May 4 is Star Wars Day. Don’t get it? Say it, out loud. With a “the” between “May” and “4th”. Add a “be with you on the end.”
My boys, like many others, are Star Wars buffs. We originally learned about the holiday from another family — and celebrated by taking the kids to the park so they could have an epic light saber battle. To the untrained eye, our children might have looked like a bunch of Star Wars crazed kids running amok through the woods in the middle of a school day. (At the time, we all homeschooled) But our kids were learning, really and truly learning.
They were learning cooperation and leadership. Their imaginations were completely engaged. On the spot, they were crafting an enormously complex storyline, complete with characters and plot twists. They were also definitely getting their fill of physical activity. Running through the woods, swinging a light saber, is hard work!
If your son is a Star Wars fanatic, consider sprinkling some Star Wars themed learning into his day:
- Head to the library and check out Star Wars books. There is something for every age and interest, from Easy Readers to chapter books. You can also find books about the weaponry, spaceships, special effects, etc.
- Watch the movies. Start with Epidsode 1: The Phantom Menace, or Episode 4: A New Hope, the original 1977 movie that will forever remain “the first Star Wars movie” in my head. The order doesn’t matter. Spending time with your kids, digging into their passion, is what matters.
- Discuss/write about the systems of government in Star Wars. The Federation, the Senate…there’s a lot of Social Studies and politics in Star Wars. Compare and contrast the various systems of government in the the Stars Wars universe with those in your own backyard.
- Study the science. Cloning is big in Star Wars. (Clone troopers, anyone?) Dig into the science behind the science-fiction. Talk to your kids about Dolly, the cloned sheep. (Watch a fun video here.) Ask their opinions about the ethics involved.
- Draw/paint scenes from the movie. One of the best things about Star Wars is that it’s boy AND girl friendly. Boys typically prefer to draw action; they love weapons and spacecraft. Girls may prefer to focus on characters or costumes. (Remember, these are just generalizations. Some boys prefer costumes and some girls are all about the light sabers.)
- Let Yoda teach grammar. Yoda, Luke’s tiny yet powerful Jedi Master, can teach your kids a thing or two about the English language. Think not, do you? Check out this Analysis of Yodish.
6 Responses
I will have to inform my husband about Star Wars Day. LOL! He isn’t aware. Might have to do some of those activities with him too, hehe. 🙂
Heck, ya it’s for boys AND girls! I still have my action figures, t-shirts, ships, etc. from childhood. (In fact, I have my old metal lunch pails decorating my kitchen. 😉
I haven’t seen it yet, but a friend sent me a link for a Star Wars craft book: http://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Craft-Book/dp/0345511166/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1304621621&sr=1-1
And while the fourth may be with you, you have to beware the revenge of the 5th. 😀
That Star Wars craft book looks awesome! Think I’m going to have to check that one out.
And cute last line, BTW. I haven’t heard that one yet!
So believe it or not, Star Wars is not an interest around here, it amazes me. I imagine one day it will just click, and we will watch all the movies and it will be Star Wars everyday, but for now, I’ve got nothin’ for ya!
Don’t worry, Andrea — your boys have plenty of interests to keep them busy! As for me, I’m kind of glad my boys got into Star Wars, b/c unlike FireFly Mom, I never really got into it as a kid. Kind of fun to dive into WITH them!
I just heard the “May the 4th” reference this year and included it in my blog, too, thinking I was so original. Little did I know it’s common knowledge. Where have a been? And, my son and husband are Star Wars fans to boot. Ah, well, now I know.