Free Printable May Day, Labor History, Union Organizing Lesson Plans

Labor Day in the U.S. is celebrated in September, but spring is poignant for labor history. March 25, 1911 lost 146 workers in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire. April 28 is Workers Memorial Day, honoring fallen in workplace accidents or in organizing struggles. May 1 is May Day, International Worker's Day. May 4 commemorates casualties at Chicago's Haymarket riot in a 1886 labor rally. On May 19, 1920 saw the Matewan massacre of coal miners. On May 26, 1937 union organizers were beaten at Ford's River Rouge plant "Battle of the Overpass." Labor history is American (and world) history: it impacts every industry, occupation and person. Teachers and homeschoolers, why not educate students about unions with these free printable labor history lesson plans? I've listed websites, activities, worksheets, movies and books.  Free Printable May Day, Labor History, Union Organizing Lesson Plans

Free Printable May Day, Worker Memorial Activities

Labor Day honors the achievements and contributions of organized labor as well as the efforts of every working person. The September observance is a national U.S. holiday, but the real Labor Day is a world-wide worker commemorative, celebrated on May 1 or May Day.  This is also called Worker Memorial Day and recognizes those who have suffered and died in the struggle for fair wages and working conditions. Some mistakenly think it's just a socialist holiday. Really, it's for everyone who works. Here are several websites which offer free printable coloring pages, games, puzzles and party decorations. For those who want to explore the more educational aspect of Labor Day, I listed some links and websites with free printable lesson plans and activities as well. Collective Bargaining, May Day Worksheets

Free Beltane Printables for May Day, Walpurgis Nacht, Wiccan Sabbats

Much is known about Christian and national holidays. Many Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Sikh and Hindu celebrations are familiar. The holidays that are least known (and ironcially some of the oldest) are pagan or wiccan. I don't practice Wicca, but as a homeschool parent and teacher, I explore different cultures. Here are free printable greeting cards, crafts, games and worksheets for pagan holidays (or sabbats). Coming up April 30 to May 1 is Beltane, also called May Day, Walpurgisnacht or Walpurgis Night. It's celebrated in Celtic, Saxon and German (Teutonic) lore. Beltane is a spring fertility rite that involves dancing around the Maypole and sexual references. Kids need to learn about world views and practices, but use discretion.  Here's  further description from Celtic Connection. This articles focuses on Imbolc, but all the resources listed have printables for other Wiccan or pagan sabbats.   Free Printable Pagan Imbolc Activities, Wiccan Sabbat Crafts 

Free Spring Coloring Pages, Crafts, Worksheets

March 20-23 marks the first day of spring in many countries. It's the vernal equinox. For those of us locked in ice and snow and cold, this date can't come too early. Many of us in the US have had a long, cold snowy winter; we are pretty happy to hear those cheery little birds singing and see tiny crocuses bravely trying to poke their lavender heads up from beneath the ice and snow. How about some free spring coloring pages to occupy those children who are getting tired of winter and students who have had enough of a school year with still many weeks to go? Fill your classrooms and homes with the colors of spring.  Free Spring Coloring Pages and Lesson Plans