September: Yabba, Dabba, Dooo!

Before they were identified in a popular song among our youth ("Google" Young Money performing Bed Rock), The Flintstones was quite a family.

It seems September 30, 2010 marks the 50th Anniversary of Hannah-Barbera's The Flintstones family.



Try watching an episode of The Flintstones and compare it to animated televisions families like The Simpsons, The Jetsons, and The Proud Family

Discuss family values.

Compare and describe the animation.

Explore characterization.

And, if you're thinking about using the 1994 The Flinstone's movie, uhm, may I suggest just viewing this clip:



Okay...that's all I have for now. Remember, Yabba-Dabbah-Dooo!

Last Saturday of September: Nickelodeon's Worldwide Day of Play

I made my breakfast with a fresh brewed cup of Mint Green Tea, plopped myself on my sofa, and turned to my Saturday morning cartoons. I was ready to see what was on Nickelodeon and discovered that all its stations, including its sister stations, promoting a 3 hour block of encouraging kids to go out and play.

The last Saturday of September is World Wide Day of Play!

Find out health, nutrition, and fun physical activities from these other websites to encourage kids (and families) to go outside and enjoy the day:
- BAM! Body and Mind
- KidsKonnect: Physical Fitness (links of to other resources too!)
- Great resources here from State of Missouri: Department of Health

Consider volunteerism: Perhaps your students, family, and friends can get involved with a youth organization to play games, do fun outdoor activities, or simply volunteer your time to just be out of the house and with others. Check Volunteer Match and Serve.gov may provide a few resources.

September 25: The Little Rock Nine

It was the end of an era, and nine students from Little Rock, Arkansas were the first to integrate into a school in a state that forced a U.S. President to intervene on a state's refusal to integrate its school. These students will forever be known as The Little Rock Nine.

September 24: National Punctutation Day

September 24th is National Punctuation Day, perfect time of the year when school is in session long enough to review punctuation along with grammar, spelling, and few areas here and there within language arts.

I discovered this when Pee-wee Herman re-tweeted this announcement on Twitter (oh, how information travels fast through the miracles of social networking).

Here are some online activities your students can explore:
- Punctuation Paintball
- Grammar Blast

And some activities to do in class:
- Punctuation Games (PDF file) recommended for High School

Here are some fun posters you can order for class (maybe more for the secondary education level):

More can be found on the Oatmeal.com website:

Comic: How to Use an Apostrophe


or...

Comic: How to use a semicolon


Happy Punctuation Day!

SEPTEMBER: Classical Music Month

In my search for monthly theme and activities, I discovered that September is also classical music month. This almost seemed like a relevant find ever since I discovered the powerful, beautifully composed, Fantasy #2 In D Minor by Mozart doing my homework and listening to classical piano music on Live365.com.



Look at the list of "Top Ten Essential Symphonies" I found on from the WKAR radio station in Michigan.

Here are two visually cool youtube channels to go with the classical music your students may find, you know, boring.

- princeofitaly339's Channel = Cute drawings of the classical music artists (as seen above)

- Music Animation Machine: smalin's Channel = animated score

Also look into:
- Classics for Kids which includes sample scores, composer biographies and interviews, and features monthly composers
- NAXOS: The World's Leading Classical Music Label, evokes a detailed history of Classical music on its website
- Download the free classical KUSC iPhone/iPod Touch Application
- And, the LA Philharmonic always has something to offer for Education

September 18: The Death of Jimi Hendrix

It is not often we think of bringing rock music into the classroom. But when I saw this article on the the death of Jimi Hendrix (Museums honor guitar legend Jimi Hendrix: Sept. 18 marks the 40th anniversary of the death of the rock 'n' roll icon), I wondered if our students ever heard of him and this guitar genius. Obviously this lesson may be better for the secondary education classroom, but I thought it would be an interesting lesson.

I came across this personification lesson plan from the Rock Roll Hall of Fame website. It is well written and gives the flexibility to differentiate the lesson. Other lesson plans are available on the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame website which can be found here.

I also found supporting lesson plan material on VH1's Music Studio website which caters to education, teachers, and music. This site also has various lesson plans that can be found here.

Who knows, when your students think Jimi Hendrix, they will think...personification.

SEPTEMBER 13: Roald Dahl's Birthday

I was introduced to James And The Giant Peach in 2nd grade. Clearly, it remains near and dear to my heart. Older students may not remember nor know of Roald Dahl's fantasy story of a boy escaping the clutches of his crazy aunts with the help of a huge peace and a few critters most kids have grown to fear.



Here are some suggestions for introducing Roald Dahl and reluctant readers to this imaginative author on Roald Dahl day.


KWL CHART
If you're unable to read the book in class, pick up a copy for yourself and read portions of the book aloud in the class. Have students write questions inquiring what they know, what would like to know, and what they learned (KWL chart). Engage their curiosity and interest by reading interesting sections or chapters, encouraging them to borrow the book from their library.

IMAGES
Plan an imagery lesson. Read a part of the chapter that describes James' two aunts and have the students draw a picture of what they imagine the aunts to look like.

IMAGES WITH WORDS
Or, select any other paragraph or chapter that allows for descriptive imagery. For students who are not much of an illustrator, have the students create word posters or go on the computer to do a Wordle assignment.

SOMETHING SKETCHY
Instead of note-taking, off the option of sketching and jotting down words or phrases to help with comprehending the story.

LISTEN
Have access to the audiobook version of James and the Giant Peach? Excellent. Have this for students to do ANY of the above activities while you walk around and assess the students' learning of the book. Students can follow along with the book, take notes, draw, and sketch while the audiobook is being played. This allows for students to use any of their multiple intelligences to help comprehend the book.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Additional activities can be found on the Roald Dahl Fans website or on the Roald Dahl official website.

YUMMY
For an added bonus, why not share peach slices with your students? Serve them fresh, from the can, from the small single-serving cups, or in candy form.

September: Library card sign-up Month

Check out what else is going on THIS month in the 12 months of Chaos!