<p>December 1</p><p>On this day in 1955, Rosa Parks refused to give up her bus seat to a white man. This was a brave action by Parks. What is the bravest thing you have ever done? Be sure to include details about the event and why you think you were brave. PDF</p><p>December is “Read a New Book Month.” Create a list of ten (10) possible books you would like to read this month. PDF</p><p>December 2 </p><p>December is “National Write to a Friend Month.” Write a letter to one of your friends. This friend can be anyone and live anywhere. PDF</p><p>December 3</p><p>On December 3, 1967, the first successful heart transplant was conducted. It is important to keep your heart, along with the rest of your body, healthy. Create a list of ten (10) activities that will help keep your heart healthy. PDF</p><p>December 4</p><p>On this day in 1877, the phonograph was invented. This machine allowed people to listen to phonograph records. How do you think listening to these records was different than listening to today’s CDs? What may be the advantages and disadvantages of each type of machine? PDF</p><p>Today is “National Cookie Day.” Create a new type of cookie. What are the ingredients? What is its name? How would you promote the sale of your cookie? Be sure to include a drawing of your new cookie.</p><p>PDF</p><p>December 5 </p><p>On this day in 1901, Walter Elias (Walt) Disney was born in Chicago. What is your favorite Walt Disney movie and why? If you haven’t seen any Disney movies, which movie would you like to see and why? PDF</p><p>December 6 </p><p>On December 6, 1865, the 13th Amendment was passed. This amendment abolished, or ended, slavery. </p><p>Why do you think it was important for our country to end slavery? PDF</p><p>December 7 </p><p>On December 7, 1941, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, Hawaii. This was the beginning of the United State’s involvement in World War II. Above is photograph of the Memorial. Using resources in the classroom, learn five (5) facts about this event. Summarize the facts in your own words. PDF</p><p>December 8</p><p>Inventor Eli Whitney was born on this day in 1765. Whitney is well-known for his invention of the cotton gin. This machine made the harvesting of cotton much easier for the early farmers. What is an invention you could create that would help someone complete a job around your house? Be sure to explain your invention, what it does, and why it will help. Don’t forget to include a drawing of your invention. PDF</p><p>December 8 is “National Brownie Day.” Describe a type of dessert that would include a brownie. This may be a dessert you have already eaten, or a new dessert you have created yourself. PDF</p><p>December 9 </p><p>On this day in 1884, the ball-bearing roller skate was patented. Explain how the roller skate is similar and different from today’s roller blades. Which would you rather skate on and why? PDF</p><p>December 10 </p><p>December 10th is “Human Rights Day.” What do you consider to be the rights of every human? Make a list of your ideas. Looking at your list, do you think there are certain rights that are less or more important than others? Explain your thoughts. PDF</p><p>December 11 </p><p>Hanukkah begins today. This Jewish holiday is also known as the Festival of Lights. As Americans, we are able to celebrate any holiday we choose. Why do you think this choice is important? Would you be happy if the government forced to celebrate only certain holidays and events? You may also want to learn more about this holiday. PDF </p><p>On this day in 1620, the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock. Put yourself in the place of a Pilgrim child. </p><p>What do you think it would have been like getting off the boat after your long journey across the ocean to your new home? Would you have been excited to begin your new life in this unknown land? Or would you have wanted to get back on the boat and go back home? PDF</p><p>December 12 </p><p>December 12th is Poinsettia Day. This day was created to celebrate this popular holiday plant that is actually a plant native to Mexico. Create a paper craft that you and your class could complete to help celebrate this day. PDF December 13 </p><p>December 13th is “National Cocoa Day.” If you were able to curl up with a warm cup of cocoa (hot chocolate) and your favorite book, what book would you select and why? PDF</p><p>December 14 </p><p>On December 14, 1911, the South Pole was discovered. If you were able to travel to the South Pole, who would you want to take along with you and why? You can choose from anyone – someone you know, someone famous, someone alive, someone who is no longer living, anyone. PDF</p><p>December 15 </p><p>December 15th is known as “Bill of Rights Day.” Using resources in the classroom, learn five (5) facts about the Bill of Rights and summarize them in your own words. In your summary, be sure to include why the Bill of Rights is so important to our way of life. PDF</p><p>December 16 </p><p>On December 16, 1773, the Boston Tea Party took place. This was an historic event in colonial history. </p><p>Using resources in the classroom, learn five (5) facts about the Boston Tea Party and summarize them in your own words. PDF</p><p>December 17 </p><p>On this day in 1903, the Wright Brothers made their first flight. Orville and Wilbur had to do a great deal of teamwork in order to be successful. Think of a time that you were involved in teamwork. Explain the situation and why you feel teamwork was needed to be successful. PDF</p><p>December 18 </p><p>On December 18, 1886, baseball great Ty Cobb, was born. Baseball is considered to be “America’s </p><p>Pastime.” How do you think this statement came to be? Why do think the game of baseball was selected? PDF</p><p>December 19 </p><p>December 19th is “National Oatmeal Muffin Day.” Muffins are a great choice as a part of a healthy breakfast. Eating a healthy breakfast can help you perform better in school. Persuade a classmate or sibling to eat a healthy breakfast everyday. PDF</p><p>December 20 </p><p>December 20th is “Games Day.” Think about all the different games you play. Now think of your favorite two. How could you combine these two games to make one new game? What would you call this new game? What rules would the game have? How would someone win the game? PDF</p><p>December 21 </p><p>Today, December 21st, is the first day of winter. What is your favorite winter activity that involves snow and why? If you don’t live in an area that receives snow, what snow activity would you most like to do and why? PDF </p><p>On this day, the first crossword puzzle was published in a newspaper. Using one of the subjects you are currently studying, write at least 10 clues for a crossword puzzle that you could create and give to a classmate. Using graph paper or the computer, you can then create your puzzle. PDF (Teachers - your students can utilize The Teacher's Corner's Crossword Puzzle page for this activity.) </p><p>December 22</p><p>On this day in 1882, the first Christmas lights were sold. Why do you think people enjoy decorating with </p><p>Christmas lights? How do you think this tradition began? Does your family decorate with lights for </p><p>Christmas or any other holiday? PDF</p><p>December 23 </p><p>December 23rd is known as “Roots Day.” These “roots” refer to your family. Make a list of all your family members. With some help from an adult, create a family tree that shows the relationships between all of the family members. PDF</p><p>December 24 </p><p>On this day in 1968, Apollo 8 reached the moon. Would you liked to have been one of the first astronauts to reach the moon? Why or why not? PDF</p><p>December 25 </p><p>Today is Christmas. Gifts are often a focus of this day. Describe the best gift you have GIVEN someone else. Explain who that person was, what you gave them, why you gave them that specific gift, and what made that gift-giving experience special. PDF </p><p>December 25th is “National Pumpkin Pie Day.” Make a list of all the fruits and vegetables that are used to make different varieties of pies. Are there any fruits or vegetables that you think should be used for pies and currently are not? Which type of pie is your favorite and why? PDF December 26 </p><p>Kwanza, an African Harvest Festival, begins the last week of December. Using resources in the classroom, learn five (5) facts about the festival and summarize them in your own words. Do you know someone who celebrates Kwanza? PDF </p><p>December 26th is “National Whiners Day.” You or your classmates may sometimes whine about the food served at your school cafeteria. Do you like the food your school serves? Explain. If you don’t like the food, what would you change and why? PDF</p><p>December 27 </p><p>December 27th is “Visit the Zoo Day.” When people visit zoos, they get the opportunity to see a variety of different animals. Do you believe that zoos are a good thing to have? Why or why not? PDF</p><p>December 28 </p><p>On December 28, 1846, Iowa became the 29th state. Using resources in the classroom, learn five (5) facts about the state of Iowa and summarize them in your own words. After you have learned about the state, would you like to visit Iowa? Why or why not? PDF</p><p>On this day in 1869, chewing gum was patented. Even though gum is for chewing, list as many other uses for gum as you can think of. PDF</p><p>December 29 </p><p>On December 29, 1845, Texas became the 28th state. Using resources in the classroom, learn five (5) facts about the state of Texas and summarize them in your own words. After you have learned about the state, would you like to visit Texas? Why or why not? PDF</p><p>December 30 </p><p>Tomorrow will be New Year's Eve. Begin thinking about your New Year's Resolutions or Goals. Record them on a paper and place them in a location where you will be able to see them often. PDF</p><p>December 31 </p><p>December 31st is New Year’s Eve. It is the last day of 2008. Think back to everything that happened over the course of this last year. Choose from the following to write about:</p><p> Most exciting event  Saddest event  Happiest event  Most surprising event  Event that you wish you could change  Event that you wish would have happened, but didn’t PDF </p>