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Irish American Heritage Month
As you celebrate various ethnic groups in your classroom be sure to include the Irish. And what better time to do it during the month when we traditionally celebrate Saint Patrick's Day. Two interesting books that illuminate the importance of Christianity in Irish history and culture are "How the Irish Saved Civilization by Thomas Cahill (available as an abridged audio-book from Bantam Doubleday Dell, read by Liam Neeson) and The Flowering of Ireland: Saints, Scholars and Kings by Katherine Scherman (Little, Brown, 1981).
Music in Our Schools Month
Music Educators National Conference (MENC) encourages schools to make the most of music in a variety of ways, including this March event. For more information, visit the MENC website at www.menc.org. The MENC website offers an on-line teacher's guide to Music in Our Schools Month and other helpful resources. In keeping with the theme of "Music Power," guide your students in appreciating the powerful bond between music and religious beliefs in various times and places. If you have created lesson plans or units on this theme, please share them with CEAI so other educators can follow your example.
March 1-31 - American Red Cross Month
Presidential Proclamation for Red Cross Month issued each year for March since 1943. Issued as American Red Cross Month since 1987.
March 3 - Florida, Admissions Day,
Florida became the 27th state in 1845.
I Want you to be Happy Day. A day dedicated to reminding people to be thoughtful of others by showing love and care and concern, even if things are not going well for them.
March 4 - Vermont, Admissions Day
Vermont became 14th state in 1791.
March 5 - Boston Massacre Anniversary. 1770.
March 6 - Fall of the Alamo, 1836.
March 10 - Invention of the Telephone in 1876.
First US Paper Money Issues - Anniversary in 1862.
March 11 - Johnny Appleseed Day. 1845.
Anniversary of the death of John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed.
March 14 - Albert Einstein
Birth date, 1879. He won the Nobel Prize in 1921. Died at Princeton, NJ, April 18, 1955.
The seventh president of the United States. He died in Nashville, TN June 8, 1845. He was a military hero in the War of 1812.
March 16 - James Madison's Birth date. 1752.
He was the fourth president of the United States (March 4, 1809-Mar.3, 1817). He died at Montpelier, VA, June 28, 1836.
March 17 - St. Patrick's Day
Commemorates the patron saint of Ireland, Bishop Patrick (389-461 AD).
March 18 - Grover Cleveland's Birth Date. 1837
The 22nd president of the United States was born Stephen Grover Cleveland at Caldwell, NJ. He served as president Mar 4, 1885-Mar 3, 1889 and Mar 4, 1893-Mar 3, 1897. He died at Princeton, NJ, June 24, 1908.
March 19 - Birthday of David Livingstone
A great life to celebrate, Livingstone (1813-1973) is remembered as one of the most important explorers of Africa, an outstanding missionary doct and or, a pioneer in the abolition of the slave trade. Using a biography of Livingstone, have your students trace his expeditions from Kuruman in South Africa to Angola's Atlantic coast, east to the Indian Ocean at Mozambique, to Victoria Falls, and to his final resting place in Chitambo, Zambia. Livingstone's life offers convincing proof of how genuine Christianity has contributed to humanitarian causes, scholarly pursuits, and courageous enterprises.
Resources: The Young Livingstone by Patrice Pringle (Roy Publishers, 1962); Livingstone and His African Journeys by Elspeth Husxley (Saturday Review Press, 1974).
March 21 - Birthday of Johann Sebastian Bach
During music emphasis month, be sure to celebrate this great German composer. A genius in his technical abilities Bach (1685-1750) was even more adept at expressing deeply-held beliefs and feelings. Most of his career was spent writing and performing religious music. At the beginning of each composition, he wrote the letters, J.J. (Jesu Juva or Jesus Help Me!), and at the end, S.D.G. (Soli Deo Gloria or To the Glory of God Alone!). Since there are more recordings of Bach's music than any other composer you'll find it easy to bring his music into your classroom. To acquaint students with the man behind the music, check out: Introducing Bach by Roland Vernon (Silver Burdett, 1996), beautifully illustrated in full color; J.S. Bach, Great Man of Music by Carol Greene (Children's Press, 1992), a Rookie Biography; Johann Sebastian Bach by Reba Paeff Mirsky (Follett, 1965), appropriate for reading aloud in upper elementary or for middle school students. Gateway Films (800/523-0226) distributes the video The Joy of Bach, produced by Lutheran Film Association and featuring both music and biography.
March 21 - Martyrdom of Thomas Cranmer
Social studies and history teachers can help students cultivate the courage to stand by their convictions by introducing them to heroes of faith like Cranmer (1489-1556). As Archbishop of Canterbury, Cranmer often faced severe pressure from peers and authority figures. This leader in the English Reformation was arrested for treason and tortured until he recanted many of his beliefs. But before being burned at the stake, he recanted his recantations and stuck his right hand in the fire to demonstrate his regret over writing what he did not believe was true. After reading about Cranmer's life, challenge students to write alternate endings to his story. Read the various endings and discuss what effect each might have had on Cranmer and others. Finally, talk about how we can respond when asked to compromise our beliefs.
Resources: The Life of Thomas Cranmer by Theodore Maynard (Saunders, 1956); Great Leaders of the Christian Church edited by John D. Woodbridge (Moody, 1988).
