Primary – November 1

“Think as I think,” said a man, “or you are abominably wicked; you are a toad.” And after I thought of it, I said, “I will, then, be a toad.” -Stephen Crane, who was born on this date in 1871. Explain why it’s important to be a toad.

Primary – October 31

Write a spooky story for Halloween.

Primary – October 30

Today is birthday of the second president of the United States, John Adams, who was born in Quincy, Massachusetts, on this date in 1735. He wrote, “Old minds are like old horses; you must exercise them if you wish to keep them in working order.” Invent an exercise for your brain and describe how it works.

Primary – October 29

Valerie Worth was born on this date in 1933. Write a poem about your favorite animal.

Primary – October 28

“Give light, and the darkness will disappear of itself.” -Desiderius Erasmus, who was born on this date in 1466. Describe the light you would like to bring into the world.

Primary – October 27

“Nobody cares how much you know, until they know how much you care.” -Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th president of the United States, who was born on this date in 1858. Use examples from your own life to explore whether Pres. Roosevelt was right.

Primary – October 26

Beryl Markham, one of the first female aviators and a record-setting pilot, was born on this date in 1902. She once said that if a person “has any greatness…, it comes to light, not in one flamboyant hour, but in the ledger of his daily work.” Explain what you think she meant when she said that.

Primary – October 25

The actual birthday of Geoffrey Chaucer, the first great English poet and author of The Canterbury Tales, is unknown, so we celebrate him on the anniversary of his death, which occurred on this date in 1400. He once wrote, “Forbid us something, and that thing we desire.” Explain why you think that’s true or false.