Author: Jacqui

Jacqui Murray has been teaching K-18 technology for 30 years. She is the editor/author of over a hundred tech ed resources including a K-12 technology curriculum, K-8 keyboard curriculum, K-8 Digital Citizenship curriculum. She is an adjunct professor in tech ed, Master Teacher, an Amazon Vine Voice, freelance journalist on tech ed topics, contributor to NEA Today, and author of the tech thrillers, To Hunt a Sub and Twenty-four Days. You can find her resources at Structured Learning.

Earth Day Class Activities

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Every year, the United Nations recognizes April 22nd as International Mother Earth Day. It is a day we all participate in making our air clean, water fresh and land unlittered rather than accepting the trash-filled oceans, the smoggy skies, and the debris-laden land that is becoming the norm.

Despite the questionable health of our world, we have made progress. Back in 1970, when Earth Day was first celebrated, trucks spewed black smoke as they drove down the highways, toxic waste was dumped into oceans with no repercussions, and the general opinion was that the Earth took care of itself. That changed when U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson, Earth Day’s founder, witnessed the ravages of the 1969 massive oil spill in Santa Barbara California and decided it was time to do something. He started with a “national teach-in on the environment” with a simple goal: Encourage people to recognize the importance of protecting the Earth:

“It was on that day [Earth Day] that Americans made it clear they understood and were deeply concerned over the deterioration of our environment and the mindless dissipation of our resources.”

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What You Might Have Missed in March–What’s up in April

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Here are the most-read posts last month:

It’s a little short this month because I was out of town for a few weeks:

Here’s a preview of what’s coming up:

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Celebrate Pi Day and Maths Day

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Two math celebrations are coming:

Pi Day and World Maths Day

Pi Day

Pi Day is an annual celebration commemorating the mathematical constant π (pi). Pi Day is observed on March 14 since 3, 1, and 4 are the three most significant digits of π in the decimal form.

Here are some websites students will enjoy to enrich the day (click for updates on this list): (more…)

What You Might Have Missed in February–What’s up in March

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Here are the most-read posts last month:

Here’s a preview of what’s coming up: (more…)

Great Research Websites for Kids

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Please click here for current and updated websites, kid-friendly browsers, citation resources, how-to’s for research, and lesson plans!

Quick, safe spots to send your students for research:

CoolKidFacts–kid-friendly videos, pictures, info, and quizzes–all 100% suitable for children
Fact Monster–help with homework and facts
Google Earth Timelapse–what changes to the planet over time
Google Trends–what’s trending in searches
History Channel–great speeches
How Stuff Works–the gold standard in explaining stuff to kids
Info Please–events cataloged year-by-year
National Geographic for Kids
Ngram Viewer–analyzes all words in all books on Google Books
TagGalaxy–search using a cloud
Wild Wordsmyth–picture dictionary for kids
World Book–requires membership

Citing Resources

Kids Search Engines

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Happy Chinese New Year

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Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival or Lunar New Year, is a traditional Chinese festival that marks the beginning of the Chinese lunar calendar. The celebration usually lasts for 15 days. The date varies each year, based on the lunar calendar. This year, it is February 17, 2026.

During Chinese New Year, people welcome the new year and engage in activities that bring good luck. Some common practices include:

Family Reunion: It is a time for family members to come together, similar to Western cultures’ celebration of the New Year.
Feasting: Families prepare and share elaborate meals with symbolic dishes that represent good fortune and prosperity.
Red Decorations: Red is a dominant color during Chinese New Year, symbolizing good luck and warding off evil spirits. People decorate their homes with red lanterns, couplets, and other red items.
Fireworks and Firecrackers: The loud sounds of fireworks and firecrackers are believed to scare away evil spirits and bring good luck.
Giving Red Envelopes (Hongbao): Adults give red envelopes containing money to children and unmarried individuals as a gesture of good wishes and blessings.
Cleaning and Spring Cleaning: It is customary to clean the house thoroughly before the new year to sweep away bad luck and make room for good fortune.
Dragon and Lion Dances: Traditional dragon and lion dances are performed in streets and public spaces to bring good luck and prosperity to the community.
Temple Visits: Many people visit temples during Chinese New Year to pray for good fortune and make offerings.

Overall, Chinese New Year is a joyous and festive time aimed at ushering in prosperity, happiness, and good luck for the coming year.

–image credit Deposit Photos (more…)

What You Might Have Missed in January–What’s up in February

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Here are the most-read posts last month:

Here’s a preview of what’s coming up:

Subject to change based on website needs

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100th Day of School

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The 100th day of school is varied depending upon when you start. For a lot of schools, it’s the first week of February. Here are resources (if these sound familiar, we updated last year’s list):

Geography

As a class, come up with two locations in each state, to total 100. One will be oriented around geography and one around history. Include a brief description and a picture and then share the collection with parents and schoolmates in the class newsletter or another vehicle.

History

Research what happened the hundredth year of your home country’s existence. What was the country like? What caused it to change? Who was the leader? What has been invented since then? Divide the class into groups so the project can be completed in one class period. Then, have everyone copy their information to a digital magazine and share it with everyone. (more…)

Groundhog Day

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Here are some activities for Groundhog Day–February 2nd (click here for updates to list):

Fun Facts About Groundhogs–video
Groundhog Day Digital Activities–grades 3-5
Groundhog Day for Kids–a video
Groundhog Day Games
Groundhog Day Teaching Resources
History of Groundhog Day–from History.com
Punxsutawney Groundhog Club Website
Why Groundhogs Supposedly Predict the Weather–video

–image credit Deposit Photo

Here’s the sign-up link if the image above doesn’t work:

https://forms.aweber.com/form/07/1910174607.htm

“The content presented in this blog are the result of creative imagination and not intended for use, reproduction, or incorporation into any artificial intelligence training or machine learning systems without prior written consent from the author.”

Jacqui Murray has been teaching K-18 technology for 30 years. She is the editor/author of over a hundred tech ed resources including a K-12 technology curriculum, K-8 keyboard curriculum, K-8 Digital Citizenship curriculum. She is an adjunct professor in tech ed, Master Teacher, freelance journalist on tech ed topics, and author of the tech thrillers, To Hunt a Sub and Twenty-four Days. You can find her resources at Structured Learning.

National Handwriting Day

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National Handwriting Day is celebrated on January 23rd. It is a day dedicated to encouraging people to embrace the art of writing by hand. This day was established to honor the birthday of John Hancock, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, known for his prominent and stylish signature on the Declaration of Independence. Handwriting is considered a personal and unique form of expression, and National Handwriting Day aims to celebrate and preserve this traditional skill.