Free May Unit Studies and Lessons

Planning lessons around holidays, historical events, and seasonal themes can be a fun way to homeschool. It’s an excellent way for kids to learn about the world around them, including topics that aren’t usually covered in a textbook. Our family has enjoyed occasionally adding seasonal and holiday-themed lessons to our homeschool routine.

Below is a list of free unit studies, lesson plans, and activities for May. All of the holiday dates given are for 2027. Because the dates of some holidays vary, I will update this post each year. Holidays with dates that change from year to year are indicated by an asterisk (*).

If you are looking for other months, check out our monthly unit studies and lesson plans page. There, you will find resources for every month of the year.

Free May Unit Studies and Lessons for Month-Long Themes and Observances

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (all May)

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is a time to recognize the contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans to the history and culture of the United States.

• Asian Pacific Heritage– information and teacher resources
• National Education Association– lesson plans
• Teachers Pay Teachers– lesson plan

Jewish American Heritage Month (all May)

Jewish American Heritage Month Pays tribute to the generations of Jewish Americans who have contributed to American history and culture.

• Jewish Heritage Month– information and teacher resources
• Weitzman National Museum of Jewish American History– virtual tours and online exhibitions

National Bike Month (all May)

The purpose of National Bike Month is to showcase the benefits of cycling and encourage more people to try it. Communities across the country have celebrated this month since 1956.

• KidsHealth– bike safety lesson plan for kindergarten through 2nd grade
• KidsHealth– bike safety lesson plan for 3rd through 5th grade
• KidsHealth– bike safety lesson plan for middle school
• KidsHealth–  bike safety lesson plan for high school

Healthy Vision Month (all May)

Healthy Vision Month encourages people to prioritize eye health and take essential steps to protect their sight.

• The Homeschool Scientist– human eye unit study
• KidsHealth– vision lesson plan for kindergarten through 2nd grade
• KidsHealth– vision lesson plan for 3rd through 5th grade
• KidsHealth– vision lesson plan for middle school
• KidsHealth– vision lesson plan for high school

National Physical Fitness and Sports Month (all May)

National Physical Fitness and Sports Month was started by the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition in 1983. This advocacy month aims to encourage Americans to adopt healthy lifestyles.

• Freedom Homeschooling– health and physical education curriculum
• Freedom Homeschooling– dance and exercise videos

National Photography Month (all May)

National Photography Month was officially recognized by Congress in 1987. It’s a great time to sharpen your photography skills, celebrate photography as an art form, or learn about its history.

• Karl Taylor Education– photography course
• The Global Wizards– photo scavenger hunt activities

Get Caught Reading Month (all May)

Get Caught Reading Month is a campaign that encourages people of all ages to get caught reading.

• Freedom Homeschooling– ebooks
• Freedom Homeschooling– vintage graded readers
• Freedom Homeschooling– grade level reading lists

National Egg Month (all May)

National Egg Month celebrates the versatility and nutritional benefits of eggs. Try a new egg recipe this month to celebrate.

• The Incredible Egg– lesson plans and activities
• Food Hero– recipes and activities
• Family Consumer Sciences– lesson plan
• Family Consumer Sciences– scrambled eggs experiment

National Salad Month (all May)

National Salad Month, created by the Association for Dressing and Sauces in 1992, encourages people to eat more salads.

• Family Consumer Science– salad bar project
• Family Consumer Sciences– salad in a jar lesson plan
• Food Hero– recipes

National Strawberry Month (all May)

National Strawberry Month is observed in May because it’s the peak of strawberry season in some parts of the U.S. Enjoy the sweet and juicy fruit, either in a recipe or by itself, to celebrate.

• Tina’s Dynamic Homeschool– lesson plan with lapbook
• Food Hero– recipes and activities
• The Homeschool Scientist– science experiment
• Massachusetts Farm to School– strawberry salsa lesson plan
• Massachusetts Farm to School– strawberry patch lesson plan

Free May Unit Studies and Lessons for Week-Long Themes and Observances

National Pet Week (May 2nd to 8th)*

National Pet Week celebrates pets and encourages responsible pet care. The week is observed during the first full week of May.

• American Veterinary Medical Association– daily themes
• The Homeschool Mom– pet unit study
• Homeschool Share– cat lapbook
• American Kennel Club– dog lesson plans

National Postcard Week (May 2nd to 8th)*

National Postcard Week promotes the use of postcards. It’s the first full week of May and has been observed since 1984.

• Tinkerlab– printable postcard template and art project
• Teachers Pay Teachers– postcard templates
• Teachers Pay Teachers– state postcard project

Teacher Appreciation Week (May 3rd to 7th)*

Teacher Appreciation Week, started in 1984 by the National PTA, is a time to honor teachers. Observed during the first week of May, it is also a great time to recognize teachers of all types—home educators, extracurricular activity instructors, Sunday school teachers, etc.

• Brightly– printables
• Classroom Doodles– printables

National Children’s Book Week (May 3rd to 9th)*

Children’s Book Week is a celebration of books for young people and the joy of reading. Established in 1919, it is the longest-running national literacy initiative in the United States. The week is observed during the first full week in May (Monday to Sunday) and also in November.

• Freedom Homeschooling– book guides
• Freedom Homeschooling– how to choose age appropriate books

National Police Week (May 9th to 15th)*

National Police Week honors and remembers officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. It is the third full week of May each year.

• Teachers Pay Teachers– thank your letter writing activity
• Teachers Pay Teachers– lesson (dates given are for 2016, but the lesson is still usable)
• Teachers Pay Teachers– lesson and activities

National Backyard Games Week (May 23rd to 29th)*

National Backyard Games Week is a fun time to gather with friends and family to play backyard games. This week is observed during the last full week before Memorial Day.

• Home BNC– DIY backyard game ideas
• HGTV– DIY lawn game ideas

Free May Unit Studies and Lessons for Holidays, Historical Events, and Fun Days

Mother Goose Day (May 1st)

Mother Goose Day recognizes Mother Goose, the imaginary author of a collection of nursery rhymes.

• The Real Mother Goose– ebook of nursery rhymes
• The Truth About Mother Goose– Disney video

May Day (May 1st)

May Day was traditionally the halfway point between the spring equinox and the summer solstice. There are many ways to celebrate, including dancing around a Maypole, making a May basket, and bringing flowers into your home.

• Almanac– information about May Day
• DLTK Kids– crafts and activities
• Teachers Pay Teachers– May Day basket printables

Kentucky Derby (May 1st)*

The Kentucky Derby is a horse race held annually in Louisville, Kentucky. It is almost always on the first Saturday in May, concluding the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival.

• Homeschool Share– unit study and lapbook
• Teachers Pay Teachers– writing activity and craft
• Teachers Pay Teachers– reading comprehension worksheet

National Sun Day (May 3rd)

Sun Day was designated by President Jimmy Carter in 1978 to advocate for solar power.

• Teach Engineering– solar power lesson plan
• Solar 4 STEM– solar power experiments

Bird Day (May 4th)

Bird Day is a day dedicated to our feathered friends. Celebrate by birdwatching or studying birds.

• Freedom Homeschooling– learning resources and a printable bird watching journal
• Happy Hooligans– bird feeder crafts

National Weather Observers Day (May 4th)

National Weather Observers Day recognizes those who assist the National Weather Service with their observations and reports.

• A Little Pinch of Perfect– weather chart
• Simply Kinder– weather journal

Star Wars Day (May 4th)

Star Wars Day is an unofficial commemorative day for fans to celebrate the popular movie series. May the 4th be with you!

• Science Buddies– STEM activities
• In All You Do– writing worksheets
• In the Playroom– activity sheets
• Music in Our Homeschool– music lesson

Cinco de Mayo (May 5th)

Cinco de Mayo is an annual celebration commemorating the anniversary of Mexico’s victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, during the Franco-Mexican War. Though many people outside of Mexico confuse the two holidays, Cinco de Mayo is not Mexican Independence Day.

• The Homeschool Mom– information and lessons
• Easy Teacher Worksheets– worksheets
• Music in Our Homeschool– music lesson
• Teachers Pay Teachers– craft and writing printable

National Space Day (May 7th)*

National Space Day celebrates the achievements made in space exploration. The day’s goal is to encourage math, science, technology, and engineering education in young people, hoping that they’ll choose a career related to space. It is observed on the first Friday of May.

• Peanut Butter Fish Lessons– solar system unit study
• NASA– lesson plans and activities

Mother’s Day (May 9th)*

Mother’s Day is a day set aside to celebrate mothers and motherhood. In the United States, it is observed on the second Sunday of May. Other countries worldwide celebrate it on different dates.

• Freedom Homeschooling– unit study
• Freedom Homeschooling– crafts
• Easy Teacher Worksheets– worksheets

Clean Up Your Room Day (May 10th)

Clean Up Your Room Day is a time for us to focus extra attention on cleaning and organizing our rooms.

• House Beautiful– cleaning games to play with kids
• The Organized Mom– printable chore charts

Minnesota’s Statehood (May 11th)

Minnesota became a state on May 11, 1858.

• From ABCs to ACTs– unit study
• Ben and Me– unit study

International Nurses Day (May 12th)

International Nurses Day is celebrated on the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth. The day honors the contributions of nurses around the world.

• Florence Nightingale Museum– videos, activities, and printables
• Teachers Pay Teachers– notebooking pages

Limerick Day (May 12th)

National Limerick Day celebrates the birthday of poet Edward Lear (in 1812). Lear is best known for writing Limericks.

• Poetry 4 Kids– limerick writing lesson
• Saved You a Spot– Edward Lear lesson and PowerPoint

Armed Forces Day (May 15th)*

Armed Forces Day is a day to honor and thank the men and women currently serving in all branches of the armed forces. The holiday is celebrated on the third Saturday in May.

• The Homeschool Mom– information, activities, and lessons
• Teachers Pay Teachers– letters to the military templates

L. Frank Baum’s Birthday (May 15th)

L. Frank Baum, the author of The Wizard of Oz, was born on this day in 1856.

• Homeschool Share– Wizard of Oz lapbook
• Learn for Your Life– Wizard of Oz unit study (click on the worksheet images to download)

International Museum Day (May 18th)

International Museum Day promotes the role of museums worldwide. Each year’s event focuses on a relevant theme or issue that museums currently face.

• Teachers Pay Teachers– museum field trip worksheets
• Freedom Homeschooling– virtual field trips, including many museums

Mount St. Helens Erupted (May 18th)

Mount St. Helens, located in Skamania County, Washington, underwent a catastrophic eruption on May 18, 1980. An area of 230 square miles was completely destroyed, and 57 people were killed.

• Mount St. Helens Institute– lesson plans
• Teachers Pay Teachers– worksheet to go with the Mt. St. Helens – Back From the Dead documentary

World Bee Day (May 20th)

World Bee Day was designated by the United Nations to raise awareness about the importance of bees and the threats they face. The date was chosen to commemorate Anton Janša, the beekeeping pioneer, who was born on May 20, 1734.

• Food Hero– downloadable activity book
• The Homeschool Scientist– bees and insects lesson
• National Honey Bee Board– activity sheets
• Year Round Homeschool– unit study
• Homeschool & Happiness– bee life cycle printables

American Red Cross Founded (May 21st)

Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross in Washington, D.C., on May 21, 1881. The American Red Cross provides emergency assistance, disaster relief, and disaster preparedness education.

• Year Round Homeschooling– Clara Barton lesson and notebooking pages
• Heritage Letter– Clara Barton lesson plan

Margaret Wise Brown’s Birthday (May 23rd)

Margaret Wise Brown, a children’s book author, was born on this day in 1910. Two of her best-known books are Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny.

• Homeschool Share– Goodnight Moon lapbook
• Homeschool Share– The Runaway Bunny lapbook

South Carolina’s Statehood (May 23rd)

South Carolina was admitted into the Union on May 23, 1788.

• From ABCs to ACTs– unit study
• Ben and Me– unit study

First Telegraphic Message Sent (May 24th)

Samuel F.B. Morse sent the first telegraphic message on May 24, 1844. Morse sent it from the U.S. Supreme Courtroom in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., to his assistant, Alfred Vail, in Baltimore, Maryland.

• DIY Homeschooler– Samuel Morse unit study
• WikiHow– learn Morse Code

Golden Gate Bridge Opened (May 27th)

The Golden Gate Bridge, located in San Francisco, California, opened to vehicular traffic at noon on May 27, 1937. At 4,200 feet, it was the longest bridge in the world until the completion of New York City’s Verrazano-Narrows Bridge in 1964.

• Teachers Pay Teachers– lesson plan
• Officeworks– bridge building activity

Rhode Island’s Statehood (May 29th)

Rhode Island became a state on May 29, 1790.

• From ABCs to ACTs– unit study
• Ben and Me– unit study

Wisconsin’s Statehood (May 29th)

Wisconsin was admitted into the union on May 29, 1848.

• From ABCs to ACTs– unit study
• Ben and Me– unit study

Memorial Day (May 31st)*

Memorial Day is a time for remembering and mourning the U.S. military personnel who have died while serving in the armed forces. It is observed on the last Monday of May.

• Year Round Homeschooling– unit study
• GetWorksheets.com– worksheets
• NotebookingPages– notebooking pages
• Teachers Pay Teachers– lesson
• Teachers Pay Teachers– lesson
• Easy Teacher Worksheets– worksheets

World No Tobacco Day (May 31st)

The goal of World No Tobacco Day is to educate the public about the dangers of tobacco use.

• KidsHealth– lesson plan for kindergarten through 2nd grade
• KidsHealth– lesson plan for 3rd through 5th grade
• KidsHealth– lesson plan for middle school
• KidsHealth– lesson plan for high school

Have fun learning this May! I will add more free unit studies and lessons next year. Be sure to pin this post so you can find it next May. When you’re ready to start planning for next month, check out our June Unit Studies and Lessons.

 

Note: This post was originally published on April 27, 2022 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.