Primary – October 26

Beryl Markham, one of the first female aviators and a record-setting pilot, was born on this date in 1902. She once said that if a person “has any greatness…, it comes to light, not in one flamboyant hour, but in the ledger of his daily work.” Explain what you think she meant when she said that.

Primary – October 25

The actual birthday of Geoffrey Chaucer, the first great English poet and author of The Canterbury Tales, is unknown, so we celebrate him on the anniversary of his death, which occurred on this date in 1400. He once wrote, “Forbid us something, and that thing we desire.” Explain why you think that’s true or false.

Primary – October 24

Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, who helped perfect the microscope, was born on this date in 1632. He said, “Whenever I found out anything remarkable, I have thought it my duty to put down my discovery on paper, so that all ingenious people might be informed thereof.” Describe what you do when you find out something remarkable, and whether van Leeuwenhoek’s habit will change yours.

Primary – October 23

At what age do you think children should be allowed to do whatever they want to do, and what do you think would happen if children younger than that age were allowed to do whatever they wanted to do?

Primary – October 22

Daniel Boone was born on this date in 1734. Explain why you think it’s OK or not OK to celebrate a person’s life for exaggerated ideas about things she or he may or may not have actually done.

Primary – October 21

“The only questions that really matter are the ones you ask yourself.” -Ursula K. Le Guin, born on this date in 1929. Ask yourself a question you don’t want to answer.

Primary – October 20

If you could change one of your family’s rules, how and why would you change it?

Primary – October 19

Movie camera inventor Auguste Lumière was born on this date in 1862. He once said, “My invention can be exploited … as a scientific curiosity, but apart from that it has no commercial value whatsoever.” Explain who someone who is very smart can also be very wrong.