Sailing
Into September
By Sandy Fleming
September is full of interesting
events and days to celebrate. Among other events, it is National
Chicken Month, National Honey Month and National Papaya Month.
On a more serious note, it is also Self- Improvement Month,
National Classical Music Month and National Courtesy Month.
How about having each person make a list of short- and long-term
goals, then do a self-inventory to see the next steps to achieving
them. Try making courtesy reminder posters, and check your
local library for recordings of classical music. You will be
surprised at how many of the themes sound familiar; many have
become common tunes in our society. Can you find the piece
that we sing the Alphabet Song to? Here's a rundown of other
interesting September dates. Liven up your home or program
with these ideas.
Here's a trivia question
for kids to research: If the prefix "sept" means "seven," then
why is September the ninth month of the year? Find the answer
in the encyclopedia. Also for research: Only one state has
a birthday this month (California); who can be the first to
discover which one? Many cultures have celebrated September
as a harvest month throughout history. The Greeks and Romans
honored Demeter and Ceres, respectively, as their goddesses
of agriculture. Check the library for stories of these and
the other gods and goddesses from these cultures.
September 3 is "Skyscraper
Day." Use this as an incentive to learn more about these architectural
marvels. Where is the biggest located? How tall are they? Try
building your own skyscrapers with building sets, or even by
connecting toothpicks with balls of play dough. Who can build
the tallest one? Why did that one stand up the best?
Queen Elizabeth I of England
was born on September 7, 1533. In her honor, read English children's
tales and have an English tea party! Check reference books
and cookbooks to discover English treats, and serve food that
English children would enjoy. September 9 is Teddy Bear Day.
Have a teddy bear picnic outdoors or in some other unusual
place. Have everyone bring their favorite teddy for cookies
and punch, while you read bear stories (Winnie the Pooh, Paddington,
and Little Bear are all wonderful choices).
September 12 is National
Chocolate Milkshake Day. Can you make one of these treats for
everyone to enjoy, or perhaps go to your favorite restaurant
together for a treat? The twelfth also marks the date that
the Russians launched the first rocket to the moon! Use this
opportunity to learn more about outer space, the moon, rockets
or the space race of the fifties and sixties. NASA has some
wonderful resource material for educational groups that you
can request.
The Pilgrims left England
on September 16, 1620. This is a great day to review that part
of United States history and remember the traditions that led
up to Thanksgiving. If you want a more active diversion today,
it's also Collect Rocks Day. Make and share rock collections
today. Don't forget to get a good field guide for reference
to help the children learn more about their specimens.
September 21 is the International
Banana Festival. It's a great time to try banana dishes of
all sorts. Besides banana bread, try banana boats (Slit a banana
inside its peel along the inside curve. Put chocolate squares
or chips and mini-marshmallows into the fruit, wrap in foil,
and cook in coals for 10-15 minutes. Be careful! It's hot!),
banana muffins and Bananas Madeline (Slice the banana lengthwise,
then cut each piece in half. Spread with raspberry jelly or
jam, and sprinkle coconut on top. Yum!). You can also often
find plantains (cooking bananas) in larger grocery stores.
September 23 is Checkers
Day. Why not dig out your set and play a few games? Can anyone
discover the history of this old, old game? What culture invented
it? How long has it been around? What other games are related
to it?
September 25 is a super
day for reading in several forms. It is National Comic Book
Day. Don't underestimate the value of comic books for helping
children practice their reading. They are often great finds
for struggling older readers because they are simple to read
and enjoyable. This also marks the date of the first American
newspaper, Publick Occurrences, in Boston in 1690. Commemorate
the occasion by creating your own newspaper for the classroom,
group, family or neighborhood. You can include articles about
interesting events, pictures, comics, advice columns and opinions.
Enjoy September together!
Sandy Fleming
is an educator, author and workshop facilitator. She resides
in southern Michigan with her husband and three daughters.
Sandy leads workshops for daycare providers and parents
in the region, tutors students, volunteers for Girl Scouts
and her church, and teaches online classes for adults and
children. She loves to make new friends, so please drop
her an e-mail at kids@busyparentsonline.com
