Research shows that kids who are physically active and eat well learn better. The Poe Center has created this calendar with that in mind.
Developed based on teacher feedback, this calendar features useful health information along with easy-to-use classroom activities designed to integrate nutrition and physical activity into the classroom throughout the year.
We encourage you to share this resource with teachers, other educators, parents, etc.
Want a FREE copy?
AUGUST – Drink More Water
References/Resources:
Additional Activities:
- Gough, K. (2013, March 15). International waffle day recipes.
- Kledzik, K. (2015, April 01). 22 dog-themed lesson plans for teachers.
- Left Handers Day. (2016). Celebrate Left Handers Day with your own lefty zone.
- Lemonade Day! (2016). National Lemonade Day.
- Sears, M. (2005). Day trips for book lovers.
- Watermelon.Org. (n.d.). Host a watermelon day.
SEPTEMBER – Fresh & Fun Snacking
References/Resources:
Additional Activities:
- Eats Amazing. Easy Recipes for Kids: Frozen Fruity Yoghurt Bites.
- EdHelper. (n.d.). Pizza theme unit.
- Education World. (2016). Awesome Autumn!
- Knott, S. (2013). Three sisters garden.
- Magud, E. (January 13). Lesson plans: Pizza theme day (Elementary).
- National September 11 Memorial & Museum. (2016). Lesson Plans.
- Roderick, T. (2015, September 08). 9/11 Anniversary Teaching Guide.
- TeacherVision. (2016). Autumn teacher resources.
- TeacherVision. (2016). Labor Day resources for teachers.
OCTOBER – Mental Wellness
References/Resources:
Additional Activities:
- A to Z Teacher Stuff. (2016). Pumpkins lesson plans, activities, printables, and teaching ideas.
- Burns, J. H. (2016). Great anti-bullying activities and lesson plans.
- Cultivating a Healthy Food System. (2016). For teachers.
- Education World. (2016). Bullying prevention activities.
- Education World. (n.d.). Pick a pumpkin activity!
- Education World. (n.d.). Halloween lesson plans and activities.
- Internet4Classrooms. (2015, December 2). Chocolate factory: Activities, lesson plans and games.
- National Farmers Union. (2016). Education materials.
- National Pasta Day. (2015). National Pasta Day.
- Nemours. Children’s Health System. (2016). Healthy children’s activities.
- Nourish Interactive. (2016). Kids healthy activity fun – nutrition themed arts and crafts for children promoting healthy habits.
- No Time For Flash Cards. (2015, October 29). National Oatmeal Day.
- PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center. (2016). Classroom Education and Activities.
- Shelby, B. (2012, January 2). No Bake Recipes.
- TeacherVision. (2016). Columbus Day teacher resources.
- TeacherVision. (2016). Food resources for teachers.
- The Teacher’s Corner. (2016). Chocolate.
- Walk Bike to School. (2016). Walk bike to school.
NOVEMBER – Active Classrooms
References/Resources:
Additional Activities:
- Delta Dental and Delta Dental of Wisconsin Blog. (2016, January 07). Lesson plans for smart smiles: Dental health resources for the classroom.
- Education World. (n.d.). Daylight saving time: Five resources for the classroom.
- Education World. (n.d.). Internet scavenger hunt: Daylight savings time.
- Education World. (2015, November 07). Thanksgiving lesson plans and activities.
- Education World. (2016, February 14). The election: classroom activities.
- Education World. (2014, November 11). Veterans Day lesson plans and activities.
- Moran, D. (n.d.). Celebrate National Sandwich Day.
- Education World. National Stress Awareness Day. (2016).
- Teacher Planet. (2016). Daylight saving time.
- TeacherVision. (2016). Thanksgiving.
- TeacherVision. (2016). Veterans Day – teacher resources.
- Visit NC. (2016). Hiking in NC – North Carolina travel & tourism.
- Dalton, H. (2012, November 13). Free printable turkey snack – make fun treat cups for Thanksgiving!
DECEMBER – MyPlate
References/Resources:
Additional Activities:
- Education World. (2014, December 01). A blizzard of winter lessons!
- Education World. (2015). December holiday lesson plans and activities.
- Education World. (2014, December 09). Happy New Year!
- TeacherVision. (2016). New Year’s.
- Teacher Planet. (2016). New Year’s.
- Teaching Heart. (2012, November). The gingerbread man theme unit.
- The Teacher’s Corner. (2016). Winter activities.
JANUARY – Resiliency
References/Resources:
Additional Activities:
- Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom. (n.d.). A field of beans.
- Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom. (n.d.) A bean is a seed.
- United States. National Park Service. (n.d.). The bean lab elementary lesson.
- Arcand, B. (2016, January 09). Chocolate dipped dried fruit {National Apricot Day}.
- Shelby, B. (2011, July 11). Milk Day – Themes for a day.
- Shelby, B. (2010, September 20) Popcorn theme.
- Popcorn.org. (2016). For teachers.
- Poquette, S. (2016). Healthy granola bar recipes for National Granola Bar Day.
FEBRUARY – Dairy
References/Resources:
Additional Activities:
- Bonnie Cabbage Program. (2016). Bonnie cabbage program.
- Grow For It. (2016). Strawberries in schools.
- Grow for It. (n.d.). Strawberries: The Berry Bucket.
- National Constitution Center. (n.d.). Freedom Day – Grades K-4.
- National Constitution Center (n.d.) Freedom Day – Middle school and high school.
- National Agriculture in the Classroom, Bailey, R., Jones, M. P., Nicolau, J., & Tenhunfeld, D. (2013). Science and Poetry with Almonds, Grades 3-5.
- Ray, J., Balcerzak, P., Williams, B., & Samson, C. (2016, April 30). Red cabbage chemistry activity.
- TeacherVision. (2016). Top Valentine’s Day Printables for K-8.
MARCH – Fruits & Veggies
References/Resources:
Additional Activities:
APRIL – Gardening
References/Resources:
Additional Activities:
- American Heart Association. (2015, April 7). National Walking Day.
- Arbor Day Foundation. (2016). Explore educational resources – Arbor Day.
- Beth’s Music Classroom. (n.d.). Peanut Butter and Jelly Song/Rhyme.
- Child Care Lounge. (2016). Pretzel Theme and Activities.
- Davis, M. (2013, March 22). April Fool’s Day in the Classroom: 8 Resources for Teachers.
- Education World. (n.d.). Earth Day Lesson Plans.
- Teacher Planet. (2016). April Fools.
- Teach-a-roo. (2015, January 25). Peanut Butter, Jelly TIME! Using Functional and Informational Text in the Classroom.
- TeacherVision. (2016). Gardening Resources.
- The Teacher’s Guide. (2013). Trees/Arbor Day Lesson Plans, Resources and Crafts.
MAY – Whole Grains
References/Resources:
Additional Activities:
- Boulton, G. (n.d.). National Dance Like a Chicken Day.
- Evans, S. (2013, April 22). Tree activities for kids.
- Haberlin, S. (n.d.). The “Gift” of Mindfulness and Meditation.
- LaBarbera, M. (2013, May 8). Happy National School Nurses Day.
- National Education Association. (2019, May 6). Say ‘Thank You’ on National Teacher Day.
- National Wildlife Federation. (2011, May 12). The Five Best Ways to Celebrate Love A Tree Day.
- Planet Ark. (2016, March 14). Lesson plans & learning resources.
- Tesco. (2016). Strawberries: Activity Ideas ages 5-7.
- Walk Bike to School. (n.d.). Walk to School Day.
JUNE – Protein
References/Resources:
Additional Activities:
