans. There are many people who have shaped the country, contributed to its advances, and struggled through its troubled times. Learn more about some of these individuals and the events that are part of Black Americans past, present, and future in these choice boards:
In addition, this Teach With INFOhio Blog post about quality text on Black Americans will help support lessons and projects in all classrooms during this important month.
Presidents' Day
Observed on the third Monday of February, this federal holiday is officially called Washington's Birthday. However, there has never been any legal action to change the name. The first president of the United States, George Washington, was born February 22. The 16th president, Abraham Lincoln, celebrated his birthday on February 12. Today, both presidents are honored, and all United States presidents are remembered.
For grades 3-6, check out this choice board with eBooks about several US Presidents and First Ladies to learn more about the men and women who have led the country.
To help primary students learn more about this celebration, show them Holiday Kids: Presidents' Day and What is Presidents' Day? These videos are an easy way to prepare learners for this day when the United States honors its presidents.
National Make a Friend Day
On February 11, encourage students to make new friends and show gratitude for old friends. Friends come in many shapes and forms. Help preschool and kindergarten students recognize what it means to be a friend with this choice board. Each storybook video highlights friendship through characters and their actions.
To find other resources to support this celebration, do a search in Educator Tools for "friends". Find eBooks and videos for students of all ages.
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Emily Rozmus is a Senior Instructional Specialist at INFOhio. She has worked in education for more than 30 years, first as a secondary English teacher and district librarian before starting at INFOhio in 2013. Emily has developed district growth plans, integrated technology, created instruction for information literacy, fostered teacher development, and worked on teams to implement curriculum. At INFOhio, she focuses on training educators to use INFOhio resources to improve early learning. She also works to share research and best practices for helping students be better readers of INFOhio's digital text.
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