What did one snowman say to the other?
"Do you smell carrots?"
Depending on where you live, February may be your last chance to build a snowman for the year, so dress warm, drink some hot cocoa, and get the ball rolling.
February gets its name from the Romans, who held a festival called Februay (also known at the Lupercalia) every year to promote cleanliness, health, and fertility. Did you know that in the older calendars, February was actually the last month? This explains why it has only 28 days – once all the other months were filled up, only 28 days remained! The Romans considered even numbers to be unlucky, so when February was moved to the second month of the year, they hoped that any bad luck could be offset by cleansing and purification rituals. During a leap year, February has 29 days, but whether that is lucky or not is totally up to you!
February 14 is famous for Valentine's Day, named after Saint Valentine who, according to legend, was punished for secretly conducting weddings for Roman soldiers against the emperor's wishes. In modern times, we celebrate love of all kinds by exchanging cards, flowers, and candies (usually chocolate) with our friends and family. Sometimes getting a positive letter from someone you care about can really make your day – and a sugary sweet is a welcome addition, too!
February has also been designated as Black History Month. In order to honor generations of African Americans, we reflect on the lives of abolitionists, such as Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth; civil rights leaders, like Rosa Parks and Thurgood Marshall; veterans of the military, like the Buffalo Soldiers and the Tuskegee Airmen; inventors, like George Washington Carver and Garrett Morgan; philosophers, such as Fredrick Douglass and W.E.B. Du Bois; and writers, like Maya Angelou and Langston Hughes – to name only a few.
The gemstone of February is the amethyst, a type of quartz that ranges from light to dark shades of purple. Many cultures around the world consider this stone to have a calming effect. It is a fitting stone for February as it is associated with peace and love. It is even said that St. Valentine wore an amethyst ring to represent pure love and harmony.
Sticking with the color purple, the flower of February is the violet. Violets are a symbol of loyalty – so give them to someone as a way of letting them know you'll always be there for them if they need you!
February FAQ
How many days are in February?
There are 28 days, except in a leap year, in which there are 29 days. Leap years occur every four years. The next leap year is 2024.
How many school days are in February?
This depends on the year and school district, but most do not require a day off for any national holidays or observances. Depending on where you live, there is still a possibility for a snow day – a late winter snowstorm is certainly not unheard of!
What are some month-long observances in February?
What are the major holidays in February
What are the major sporting events in February?
What are good lesson plans for February?
Here is a resource with nearly 1,200 lesson plans for February.
How can I motivate my students in February?
February is a great time to talk about inclusiveness and empathy. Valentine's day is an opportunity to teach students to reach out to friends with kind words, small gifts, and cards, all of which can go a long way in helping create a positive classroom environment. Celebrating Black History Month can teach a valuable lesson about history and how it is interpreted from different people's experiences and points of view – ultimately, including diverse perspectives allows us all to have a complete, accurate understanding of the past. Use this printable calendar to organize events and lessons around these topics.
Can I download and print this February classroom calendar for my students?
Yes, absolutely! Please enjoy.
