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

2. Learn about how the calendar system we use today developed. Watch this video and record 5 details on your recording page.

3. George Washington was born on February 22, 1732… or was he? Discover the complicated story behind George Washington’s birth date and the truth about “Presidents’ Day” holiday. Watch this video. Record 5 details from the video on your recording page.

4. Read this information. Write a very short summary for each paragraph on your recording page.

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.

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.

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.

Spark your thinking!

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.

Say what?

A student recently asked me if I knew the NATO alphabet.  I hadn’t heard of it so I told him to send me an email about it and voila…We have a new Social Studies Mini Spark!

Spark your math thinking!

1. Set up your social studies mini spark recording page: #14: Alpha Bravo Charlie
2. Read about the NATO phonetic alphabet by visiting this site.  Record what you have learned.
3. Learn about how the alphabet was chosen write about some new information that you learned.
4. Watch this video and then record the spelling of your first name using the correct NATO alphabet words.

5. Check out how the U.S. Navy uses alphabet flags, numeral pennants, numeral flags, and special flags and pennants for visual signaling.  Even though the flags are not used for spelling out words, draw the flags that would spell your first name.

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

CM (Charlie Mike): Means continue mission.  Keep moving forward.  

Almost 70 miles west of Key West lies Dry Tortugas National Park. This 100-square mile park is mostly open water with seven small islands.  You can only get there by boat or seaplane! The park is known all over the world as the home of magnificent Fort Jefferson, beautiful blue waters, lots of coral reefs and marine life, and the tons of bird life that visit the area!

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your Social Studies  mini spark recording page #24: Dry Tortugas National Park

2. Read this information page about Dry Tortugas National Park. Record several details about the park on your recording sheet.

3.  Watch this video and respond to these questions:  Describe the design features of Fort Jefferson that make it unique compared to other forts? What types of wildlife can be found in the Dry Tortugas, specifically on Hospital Key?
Why is Loggerhead Key important for turtle nesting, and what historical events took place there

4. There are around 300 shipwrecks in this area. Read this teaching page about the Windjammer Wreck. Take number notes while reading. Reminder: Number notes are recording all of the number facts/details that you come across in an article.

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