Valentine’s Day is tomorrow! Today would be a good day to finish those valentines, bake those special cookies, or make simple gifts for those we love. Children could read The Night Before Valentine’s Day by Natasha Wing. Children could play some great Valentine’s Day games at: Valentine Activities.
American Magazine, the first magazine to print in the United States, was published for the first time in 1741 by Andrew Bradford.
Moving picture projector was patented in 1895. Auguste and Louis Lumiere created the cinematograph, and the first film they recorded was of workers leaving their factory.
Madrid Codices, created by Leonardo da Vinci, were discovered in 1964 in the National Library of Spain by American researchers. Da Vinci died in 1608, and these works found their way to Spain by about 1623. They got lost in the library around 1712. The books contain information about science, geometry, and fortification. Children could learn more at: Madrid Codices.
Mary GrandPré (born Aberdeen, South Dakota, 1954) illustrates books for children. Her illustrations in The Noisy Paint Box: The Colors and Sounds of Kandinsky’s Abstract Art earned her a 2015 Caldecott Honor Award. She also illustrated the US editions of the Harry Potter books.
Janet Taylor Lisle (born Englewood, New Jersey, 1947; died Boston, Massachusetts, October 5, 2023) wrote books for young adults. Her work Afternoon of the Elves received a 1990 Newbery Honor Award. Her book The Art of Keeping Cool received the Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction in 2001. Children can visit her website at: Janet Taylor Lisle.
William Sleator (born Havre de Grace, Maryland, 1945; died Bua Chet, Thailand, August 3, 2011) wrote science fiction books for young adults. His works include Interstellar Pig and The Green Futures of Tycho.
Simms Taback (born New York, New York, 1932; died Ventura, California, December 25, 2011) was an author and illustrator. He illustrated more than 40 books. His book There Was an Old Lady that Swallowed a Fly was a 1998 Caldecott Honor Book. Another of his books, Joseph Had a Little Overcoat, won the 2000 Caldecott Medal. Children can visit a website devoted to him at: Simms Taback.
Bess Truman
Elizabeth (Bess) Virginia Wallace Truman (born Independence, Missouri, 1885; died Independence, Missouri, October 18, 1982) was America’s First Lady from April 12, 1945 to January 20, 1953. She was the wife of Harry S Truman, thirty-third president of the United States. She did not like being First Lady because she found so little privacy. Also, many people compared her to Eleanor Roosevelt, the previous First Lady. She lived the longest of all First Ladies. Older children could visit a website at: Bess Truman.
Grant Wood (born near Anamosa, Iowa, 1892; died Iowa City, Iowa, February 12, 1942) was an artist and a teacher. He is most known for his paintings about the Midwest. One of his most famous works is American Gothic. Idea: American Gothic is often parodied. Students could update American Gothic. Children can read more about him and see some of his works at: Grant Wood.
Charles “Chuck” Yeager (born Myra, West Virginia, 1923; died Los Angeles, California, December 7, 2020) was a test pilot who broke the sound barrier in 1947.
Created by Sandie Obrin
Valentine’s Day is celebrated in many parts of the world. Three factors may contribute to the creation of Valentine’s Day. The holiday may have roots in an ancient Roman festival, Lupercalia. One saint named Valentine secretly married couples against a Roman emperor’s wishes. Another saint named Valentine refused to worship Roman gods and was arrested. Children tossed him notes, and thus the idea of exchanging valentines began. Other people believe birds choose their mates on Valentine’s Day. Idea: Instead of buying valentines, children could make cards. They could also learn more at: Valentine’s Day.
Anna’s Hummingbird in Big Bend
Great Backyard Bird Count occurs between February 14 and February 17! Children can spend as little as fifteen minutes in the backyard, identifying, counting, and photographing birds. They can submit their findings to add to the world’s knowledge of birds. Children can visit Great Backyard Bird Count. There they can find a printable bird checklist, data regarding past bird counts, and free apps to identify birds. What a fun, free, and engaging activity!
Oregon State Flag
Reverse Oregon State Flag
Oregon became the thirty-third state of the United States in 1859. The state’s nickname is the Beaver State. Salem is the state capital, but Portland is the largest city. It is the leading state in the production of Christmas trees. It is also one of the strongest states in regard to the environment. The state is the ninth largest state, and it is 43rd in population. The square dance is the state’s official dance.
Arizona State Flag
Arizona became the forty-eighth state of the United States in 1912. The word Arizona derives from a Pima or Papago word meaning, place of small springs. It was relatively unpopulated until the wide spread use of air conditioners. It still faces the problem of water scarcity. Arizona is the sixth largest state and the fourteenth most populated. The bolo tie is the state’s official neckwear. Children could visit an Internet site at: Arizona.
League of Women Voters was organized in 1920. Carrie Chapman Catt founded the group in Chicago, Illinois, and the purpose is to promote nonpartisan political action. All fifty states, Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico have chapters. Children can visit the website at: http://www.lwv.org/.