September 2023: Your Ultimate Guide to a Month Packed with Fun and Official Holidays!
September 2023 Fun & Official Holidays
September 1: National Lazy Mom’s Day
On September 1, embrace the spirit of relaxation even as a dedicated teacher who may have to work on National Lazy Mom's Day. Start your day by treating yourself to a soothing cup of coffee or tea, and choose a comfortable yet professional outfit that makes you feel at ease. At the end of the day, reward yourself with a favorite treat or a chapter from a book you've been wanting to read. Balancing work and relaxation, even on this unique day, will help you find moments of tranquility amidst your responsibilities. Whether or enjoy showers in the morning, or at night; these Shower Steamers would be a small way to add a little relaxation to your day.
September 2: World Coconut Day
On September 2, step into the captivating world of coconuts with your students to celebrate World Coconut Day through engaging classroom activities. Begin the day with an introduction to the coconut's significance in various cultures, sharing intriguing facts and images. For example: Coconuts are not actually nuts!
Science: Use Coconut Soil to plant some seeds.
Language Arts: Encourage students to write imaginative stories involving coconuts as central elements. If you teach preschool or have little ones at home, this Felt Coconut Tree would be a perfect way to add some fun and learning to this day!
Geography: Use a world map to identify some of the countries that grow the most coconuts around the world. You can find information here.
September 3: National Bowling League Day
On September 3, bring the excitement of National Bowling League Day into your classroom with a range of engaging activities that celebrate the joy of bowling. Transform your classroom into a mini bowling alley by setting up a simple bowling lane using soft pins and a soft ball, creating friendly competition and teamwork opportunities.
Math: Bowl and calculate points earned. You can write numbers on the pin for older students to add or subtract.
Creative Writing: Encourage students to imagine themselves as professional bowlers and write short stories about their bowling adventures. You could even have them write in the voice of the bowling pins. What do they think about the game?
As a closing activity, invite students to design their own bowling balls using art supplies, letting their creativity shine. These foam balls would work well for this!
September 5: National Cheese Pizza Day
As September 5th rolls around, what better way to celebrate this beloved comfort food than by infusing your classroom with a dash of pizza-themed excitement? Get ready to engage your students in a slice of delicious learning with these creative and educational activities.
Math: Transform your classroom into a bustling pizzeria with a math twist. Set up pizza-themed stations where students can customize their "pies" by selecting toppings using different fractions or percentages. From pepperoni slices to bell pepper wedges, every topping choice represents a mathematical challenge. This activity not only reinforces fractions but also hones problem-solving skills. You could also introduce this Blobby's Pizza game to your students and keep it as a math center throughout the year.
History: Take a cheesy journey through history by delving into the origins of pizza. Share the story of how this iconic dish came to be, exploring its evolution from ancient times to its global popularity today. Encourage students to create a timeline or a short presentation detailing the milestones of pizza's journey. These are a few different pizza books available on Amazon. If you click on the image of the book it should lead to the Amazon page to purchase.
Poetry: Stir up some literary creativity by having students write pizza-themed poetry. Whether it's a haiku celebrating the perfect cheese pull or a descriptive ode to their favorite toppings, poetry provides a playful way to refine language skills while paying homage to everyone's favorite comfort food.
Pizzapreneur Project: Spark entrepreneurial spirit by challenging students to design their own pizzaria. From crafting a menu to budgeting ingredients, this project incorporates real-world skills like budgeting, marketing, and presentation. Let students pitch their pizzerias to the class, fostering public speaking skills and teamwork. Younger kids can pretend to make their own pizza with this wooden pizza set from Melissa & Doug.
Health: Combine culinary arts with health education by exploring the nutritional aspects of pizza. Discuss the various components of a balanced meal and have students design their own "healthier" pizza recipes using whole wheat crusts, lean proteins, and a rainbow of veggies.
Art: Unleash creativity with a hands-on art activity. Provide students with blank pizza templates and a wide range of craft materials. Encourage them to decorate their pizzas with imaginative toppings, creating a delightful fusion of art and cuisine.
September 6: National Read a Book Day
On September 6th, the literary world comes alive as we celebrate National Read a Book Day – a perfect opportunity to ignite a love for reading and storytelling in your classroom. This day is not just about flipping through pages; it's about fostering curiosity, nurturing creativity, and connecting with the power of words. Let's explore some captivating ideas to make this day truly special for your students.
Character Dress-Up: Turn the classroom into a realm of imagination by inviting students to come dressed as their favorite book characters. This adds a playful touch to the day and creates an atmosphere of excitement and anticipation.
Reader's Theater: Select a short story or a scene from a book and have students participate in a reader's theater activity. This allows them to explore different roles, practice expression, and experience the joy of bringing words to life. This set has 8 different books to choose from and made for grades 1-3.
Book Reviews: Have students craft concise book reviews on a book they've recently read. They can share their thoughts on the plot, characters, and what they enjoyed most. Display these reviews around the classroom to inspire others to explore new reads.
Literary Discussion: Initiate a class discussion about the importance of reading and the impact books can have on our lives. Encourage students to share their favorite books and how those stories have influenced them.
Book Hunt: Hide a selection of books around the classroom or school. Provide clues related to each book's content, and let students embark on a literary scavenger hunt. This adds an element of excitement and mystery to the day.
National Read a Book Day offers a golden opportunity to kindle a passion for reading, storytelling, and imagination in your students. Through these engaging activities, you'll be fostering a lifelong love for books while making September 6 a day of literary exploration and wonder in your classroom. 📚🌟
September 9: National Teddy Bear Day
September 9th is a Saturday, but you could celebrate a day early! Here are some delightful ideas to make this day memorable for everyone. Most of these are geared towards younger children, but you could find a way to modify them for older students.
Teddy Bear Parade: Invite students to bring in their favorite teddy bears or stuffed animals. Organize a mini parade around the classroom where each student introduces their furry friend, sharing its name and a brief backstory. This activity helps build public speaking skills.
Teddy Tales: Choose a beloved teddy bear-themed story to read aloud to the class. Afterward, encourage students to write or share their own creative teddy bear tales. This activity nurtures storytelling skills and inspires imagination.
Bear Art: Set up an art station with various materials like colored paper, markers, and glue. Have students create their own teddy bear artworks, showcasing their unique artistic flair. This is a wonderful opportunity to explore creativity while celebrating teddy bears.
Teddy Bear Math: Incorporate math into the celebrations by having students measure their teddy bears using various tools like rulers, measuring tapes, and even non-standard units like paperclips. They can record and compare their findings, making math a playful adventure.
Teddy Bear Health Check: Create a "Teddy Bear Clinic" where students take on the role of veterinarians. Provide cotton balls, band-aids, and craft supplies. Students can give their teddy bears a check-up, demonstrating empathy and care. This kit from Melissa & Doug would be perfect!
Bear Hunt: Organize a teddy bear hunt around the classroom or school premises. Hide small teddy bears and provide clues for students to find them. This activity adds an element of excitement and problem-solving to the day.
Bear-Themed Science: Introduce students to the science of bears – their habitats, diet, and characteristics.
September 10: Grandparent’s Day
This is another holiday that falls on the weekend, but you can do some activities in class the week before or week of.
Intergenerational Interview: Encourage students to interview their grandparents about their childhood, experiences, and life lessons. This enriching activity promotes connections across generations and preserves family history.
Grandparents' Day Art Gallery: Host an art gallery featuring student-created artworks inspired by their grandparents. These pieces can include paintings, drawings, poems, and heartfelt messages expressing their love and gratitude.
Storytime Duo: Invite grandparents to read a favorite story from their own childhood to the class. This intergenerational storytime fosters a love for storytelling and creates a cherished memory for both students and grandparents.
Handwritten Letters: Have students write heartfelt letters to their grandparents, expressing their love, gratitude, and admiration. This personal touch is sure to touch the hearts of grandparents and strengthen the bond between generations.
Grandparent's Day Tea: Host a special "tea party" where students can invite their grandparents to enjoy tea, treats, and quality time together. This delightful gathering provides an opportunity for bonding and shared stories.
Handmade Gifts: Have students create personalized handmade gifts, such as crafts, cards, or small tokens of appreciation. These heartfelt gestures convey gratitude and love in a tangible way.
September 12: National Video Games Day
Game Design Workshop: Introduce students to the fascinating world of game design. Whether it's creating board games, designing digital game concepts, or building physical game prototypes, this activity encourages creativity and problem-solving.
Gamification in Learning: Explore the educational potential of video games by incorporating gamification elements into lessons. Turn quizzes into interactive challenges and reward systems, adding an element of excitement to the learning process.
Game-Themed Book Club: Engage students in reading books that are related to video games or have game-like plots. After reading, host a book club discussion where students can share their thoughts and insights.
Game History Lesson: Dive into the history of video games by showcasing the evolution of gaming from its early days to modern times. Share anecdotes and insights, connecting entertainment with technological advancements.
Creative Fan Art: Invite students to create fan art inspired by their favorite video games. This artistic expression encourages imagination and showcases the intersection of visual arts and gaming culture.
Game-Themed Writing: Channel the excitement of video games into writing prompts. Encourage students to write game reviews, design their own game characters, or even craft imaginative stories set in their favorite game worlds.
Coding Challenges: Introduce basic coding concepts through game-based challenges. Platforms like Scratch allow students to create their own interactive stories, animations, and games, fostering computational thinking.
September 13: National Peanut Day
This holiday is hard to celebrate in the classroom, but these ideas would be great at home if no one in your family has peanut allergies.
Peanut Art and Crafts: Encourage creativity by providing peanuts as art materials! From peanut stamping to creating peanut critter sculptures, let imaginations run wild as guests explore artistic expressions with this unexpected medium.
Peanut Taste Test: Introduce different types of peanuts (raw, roasted, salted, unsalted) and peanut products (peanut butter, peanut brittle) for a taste test. Discuss the flavor profiles and textures, engaging taste buds and senses. You could even find some recipes to make with peanuts (or peanut butter, like the recipes in this Peanut Butter Comfort book).
Peanut History Journey: Take a trip back in time to discover the history of peanuts and their significance. Explore how peanuts became a staple in various cuisines and cultures around the world. The Life and Times of the Peanut by Charles Micucci has a lot of information about the history of peanuts and how they are used. I made some questions to go along with the book that you can find here.
Peanut Planting Activity: Engage in a hands-on planting activity by planting peanut seeds in small pots, or in your garden. Discuss the growth process and care needed for peanut plants.
Nut Allergy Awareness: Use this day as an opportunity to discuss nut allergies and sensitivities. Teach students about the importance of respecting dietary restrictions and promoting inclusivity.
September 14: Live Creative Day
Artistic Adventure Walk: Venture outside and embark on an artistic adventure walk. Encourage participants to observe their surroundings, gather interesting natural materials, and create impromptu art pieces along the way.
Creative Collage Party: Gather magazines, newspapers, old photos, and a variety of craft materials. Host a collage-making party where students can create personalized collages that reflect their individual tastes and inspirations.
Interactive Mural: Grab a large roll of paper and turn it into an interactive mural. Students can add their own artistic contributions throughout the day, resulting in a collaborative masterpiece.
Miniature Sculpture Garden: Provide clay, Play-Doh, or other sculpting materials. Invite students to create miniature sculptures that can be displayed together, forming a whimsical sculpture garden.
Poetry Jam Session: Channel creativity through words by hosting a poetry jam session. Encourage students to write and share their original poems or engage in collaborative poetic creations.
Creative Journaling Workshop: Provide a variety of journals, notebooks, and writing tools. Host a workshop on creative journaling, where students can experiment with writing, drawing, and collaging.
Collaborative Storytelling: Create a storytelling circle where each student contributes a sentence or phrase to a collective story. This imaginative exercise results in a unique and entertaining narrative.
September 19: National Talk Like a Pirate Day
Pirate Vocabulary Voyage: Begin the day with a hearty lesson in pirate lingo. From "Ahoy" to "Avast," teach students some classic pirate phrases and their meanings. Encourage them to use these phrases throughout the day for a dose of nautical flair.
Pirate History Time: Dive into the fascinating history of pirates, exploring their lives, legends, and infamous adventures. Share tales of notorious pirates like Blackbeard, Anne Bonny, and Captain Kidd.
Pirate Math Challenges: Turn math into a swashbuckling adventure by creating pirate-themed math challenges. From solving treasure map coordinates to calculating pirate booty, these challenges combine learning with pirate intrigue.
Treasure Hunt Quest: Organize a treasure hunt around the classroom or school premises. Provide clues related to pirate history or language, leading students to a "hidden treasure" like a book or a small prize.
Creative Pirate Art: Provide art supplies and have students create pirate-themed artwork. They can design their own Jolly Roger flags, draw pirate ships, craft pirate hats, or decorate their own treasure chests.
Nautical Narratives: Have students write their own pirate-themed stories. They can become the authors of daring tales of high seas adventure, showcasing their creative writing talents.
September 22: Hobbit Day
Reading Extravaganza: Begin the day by reading a chapter from "The Hobbit" or other fantasy tales. Transport your students to Middle-earth through the power of words and imagination.
Create Your Own Hobbit Hole: Encourage creativity by having students design and construct their own hobbit holes using art supplies. These cozy abodes can reflect the unique personalities of their creators.
Write a Hobbit Tale:Let students craft their own short stories set in a hobbit-inspired world. Encourage them to create their own adventurous quests and quirky characters.
Hobbit Character Analysis: Dive into character analysis by discussing the traits of hobbits, wizards, dwarves, and other Middle-earth inhabitants. Have students explore character motivations and transformations.
Create Your Own Fantasy Creature: Challenge students to invent their own fantasy creatures that could inhabit Middle-earth. Have them draw, describe, and name these imaginative beings.
Scribe's Corner: Set up a "Scribe's Corner" where students can practice their calligraphy skills by writing their names or favorite quotes in the style of Middle-earth scripts.
Riddles and Puzzles: Engage in riddles and puzzles inspired by Bilbo's encounter with Gollum. Have students solve riddles or create their own to challenge their classmates.
September 23: International Rabbit Day
Rabbit Research: Dive into a research project about rabbits. Discuss their habitats, behavior, diet, and distinct characteristics. Encourage students to present their findings creatively.
Rabbit Art Gallery: Let creativity bloom with rabbit-themed art activities. From drawing and painting to clay sculptures, students can create their own artistic interpretations of rabbits.
Bunny Books Bonanza: Curate a collection of bunny-themed books for reading time. Afterward, engage students in discussions about the stories, lessons, and the joy of reading about rabbits.
Math with Rabbits: Incorporate math into the day by using rabbit-related scenarios. Have students calculate the number of carrots a rabbit might eat in a week or solve rabbit-themed word problems.
Storytelling with Rabbits: Have students create their own rabbit stories, weaving in elements like rabbit protagonists, adventures, and valuable life lessons.
Bunny Crafts: Engage in hands-on crafts such as making paper plate rabbits, rabbit masks, or even creating rabbit-inspired bookmarks.
Rabbit Care and Responsibility: If you have a classroom pet rabbit, use the day to teach students about rabbit care and the importance of responsible pet ownership.
September 25: National Comic Book Day
Comic Book Creation Workshop: Guide students in crafting their own comic book stories. Discuss the elements of a comic, such as panels, dialogue, and captions. Encourage them to write and illustrate their adventures.
Character Creation Challenge: Have students design their own superhero or supervillain characters. They can draw, color, and name their characters, while also considering their powers, personalities, and backstories.
Comic Strip Collaborations: Divide the class into groups and assign each group a different scene or situation. Have them create a comic strip that combines all scenes into a collaborative story.
Superhero Book Club: Select a comic book or graphic novel suitable for the class's reading level. After reading, host a book club discussion where students can share their thoughts and insights.
Speech Bubble Storytelling: Distribute comic panels without dialogue and have students write creative and entertaining dialogue or captions to fit the scenes.
September 26: Johnny Appleseed Day
Apple Exploration: Introduce students to various apple varieties, discussing their colors, flavors, and uses. Set up an apple tasting station where students can sample different types of apples.
Johnny Appleseed Story: Share the story of Johnny Appleseed's life and adventures. Discuss his contributions to apple cultivation and his legacy as a nature-loving pioneer.
Apple Math: Incorporate math activities using apples. Students can count apple seeds, measure the circumference of apples, and even create graphs based on their favorite apple varieties.
Apple Science: Explore the life cycle of an apple tree. Discuss the stages of growth, from planting seeds to harvesting apples. Consider planting apple seeds in small pots as a hands-on activity.
Apple Artistry: Engage in apple-themed art projects. Students can create apple prints using halved apples dipped in paint, or they can sketch and paint their interpretations of apple orchards.
Apple Book Corner: Curate a collection of books related to apples, orchards, and Johnny Appleseed. Encourage students to read and share their thoughts about the stories.
Apple Facts Hunt: Organize a scavenger hunt where students search for apple-related facts around the classroom or school. They can use these facts to create informative posters.
I hope I was able to give you some ideas that you can use in your classroom or home for the month of September! If you want to get a calendar to remind you of all the holidays discussed, you can find one in my store here! Make sure to leave a comment with the ways you celebrated these holidays.
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