Black History Month

 February is Black History Month in the United States.

This means, during February, students in the USA learn about Black history in the country. 

Every year since 1976, the president chooses a theme. This year, it is "Black Health and Wellness".  We celebrate the knowledge and contributions of the African diaspora by learning about important figures. 

For example, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was an important figure that advocated for peace and equality.

Does he remind us of someone that we learned about for Peace Day? 

Every week, I will post an activity that has to do with what we learn in class related to Black history. 


This week, I want you to read along with Misty Copeland, the first African American Female Principal Dancer with the American Ballet Theatre. 

She struggled to become a ballerina because of the way her body looked, even though she was healthy and talented. 

This video is her reading a book about how she started dancing, and the first ballet performance she ever gave: 

Chinese New Year

 This year, the Lunar New Year celebrations begin on the 1st of February. 

This celebration takes place during the first 15 days of the lunar calendar from Feb. 1 to Feb. 15 and ends with the Lantern Festival.

In many East Asian cultures, people celebrate the Spring Festival or the beginning of a new lunisolar year on the traditional Chinese calendar. 

Each year is represented by 1 of 12 animals. This year is the year of the Tiger. 

Check to see what year you were born in and what it means:

In the USA, you can go to any city's Chinatown and see it decorated with paper lanterns, hear the sounds of firecrackers being set off, and perhaps catch a parade complete with a dancing dragon.

Here's a clip from New York's parade:

In San Diego, the historical Chinese district is in downtown, so the festival is held in the Gaslamp Quarter. You can visit this website and see when the next festival is! 

First day of Winter

The 21st of December marks the beginning of the winter season. 

It is also the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. That means we have the least amount of daylight today. 

What will the weather be like this season?

    Will it be snowy? Rainy or sunny? Warm or cold?

What will you celebrate this holiday season? 

In the USA, not everyone celebrates Christmas.

Some people celebrate Hannukah. Hanukkah is the Jewish eight-day “festival of lights,” celebrated with a nightly menorah lighting. 

Some people celebrate Kwanzaa.  Kwanzaa is a cultural holiday that celebrates African heritage and identity.

For people who do celebrate Christmas, children get to open presents on the 25th of December. These are delivered by Santa Claus, or St. Nick. Here´s a Christmas carol that sings about how Santa Claus goes down the chimney to deliver toys on Christmas Eve.