Develop the background knowledge of your students by sharing a historic event from each day. This post gives you an event which occurred each day in history from April 17 to April 24. A corresponding free online resource is linked.
Check out the following topics: Bay of Pigs, Paul Revere, Boston Marathon, Columbine, Red Baron, Earth Day, William Shakespeare and Sigmund Freud.
April 17: Bay of Pigs
The Bay of Pigs invasion occurred April 17, 1961.
National Geographic presents a well-designed lesson over the Bay of Pigs. Students begin by completing a graphic organizer as they develop background information using the JFK Library, Bay of Pigs website. Next they role play or watch and make observations on a scene from Killing Kennedy. Following a discussion, students will use a strategy called SOAPSTone to analyze primary documents. Students conclude by writing a letter from Castro to Soviet leader Khrushchev.
April 18:
Paul Revere Paul Revere makes his famous midnight ride to warn that the British were coming on April 18, 1775.
“150 Years of Paul Revere’s Ride” is a tribute to the 150 year anniversary of Longfellow’s poem “Paul Revere’s Ride.” The website includes historical documents and texts, lesson plans, maps, audio and videos.
April 19: Boston Marathon
The first Boston marathon was held April 19, 1897.
The Boston Athletic Association website is a non-profit site with information about qualifying, the different races, awards, clinics, and information about the course.
April 20: Columbine
The Columbine High School massacre and suicides occurred April 20, 1999.
UPFRONT magazine has an article, “A ‘Mass Shooting Generation’ Cries Out for Change.” The article and discussion questions will provide a structure for discussing this difficult topic.
April 21: Red Baron
Baron Manfred von Richthofen was shot and killed April 21, 1918.
Use the link to the YouTube video Snoopy and the Red Baron (with lyrics) and have students determine which lyrics from the song use facts about Baron Manfred von Richthofen.
April 22: Earth Day
Earth Day is a worldwide event held on April 22 to bring awareness to protecting the environment.
National Education Association has a large number of activities in their Earth Day Curriculum Resources. Resources are divided into three age groups K-5, 6-8, and 9-12. There are lessons, projects, and activities for all curricular areas that will help any teacher make this a meaningful learning experience.
April 23: William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare died April 23, 1616.
The Folger Shakespeare Library is independent an is the world’s largest collection of resources on William Shakespeare. It includes Works of Art related to Shakespeare, information about Shakespeare and His Life, and Shakespeare’s Theater.
April 24: Sigmund Freud
Sigmund Freud publishes his theory of the id, ego and the superego April 24, 1923.
Readwritethink uses Cat In the Hat to understand the Id, Ego and Superego as they look at characterization in the text. The final product is an analytical essay using examples of indirect characterization.
