📚 What's So Important About January 20th?

Lesson Plan #17

Happy Monday!

Today marks the 31st day of winter ❄️, which means we're inching ever closer to spring 💐 —just 59 days to go! But who's counting? To keep things as light as a snowflake, let's dive into some January 20th milestones that might just inspire your classrooms, starting off with the kings and queens of snow and ice themselves.

  1. It's Penguin Awareness Day! Fun fact for you: A group of penguins in the water is called a raft, but on land, they’re called a waddle! There are so many cute penguin videos out there - this one is our fav at Goodable, and it might just help the shyer kids in your classroom.

  1. Celebrate Elementary School Teachers Day by giving yourselves a well-deserved round of applause. Elementary teachers are often the first educators in our lives who kindle the knack of learning in us. Without you, the basics like ABCs and 123s might still be mysteries!

  2. Reflect on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, reminding us all to dream big, stand for justice, and always lead with kindness.

  3. January 20th also marks Inauguration Day in the United States. This event signifies the 60th U.S. presidential inauguration.

Whether drawing inspiration from penguins, celebrating your teaching impact, or honoring Dr. King's legacy, let's make it a memorable week!

📖 STORIES OF THE WEEK

Every two years, the World Monuments Fund, a nonprofit organization, shares a list of cultural heritage sites that are in danger of vanishing due to threats like war or climate change. This list usually features things like historic temples, cemeteries, and neighborhoods. However, this year, there was an unexpected addition.

Just like a comforting hug when you're having a rough day or a reassuring hand on your shoulder during tough times, touch offers a lot of perks. It can strengthen social connections, ease stress and pain, and give your mental health a lift. Scientists have found that this kind of touch is crucial for animals too, and it might even help them work together better.

Are your students in Grade 9 or graduating soon? The uncertainty of their next steps might feel overwhelming, but it’s also a chance to learn and grow in ways they have never imagined.

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