Description

Are you looking for an engaging way to start each day in your upper elementary or middle school classroom? This This Day in History – February resource provides a daily historical reading passage and activity to spark curiosity, improve reading comprehension, and foster critical thinking! Perfect as a bell-ringer, warm-up, or discussion starter, this set of 29 nonfiction passages covers fascinating historical events for every day of the month.

With thought-provoking questions, writing prompts, a digital slideshow, as well as a full set of individual coloring pages for each event, this resource makes history relevant and accessible to your students. Whether you’re teaching in-person or virtually, this resource has you covered with both printable and digital formats!

➡️WHAT’S INCLUDED:

-29 Individual Reading passages for EACH day of the month

-29 Response pages that included multiple-choice questions and 20 individual writing responses to each event

-Slideshow for each day giving a summary of the event as well as images of the tasks students are to complete

-29 Individual coloring pages featuring the event as well as a writing response

Why Use This Day in History?

Build Historical Awareness – Students gain exposure to a wide variety of historical events beyond what’s covered in textbooks.
Boost Reading Comprehension – Each passage is designed to strengthen nonfiction reading skills with annotatable text and structured questions.
Encourage Critical Thinking – Open-ended prompts push students to analyze, interpret, and form opinions on historical events.
Easy No-Prep Solution – Simply print the passages or assign them digitally—no extra planning required!

Topics Covered in February Here’s a preview of some of the engaging historical events included in this resource:

Here’s a preview of 10 powerful and engaging historical events featured in this resource:

February 1 – Greensboro Sit-Ins Begin – Four college students spark a nationwide movement through peaceful protest.
February 2 – Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo Signed – The Mexican-American War ends and U.S. borders are permanently reshaped.
February 3 – 15th Amendment Ratified – A constitutional promise expands voting rights and reshapes American democracy.
February 4 – Rosa Parks Is Born – The birth of a quiet leader whose courage would ignite the Civil Rights Movement.
February 5 – Apollo 14 Lands on the Moon – Human exploration continues as astronauts return to the lunar surface.
February 6 – Elizabeth II Becomes Queen – A young monarch begins one of the longest reigns in world history.
February 9 – British Parliament Passes the Tea Act – A single tax pushes the American colonies closer to revolution.
February 16 – King Tut’s Tomb Is Opened – An ancient discovery sparks global fascination with Egypt’s past.
February 21 – Malcolm X Is Assassinated – A powerful voice for justice is silenced, but his legacy grows louder.
February 29 – Hattie McDaniel Wins an Oscar – Hollywood history is made as barriers begin to break on the world’s biggest stage.

…and MANY more fascinating events that bring history to life, one day at a time!

Each passage is carefully written to be accessible, engaging, and historically accurate, making this resource perfect for daily bellringers, warm-ups, and meaningful class discussions.

How Can This Resource Be Used?

✅ Morning Work or Bell Ringers – Get students thinking critically at the start of class.
✅ Social Studies & History Lessons – Supplement your curriculum with real-world historical connections.
✅ ELA Reading Comprehension Practice – Incorporate nonfiction reading and analysis into your literacy instruction.
✅ Discussion Starters – Use passages to spark meaningful conversations about history and its impact.
✅ Homework or Early Finisher Activities – Assign passages as independent work to reinforce learning.

✅ Historical Coloring Pages – Each event includes an optional, student-friendly coloring page that reinforces the historical concept, supports visual learners, and provides a calm, focused way to engage with content.