The “National Day Classroom” Routine

This routine uses the National Day Calendar to inspire a short, daily lesson that can be easily integrated into any subject, promoting curiosity, research skills, and creativity.

Step 1: The Morning Announcement (5 minutes)

Start each day by announcing the official national days. You can display them on a whiteboard or a slide.

• Teacher-Led: Simply read the days aloud to the class to spark interest.
• Student-Led: Assign a “National Day Leader” each day who is responsible for announcing the day(s) to the class.

Step 2: Investigation and Discovery (10-15 minutes)

Challenge students to become mini-researchers. You can assign this as individual, pair, or small-group work.

• Prompt: Use the website to find out:
  • Why was this day created?
  • Who started it?
  • What is the history behind it?
  • Find one interesting fact related to the day.

Step 3: The Daily Activity (10-20 minutes)

Based on the national day, propose a quick, themed activity. This is the perfect opportunity to link the day to a core subject.

• Examples:
  • National Bubble Day: Create an art piece by blowing bubbles with tempera paint. (Art/Science)
  • National Poetry Day: Write a haiku or a short poem about the topic of the day. (Language Arts)
  • National Astronaut Day: Research a famous astronaut and present a fun fact to the class. (History/Science)
  • National Dessert Day: Calculate the cost of ingredients for a recipe and the selling price. (Math)

Step 4: Discussion and Sharing (5-10 minutes)

Gather the class to share their discoveries and creations. This is a time for students to practice public speaking and active listening.

• Have a few students or groups share their research or their activity from the day.
• Encourage the class to ask questions about the presentations.

Step 5: The Classroom Calendar (5 minutes)

Create a living, growing calendar to track the national days throughout the year.

• Designate a section on a wall or bulletin board.
• Each day, have the “National Day Leader” or a designated student write the day on the calendar. This can be as simple as a sticky note.
• By the end of the year, you’ll have a complete calendar of fun, memorable days.

Adapting for Different Grade Levels

• Younger Grades (K-2): Focus on the announcement and a simple, hands-on activity. The research can be done as a whole-class activity led by the teacher.
• Middle Grades (3-5): Introduce the investigation step with guided questions. The activities can be more complex, requiring students to write or solve problems.
• Upper Grades (6+): Make the routine more independent. Students can work in groups to present their findings and lead the activity for the day, connecting the day to historical events, scientific principles, or literature.