Give your class calendar an upgrade!
I use special days in my Grade 4/5 French Immersion class as inspiration for
- Art activities
- Reading comprehension
- Daily writing topics
- Read alouds
- Snack/Lunch instruction or videos
- Wonder Wall prompts/topics
- Class meetings
- Class debate topics
& so many more!
Rule of thumb for when I plan out my week, at least 3-4 activities per week are related to a special day that week. It cuts my time for planning in half because I have plenty starting points on pinterest and it gives me a jumping off point.
Just a disclaimer to note that there are plenty of other special days, observances, and holidays celebrated around the world. The included days in this list are meant as a starting point and are days that can be easily incorporated into most subjects and projects at school. See also my post about Holidays celebrated around the world.
I also have a calendar that includes celebrations around the world, from which I add to the below list. At the beginning of the school year I ask families to add celebrations that are celebrated at home. Our class calendar is every growing – please take that into consideration when you make yours 😊
A Holiday Everyday : May Edition
Week 1: April 29 – May 3
- 29: International Dance Day
- 30: Mr. Potato Head Day, Tie Dye Day
- 1: May Day, Lei Day
- 2: International Scurvy Awareness Day, World Password Day
- 3: Space Day, International Wild Koala Day
- 4: May the 4th Be With You
- 5: Red Dress Day (NWAC) (Canada), Cinco de Mayo
Week 2: May 6- 10
- 6: Great Lakes Awareness Day
- 7: Teacher Appreciation Day (CAN), Tourism Day
- 8: World Orienteering Day
- 9: Europe Day
- 10: Fintastic Friday, Mother Ocean Day
Week 3: May 13-17
- 13: Apple Pie Day, Leprechaun Day
- 14: Cannes Film Festival Starts
- 15: International Day of Families
- 16: Drawing Day, International Day of Light, Purple for Peace Day
- 17: Endangered Species Day, Bike to School Day
Week 4: May 20 – 24
- 20: Victoria Day (CAN)
- 21: International Tea Day, Talk Like Yoda Day
- 22: Sherlock Holmes Day
- 23: World Turtle Day, Lucky Penny Day
- 24: Scavenger Hunt Day
Week 5: May 27 – 31
- 27: Cheese Rolling Gloucester
- 28: International Burger Day, World Hunger Day
- 29: End of the Middle Ages Day, Mount Everest Day
- 30: Creativity Day, Loomis Day
- 31: Smile Day, World Parrot Day