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January Highlights
Abacus - coming soon!
Happy New Year!
Welcome to a new year! January is often a time for reflecting on the successes and shortcomings of the past year, and resolving to make improvements in our lives, our relationships, and the world around us. It is befitting to celebrate the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. and honor him through a Day of Service on January 20th. Dr. King’s legacy is a reminder that serving one another strengthens our relationships and allows us to overcome inequities. His message of compassion and community building is at the heart of social and emotional learning. This month’s highlighted books and activities support Dr. King’s message of service and generosity by encouraging conversation about needs, priorities, and values. Even small choices we make can have a big impact on the world.
January is also Mentoring Month and Financial Wellness Month. Financial wellbeing is learning how to use money in ways that support your needs, goals, and values. This month’s projects touch on ways to address different priorities in order to find solutions that support everyone’s needs. Programming also provides a hands-on approach to building numeracy skills and developing long term, strategic thinking. As finances can be a great source of stress and conflict in many relationships, it is important to have a safe and playful space to establish a healthy understanding of money and how to use it wisely. Thank you for guiding our youth through these ideas and for all the mentoring work you do!
Additional January Resources
Additional January Resources
Financial Wellness Month - financial literacy resources for kids with Lemonade Day
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 20, 2025
The life of Martin Luther King, Jr. is honored as a federal holiday on the 3rd Monday in January. Dr. King was a noted orator and leader of the modern American Civil Rights movement during the 1950s-1960s. While never an elected official, he was instrumental in the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act which prevents racial discrimination in hiring, public accommodations, transportation, and education. He also played a key role in the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.
Dr. King is renowned for embracing a philosophy of nonviolence. Throughout his life, he worked towards creating a society built on equality by advocating for an end to poverty, racism, and military oppression. His influence extended beyond the United States. In 1964, Dr. King became the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. He was only 35 years old.
The highlighted books and the recommended activity celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and the King Day of Service are inspired by Dr. King’s life of determined effort in working towards an equitable future. “We Dream a World,” written by Dr. King’s granddaughter Yolanda, shares both the pride she has in how her grandparents changed the world and also voices the dreams of a new generation of activists. Poet Amanda Gorman’s encouraging words to young visionaries are illustrated by Christian Robinson in “Something, Someday.” Lastly, Oge Mora’s new classic, “Thank You, Omu!” reminds us that small acts of generosity build our community.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2025 - Themed LEAP Guides.pdf
My Hand Can
My Hand Can
materials - paper; pencil; black pen; colored pencils or markers; ruler; eraser
Trace an outline of your hand.
Use a ruler to help you draw straight, horizontal lines around the outside of the outline of your hand.
Inside the outline of your hand, pencil in lines that arc upwards from the ends of the horizontal lines.
On the arched lines, write what you can do or how you can volunteer to help your community.
Trace over your hand and the horizontal lines with different colors.
Bonus - Do one of the ideas on your list on January 20th to honor Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
King Day of Service
King Day of Service
In 1994, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day also became the only federal holiday to be recognized as a Day of Service. The inspiration to, “Make it a day on, not a day off,” comes from Dr. King’s belief that we are each responsible for creating a community of reconciliation, friendship, and goodwill.
Dr. King acknowledged that peace, equity, and justice require us to care for one another. The Day of Service encourages us to reflect on our strengths and abilities, and then contribute what we can to help the people around us while also building towards a better future.
Philadelphia is home to the nation’s oldest and largest organized King Day of Service event. This isn’t a surprise. The US Census Bureau notes that the Philadelphia region has the highest rate of formal volunteering and the second highest rate of informal helping of any metropolitan area in the country. Whether you choose to participate in an event or just help out how you can, the Day of Service is an excellent time to give back to our community.
Additional Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Resources
Additional Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Resources
National Museum of African American History and Culture - The 15 Year Battle for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
The King Center - The Six Principles of Nonviolence
The King Center - Nonviolence 365 Classroom Resources
Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute - King for Kids
Abacus
Abacus
Get hands-on with math by making an abacus. Count by ones, twos, fives, tens, hundreds, and thousands! Then use it to practice place value and other math problems.
Abacus - Quick Guide - COMING SOON!
January Book Club
January Book Club
Seven Spools of Thread - One Page Read Aloud Guide.pdfSeven Spools of Thread
Seven Spools of Thread
Money can bring people together or split them apart. Which will you choose?
When Grandma Gives You a Lemon Tree When Grandma Gives You a Lemon Tree
When Grandma Gives You a Lemon Tree
The true value of a gift isn’t what’s always on the outside.
100 Mighty Dragons - One Page Read Aloud Guide.pdf100 Mighty Dragons All Named Broccoli
100 Mighty Dragons All Named Broccoli
Even when we share a lot in common, communities change.
I Can Only Draw Worms - One Page Read Aloud Guide.pdfI Can Only Draw Worms
I Can Only Draw Worms
A simple idea can become so much more!
Save, Spend, Give Collage
Save, Spend, Give Collage
materials - paper; scissors; felt or construction paper; glue; markers
The ratio of Save 2, Spend 2, and Give 1 (2:2:1) is often used as starting point for helping kids manage money. Once you know the ratio, there are still lots of different ways to divide up your money. Try this project to understand what this looks like!
Choose 3 different colors of felt or construction paper and 1 neutral color like black or white.
Divide these 4 colors into thirds and cut off one third of each.
Cut 1 color and 1 neutral in half again.
Place the 2 color strips and the 2 squares on your paper.
Then cut the pieces into smaller rectangles, squares, or triangles.
Arrange and glue them to the paper.
Bonus - If you had $50, what you would want to save your money for? What you would buy today? Where you would donate money?
Math Tic-Tac-Toe
Math Tic-Tac-Toe
materials - paper; 2 different colors of pencils or markers
Instead of using X’s and O’s to play tic-tac-toe, use numbers! You can play Evens Vs. Odds, Sum of 10, or Number Families.
In Evens Vs. Odds, replace X’s with even numbers and O’s with odd numbers.
To play Sum of 10, be the first player whose numbers add up to 10.
For Number Families, be the first player to create an equation with your numbers.
Choose which version of the game you will play, then make your tic-tac-toe board. Have fun!
Bonus - Create your own math or number version of tic-tac-toe!
The Problem of Benares Temple
The Problem of Benares Temple
materials - heavy paper; felt; scissors; marker
Place the paper horizontally and divide it into 3 equal columns.
Cut out a felt circle with a diameter of 3 1/2 inches.
Cut out 6 more felt circles that gradually decrease in size.
To play the game, start with 3 circles in the left column. The smallest circle should be on top and the largest on the bottom.
The goal is to move all of the circles to the righthand column. You may only move one circle at a time. You may not place a larger circle on a smaller circle.
Can you do it? Can you win with all 7 circles?
Bonus - How many moves did it take you to complete the game? Can you beat your score?
Would You Rather...?
Would You Rather...?
materials - Would you rather prompts; safe place to talk
Would you rather have tacos or pizza? Would you rather learn how to ski or skateboard? Would you rather live in a place that’s always warm or one with all of the seasons?
Ask your group these questions, then compare answers and reasons.
Bonus - When your group is split on an answer, ask them to find a solution where everyone’s needs and preferences could be met.
Additional LEAP Resources
Additional LEAP Resources
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