In 1879, the United States made Washington’s February 22nd Birthday a federal holiday. Today, the third Monday in February is frequently referred to as “Presidents’ Day.” So which is it? Let’s get to the bottom of what’s official and what’s not.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your social studies mini spark recording page: #27: Presidents’ Day? The Truth Behind the Holiday

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According to mountvernon.org, George Washington was a humble man who did not enjoy flashy celebrations. During his lifetime, Washington didn’t really celebrate his birthday, choosing instead to use the day to respond to letters or attend to matters at Mount Vernon. However, national celebration of his birthday began while he was alive and continued after his death.

The road to what the majority of people in the United States now recognizes as Presidents’ Day is a long and confusing one. After Washington died in 1799, his birthday was informally celebrated across the country. But, it wasn’t until  January 31, 1879, that Washington’s birthday became a federally recognized holiday.

Washington’s birthday is also recognized in another unique fashion. Starting in 1896, it has become a tradition to read Washington’s Farewell Address on February 22nd (the actual day of his birth) in the US Senate by a current member. This tradition reminds us of a man whose patriotic spirit still inspires us to this day, particularly federal workers who uphold what he helped create.

On June 28th, 1968, Congress passed the “Uniform Monday Holiday Act”. This law aimed to provide uniform annual observances of certain legal public holidays on Mondays. The act was also created to provide federal employees with more three-day weekends. Under this new law, Washington’s birthday would be celebrated on the third Monday of February, partially losing the value and identity of the importance of his birthday. Washington’s birthday has not been celebrated on the actual day of his birth since the law took effect in 1971.

Today the nation typically combines Washington’s Birthday with Presidents’ Day, celebrating both days on the third Monday in February. However, Presidents’ Day is not the official name of the holiday. While the name “Presidents’ Day” was proposed for this Monday holiday in 1951, the U.S. government never officially changed the name. In the 1980s, thanks to advertising campaigns for holiday sales, the term became popularized and largely accepted.

The idea behind the name was to create a holiday that did not recognize a specific president, but rather celebrated the office of the presidency. This joint recognition would also celebrate President Lincoln’s February 12th birthday within the same period. Both great men, both important to our country.

Source: mountvernon.org

The Famous Holiday of Love, Valentine’s Day is a holiday celebrated around the world. Some countries celebrate this day in February, but not all.  Learn about the holiday along with history of chocolate in this mini spark.

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What is the Winter Solstice? According to Dictionary.com the Winter Solstice lasts for just one moment. It occurs exactly when the Earth’s axial tilt is farthest away from the sun. This usually happens around December 21 or 22 in the Northern Hemisphere or June 20 or 21 in the Southern Hemisphere.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your social studies mini spark recording page: #25: Winter Solstice

2. Read these 3 paragraphs. Write a  5 question quiz after reading.  Include multiple choice , true and false, and short answer questions. Make an answer key as well.

If you’re in the Northern Hemisphere, during the solstice the sun will be at its southernmost point in the sky. The higher in latitude you are, the more you’ll notice that the solstice has the shortest day and longest night of the year.

In ancient cultures around the globe, the winter solstice was marked with ceremonies and celebrations. For example, in the days of the Inca Empire the winter solstice was honored with Inti Raymi, or Festival of the Sun. It involved a ceremony in which an Inca priest would “tie” the sun to a column stone in a symbolic effort to keep it from escaping.

Halfway around the world, indigenous people in Finland, Sweden, and Norway participated in the Beiwe Festival. On the winter solstice, worshippers honored the goddess Beiwe by sacrificing white female animals and covering their doorposts with butter for Beiwe to eat on her travels.

3. Watch this video and choose 5 of the questions to answer thoughtfully. Remind your teacher that that answers can be found in the social studies mini spark folder.

1. Describe what would happen to our planet if it did not tilt as it revolves around the Sun.

2. Explain how the tilt of the Earth affects the length of days in the northern and southern hemispheres during winter.

3. What are solstices, and how do they mark the change in seasons?

4. Discuss how civilizations in history, like the Babylonians and Maya, recognized the patterns of Earth’s movement around the Sun.

5. How does the experience of seasons differ for someone living near the equator compared to someone living near the poles?

6. Why might the changing lengths of days and nights be considered important by ancient civilizations?

7. In your opinion, why is it essential for us to understand the relationship between the Earth and the Sun?

8. Describe how the Earth’s movement around the Sun can provide reassurance during the coldest nights of winter.

4. Share your social studies mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator.

It is always a good time to learn more about Geography. Study this geography lesson which is all about Oceans.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your social studies spark recording page: #23: Geography Lesson: Oceans

2.  Watch this video all of the way through.   Record the mnemonic on your recording page.

3. Read the article Ocean Habitat  at National Geographic kids.  Record 2-3 pieces of information from each of the sections.  In step 4 you will be making a quiz so look for good info to include in a quiz.

• Earth Underwater
• Climate Control
• Ocean or Sea?
• Ocean Life

• Watery Habitats

4. Use the information from this article to write a 10 question quiz on your recording page. Include multiple choice, true and false, and open ended responses. Make a key to go with your quiz.

5. Take this ocean and sea quiz one time. Record your score.

6.  Take the same ocean and sea quiz a second time. Record your score.

7. Share your social studies mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator.

The Mediterranean Sea is the largest enclosed sea in the world, connected to the Atlantic Ocean only through the  Strait of Gibraltar.  Learn more about this area of the world in the Social Studies mini spark.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your social studies spark recording page: #22: the Mediterranean Sea 

2. Watch this short video. Record 5-8 facts about the sea on your recording sheet.

3.  Set your timer for 3 minutes. Study this map of the Mediterranean Sea.  When the timer goes off, record all of the countries that you can remember that border the Sea.

4. The Mediterranean Sea has a number of major internationally recognized seas within it’s vast area.

• Open the World Atlas and find the map of the Mediterranean Sea.
• Set a timer for 5 minutes.
• Study the map closely and focus on the names of the smaller seas.
• When the timer goes off, write down the names of 6 seas on your recording sheet.
• Scroll to the bottom of this post to verify that you have recorded all the names correctly.

5. Look at this info and study the map of the Strait of Gibraltar at World Atlas. Record the cities that are on the border and also the territories on either side of the strait.

6. Optional: Memorize how to spell Mediterranean!!! Whisper spell it 10 times. Air write it 5 times and write it on your recording page 3 time from memory.

7. Share your social studies mini spark recording page and visual with your teacher/EY coordinator.

Seas within the Mediterranean Sea

• Balearic Sea
• Tyrrhenian Sea
• Sea of Sicily
• Libyan Sea
• Aegean Sea
• Cilician Sea

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your social studies mini spark recording page: #21: The Floating City of Rotterdam

2.  Watch this introduction video. Record each of the places shown on your recording sheet.

3. Read this article and answer 4 of the the questions with 3+ sentences. Remind your teacher that the answer key can be found in the social studies mini spark folder.

• What historical event led to the creation of the Delta Programme in the Netherlands? Explain the significance of this program in flood management.
• How does Rotterdam’s innovative architecture contribute to its ability to manage rainwater? Provide specific examples from the text.
• Explain how the Floating Farm operates. What technologies are used to support food production on the farm?
• What unique features do Wikkelboats offer to guests, and how do they reflect eco-friendly living?
• How does the design of the Floating Office Rotterdam (FOR) incorporate sustainability? List at least two design elements mentioned in the text.
• In what ways do the innovative projects in Rotterdam reflect the city’s response to climate change and flooding challenges?
• Based on the text, how do these unique architectural projects enhance the experience of residents and visitors in Rotterdam?

4. Go to this link to read an article about the floating park. Write 5-10 details about the park on your recording sheet. Include information about how this park is helping to save the environment.

5. Learn more about floating farms. Record 3-5 reasons you like this idea, 3-5 questions you have, and 3-5 things you don’t like about floating farms.

6. Share your social studies mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator.