Election 2016 social media war drives voter burnout, Facebook unfriending among Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton voters

Besides nominating a president, Election 2016 has caused friends to cast votes for and against each other. The campaign has made enemies of friends and allies of strange bedfellows. The gauge for the election pulse is social media and if the massive amount of #Facebook unfriending is anything to go by, the temps are at fever pitch. The war between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton supporters is creating a new phenomena--election burnout. Social media users are exhausted by the political rants, verbal bashing and hatred opponents show each other. Election 2016 sees more Facebook unfriending among Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton voters

Educational movies on American history: Native Americans, Pilgrims, Thanksgiving

 The Revenant is getting a lot of unearned accolades for its portrayal of early American history. That time period was violent to be sure, but Revenant is obligatorily so. Like Dances with Wolves, it sensationalizes rather than educates. That's the fault with a lot of American history films. Many movies about colonial America, the pilgrims (Puritans), native Americans and the first Thanksgiving holiday are romanticized. Some are downright fables. Educational movies on American history: Native Americans, Pilgrims, Thanksgiving | Examiner.com

Educational movies on May Day, labor unions, Labor Day American history lessons | Examiner.com

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, was designated to celebrate the achievements of organized labor unions in protecting workers' rights. Labor Day is about more than just BBQs and the last summer holiday. Here are educational movies on labor unions to watch for Labor Day or May Day on May 1. May Day is the actual Labor Day that unions recognize. May Day commemorates the May 4, 1886 Haymarket Riot (also called Haymarket affair) in Haymarket Square in Chicago. Use the educational movies for May Day American history lessons and to celebrate Worker Memorial Day on April 28.   Educational movies on May Day, labor unions, Labor Day American history lessons | Examiner.com

Earth Day recycled trash kids crafts: Decoder spy rings, printable secret codes | Examiner.com

For Earth Day or America Recycles Day how about cool recycled trash kids crafts? Here are free printable secret codes with patterns for decoder spy rings made out of recycled junk. Spy stuff was haute kid culture when I was young. Decoder spy rings are part Rosetta Stone cum Rubix Cube with retro 1950s flair. Secret codes are heaven for puzzle enthusiasts and the decoder spy rings of yore make a comeback regularly!  Earth Day recycled trash kids crafts: Decoder spy rings, printable secret codes | Examiner.com

History activities: Historical reenactment in living history wax museum lessons | Examiner.com

Spring means different things to different people and for me it's a time to prepare for summer historical reenactments. I'm a history nerd. So it saddens me to hear people say they hate history. But I don't blame them--those who dislike it usually weren't taught history properly. Their only contact with history was via boring textbooks, uninspiring paper and pencil lesson plans and rote memorization of facts. Nothing could be more antithesis to the way history should be learned.  History activities: Historical reenactment in living history wax museum lessons | Examiner.com

Free printable Passover kids crafts, Jewish activities on Hebrew Pesach holidays | Examiner.com

Passover or Pesach, is a high celebration in the Jewish Hebrew calendar. Passover is an eight-day holiday, beginning with two days of no work, four days of limited work and ending with two days of no work. The Passover celebration includes several Seder meals, with roast lamb, bitter herbs and matzo bread. Passover, or Pesach commemorates the passing over of the angel of death during the ten plagues of Egypt. God punished the Egyptians for the enslavement of the Hebrews. First born male infants were to die unless the blood of a lamb was put on the lintels and door posts. Passover, or Pesach, is part of Christian calendar as well; it was at the Passover meal that Jesus instituted the Holy Eucharist or communion.   Free printable Passover kids crafts, Jewish activities on Hebrew Pesach holidays | Examiner.com

Free printable Laura Ingalls Wilder book activities: Little House on the Prairie | Examiner.com

If you were a girl growing up in the 1960s and 1970s, you read and loved Laura Ingalls Wilder and her Little House on the Prairie book series. Maybe you were lucky to have the handsome boxed set of Laura Ingalls Wilder books. Then you loved the Little House on the Prairie TV series when it came out. Long before "Pioneer Woman" and settler survival type reality TV shows, there was Laura Ingalls Wilder and her stories about life in the 1880s midwest. Laura Ingalls Wilder fans will be happy to know that a new movie based on the Little House on the Prairie books is in the works at Paramount.   Free printable Laura Ingalls Wilder book activities: Little House on the Prairie | Examiner.com

Vintage Valentines Day gifts for women, distinctively different presents with a nostalgic, retro flair

Sick of the stereotypical Valentines Day gifts of card, candy and flowers? Want to get your lady something really special? Here are distinctively different Valentines Day presents for women. These are presents to impress her plus win you brownie points for being cultured and creative. First, ditch mainstream stores, Go off the beaten path to local antiques stores, consignment shops, secondhand retailers, even Good Will. Seriously, you'll find distinctive Valentines Day gifts reasonably priced.  Valentines Day gifts for women, distinctively different presents to impress | Examiner.com

Martin Luther King Jr. Day printables, civil rights worksheets, lesson plans

Martin Luther King, Jr. was born on January 15 which is celebrated as Martin Luther King, Jr Day the third Monday in January--Jan. 19, 2015. Teachers and homeschool parents, here are free printable lesson plans on MLK Jr., to teach children about this brave civil rights champion. For Black History Month, here are  Martin Luther King Jr. Day printables, civil rights worksheets, lesson plans | Examiner.com

Chinese New Year of the Monkey, Spring Festival, Lantern Festival party planner | Examiner.com

Chinese New Year of the Monkey begins Feb. 8, 2106. The Chinese zodiac is distinguished by 12 animals. 2016 is the Year of the Monkey and each year celebrates a different animal--rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. Here are activities and ideas for parents to explore Chinese traditions.  Chinese New Year of the Monkey, Spring Festival, Lantern Festival party planner | Examiner.com

Chinese New Year of the Sheep lesson plans, party activities for kids | Examiner.com

Chinese New Year, also called the Spring Festival, begins late January or early February on the western calendar. CNY 2015 starts Feb. 19. It's Year of the Sheep or Goat. Here are easy, inexpensive ideas to throw a Chinese New Year festival in a school classroom or at homeschool or with your family. Sheep (goat) themed activities are included.  Chinese New Year of the Sheep lesson plans, party activities for kids | Examiner.com