Can you believe it’s May?!? This month we are focusing on health science Units to prepare for Physical Fitness Month, National Nurses Day and World Asthma Day! We’re also diving into some historical resources to learn about the beginning of the Lewis & Clark Expedition, Memorial Day, JFK’s Birthday, and the anniversary of the birth of the U.S. Constitution. As always, follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest to keep up with these timely resources and what you can be teaching in May 2019!
May is Physical Fitness Month!
Encouraging your students to be active, especially in their formative years, is crucial to building healthy habits for later on in life. In our Health Science units like The Heart, Lungs, and Muscles, kids will read about the science behind Exercise, The Body’s Major Muscles, and Dos and Don’ts for Lungs. Knowledge about how our bodies work will motivate kids to keep active!
On the Blog: Learn about Laura Kujubu’s experience of beginning to include her kids in her newly established running routine! Read more…
May 1 – World Asthma Day
World Asthma Day is an annual event organized by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) to improve asthma awareness and care around the world. Asthma is a disease that makes it hard for a person to breathe, and many things can trigger an asthma attack, like allergies, change in weather, or physical exertion.
- Related Topics: Lungs in Trouble, How Lungs Work, Lung Capacity and Dos and Don’ts for Lungs
- Related Units: Lungs
- Check out our Print Title Lungs
May 6 – National Nurses Day
For students with parents or relatives who are nurses, this week may be filled with celebratory dinners and flowers or cards from patients and loved ones. Teach kids about the valuable work of this profession with resources from our Human Body Discover Map.
- Related Topics: The History of the Fight Against Germs, Fighting Infectious Diseases in Our Time, and Questions and Answers About Blood
- Related Units: Blood, Germs, Microbes, Heart
- Check out our Print Title Germs
May 14 – Beginning of Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804)
May 14 marks the beginning of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, which started in 1804. Students will read about their encounters with Native Americans, grizzly attacks, and roaring rapids. Discover the bravery and teamwork that made their journey a classic tale of American exploration and adventure.
- Related Topics: Preparing for the Expedition, Highlights of the Expedition, The Lewis and Clark Expedition
- Related Units: Lewis & Clark, Sacagawea, Explorers
- Games and Activities on Lewis and Clark
- Check out our Print Title Lewis & Clark
May 18 – Endangered Species Day
The purpose of Endangered Species Day is to raise awareness about the national conservation efforts designed to protect endangered species and their habitats.
- Free Mini-Unit: Endangered Species
- Related Topics: Biodiversity and Evolution, The Human Impact, Preserving Habitats and Protecting Wildlife, and Ecologists to the Rescue (recently updated!)
May 25 – Anniversary of the Constitutional Convention (1787)
On May 25, 1787, delegates from seven states met in Philadelphia with the goal of revising the Articles of Confederation. Soon, delegates from five more states arrived. Through the long, hot summer, the delegates debated many issues. In the end, they changed history.
- Related Topic: Constitutional Convention
- Related Units: Constitution, How America Works
- Games and Activities on the Constitution
- Check out our Print Titles: Constitution, How America Works, and our American History Set
May 26 – Sally Ride’s Birthday
Sally Ride was the first American female to visit space. She was part of a mission called STS-7, where she controlled a robotic arm to send satellites into orbit.
- Related Topic: Space Exploration in the Twentieth Century, Would You Like to Be an Astronaut?, and Space Exploration Today
May 27 – Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a day to remember everyone who has fought and died for the United States in our armed forces. Take a tour online through historic monuments of Washington D.C., including the Arlington National Cemetery, The Korean War Veterans Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and more.
- Related Topic: Monuments of Our Capital
- Check out our Print Title Washington D.C.
May 29 – John F. Kennedy’s Birthday
John F. Kennedy III, our 35th president, was born on this day in 1917. In his short time in office he established the Peace Corps, put the first man on the moon, and helped integrate black students into segregated college campuses.
- Free Mini-Unit: John F. Kennedy
- Related Unit: Mid-20th Century in the United States
Questions or Comments?
We’d love to hear what you thought about our suggested topics to teach in February! Send us a Direct Message on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or email us at Questions@KidsDiscover.com.
