May is Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month

Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month was created to honor the achievements of Asians and Pacific Islanders and to recognize their contributions to the United States. Below are some notable history-makers:

• Duke Kahanamoku, a native of Hawaii, won a gold medal and set the world record in the 100-meter freestyle swimming event in 1912. Also known as the King of Waves, Duke was a legendary surfer and appeared in over 30 Hollywood films.
• Dalip Singh Saund, born in India, made history in 1956 as the first Asian-American elected to Congress.
• In 1981, Maya Lin won a public design competition for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC at just 21 years of age. Of Chinese descent, she beat out more than 1,400 entries to win this contest.

Cinco de Mayo – May 5, 2008

Explain to the children that the fifth of May is called Cinco de Mayo in Mexico. Show the children where North America is on a globe or map. Point out where you live, then show the children where Mexico is located. Explain that Cinco de Mayo is a holiday celebrated in Mexico and marks the victory of the Mexican Army over the French at the Battle of Puebla. Although the Mexican army was eventually defeated, the "Batalla de Puebla" came to symbolize Mexican unity and patriotism. Cinco de Mayo is a day that celebrates freedom and liberty.

Books to Share:

Fiesta! Cinco de Mayo by June Behrens
Celebrate! It's Cinco de Mayo by Janice Levy
Cinco de Mayo by Lola M. Schaefer

Mother's Day – May 11, 2008

I Like It When. . .

Read the book I Like It When. . . by Mary Murphy. Discuss what the penguin liked about his mother. Ask the children to think of things their mothers do that they like. Cut equal-size strips of construction paper, stack the strips, and staple on the left-hand edge. On each strip start the sentence, "I like it when my mom..." and let the child finish it. Write the completed sentence on the strip. These books make memorable gifts for Mother's Day, too!

Memorial Day – May 26, 2008

Share some information about Memorial Day with the children. Tell them that Memorial Day is a day to remember all of the soldiers who have worked hard to keep our country safe. Invite the children to talk about members of their families who may be in the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, or National Guard. Tell the children that people celebrate Memorial Day in many different ways. Invite the children to discuss their plans to attend parades, have picnics, watch fireworks displays, or other plans. Check to find out if there are community events for the holiday in which the children's families could participate. If so, be sure to share this information.

Memorial Day Windsocks

Provide 12-inch x 18-inch sheets of white construction paper, shallow dishes of red paint, black crayons or markers, blue crepe paper streamers, tape, and yarn. Help each child follow the steps below.

1. On a 12-inch x 18-inch sheet of white construction paper, make clusters of red thumbprints to represent poppies.
2. When the paint dries, use a black crayon or marker to color the center of each poppy.
3. Tape the short ends of the paper together to form a tube.
4. Tape blue crepe paper streamers to one end of the tube.
5. Tape yarn across the other end of the tube to form a handle.
6. Hold the yarn and wave the windsock or hang it from the ceiling.

Red poppies have become a symbol for the sacrifices of war and as a symbol for keeping the faith during war times.

Use the activity pages below for additional fun!

Alligator Photo Card & Facts taken from our Animals of North America photo cards.

Combine memory-matching skills and spring with our Insect Game.

Continue Your Professional Growth

Earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs) from the comfort and convenience of your own home. With PACE's quarterly online training modules, you will have the opportunity to earn one CEU for each successfully completed PACE module. Click here to learn more about this exclusive online training opportunity.

HighReach Learning Training Opportunities

To build a quality early childhood program and successfully implement curriculum, it is critical that staff receive quality professional development. Training provides the vehicle for professional growth and continuous program improvement by empowering staff with information, feedback, and time for reflection. For more information on our customized training sessions, please email training@highreach.com.

Online Professional Development from the University of Wisconsin-Stout

In association with the University of Wisconsin-Stout, this professional development program is designed to enhance the training and knowledge base of early childhood educators and administrators. This online course is the perfect way to learn how to be a better early childhood educator, while earning valuable CEUs. Click here to get started today.

HighReach Learning will be participating in the following state and national conferences:

New York State Association for the Education of Young Children
May 1–3, 2008
Buffalo, NY

National Association for the Education of Young Children 
Professional Development Institute
June 8–11, 2008
New Orleans, LA

Florida Association for Child Care Management
July 10–12, 2008
Orlando, FL

National Association for Family Child Care
July 17–19, 2008
Schaumburg, IL

Birth to Three Annual Conference
August 4–7, 2008
Washington, DC

North Carolina Association for the Education of Young Children
September 18–20, 2008
Greensboro, NC

Conference Schedule

HighReach Learning would be pleased to be a part of your next association meeting and/or conference by providing catalogs, samples, and door prizes. For more information, please call 1-800-729-9988, ext. 5114 or click here to request materials.

Great Games

A collection of indoor and outdoor games, including tag games, board games, ball games, neighborhood games, word games, and more, with tips on how to choose who goes first and game-playing strategies. Click here to learn more.

Teaching Tip
Unstructured physical play is a developmentally appropriate outlet for reducing stress in children’s lives, and research shows that physical activity improves children’s attentiveness and decreases restlessness. Play not only reduces a child's tension, but is an active form of learning that unites the body, mind, and spirit. (Source: The Value of School Recess and Outdoor Play, www.naeyc.org)

Dollars and Kid Sense

School-Age Activity Pack

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Help children become savvy money managers with the 100+ activities in Dollars and Kid Sense. Games and activities investigate money management: earning it, saving it, spending it, growing it, and sharing it with others. Now 20% off – regularly $24.99, now only $19.99 ! Click here to learn more.

Special offer expires July 5, 2008.

Closeout prices on over 75 items! Prices on many items as low as 99¢! Click here to visit our Bargain Bonanza!

HighReach Learning Curriculum System

We have developed a solution to assist you in creating an optimal learning environment. Our system includes curriculum and resource materials, assessment, and professional development. Join us on a new, exciting curriculum journey, full of discovery and investigative learning this fall! Click here to learn more.

Would you like to get a sneak peek at our 2008–2009 curriculum? Click here to view sample lesson plans for all of our curriculum programs!

Attention Passports™ Customers!

We are interested in your feedback about using Passports and invite you to take our online survey. Click here to take the Passports online survey.

Prepare your child's body and mind for life! Stay on top of what your child needs at every stage of development from birth through early childhood. Hosted by Rae Pica, a HighReach Learning Advisory Board member, HighReach Radio offers broadcasts on a variety of child development topics. Click here to listen today!

Flip through our latest catalog! Explore the interactive pages of our catalog online!

To request a HighReach Learning catalog, please call 1-800-729-9988 or click here!