23-29 May 2015
Saturday
Patriotic plonk
English Wine Week 2015 got under way, with the aim of raising awareness of English vineyards and celebrating English wines. Presumably it’s just a coincidence that it happens to fall during half-term.
Sunday
Raising the baa
Mary Had a Little Lamb, familiar to nursery teachers worldwide, was published on this day in 1830. The poem, written by Sarah Josepha Hale, was based on a real child who brought her pet sheep to school.
Monday
Up and away
Norwich City took on Middlesbrough FC in the Championship play-off final at Wembley. The Canaries triumphed over the Boro and won a place in the Premier League next season for their pains.
Tuesday
Love at first bite
Still haunted by Twilight fanatics at your school? Say fangs to Bram Stoker, who brought vampires squarely into the popular consciousness with his novel Dracula, which was published on this day in 1897.
Wednesday
Model citizens
Eee, it’s glam up North. Manchester Fashion Week sashayed into action this week, giving teachers a chance to see what their students might be wearing on non-uniform days in the months to come.
Thursday
Outside the box
The stage 1 debate on the Scottish Elections (Reduction of Voting Age) Bill began in the Scottish Parliament today. If the bill is eventually passed, it will enable all 16- and 17-year-old Scots to vote in future elections.
Friday
Return of the king
It’s Oak Apple Day, or Shick Shack Day, when communities around England celebrate the 1660 restoration of the monarchy by wearing oak apples and whipping those who don’t with nettles.
30 May - 5 June 2015
Saturday
Class conflict
The peasants were revolting in 1381, when Wat Tyler led an uprising against King Richard II. In a classic behaviour management move, the king’s men neutralised the leaders to restore order.
Sunday
No ifs or butts
World No-Tobacco Day draws attention to the health problems that tobacco use can cause. It’s the perfect opportunity to schedule some extra patrols round the back of the bike sheds for the week ahead.
Monday
Reinventing the wheel
Dig out your helmet and cycle to class for Bike to School Week. The benefits include limiting your carbon footprint, improving your health and reducing stress levels after devilish days in the classroom.
Tuesday
Generation NEXT
It’s International Children’s Day today, but don’t worry if you’ve not heard of it - this one is celebrated only in North Korea. The rest of the world marks Universal Children’s Day in November.
Wednesday
Yolking around
The national final of the UK Aerospace Youth Rocketry Challenge asks students to design, build and launch a rocket containing an egg. The state of the egg and the rocket’s altitude dictate the winner.
Thursday
Someone to watch over them
International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression is observed. The day was instituted in 1982 and is designed to remind people of the urgent need to protect the rights of children.
Friday
Here’s to you
Students and parents all over Romania will be saying multumesc (thank you) to the country’s educators today as the population celebrates the annual Teachers’ Day.
