Mark your October calendars with these engaging teaching resources, perfect for the science, social studies, and ELA classroom. Your students will love learning about ferocious tigers, spooky skeletons, and the first electric lamp with these timely topics that are full of fun animations and captivating captions. And as always, you can follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for teacher freebies, fun facts, and new resources. Have a great month!
October 3: Cherokee Leader John Ross’s Birthday, 1790
After gold was found in Cherokee Nation territory, the Georgia government gave the land to American settlers. Though his father was a Scot and his mother only part Cherokee, John Ross sided with the Cherokees in a battle to keep their homelands in the Southeast. And in 1832, Chief Justice John Marshall said Georgia was wrong. Kids will learn about Ross and the Indian Removal Act in our unit on Westward Expansion. (Also available in Print!)
October 10: Columbus Day & Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Columbus Day marks the anniversary of the day that Italian explorer Christopher Columbus landed in the Americas. Our NEW units on Exploring the Americas and Age of Exploration and Colonization are the perfect jumping-off points to introduce students to what life was like during this period. (These New Titles are also available in Print: Exploring the Americas and Age of Exploration and Colonization.)
In an effort to honor the original inhabitants of North America, some parts of the United States choose to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day or Native Americans’ Day instead of Columbus Day. Looking for resources to give kids both perspectives? Complete your lessons by learning about Native America, Northwest Coast Peoples, Plains Indians, and America 1492. (Also available in Print: our special Native America Set.)
October 19: Anniversary of the End of the American Revolution, 1781
On this day in 1781, the American Revolution was finally over when British General Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown. Ill-clothed, poorly fed, barely trained, and often unpaid, the American soldiers had been up against the finest fighting force in Europe—and triumphed. In our topic After the Revolution, kids will learn about what life was like right after the War of Independence. (Find our Print Title on the American Revolution here.)
October 22: On This Day Edison Invented the First Electric Lamp, 1879
In his search for the right filament for an electric lamp, Thomas Edison used his standard method: trial and error. On October 22, 1879, Edison and his assistants took turns watching in teams as a bulb with the carbonized thread burned for about 13½ hours. The team had succeeded! Kids will learn about this pivotal event in our topic How Edison Invented the Lightbulb.
October 27: Theodore Roosevelt’s Birthday, 1858
Teddy Roosevelt was also a man of contradictions: He glorified war, yet he was the first president to win the Nobel Peace Prize. He loved hunting, but he was also an avid conservationist who doubled the number of national parks. Teddy Roosevelt, for kids, explores these quirks and the life of this complex man. (Find our Print Title on Teddy Roosevelt here.)
October 28: On This Day the Statue of Liberty was Dedicated to the United States, 1886
Millions of immigrants from all over the world have passed by the majestic symbol of freedom on their way to a new life in a new land. More than 3 million people come to visit the Statue of Liberty every year. This topic provides some key facts about our Lady Liberty. (Also available in Print!)
October 29: National Cat Day
Big cats are among the most powerful animals on the planet. They may look like oversized kitties, but they are ferocious predators. Students will read about these powerful animals in our free unit on Big Cats.
October 31: Happy Halloween!
Bundle and save 40% this month, with five of our favorite Halloween Print Titles. Purchase our Spooky Special Pack which includes Kids Discover Insects, Blood, Bones, Spiders and Mummies for just $14.99. Each issue is 20-pages long and is advertising-free. And check out these outdoor activities in our article on Backyard Science: Nature’s Spooks!
