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Sailing Into September
By Sandy Fleming

September is full of interesting events and days to celebrate. Among other events, it is National Chicken Month, National Honey Month and National Papaya Month. On a more serious note, it is also Self- Improvement Month, National Classical Music Month and National Courtesy Month. How about having each person make a list of short- and long-term goals, then do a self-inventory to see the next steps to achieving them. Try making courtesy reminder posters, and check your local library for recordings of classical music. You will be surprised at how many of the themes sound familiar; many have become common tunes in our society. Can you find the piece that we sing the Alphabet Song to? Here's a rundown of other interesting September dates. Liven up your home or program with these ideas.

Here's a trivia question for kids to research: If the prefix "sept" means "seven," then why is September the ninth month of the year? Find the answer in the encyclopedia. Also for research: Only one state has a birthday this month (California); who can be the first to discover which one? Many cultures have celebrated September as a harvest month throughout history. The Greeks and Romans honored Demeter and Ceres, respectively, as their goddesses of agriculture. Check the library for stories of these and the other gods and goddesses from these cultures.

September 3 is "Skyscraper Day." Use this as an incentive to learn more about these architectural marvels. Where is the biggest located? How tall are they? Try building your own skyscrapers with building sets, or even by connecting toothpicks with balls of play dough. Who can build the tallest one? Why did that one stand up the best?

Queen Elizabeth I of England was born on September 7, 1533. In her honor, read English children's tales and have an English tea party! Check reference books and cookbooks to discover English treats, and serve food that English children would enjoy. September 9 is Teddy Bear Day. Have a teddy bear picnic outdoors or in some other unusual place. Have everyone bring their favorite teddy for cookies and punch, while you read bear stories (Winnie the Pooh, Paddington, and Little Bear are all wonderful choices).

September 12 is National Chocolate Milkshake Day. Can you make one of these treats for everyone to enjoy, or perhaps go to your favorite restaurant together for a treat? The twelfth also marks the date that the Russians launched the first rocket to the moon! Use this opportunity to learn more about outer space, the moon, rockets or the space race of the fifties and sixties. NASA has some wonderful resource material for educational groups that you can request.

The Pilgrims left England on September 16, 1620. This is a great day to review that part of United States history and remember the traditions that led up to Thanksgiving. If you want a more active diversion today, it's also Collect Rocks Day. Make and share rock collections today. Don't forget to get a good field guide for reference to help the children learn more about their specimens.

September 21 is the International Banana Festival. It's a great time to try banana dishes of all sorts. Besides banana bread, try banana boats (Slit a banana inside its peel along the inside curve. Put chocolate squares or chips and mini-marshmallows into the fruit, wrap in foil, and cook in coals for 10-15 minutes. Be careful! It's hot!), banana muffins and Bananas Madeline (Slice the banana lengthwise, then cut each piece in half. Spread with raspberry jelly or jam, and sprinkle coconut on top. Yum!). You can also often find plantains (cooking bananas) in larger grocery stores.

September 23 is Checkers Day. Why not dig out your set and play a few games? Can anyone discover the history of this old, old game? What culture invented it? How long has it been around? What other games are related to it?

September 25 is a super day for reading in several forms. It is National Comic Book Day. Don't underestimate the value of comic books for helping children practice their reading. They are often great finds for struggling older readers because they are simple to read and enjoyable. This also marks the date of the first American newspaper, Publick Occurrences, in Boston in 1690. Commemorate the occasion by creating your own newspaper for the classroom, group, family or neighborhood. You can include articles about interesting events, pictures, comics, advice columns and opinions.

Enjoy September together!

Sandy Fleming is an educator, author and workshop facilitator. She resides in southern Michigan with her husband and three daughters. Sandy leads workshops for daycare providers and parents in the region, tutors students, volunteers for Girl Scouts and her church, and teaches online classes for adults and children. She loves to make new friends, so please drop her an e-mail at kids@busyparentsonline.com

 
 
 
 
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