(Note: This is actually a post from last year, but I wanted to put it up again in case anything is useful to you. And while I'm at it, here's our "Tea and Craft" post from Abe's Day last year.)
I just love the month of February ~ it brings with it cold grey skies and warm red hearts and we mustn't forget those February presidents! How fun and meaningful it is to celebrate our national holidays all through the year. For, according to Mrs. Sharp:
"Unfortunately, with the exception of Independence Day, little attention is paid to the observance of patriotic holidays. As the origins and meanings of these very special days have slipped through the cracks, we have lost one of the most important legacies we can pass on to our children. There is no better place to begin restoration than with a homegrown observance of Washington's and Lincoln's birthdays."
Well, tomorrow is Abraham Lincoln's Birthday, and in honor of this very special American holiday, here are a few fun ideas for you and the children ...
You could ...
Make a yummy pretzel cabin.
Paint a log cabin birdhouse.
Play with your Lincoln Logs.
Read Abraham Lincoln by Ingri d'Aulaire.
Or Abe Lincoln: The Boy Who Loved Books by Kay Winters.
Make penny rubbings. (Make designs from the rubbings, too.)
Make a penny pendant.
Make a lucky penny pin.
Make a top hat. (Another version here.)
Print a coloring page.
Do a word search.
Check out lots of Lincoln websites.
View the Lincoln home.
Read a poem about him.
Read his speeches here. (Specifically the Gettysburg Address.)
Go on a virtual field trip.
Outline a report.
And then test your knowledge about Honest Abe.
How about a little copywork in praise of our February presidents?
George Washington was brave, we know, he loved this land we hold so dear; and when his birthday comes around, his noble name we cheer.
And Lincoln who was strong and true, his birthday too we celebrate; so raise the flag and sing the praise of heroes good and great.
(from We Sing and Listen, Seton Books)
And don't forget the Jelly Roll (aka Lincoln Log) for dessert ...
Have fun! Next week is Washington's turn! :)
Thanks for the great resources, Dawn! Sometimes it's such a relief to find a list like this *already put together* so I can just work my way down the list and enjoy the activities with my kids!
Posted by: Piseco | February 11, 2008 at 10:59 AM
Don't forget to check out HomeSchool Radio this week too - http://www.homeschoolradioshows.com/
scroll down, this weeks program is Mr Lincoln and the Private - a true story. :-)
Posted by: Fields Of Heather | February 11, 2008 at 11:08 AM
i honestly don't know how i would home school without your blog... I love it!
Posted by: Misty | February 11, 2008 at 01:25 PM
Wow, you are quite possibly the greatest resource ever! I copied a lot into our plans and I'll be posting pictures from our Lincoln Day on my blog. Thanks so much!
Posted by: Wendy | February 11, 2008 at 04:56 PM
Thank you Dawn for sharing this as you do so much of your wonderful ideas. We look forward to enjoying this holiday tomorrow.
Posted by: Celeste | February 11, 2008 at 10:42 PM
Don't forget a math activity!!! You can toss a Lincoln penny 100 times and record the result of each toss. If you have a penny stamp (Available at teacher stores), stamp a head or tail depending on the toss. Then total them up. Does it come out 50/50? Talk about probability.
: )
Posted by: margot | February 12, 2008 at 08:20 PM
This is amazing, Dawn!!! Thank you for all the links.
Posted by: Ruth Tucker | February 14, 2008 at 04:59 PM
These are such a great help resources. Very useful indeed, thanks for sharing:)(though I found this post much later)
Here the kid's has found site for President's Day: http://thecolor.com/Category/Coloring/President%27s%20Day.aspx
Posted by: Sheea | April 03, 2009 at 02:22 PM