If you like the programming and classroom activities you have found at Curious City DPW, here’s a guide to use our materials throughout the year!
*Indicates a holiday that moves throughout the year.
January
J. Edgar Hoover’s Birthday (Jan 1):
Whobert Whover, Owl Detective: Story Hour Kit
National Bird Day (Jan 5):
My Busy Green Garden: STEM Story Hour Kit
Whobert Whover, Owl Detective: Story Hour Kit
Sherlock Holmes Birthday (Jan 6):
Whobert Whover, Owl Detective: Story Hour Kit
National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month:
A Crack in the Sea: A Guide for Educators & Readers
February
National Carrot Day (Feb 3):
Chinese New Year* (Feb 8, 2017):
When the Sea Turned to Silver: Activities
When the Sea Turned to Silver: Reader’s Theater
Starry River of the Sky: Interactive Read Aloud & Game for Events
Starry River of the Sky: Art, Astronomy, Math, History, and Mythology Activities
Lantern Festival* (Feb 11, 2017):
When the Sea Turned to Silver: Activities
When the Sea Turned to Silver: Reader’s Theater
Starry River of the Sky: Interactive Read Aloud & Game for Events
Starry River of the Sky: Art, Astronomy, Math, History, and Mythology Activities
World Whale Day* (Feb 17, 2017):
Here Come the Humpbacks!: Migration Game
If I Were a Kangaroo: A Sleepy STEM Story Hour Kit
National Random Acts of Kindness Day (Feb 17):
Step Right Up: Artist Process Video & Kindness Pledge
The Infamous Ratsos: Bikers & Lessons on Kindness
National Tell a Fairy Tale Day (Feb 26):
Good Night, Baddies: Story Hour Kit
International Polar Bear Day (Feb 27):
Cub’s Big World: Story Hour Kit
Black History Month:
28 Days: Audio Performances Promote African American History
Words as Freedom: Poetry Workshop Based on Don Tate’s Poet
A Crack in the Sea: A Guide for Educators & Readers
March
World Wildlife Day (March 3):
A Bear’s Year: Read Aloud & Celebration of the Seasons Kit
Wild About Bears: Nonfiction Game & More
Cub’s Big World: Story Hour Kit
Gobble, Gobble: Outdoor or Indoor Nature Exploration Activities
Whobert Whover, Owl Detective: Story Hour Kit
Storytelling Day* (March 20):
The Storyteller: Activities for Educators, Librarians & Readers
April
April Fool’s Day (Apr 1):
The Infamous Ratsos: Bikers & Lessons on Kindness
World Rat Day (Apr 4):
The Infamous Ratsos: Bikers & Lessons on Kindness
National Walking Day* (Apr 5)
Around the Neighborhood: Preschool Counting Story Hour & Counting Posters
National Sibling Day (Apr 10)
The Infamous Ratsos: Bikers & Lessons on Kindness
Cambodian New Year* (Apr 14, 2017):
Either the Beginning or the End of the World: YA Engagement Resources
Easter* (Apr 16, 2017):
R.W. Alley’s Picture Book Series: Easter Egg Roly-Poly Activity
National Bat Appreciation Day (Apr 17):
If I Were a Kangaroo: A Sleepy STEM Story Hour Kit
National Physics Day (Apr 24):
Evidence of Things Not Seen: Edgy Discussion Questions
Save the Frogs Day (Apr 30):
Too Many Frogs: Cross Generational Event Kit to Save the Frogs
National Poetry Month:
Words as Freedom: Poetry Workshop Based on Don Tate’s Poet
Sexual Assault Awareness Month:
Evidence of Things Not Seen: Edgy Discussion Questions
National Gardening Month:
My Busy Green Garden: STEM Story Hour Kit
National Library Week: Library Scavenger Hunts
Keepers of the Labyrinth: Greek Mythology Trivia Game & Craft Kit
Water Castle: Library Scavenger Hunt
Charmed Children of Rookskill Castle: Event Kit
May
International Respect for Chickens Day (May 4):
Extraordinary Warren: Story Hour Kit
If I Were a Kangaroo: A Sleepy STEM Story Hour Kit
National Dinosaur Day (May 15):
National Classic Movie Day (May 16):
National Escargot Day (May 24):
Jewish American Heritage Month:
Skating with the Statue of Liberty: Discussion Guide
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month:
A Crack in the Sea: A Guide for Educators & Readers
Double Happiness: Origami Box & Poetry Activity
When the Sea Turned to Silver: Activities
When the Sea Turned to Silver: Reader’s Theater
Starry River of the Sky: Interactive Read Aloud & Game for Events
Starry River of the Sky: Art, Astronomy, Math, History, and Mythology Activities
Unidentified Suburban Object: Discussing Identity, Difference, & Cross-Group Friendship
Either the Beginning or the End of the World: YA Engagement Resources
Graduation Ceremonies:
Wherever You Go: Graduation Event Kit
June
World Ocean Day (June 8):
Vanishing Island: Nautical Adventure Event & Classroom Kit
Here Come the Humpbacks!: Migration Game
Father’s Day* (June 17, 2017):
Juneteenth (June 19):
28 Days: Audio Performances Promote African American History
Words as Freedom: Poetry Workshop Based on Don Tate’s Poet
A Crack in the Sea: A Guide for Educators & Readers
Piecing Me Together: A YA Discussion Guide About Race, Class, Gender, and Intersectionality
World Refugee Day (June 20):
I’m New Here: Classroom & Community Guide to Welcoming Immigrants
A Crack in the Sea: A Guide for Educators & Readers
Skating with the Statue of Liberty: Discussion Guide
World Giraffe Day (June 21):
If I Were a Kangaroo: A Sleepy STEM Story Hour Kit
Anniversary of Title IX (June 23):
Book Ninjas: Event Kit & Ongoing Prizes for Readers & Librarians
LGBTQ Pride Month:
Evidence of Things Not Seen: Edgy Discussion Questions
Graduation Ceremonies:
Wherever You Go: Graduation Event Kit
July
E.B. White’s Birthday (July 11):
Some Writer: Creating Art with E.B. White’s Words
International Tiger Day (July 29):
Raj the Bookstore Tiger: A Story Hour Kit
Summer Reading & Book Clubs:
Keepers of the Labyrinth: Greek Mythology Trivia Game & Craft Kit
When the Sea Turned to Silver: Activities
Starry River of the Sky: Interactive Read Aloud & Game for Events
Starry River of the Sky: Art, Astronomy, Math, History, and Mythology Activities
Eleven and Holding: Discussion Guide for the Middle Grade
Princess Juniper: Book Club Kit
Evidence of Things Not Seen: Edgy Discussion Questions
Book Ninjas: Event Kit & Ongoing Prizes for Readers & Librarians
Searching for Silverheels: Book Club Kit
Charmed Children of Rookskill Castle: Event Kit
August
National Honey Bee Day (Third Saturday in August):
My Busy Green Garden: STEM Story Hour Kit
National Underwear Day (Aug 5):
Friendship Day* (Aug 7, 2016):
Unidentified Suburban Object: Discussing Identity, Difference, & Cross-Group Friendship
The Problem with NOT Being Scared of Monsters: Read Aloud Event Kit
My Dog is the Best: A Read Aloud & Canine Craft Kit
Tugboat Bill and the River Rescue: STEM Story Hour Kit
Skating with the Statue of Liberty: Discussion Guide
National Aviation Day (Aug 19):
Rosie Revere, Engineer: STEM Event Kit
National Dog Day (Aug 26):
Penny & Jelly: Slumber Under the Stars: Stargazing Activity Sheet
Penny & Jelly: The School Show: Talent Show Kit
My Dog is the Best: A Read Aloud & Canine Craft Kit
Women’s Equality Day (Aug 26):
Searching for Silverheels: Book Club Kit
National Possum Day (Aug 27):
Whobert Whover, Owl Detective: Story Hour Kit
Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina (Aug 29):
Another Kind of Hurricane: Connecting with Communities in Need
September
Hurricane Season:
The Another Kind of Hurricane Project: Connecting with Communities in Need
Back To School: Library Tours/Scavenger Hunts
Keepers of the Labyrinth: Greek Mythology Trivia Game & Craft Kit
Water Castle: Library Scavenger Hunt
Charmed Children of Rookskill Castle: Event Kit
Grandparents Day* (Sept 10, 2017)
Too Many Frogs: Cross Generational Event Kit to Save the Frogs
What a Beautiful Morning: Story Hour with Alzheimer’s Resources
Welcoming Week* (Sept 15-24, 2017):
I’m New Here: Classroom & Community Guide to Welcoming Immigrants
Ancestors’ Day* (Sept 19-21, 2017):
Either the Beginning or the End of the World
International Coffee Day (Sept 29):
Eleven and Holding: Discussion Guide for the Middle Grade
October
Hurricane Season:
The Another Kind of Hurricane Project: Connecting with Communities in Need
Mahatma Gandhi’s Birthday (Oct 2):
National Coming Out Day (Oct 11):
Evidence of Things Not Seen: Edgy Discussion Questions
Charlotte’s Web Publication Anniversary (Oct 15):
Some Writer: Creating Art with E.B. White’s Words
World Singing Day (Oct 21):
So You Wanna Be a Superstar?: Audition Event Kit for Libraries
National Cat Day (Oct 29):
Cat’s Colors: Treasure Hunt & Story Hour Kit
Raj the Bookstore Tiger: A Story Hour Kit
Halloween (Oct 31):
Mitchell on the Moon: Lightning Wand Activity
Trick or Reaters: Haunting Halloween with Literacy
Charmed Children of Rookskill Castle: Event Kit
The Problem with NOT Being Scared of Monsters: Read Aloud Event Kit
Mothman’s Curse: Middle Grade Monster Selfies
International OCD Awareness Week:
Finding Perfect: The Unfolding Identity Project
November
Adoption Awareness Month:
The Story I’ll Tell: Adoption & Arrival Writing Activity
Alzheimer’s Awareness Month:
What a Beautiful Morning: Story Hour with Alzheimer’s Resources
Eleven and Holding: Discussion Guide for the Middle Grade
Veterans Day (Nov 11):
Eleven and Holding: Discussion Guide for the Middle Grade
World Kindness Day (Nov 13):
Step Right Up: Artist Process Video & Kindness Pledge
The Infamous Ratsos: Bikers & Lessons on Kindness
Thanksgiving* (Nov 23):
Sharing the Bread: Thanksgiving Read Aloud, Food Drive & Place Settings
Gobble, Gobble: Outdoor or Indoor Nature Exploration Activities
Balloons Over Broadway: Puppet Play and Clever Classroom Exploration
December
International Ninja Day (Dec 5):
Book Ninjas: Event Kit & Ongoing Prizes for Readers & Librarians
Monkey Day (Dec 14):
Quick Little Monkey: STEM Story Hour Kit
Take Your Child to a Bookstore Day:
