Daily Activity Ideas for *March*

Monthly activities' calendar in English:

Los atividades del mes en español:

*Monthly Theme* 

March is National Reading Month (Click on the Images below to Access Tons of Reading Related activities)

*Recommended Reading*

*Holidays in March* 

READ ACROSS AMERICA DAY (Dr. Seuss's Birthday)

March 2nd every year

SAINT PATRICK'S DAY (Irish Cultural Awareness Day)

March 17th each year

SAINT JOSEPH'S DAY (Celebration of Fathers & Faith)

March 19th each year

RAMADAN (Muslim Holy Month of Fasting & Mercy)

observance begins this year at sundown on March 10th; date varies each year based upon the moon as this is a lunar holiday 

HOLI (Hindu Festival of Colors)

celebrated this year on March 25th to mark the beginning of Spring; date varies in February or March each year based upon Hindu calendar's month of Phalguna 

EASTER (Christian holiday celebrating the death & resurrection of Jesus)

Easter week begins on March 24th this year with Palm Sunday; celebrated each year in Spring; date varies based upon the moon as this is a lunar holiday

*Music & Dance*

*Arts & Crafts*

 *Career Exploration*

  *Culinary Creations*

 *S.T.E.A.M. Exploration*

*Family Movie Night*

*Family Fun Night* 

Riverdance: Exploring Irish Music & Dance   

Irish step dancing is a special type of dancing that is recognized around the world for its energizing moves, upbeat energy, & accompanying music.  "Riverdance" is a theatrical representation of the story of Irish culture through Irish music & dance.  Have a couple of family fun nights exploring Riverdance. 

Watch the 1995 recording of Riverdance (which is still touring the world today).  Treat your mind, body, & soul to sights & sounds that convey messages without words.  Even without words, language exists.  How?  Discuss verbal & nonverbal language with your family.  Listen to the music; discuss the imagery; feel the rhythm; imagine the emotions being portrayed.  How does the music relay a story? How does the dancing relay a story?  Do different sounds & moves convey different emotions? Discuss what the different scenes from this performance might mean? 

To this day, traditional Irish step dancing involves no movement of the arms with them hanging close by the dancer's side.  Although this is a prominent feature of Irish step dancing, its origin is actually quite practical & may be obsolete.  Look up the history of Irish step dancing to find out why the arms might be kept by the dancer's side.  Try step dancing yourself or try dancing without your arms.  Is it easy?  Does it impact your emotions?  

If you have NETFLIX(R) you can also choose to watch "Riverdance: The Animated Adventure" which incorporates music from the theatrical production into an animated tale.  Experience how even though the characters in the show are speaking English, it may be challenging to understand.  English is a language but people in different countries, parts of a country, and even a community can speak the same language but utilize different pronunciation or even have specialized vernacular or vocabulary.  

Be sure to send Maestra Casiano some pictures! You might be featured on the site & win a gift certificate!

*Featured Items* 

B O O K   B U D D I E S

Do you know that there is educational value in a stuffed animal, especially when reading with young children?

It's true! Stuffed animals are an intrinsic link to the imagination for children.  Children can imagine entire universes where their stuffed animals can talk, move, dance, & engage in adventures with them.  This is exciting for children. 

Pretend play is exciting for children.  Research shows that children are more enthusiastic about participating in activities, taking risks, and practicing challenging tasks when they have a stuffed animal with them.  Stuffed animals help children to feel safe & relaxed to try new things that may make them otherwise anxious. 

Stuffed animals can serve as "reading buddies" or "book buddies." Children can practice reading fluency with the stuffed animal and practice book-related vocabulary.  They can use language & vocabulary from a story's pictures & words to tell the stuffed animal what is happening or what happened. 

Stuffed animals do not judge, they just listen!  This means that children feel safer to make mistakes with them. After your child develops a routine or comfort with reading with their stuffed animal "buddy," take time to ask your child to read to you, too! 

Encourage & show them how to use different voices for different characters.  Encourage them to retell specific events & details from the story.  Encourage them to talk about how the story makes them feel or how it relates to them.  Here are some fun-tastic Book & Buddy Sets that can help your family enjoy the excitement of reading together!