Welcome to a new “Off the Shelf” blog post highlighting important key dates, ideas, and activities for April that you can incorporate into your library lesson plans or classroom activities. My goal is to help you stay organized and inspired as you plan your month, making it simpler to bring exciting and meaningful activities to your students. Whether you’re looking for fresh ideas or resources to save you time, I hope these posts help make your planning process smoother and more enjoyable.

Key Dates, Ideas, and Activities for April:

April 1 = April Fools Day! 
     *Read about April Fool’s Day with books, databases, or watch this quick video to learn more.
     *Play a fun trick on your friend, parent, or teacher!

April 1 = Passover begins
     *Read about Passover with books, databases, or watch this video to learn more. 
     *Create a picture, story, or song that represents a favorite tradition in your family.

April 2 = National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day
     *Write directions on how to make this treat! Make one and eat it!
     *Sing along with this fun song about Peanut Butter and Jelly!

April 5 = Happy Easter!
     *Read about Easter with books and/or databases.
     *Create 10 unique paper eggs (see example video here).  Then hide them for others to find.

April 14 = National Dolphin Day
     *Explore dolphins through books and/or databases. Then have students fill out their learning on this Animal Fast Facts.

April 15 = National Tax Day
     *Talk to your parents about why this day is important to them.

April 15 = National Titanic Day
     *Learn about The Titanic through books and/or databases.
*Create your own ship using materials you have at home.

April 18 =National Poem in Your Pocket Day
     *Find the poetry section of the library and choose a book of poems. Can you find one to put in your pocket?
*Practice writing and illustrating your own poem.

April 19= National Library Week
     *Visit your school or local library. Learn about the daily jobs of your librarian.

April 20 =Volunteer Recognition Day
     *Think of ways you can volunteer your time to help someone else!
*Write a thank you card for a volunteer that you know.

April 22 = Earth Day
     *Think of ways you can help protect planet Earth. 
*Create your own Earth Day craft like the one in this video.

April 23 = National Picnic Day
     *Make a list of your favorite picnic foods! Go outside for lunch!

April 24 = Arbor Day
     *Learn about Arbor Day through books, databases, or watch this short video.
     *Go on a nature walk and find things to create your own craft tree.

April 27 =Tell a Story Day
     *Retell your favorite story to a friend

These bookmarks have been a lifesaver for me this year in the library! After students check out their books, they choose one of the bookmarks to color. This gives them a fun, new bookmark each time they visit the library, but it also gives them something to do while they wait for others to finish finding their books.

Activity Link: TpT Store

This activity was designed to help lower grades (K-2) understand the steps they need to follow in a research project. They are modeled after the Big6 steps, but with a cooking theme and easier to understand terms. I’ve included posters of each of the 6 steps, as well as a poster on how to do an easy Works Cited page. There is also a practice works cited page, and icons to use as demonstration in making the “recipe” for research.

Activity Link: TpT Store

Help kids learn the six research steps with this note-taking set. It includes: 2 research topic brainstorm pages, several versions of a note-taking page to review the steps of the research, and two color posters (one with cooking icons to go with my “Recipe for Research” lesson and one without cooking icons).

Activity Link: TpT Store

I hope you find this useful!