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May 10:
In 1989, Kenya began a campaign to ban the sale of ivory in order to protect its endangered elephant herds. What endangered animal are you most interested in? Tell why that animal should be protected.
In 1541, Hernando de Soto became the first European to find the Mississippi River. He ate a catfish dinner on its banks. Write a paragraph about your favorite kind of fish.
Today is the annual Cat Festival in Ypres, Belgium. Cats are honored for their destruction of disease-carrying and food-destroying rats. If your school were to celebrate a Cat Festival, what are some things you could do to celebrate?
Almost all mother skunks give birth this day every spring, or within a few hours before or after. How do you think our celebrations of birthdays would change if everyone was born on the same day every year? Tell three ways.
In 1930, Edward L. Stratmeyer was born. Using a variety of pen names, he wrote the original Rover Boys books, as well as the Tom Swift books and the Bobbsey Twins books. His wife and children also wrote the original Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys books. If you were going to write a book about your most interesting adventure, real or imagined, what would it be about?
May 11:
The painter Salvador Dali was born in 1904 in Spain. His most famous painting, Persistence of Memory, shows limp and melted watches and clocks, to show how our memories can defy time. Describe a happy time you remember.
The American College of Physicians was founded in 1915. A college can be a school, but this one is a group of doctors who work together to better the education of doctors. If there was an American College of Students, what do you think it should recommend to improve your education?
Today is the birthday of CARE (Cooperative for American Relief Everywhere), an American charity that seeks to send food, medicine, and other emergency supplies to people who are victims of disasters. It began its work in 1946. Think of the many organizations that help people in your community and in the world. List as many of them as you can.
May 12:
In 1653, the people of New York (then called New Amsterdam) began building a wall to protect their city. It was later torn down and the place where it was became Wall Street. Suppose every town had a wall around it, and you had to pay a toll every time you went in or out. How do you think your life would change?
Poet John Masefield died in 1967, having served as Poet Laureate of Great Britain since 1930. His most famous poem is below:
"Sea-Fever" I must down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky, And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by, And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking, And a grey mist on the sea's face, and a grey dawn breaking. I must down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied; And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying, And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying. I must down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life, To the gull's way and the whale's way where the wind's like a whetted knife; And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.
This poem tells how much Masefield liked sailing. Make a list of the things he loves about it. Then think of something you love to do, and make a list of the things you like about it.
Today is World Nurse Day, in honor of Florence Nightingale, who organized the first regular system of training and certifying nurses. She was born in 1820, and became famous for going out onto battlefields on the night after the battle carrying a lamp and her medical supplies to take care of the wounded. What are the three most important qualities a good nurse must have? Why did you choose those qualities?
Prior to 1978, all hurricanes were named for women, but since then, they have also had men’s names. Hurricanes are named in alphabetical order beginning every year with A. Make a list of possible hurricane names from A to Z.
May 13:
Triskaidekaphobia is the fear of the number 13. What is something you are afraid of?
English settlers land in Virginia and found Jamestown in 1607. Imagine that you were among the first settlers in Jamestown. Make a list of the 8 most important things you would need to carry with you from England.
In 1717, a war began when two nobles threw potatoes at each other. It was called the Potato War, and ended with the Treaty of Teschen. Have you ever heard of a quarrel that began with something small and then got completely out of hand? Either describe one, or make up a story about one.
May 14:
Alfred, Lord Tennyson, published his first book of poems in 1842. He later became Poet Laureate of Great Britain. He once wrote, "Knowledge comes, but wisdom lingers." What do you think he meant by that?
George Lucas, the creator of the Star Wars series, was born in 1944. Do you like movies about the future, or do you prefer movies about the past, or about today? Tell which kind of movie you prefer, and why.
In 1609, Henry Hudson began the exploration of the Hudson River, which was named for him. So were Hudson Bay and the Hudson Strait, which he also discovered. If you were going to have a geographical feature named for you, what would you pick: a river, a mountain, a bay, or something else? Describe what you would want your geographical feature to look like.
Jarvik, the inventor of the first artificial heart, was born in 1946. If you could invent something that would help sick people have a better life, what would it be?
May 15:
In 1942, the Woman's Auxiliary Army Corps became the first military unit for women in the United States. Have you ever considered becoming part of the armed forces? Which branch of the armed forces might you join? Why that branch? If you would not join one, why do you feel as you do?
Today is Straw Hat Day. Design a straw hat you would wear in a Straw Hat Parade.
In 1856, L. Frank Baum, the author of The Wizard of Oz, was born. His story featured a robot who wanted a heart (so he could feel emotions); a scarecrow, who wanted a brain (so he could think and plan); and a lion who wanted courage (so he could face his problems). Of those three, which one do you think is the most important? Why do you think so?
Today is the beginning of hurricane season. What precautions do you think people who live in coastal areas where hurricanes strike should take in case of hurricanes?
May 16:
William Henry Seward was born in 1801. He was the Secretary of State that arranged for the United States to purchase Alaska. If you could visit Alaska or some other land in the far north, what would you like to see? (If you live in the far north, what would you like to see in the tropics?)
In 1771, the Regulators were defeated in North Carolina. The Regulators objected to Royal Governor Tryon's taxes, which he had raised to build his fine new house in New Bern—now reconstructed as Tryon Palace. This battle is now considered a prelude to the American Revolution. If you could go back and live at the time of the Revolutionary War, what would you do? List four things.
In 1869, the first professional sports team in the United States, the Cincinnati Red Stockings, began playing baseball. Which is your favorite professional sport? What are three things about that sport that you like?
In 1804, Elizabeth Peabody, the first kindergarten teacher in America was born. What is the best part of working with very little children, and what is the worst part?
May is Better Bike Month. What invention would you like to see that would make biking better or safer?
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James Wayne has taught third grade and every grade from fifth to twelfth during a full-time career of 34 years, either in regular classrooms or in AG or AP classes. He began his writing prompts as a way to help teachers improve writing scores in his district. A native of North Carolina, James is a graduate of Duke University and a Vietnam Veteran, having served with the 101st Airborne Division. He continues to work part time for Onslow County Schools as a coordinator of the Academic Derby, a televised scholastic competition serving elementary, middle, and high schools. James resides in Jacksonville, North Carolina.