What To Teach Your Kids This October 2019
What a mixed month it has been. The weather didn’t really know what to do with itself, did it? One day there was blazing sun and the next day torrential rain.
Each month at RiiRoo, we focus on different engaging topics to teach your kids in addition to what they would usually learn at school.
If you missed last month’s article - What To Teach Your Kids This September 2019, then you can read it here.
Last month we looked at Hitler invaded Poland; thus began World War II in Europe, The Great Fire of London, Treaty of Paris signed that ended the American Revolutionary War, Neptune Discovered and 9/11 - The worst terrorist attack in U.S. history.
This Month
This month we’re going to look at Black History Month, World Space Week, National Poetry Day, Battle Of Hastings and Halloween.
Black History Month (The Whole Month)
Black History Month seems to come around so quickly each year.
So what is it and why is this something you should teach your kids about?
It is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans that recognise the role they played in American history.
The idea came about by historian Carter G. Woodson who recommended that they are celebrated. Slowly but surely, other countries have started to celebrate this month from Ireland to the Netherlands.
Resources:
https://www.blackhistorymonth.org.uk/
https://www.theguardian.com/uk/blackhistorymonth
https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/41775249
4th October - World Space Week
The theme for World Space is “The Moon: Gateway to the Stars”.
What is this? It basically celebrates the anniversary of mankind’s first step on the moon 20th July 1969. It also introduces not only kids but, people in general to science and technology and the future.
There’s never been a time in our history when so many people have been interested in Space and Space travel. So, why not introduce your kids to this great topic?
Resources:
https://www.worldspaceweek.org/
https://www.bis-space.com/wsw/
3rd October - National Poetry Day
What a great day this is. Celebrating poetry each year where the theme changes from year to year.
An explosion of many different events happens all around the country, from schools, hospitals, libraries and of course, bookshops.
Poetry has the power to bring people together and with 2019 being the 25th Anniversary of National Poetry Day, what a great time to introduce your kids to classic poetry and reading more devise topics.
Here’s a list of the previous annual themes:
2018: Change
2017: Freedom
2016: Messages
2015: Light
2014: Remember
2013: ‘Water, water everywhere’
2012: Stars
2011: Games
2010: Home
2009: Heroes and Heroines
2008: Work
2007: Dreams
2006: Identity
2005: The Future
2004: Food
2003: Britain
2002: Celebration
2001: Journeys
2000: Fresh Voices
1999: Song Lyrics
Resources:
https://nationalpoetryday.co.uk/
https://www.thebookseller.com/tag/national-poetry-day
Battle Of Hastings
If you were educated in the UK, you were probably taught all about the Battle of Hastings. I know I was.
The morning of 14th October 1066 two armies prepared to fight in England between William, Duke of Normandy and the recently crowned Harold Godwineson (whose name you very rarely hear in our history). This battle happened in Hastings fighting over who should be King.
After the battle, several thousand lay dead on the battlefield. William who was victorious was then one step closer to becoming King.
What a lot of people don’t realise is, this war changed the entire course of English history as well as European history.
England was now ruled by a foreign aristocracy that never happened in its history before. This one war changed the political institutions of Christendom
Resources:
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/1066-and-the-norman-conquest/what-happened-battle-hastings/
https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryMagazine/DestinationsUK/The-Battle-of-Hastings/
https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Hastings
31st October - Halloween
Halloween, also known as Allhalloween is celebrated in several countries on 31st October (however, this year October only has 30 days) which is the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Hallows' Day.
Apparently, the traditions we know and love today originated from ancient Celtic harvest festivals and may also have Pagan roots.
These traditions include activities like trick or treating, dressing up in scary costumes, carving out pumpkins and making pumpkin heads, lighting bomb fires and playing pranks.
Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween
https://www.history.com/topics/halloween
https://www.countryliving.com/entertaining/a40250/heres-why-we-really-celebrate-halloween/
So that’s it for another month. If you would like more interesting information like this, please sign up for the RiiRoo newsletter.
See you next month.
Leave a comment