Note to our students: In spite of what you might see or hear on the web or on the news, Mother's Day has no ties to the ancient cultures. It is a modern holiday. Can you imagine the ancient Greeks or the ancient Romans honoring their mother simply because she was their mother?  People love to credit the ancients with everything. But they did not invent everything. There's lots of room for invention, and new holidays are being created all the time. Perhaps the next one will be created by you! (It certainly will if you are in Mrs. Donn's class because that is your assignment!) Here's how Mother's Day got started: Anna Jarvis, an American woman, believed that all of us forget sometimes to thank our Moms for all they do for us. (True enough!) Anna Jarvis worked very hard to convince the American people that we needed one day set aside for each of us to do just that, to truly and sincerely thank our own Mom, to strengthen family bonds.  In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson issued the first Mother's Day proclamation, stating that the observance serves as a "public expression of our love and reverence for the mothers of our country." (This is more of a political statement than an explanation of the holiday, but it made it official!) Suggested project idea for your class: Interview your Mom (Dad, Grandma, Grandpa.) Find out things you don't know, things like: "What kind of jobs have you had? What clubs did you join in school? If you could travel to any country or place for free, which one would it be? If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?" For Kids Kids Turn Central Mother's Day Recipes (agirlsworld)  For Teachers Activity Idea: On Earth Day, paint a pot and plant a seed. For Mother's Day, take it home! Yakaberry - Free Reading Hour Lesson Plans & Activities for Tots, Toddlers, Preschool, and School Age Free Presentations in PowerPoint format Our Holiday Gift to You: Historic Indiana Farm Recipes  Free Clip Art  All Rights Reserved    Clip Art Credit: Phillip Martin Have a great year!