Monday, August 28, 2017

Mardi Gras Holiday Index

Mardi Gras/Fat Tuesday Clip Art
       Mardi Gras, or Shrove Tuesday, in Catholic countries of Europe a celebration on the last day of revelry before the advent of Lent. The term is from the French, and means fat Tuesday, referring to the old French custom of parading a fat ox through the streets during the festivities. The day following is Ash Wednesday.
       Only in New Orleans in the United States is the celebration of Mardi Gras famous, although a few other cities celebrate the day. (St. Louis, Chicago) The first New Orleans Mardi Gras day was in 1857, and not a year was thereafter missed until 1917. No celebration was held that year, nor in the two succeeding years because of World War I. In New Orleans on the occasion of the Mardi Gras at the height of the celebration there is a parade in which are seen gorgeous floats and thousands of people in costumes of every conceivable design. The streets are decorated with banners and streamers, and especial illumination is provided. The event attracts thousands of visitors from great distances.
 Mardi Gras Artifacts:
  1. "When The Saints Go Marching In"
  2. Quality Mardi Gras Crafts, Activities & Recipes
  3. Draw Mardi Gras Performers
  4. Make Your Own Mardi Gras Parade
 Mardi Gras Craft Collections:
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Crayon Methods and Applications Index

Crayola for educators.
      Temporary dependence upon scaffolding tools such as coloring sheets, does not predetermine the student's dependency upon their use, nor does it imply that other creative processes can not or will not be used within the educational environment. As long as professional art educators are employed, additional scaffolding methods and tools will inevitably replace coloring sheets.
      There are many circumstances, however unfortunate, that dictate a child's exposure to art be limited. In cases such as these, parents and classroom teachers may introduce coloring sheets to a young and/or inexperienced student in order to achieve basic goals similar to those I have written about at my Color The Bible Blog.
      In the future, I will include lesson plans especially adapted for the use of coloring pages on this blog. For those of you who are unfamiliar with my resources visit, you may also visit Art Education Daily to read more articles and lesson plans about art education.

 Read more about the importance of coloring activities:
Read more about performance-based learning:
Art Techniques for The Use of Crayons:
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The Nation's Birthday

The Nation's Birthday
by Mary E. Vandyne

Ring out the joy bells ! Once again,
With waving flags and rolling drums,
We greet the Nation's Birthday, when.
In glorious majesty, it comes.
Ah, day of days ! Alone it stands,
While, like a halo round it cast,
The radiant work of patriot hands,
Shines the bright record of the past.

Among the nations of the earth,
What land hath story like our own?
No thought of conquest marked her birth;
No greed of power was ever shown
By those who crossed the ocean wild.
That they might plant upon her sod
A home for Peace and Virtue mild,
And altars rear to Freedom's God.

How grand the thought that bade them roam!
Those pilgrim bands, by Faith inspired --
That bade them leave their cherished home,
And, with the martyr's spirit fired,
Guide their frail vessels o'er the main
Upon the glorious mission bound
On alien soil a grave to gain.
Or else a free born nation found.

What land has heroes like to ours ?
Their names are as the lightning's gleams,
When, on the darkling cloud that lowers,
In blinding majesty it streams.
Great Washington, the man of faith,
Who conquered doubt with patient might ;
Warren and Putnam, true till death,
The "Swamp Fox" eager for the fight.

See Major Molly's woman hand
Drive home the murderous cannon ball;
How bravely Lydia Darrach planned,
For home and country risking all.
A glorious list, and without end;
Forgotten were both sex and age ;
Their names in radiant luster blend.
And shine like stars on history's page.

Like stars to light the firmament,
And show the world what men may do
Who, as God's messengers, are sent
And to their mission still are true.
No. end had they to seek or gain;
Their work was there before their sight ;
There lay their duty, stern and plain,
To dare and suffer for the right.

The right that conquered, and whose power
Is shown in our broad land to-day;
Shown in this bright and prosperous hour.
When peace and plenty gild our way ;
Shown in the glorious song that swells
The hearts of men from South to North,
And in its rapturous accents tell
The story of our glorious Fourth.
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The Great American Holiday

       Among all the holidays of the year, one stands out as preeminently American; one appeals especially to that sentiment of patriotism and national pride which glows in every loyal American heart. Independence Day -- the Fourth of July -- is observed in every State in the Union as our distinctive national holiday; and rightly so, for the event which it celebrates is by far the most important in American history -- an event no less, indeed, than the birth of the nation.
       Independence Day celebrates the signing, on the Fourth of July, 1776, of the paper which declared this country forever free from British rule. It had been under consideration for some time by the Continental Congress, assembled at Philadelphia, and final action was finally taken on July 4. From that time forward, the American colonists were no longer rebels in arms against their country, but a free people fighting for their independence.
       That the Declaration of Independence was mainly the work of Thomas Jefferson has been established beyond reasonable doubt; and it stands to-day one of the most remarkable state papers in the history of the world.
       At the time of the passage of the act, John Adams wrote to his wife a letter which has become historic. ''I am apt to believe -- he wrote, ''that this day will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever-more."
       Bonfires and guns there have been without limit; and the deaths that have resulted from these celebrations would form no inconsiderable fraction of those lost during the Revolution. For years, the celebration of this great holiday has consisted mainly of meaningless noise; but there is a steadily growing sentiment in favor of a more worthy observance of the day, as a time when every loyal American should rejoice in the welfare of his country, and recall with pride the manner in which the Nation was established." Anonymous, 1912

 A parade for all American people, 2017.

"it is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us...that this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth." Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address, Nov. 19, 1863
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United States Presidents Index

American Patriot Clip Art
       The Constitution declares that the law-executing department of the government shall be in the hands of a President of the United States, who shall be chosen by electors, and not elected directly by the people; his term of office was fixed at four years; he may legally succeed himself.
       The system of electing the President and Vice-President is not clearly understood by many people. As a rule, we fail to see why it would not be right that every legal voter in the country should cast his vote directly for President and Vice-President. The plan adopted in the convention which framed the Constitution was the result of a compromise. One section demanded that the President be elected by Congress, and that in the selection the people directly should have no choice. Another faction desired to place the responsibility fully upon the people by direct vote. By the plan adopted, each state was empowered to choose by vote, a number of men/women equal to its total membership in Congress, and the men so chosen were to meet on the same day all over the United States in the various state capitals and there cast their votes directly for President and Vice-President. If a state has ten Representatives and two Senators, it is entitled to choose twelve electors of the President and Vice-President.

The First 100 Years of American Presidential History Artifacts: 
In Order of Appointment:
  • George Washington - 1789 to 1797: Biography, Poetry, Tributes etc...
  • John Adams - 1797 to 1801: Biography
  • Thomas Jefferson - 1801 to 1809:
  • James Madison - 1809 to 1817:
  • James Monroe - 1817 to 1825:
  • John Quincy Adams - 1825 to 1829: 
  • Andrew Jackson - 1829 to 1837:
  • Martin Van Buren - 1837 to 1841:
  • William Henry Harrison - March 1841 to April 1841:
  • John Tyler - 1841 to 1845:
  • James K. Polk - 1845 to 1849:
  • Zachary Taylor - 1849 to 1850:
  • Millard Fillmore - 1850 to 1853:
  • Franklin Pierce - 1853 to 1857:
  • James Buchanan - 1857 to 1861:
  • Abraham Lincoln - 1861 to 1865: Biography, Poetry, Tributes etc...
  • Andrew Johnson - 1865 to 1869:
  • Ulysses S. Grant - 1869 to 1877:
  • Rutherford B. Hayes - 1877 to 1881:
  • James A. Garfield - March 4, 1881 to Sept. 19th 1881:
  • Chester A. Arthur - 1881 to 1885:
  • Grover Cleveland - 1885 to 1889: 
  • Benjamin Harrison - 1889 to 1893:
Additional Related Content:
American Presidents On The World Wide Web:
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Ornamental Penmanship Links & Lessons

      Charming and fascinating are the graceful and harmonious curves produced, when, wielded by some trained and skillful hand, the pen becomes an instrument of beauty. As by the power of speech, men may pass from the common tone of conversation up to the melodious strains of music, or may soar in flights of oratory into the sublime, until the multitude is entranced; so the capabilities of the pen are not limited to the common uses of life, but may take on forms of beauty in elegant outlines of bird, or landscape, or graceful swan or bounding stag.
From The Book of Ornamental Alphabets.
      Ornamental writing is not a practical art, and has no connection whatever with the practical business of life. It is in the realm of poetry. The imagery of graceful outlines must first be seen by a poetic imagination. While the great masses may acquire a good style of plain, practical penmanship, few have the necessary conception of mind, combined with the skill and dexterity of hand to become successful ornamental penmen.
      The ornamental pages which follow are given, not as models for imitation or practice by the learner, but merely to show the possibilities of the pen in the hand of a master, and as a fitting closing to this, our chapter on penmanship.
From "Monograms and 
Ciphers" by Turbayne.
      To any one who may have an artistic quality of mind, and delights in beautiful lines and harmonious curves, these pages of ornamental penmanship will serve as models for practice and imitation, and every attempt at such an exercise as the one on this, or the following pages, will give greater strength and freedom of movement, and better command of the pen, so that it will conduce to an easy, flowing and elegant style of plain business writing, while affording a most pleasant and profitable employment in the cultivation of the taste.
      Various beautiful designs or pictures may be made with the pen, in the hands of one that possesses the skill of a penman and the eye of an artist.
More Exceptional Collections of Ornamental Letters:

Master Penman Michael Sull demonstrates Spencerian and Ornamental Penmanship

Ornamental Penmanship Art Lessons:
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Sunday, August 27, 2017

Christmas Holiday Index

Vintage Christmas bulletin board.
    Christmas, the most important festival of the Christian Church, observed annually on December 25, in memory of the birth of Christ. The time when the festival was first observed is not known with certainty; but it is spoken of in the beginning of the third century by Clement of Alexandria, and in the latter part of the fourth century Chrysostom speaks of it as of great antiquity. As to the day on which it was celebrated, there was long considerable diversity, but by the time of Chrysostom the "Western Church had fixed on December 25, though no certain knowledge of the day of Christ's birth existed; and the Eastern Church, which had favored January 6, gradually adopted the same date. The existence of heathen festivals celebrated on or about this day doubtless accounted in large measure for its selection; and Brumalia, a Roman festival held at the winter solstice, when the sun is, as it were, born anew, has often been mentioned as having a strong bearing on the question.
       In the Roman Catholic, Greek, Anglican and Lutheran churches, there has long since been a special religious service for Christmas day; and, contrary to the general rule, a Roman Catholic priest can celebrate three masses on this day. In homes in all Christian countries, Christmas is a day of household festivities, family reunions and joy for the children. The widespread practice of presenting gifts at Christmas time has probably some connection with the gifts presented to the Child Jesus by the three Wise Men. Today many towns and cities have adopted the custom of setting up community Christmas trees in centrally located places, and decorating central business areas with additional festive decorations.
 
Christmas Crafts and Fun Activities: (plus grade level suggestions)
  1. Star Templates for Your Classroom
  2. Paper Chain Wreath Craft - 4th grade and up
  3. Cut Simple 3-D Christmas Trees  - 4th grade and up
  4. Snow Baby Gift Tags - for coloring
  5. Craft a Paper Snowman Wreath  - 3rd and 4th grade
  6. Christmas Tree Border or Chain
  7. An easy paper Christmas light garland craft...  - 2nd and 3rd grade
  8. Color a Christmas Poem Book
  9. A Peppermint Christmas Tree Tutorial - 5th grade and up...
  10. Patterns for Penguins - kindergarten, 1rst, 2nd and 3rd grade
  11. Craft Santa's Workshop Game
  12. A "Hands On" Christmas Wreath Craft - kindergarten, 1rst, 2nd and 3rd grade
  13. Draw Christmas things using a grid... - 5th grade and up
  14. DIY a Christmas Toy Soldier Candy Container - 4th grade and up
  15. Draw Santa Step-by-Step  - 1rst, 2nd and 3rd 
  16. Make a Christmas Card Window to Hang - 3rd grade and up
  17. Make a Frosty Ice Skate Paper Wreath  - 1rst, 2nd, and 3rd and up 

Short Stories, Poems Etc...

Christmas School Performances/Pageants: Approximately 100 years ago, Christmas plays and performances in American schools were quite common. Today these are rare, although sometimes still practiced in community theater, private schools and early learning centers. The performances were intended to be short and easily memorized by young students and every grade level was expected to participate.(Approx. 10 to 15 minutes long for older students, 5 minutes for early grades) It was very common also for the stage settings to be elaborately decorated and for mothers and grandmothers to spend hour after hour sewing extravagant costumes for their little performers. As you can imagine, such occasions did provide perfect photo and video opportunities for parents!
       I will include some historic records of these little shows under this category. Much of the staging, I'm afraid, must be reinvented by enthusiastic drama/music teachers in order to perform them now. All of these five to fifteen minute performances are in the public domain and so they may be used freely by teachers everywhere if they should so choose. I think that dance instructors and children's community theater instructors might find them useful in designing some delightful modern interpretations.
  1. Time for Santa Claus by M. Nora Boylan
  2. Santa Claus is Coming By Maud L. Betts
  3. Old Santa Claus By M. Nora Boylan
  4. A Christmas-bell Drill by Ella M. Powers
  5. The Snow Brigade by Marian Loder
  6. Christmas Stockings by A. S. Webber
  7. Christmas Children by M. Nora Boylan
  8. Santa Claus by W. S. C.
  9. Charity by Jay Bee
  10. Merry Christmas by M. D. Sterling
  11. A Christmas Lullaby
  12. Dance of the Snowflakes by Alice E. Allen
  13. Little Snowflakes by Ella M. Powers
  14. Christmas Stories By Lettie Sterling
  15. The Brownie Men by M. Nora Boylan
  16. Winter's Children By J. D. Moore
  17. Santa Claus
  18. Mr. St. Nicholas
  19. A Christmas Reunion by M. D. Sterling
  20. Christmas Waits by Katherine West
  21. A Christmas Party by Lizzie M. Hadley
Christmas Recitations for The Primary/Grammar Grades: A recitation in a general sense is the act of reciting from memory, or a formal reading of verse or other writing before an audience. In academia, recitation is a presentation made by a student to demonstrate knowledge of a subject or to provide instruction to others. In earlier scholastic history, American students were often expected to participate in some form of recitation for a grade, often this took place during some holiday performance. The most common time of year for a recitation was during a patriotic holiday, like Washington's birthday. However, I will include some popular winter holiday selections for recitation below.
  1. Father Christmas's Message by J. A. Atkinson
  2. When Santa Claus Comes 
  3. Christmas Eve by Eugene Field
  4. How Santa Claus Looks
  5. Santa's Helpers by M. Nora Boylan
  6. The Eyes of the Christmas Tree
  7. Santa Claus's Visit by Susie M. Best
  8. A Christmas Stocking
  9. To Santa Claus by Jennie D. Moore 
  10. A Christmas Quiz
  11. What I Should Like by Jennie D. Moore 
  12. Christmas Greeting
  13. A Gentle Reminder by Alice W. Rollins 
  14. A Christmas Sound
  15. Christmas Time by M. N. B.
  16. What Santa Calls Him...
  17. Christmas Wishes by C. Phillips
  18. A Christmas Telephone
  19. Christmas Morn by M. N. B. 
  20. A Touch of Christmas
  21. My Christmas Secrets by S. C. Peabody
  22. A Christmas Sleepy-Head
  23. Kriss Kringle by Susie M. Best
  24. Stitch in Time
  25. A Message by Ella M. Powers
  26. My Christmas Wish
  27. The Mousie by M. N. B. 
  28. A Christmas Wish
  29. A Letter from Santa Claus by William Howard
  30. Best of All
  31. The Christmas We Like by Ella M. Powers 
  32. The Christmas Pines
  33. Saint Nick by M. N. B. 
  34. A Christmas Song
  35. Merry, Merry Christmas by Carine L. Rose
  36. A Christmas Jingle
  37. Christmas Questions by Wolstan Dixey
  38. Jimmie's Letter To Santa
  39. A Catastrophe by Susie M. Best
  40. His Letter
  41. A Christmas Gift by Mabel L. Pray
  42. A Christmas Secret
  43. A Christmas Thought by Lucy Larcom
  44. Christmas In The Heart
  45. The Merry Christmas Eve by Charles Kingsley
  46. The Toys He Doesn't Like
  47. The Christmas Stocking by Charles H. Pearson
  48. The Turkey's Lament
  49. Christmas Hymn by Eugene Field
  50. Around The Christmas Lamp
  51. Bells Across The Snow by F. R. Havergal
  52.  A Christmas Gift
  53. Christmas Eve by Frank E. Brown
  54.  If You're Good
  55. The Little Christmas Tree by Susan Coolidge
  56.  Shoe Or Stocking?
  57. Sing A Song of Christmas by Edith Virginia Bradt 
  58. A Christmas Wish!
  59. The Russian Santa Claus Lizzie M. Hadley
  60. A Christmas Garden
  61. A Christmas Carol by J. R. Lowell
  62. The Power of Christmas
  63. Peace on Earth S. T. Coleridge
  64. The Christmas Tree
  65. The Christmas Peace
  66. A Christmas Wish for Children Everywhere
  67. Old English Christmases
  68. Gifts For The King
  69. Santa Claus's Scout by Eunice Ward 
  70. On Christmas Day by Dickens 
  71. 3 Good Cheers for December!
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