December Warm Ups

December 1 On this day in 1955, Rosa Parks refused to give up her bus seat to a white man. This was a brave action by Parks. What is the bravest thing you have ever done? Be sure to include details about the event and why you think you were brave.

December 2 December is “National Write to a Friend Month.” Write a letter to a friend telling them what you learned yesterday in history class.

December 3 On December 3, 1967, the first successful heart transplant was conducted. How do you think medical care in 1967 would compare with medical care today?

December 4 On this day in 1877, the phonograph was invented. This machine allowed people to listen to phonograph records. How do you think listening to these records was different than listening to today’s CDs? What may be the advantages and disadvantages of each type of machine?

December 5 On this day in 1901, Walter Elias (Walt) Disney was born in Chicago. What is your favorite Walt Disney movie and why? If you haven’t seen any Disney movies, which movie would you like to see and why?

December 6 On December 6, 1865, the 13th Amendment was passed. This amendment abolished, or ended, slavery. Why do you think it was important for our country to end slavery?

December 7 On December 7, 1941, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, Hawaii. This was the beginning of the United State’s involvement in World War II. What do you know about WWII?

December 8 Inventor Eli Whitney was born on this day in Whitney is well- known for his invention of the cotton gin. This machine made the harvesting of cotton much easier for the early farmers. How would the world be different today if people still had to harvest all crops by hand?

December 9 On this day in 1884, the ball- bearing roller skate was patented. Explain how the roller skate is similar and different from today’s roller blades. Which would you rather skate on and why?

December 10 December 10th is “Human Rights Day.” What do you consider to be rights of every human? Make a list of your ideas. Looking at your list, do you think there are certain rights that are less or more important than others? Explain your thoughts.

December 11 On this day in 1620, the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock. Put yourself in the place of a Pilgrim child. What do you think it would have been like getting off the boat after your long journey across the ocean to your new home? Would have been excited to begin your new life in this unknown land? Or would you have wanted to get back on the boat and go back home? Explain your answer…

December 12 December 12th is Poinsettia Day. This day was created to celebrate this popular holiday plant that is actually a plant native to Mexico. Can you think of other popular plants (or animals) that came from other countries?

December 13 If you could have been someone in history, who would you have been? Why?

December 14 On December 14, 1911, the South Pole was discovered. If you were able to travel to the South Pole, who would you want to take along with you and why? You can choose from anyone – someone you know, someone famous, someone alive, someone who is no longer living, anyone.

December 15 On December 15th is known as “Bill of Rights Day.” Explain why the Bill of Rights is so important to our way of life.

December 16 On December 16, 1773, the Boston Tea Party took place. This was an historic event in colonial history. Why did the early colonists protest the taxes on tea?

December 17 On this day in 1903, the Wright Brothers made their first flight. Orville and Wilbur had to do a great deal of teamwork in order to be successful. Think of a time that you were involved in teamwork. Explain the situation and why you feel teamwork was needed to be successful.

December 18 On December 18, 1886, baseball great, Ty Cobb, was born. How have sports affected our country? Explain…

December 19th On this day in 1777 George Washington and his troops settled into quarters in Valley Forge Pennsylvania. Why is George Washington important to our nation's history?

December 20 December 20th is the day that South Carolina seceded from the Union in What did this action lead to?

December 21 On this day, December 21, a Pan Am airlines flight exploded over Scotland in All passengers were killed. Describe a recent disaster that has happened in our country.

December 22 Today, December 22nd, is the first day of winter. What goals do you have for the new season?

December 23 December 23rd is the day World War two began. This event happened in Great Britain and France were the countries that declared war. What do you know about WWII?

On this day in 1968, Apollo 8 reached the moon. Would you liked to have been one of the first astronauts to reach the moon? Why or why not?

December 25th is Christmas Day. During WWI in 1914 troops declared a Christmas Truce and stopped fighting for one day.

December 26th is “National Whiners Day.” You or your classmates may sometimes whine about the food served at your school cafeteria. Do you like the food your school serves? Explain. If you don’t like the food, what would you change and why?

December 27th is “Visit the Zoo Day.” When people visit zoos, they get the opportunity to see a variety of different animals. Do you believe that zoos are a good thing to have? Why or why not?

On December 28, 1846, Iowa became the 29th state. Why was this event important? Explain…

On this day in 1869, chewing gum was patented. Even though gum is for chewing, list as many other uses for gum as you can think of.

On December 29, 1845, Texas became the 28th state. would you like to visit Texas? Why or why not?

Kwanza, an African Harvest Festival, begins the last week of December. Write what you know about this event…

December 31st is New Year’s Eve. It is the last day of Think back to everything that happened over the course of this last year. Choose from the following to write about: Most exciting event Saddest event Happiest event Most surprising event Event that you wish you could change Event that you wish would have happened, but didn’t