January 2025 Story/Project ideas

January is often the hardest month of the year for those that are doing broadcasts. The expectation of good content was set in the fall and now the community expects you to hit the ground running. They don’t know that you have a new batch of students or that your students wrapped up their brain and gave it away during the holidays. Use the chart below to kickstart your storytellers. I’m going to give you a couple of weeks to get the students up to speed and give some production time…

Date	Topic	Ideas
1/13/2025	MLK Birthday/Holiday Week	Create daily info vignettes to air and share
1/15/2025	National Hat Day National Hat Day is observed every year on January 15 to observe the eternal accessory that has adorned heads for centuries. Be it functional shades to protect you against the run or just as fashionable accessories, hats represent culture, individuality, and creativity. Hats are more than accessories, they protect, complete outfits, reflect style, and boost confidence while sparking conversations	Student bring their favorite hats and discuss Discuss rules about hats with an administrator. Man On The Street: Is it a Hat or a Pasta? (have students research different hat types and pasta types and ask students which is the hat)
1/15/2025	National Bagel Day National Bagel Day observed on January 15 celebrates the favorite round, chewy and versatile bread that has become a staple across the world. There are several ways to enjoy a bagel, be it plain, topped with sesame seed, piled with cream cheese or something else. Starting from breakfast sandwiches to lunch spreads, bagels have found a special spot in kitchens and cafés everywhere.	Bagel Taste Test Random Bagel Facts Man On The Street: Is a bagel a doughnut or is a doughnut a bagel?
1/15/2025	Martin Luther King’s Birthday	Create a short bio on Dr. King and His Goals/Successes. Work with a history teacher, local chapter of the NAACP, or other source to get interviews and information.
1/16/2025	National Nothing Day National Nothing Day is an annual anti-holiday observed on January 16. True to its name, the purpose of this day is to do absolutely nothing, not even celebrate the holiday! It comes right after a period that is heavy with holidays and celebrations, so it aims to give Americans a break from all that hustle and bustle.	Lead: Describe what national nothing day is MOTS: “It’s National Nothing Day. We are supposed to celebrate by doing nothing. If you could do nothing all day, what would you do? The interviewees will probably respond with something other than nothing…
1/16/2025	International Hot And Spicy Food Day	Work with your culinary department or an international student group. Encourage the group to bring in some of the spicy food from their culture. Have the group describe the cuisine of their culture. Then an anchor or reporter should taste the food… Think Hot Ones but without wings!
1/20/2025	MLK Day	(If you have school) Work with your history department to create facts to air throughout the show and share on socials
1/20/2025	National Civil Rights Day	Create segments about the civil rights movement to air and share on socials
1/21/2025	National Hugging Day If you are someone who struggles to show affection to their closed ones then grab the chance to hug them on  January 21st  as it is  National Hugging Day. For huggers and non-huggers across the world, there is no better excuse than this day to share the love and express your emotions. The day encourages people to show their emotions more often and offer hugs to others, whether they are family, friends, or strangers. Let this day remind you to show everyone around you how much you appreciate them by giving them a hug, and you'll feel better doing it too! National Hug Day was made official by the United States Copyright Office, but it is not a public holiday. This means that businesses and schools remain open.	This one is simple…. Create a cardboard sign with “Free Hugs” on it and stand in the hall during class change. See https://www.freehugscampaign.org/ for more details
1/21/2025	National Squirrel Appreciation Day National Squirrel Appreciation Day is celebrated on January 21st. It was established in 2001 by Christy Hargrove, an American wildlife rehabilitator. Here are some ways to celebrate National Squirrel Appreciation Day: Learn about squirrels: Read about different squirrel species, their habits, and their role in the ecosystem. Observe squirrels: Spend time in a park or your backyard and watch their antics. Take photos: Capture some action shots of squirrels. Create squirrel art: Draw, paint, or craft squirrel-themed art. Put out extra food: You can offer whole peanuts or ear corn on the cob. Use #SquirrelAppreciationDay: Post on social media to celebrate.	Work with the science department to create small segments about squirrels. Do a Man On The Street asking students to spell Squirrel.
1/23/2025	National Pie Day Few desserts are as 'American as a pie'. That is why on January 23 we celebrate National Pie Day. This day is all about celebrating anything and everything pie - bake them or buy them, the important thing is to enjoy them. The buttery pastry that encases a pie can be filled with anything, from fruit and berries to cream and chocolate, which is why pies are such a crowd-pleaser and no one can say no to a nice, warm slice of this delicious dessert.	Man On The Street: “What’s your favorite pie?” Work with your culinary department to have students create pies and have your anchors taste test them.
1/24/2025	National Compliment Day Everyone needs a little confidence booster now and then, which is why we celebrate National Compliment Day on January 24. This day is all about positivity and making someone's day just a little bit brighter. Giving someone a compliment can instantly make them happier and put a smile on their face for the rest of the day, so this National Compliment Day, don't forget to dish out praise for everyone you come across. And the bonus is, by making someone else feel good, you'll feel great yourself so a win-win!	Man On The Street: What is the best compliment you have ever received? Have teachers give compliments to students and colleagues?
1/24/2025	National Peanut Butter Day National Peanut Butter Day is celebrated on January 24 which is a day dedicated to the creamy, crunchy and versatile condiment. Whether you like it classic on a toast, in a sandwich or even as a part of salad dressings, noodle sauce, etc., peanut butter has made its place in pantries and hearts across the globe. This fan favorite has been celebrated for years in the United States where it became a staple after being introduced during World War I as an alternative to protein. This day celebrates the rich history and versatility of peanut butter, first invented by Canadian Marcellus Gilmore Edson in 1884. Since then, peanut butter has become a beloved staple, earning its own day of appreciation.	Man On The Street: Crunchy or Smooth Peanut Butter? Have students create a PB and J sandwich “three monkeys” style Student 1: Can Only speak (Needs a blindfold and headphones to play music Student 2: Can Only See (Headphones and can’t talk) Student 3: Can Only Hear (Blindfolded and can’t talk)
1/272025	International Holocaust Remembrance Day On January 27 the world commemorates International Holocaust Remembrance Day. This is a United Nations observance that honors and remembers the tragedy of the Holocaust and the millions of people who lost their lives at the hands of the Nazi government. The 27th was chosen as it marks the anniversary of the date when, in 1945, Soviet troops liberated Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest concentration camp operated by the Nazis.	Work with your history department to create small vignettes to air and share.
1/27/2025	National Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day National Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day is celebrated on the last Monday of January each year. It's a day to celebrate the iconic packaging material that's both fun to pop and useful for protecting items. Here are some ways to celebrate National Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day: Pop the bubbles Make an arts and crafts project with bubble wrap Recycle bubble wrap by donating it to schools or other organizations Use the hashtag #BubbleWrapDay on social media to share how you celebrated The history of bubble wrap is interesting: In 1956, Marc Chavannes and Alfred Fielding in Hawthorne, New Jersey sealed two shower curtains together to create air bubbles. They originally thought their invention would make good wallpaper, but sales didn't pan out. They then sold it as insulation for greenhouses. In 1960, the Sealed Air Corporation produced bubble wrap on a large scale and named it Air Cap. In 1961, the corporation trademarked the product as Bubble Wrap. IBM became the first client to buy bubble wrap to ship their computers.	Give teachers and students small pieces of bubble wrap to pop and ask them to describe how it makes them feel. Man On The Street: Would you rather pop bubble wrap or rap about popping bubbles.
1/27/2025	National Chocolate Cake Day	Eat Cake… Do I really need to give any ideas??
1/28/2025	National Lego Day National LEGO Day is observed every year on January 28 to honor the iconic bricks that sparks creativity and has helped in developing problem-solving skills for generations. Be it towering skyscrapers or cars or intricate spaceships, LEGO creations has always inspired several people to think outside the box with an interesting way to cultivate imagination and hands on learning.	Man On The Street: What is something that you have built with Legos that you are proud of? Build a model of the school with Legos - Three Monkeys Style (this would be best with groups working separately to build the model and show the differences):: Student 1: Can Only speak (Needs a blindfold and headphones to play music Student 2: Can Only See (Headphones and can’t talk) Student 3: Can Only Hear (Blindfolded and can’t talk)
1/29/2025	National Puzzle Day Every year on January 29, puzzle enthusiasts of all ages come together to celebrate National Puzzle Day, a day dedicated to the joy and mental challenge puzzles that bring us into our lives. From crosswords and Sudoku to knotty jigsaw puzzles and word searches, puzzles influence a broad audience, offering an engaging, screen-free way to relax and exercise the mind.	Man On The Street: Can You Solve A Rubics Cube? (We all know that there is at least 1 kid that can do it really quickly… get them to do it for sure!)
1/29/2025	Lunar New Year Lunar New Year is the beginning of a new year based on lunar calendars or, informally but more widely, lunisolar calendars. Lunar calendars follow the lunar phase while lunisolar calendars follow both the lunar phase and the time of the solar year. The event is celebrated by numerous cultures in various ways at diverse dates.	Work with your science department to discuss the lunar new year.
1/30/2025	National Croissant Day On January 30 every year, we observe National Croissant Day. Usually known for its iconic, flaky structure, National Croissant Day is dedicated to the buttery layers and crescent shape. Layered with a fascinating history, this item has become a household favorite and staple across cafés, restaurants, breakfast tables and bakeries across the globe.	Man On The Street: Get a note card and write Croissant on it Ask the interviewees to pronounce it. Work with your culinary department and see if they will make croissants for your staff - do a feature on the process, etc.
1/31/2025	National Backward Day National Backwards Day is a lighthearted holiday that invites individuals of all ages to break free from the routine and engage in activities with a unique twist. On this day, people may choose to wear their clothes backward, eat meals in reverse order, or simply do everyday tasks in unconventional ways. It’s all about having fun and thinking outside the box.	Man On The Street: Say the alphabet backwards There is a ton of things you can do here… let your kids get creative!
1/31/2025	National Hot Chocolate With the winters approaching, what is better than a steaming glass of hot chocolate stirring up an aroma that makes your home feel warmer? You do not need to wait any longer because National Hot Chocolate Day is approaching on January 31st so gather your loved ones, cozy up by the fireplace, and indulge in the rich, creamy goodness that brings a smile to every face.	Win Friends: Set up a hot chocolate bar in the teacher’s lounge. Shoot b-roll of teachers making their drinks. Have the students create small VO pieces on “how Mr/Mrs takes their Hot Chocolate. Hot Chocolate Bar Ingredients: Hot cocoa mix Marshmallows Whipped cream Chocolate chips Crushed candy canes Chocolate, caramel, or strawberry sauce Caramels or little chopped caramel bits Sprinkles

Things you should be working on: 

• Black History Month 

• There are 20 school days (unless you have President’s Day off) during February. Find 20 stories. 

• Winter Sports Playoffs/Championships

• Spring Sports

• Class Registration Process Info

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