- The Canadian Northern Lights Camera - Live from Wapusk National Park in Manitoba, Canada
Welcome February, the second month on the calendar, but originally the last! How many days are in February? Well, it's a Leap Year, so buckle up for that bonus day of excitement. As we cozy up and dodge the chilly weather, let's face it – the cold days can turn us into indoor adventurers. Don't worry; we're not here to suggest extreme sofa cushion fort-building (although it's tempting). In this month's newsletter, we're dishing out some fantastic ideas to keep our minds buzzing and our bodies moving. So grab a cup of hot cocoa, maybe with an extra marshmallow or two, and let's make February a month of laughter, learning, and maybe a touch of mischief – all in the name of education, of course!
An Act of Kindness Note from Your ArtsAround Integration Teacher
Well, lookie lookie! We have arrived again at the dead of winter dreaded month – FEBRUARY! UGH!
But never fret, there’s fun in store, you can bet. This month has MANY reasons to celebrate. There are many ‘special days’ in February but we would like to feature some important ones this month and we need you to keep this active all month long!
As we continue ‘building on the concept of a SCHOOL FULL of STARS!’ here is what we suggest as a schoolwide theme. Be sure to sing that song during announcements this month – once a week would be a good reminder. Or at least enjoy it in class. Students and their families can even enjoy this song at home!
'SCHOOL' FULL OF STARS!
Remember, collaborating can really add a spark to this dark, cold month. Here is how you can ‘Make Kindness the Norm’ all month long, and shake those winter blues away!
“Kindness is giving hope to those who think they are all alone in this world.
Kindness is seeing the best in others when they cannot see it in themselves. Kindness is something anyone can give without losing anything themselves.
Kindness is not what you do, but who you are.”
1. Each year Random Acts of Kindness Day grows in popularity. However, this is a GREAT lead up and/or follow up to Valentine’s Day, by extending friendship and love to REAL action! It is celebrated by individuals, groups, and organizations nationwide to encourage acts of kindness. The movement of Random Acts of Kindness inspires people every day.
The idea behind this celebration is to make the world (including your school community) a little brighter and better through little and simple kind gestures, words, and actions. What if each class chose an area where they could participate in an act of kindness. (E, G: organizing K classes for a fun day; writing letters to the office/janitorial staff; singing a song to uplift spirits during announcements; doing research to discover neighbourhood (or beyond) seniors at home who might need a cheery card or quick phone call or even a visit etc.)
Invite your students to watch:
2. Did you know that Random Acts of Kindness Day 2024 is on February 17, and Random Acts of Kindness Week 2024 kicks off February 11th, just in time for Valentine’s Day? Start planning great Art Centre poster ideas and choose some ideas below for your students. Have an Opening Day ceremony and a Closing Day ceremony to decide where they were successful and what ‘acts of kindness’ they need to complete in March.
3. Random Acts of Kindness for ALL Kids. Choose one to use that you can integrate into various subjects.
4. Here are 2 great articles for Parents
5. There are so many ways to have fun outside this season. One way is by participating in Winter Walk Day, a Canada-wide initiative that celebrates physical activity outdoors throughout the month of February! Celebrate Winter Walk Day on February 7th 2024!
Join Winter Walk Day Celebrations: School administrators and teachers can encourage children to spend more time outdoors by celebrating Winter Walk Day! Registration is open throughout the entire month of February, and sign-ups can be done for the whole school or an individual classroom. Ontario-based schools can register to be entered into a draw to win one of five $200 Scholar’s Choice gift cards!
6. Enjoy Family Day on February 19th this year with one of the many great activities being held in the City – or stay home and stay cozy by using one of these at-home ideas:
Dates to Remember
(Click the dates to learn more!)
- February is Black History Month
- February is Junior Achievement Month
- February 2nd: Groundhog Day
- February 7th: Winter Walk Day
- February 7th: Global School Play Day
- February 7th: Safer Internet Day
- February 11th to 17th: Random Acts of Kindness Week
- February 14th: Valentine's Day
- February 14th: International Book Giving Day
- February 15th: National Flag Day
- February 15th: Canada's Agriculture Day
- February 19th: Family Day
- February 28th: Pink Shirt Day
- February 26th: Tell a Fairy Tale Day
- February 27th: International Polar Bear Day
- February 29th: 2024 is a Leap Year!
Brrrr... Canada is cold AND Amazing!
Explore parts of Canada with a cup of cocoa and a a warm blanket from your couch! Click the links below to check out some amazing live cam footage (and highlight reels) from across the country. Visit Explore.org to take a tour around the world and see what other ecosystems are thriving. Happy Travels!
Grasslands National Park, Val Marie, Saskatchewan – one of 44 in Canada’s national park/reserve system
Strider Rubbing Beach Underwater Orcas
Hanson Island, British Columbia, Canada
OrcaLab Sea Lion Beach on British Columbia’s Hanson Island, Canada
Aurora Borealis, Northern Lights in Churchill, Manitoba, Canada
OrcaLab Main Cams
Hanson Island, British Columbia, Canada
Strider Rubbing Beach Surface Cam – Hanson Island, British Columbia, Canada
Canada is Cold: Amazing Ways Humans and Animals Survive Our Harsh Winters
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