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Theme of the Month Ideas for planning your activities around a monthly theme.

• This Month's Theme
• Learning Resource - Thematic Programming

Aloha `Aukake (August)

President Eisenhower proclaimed Hawaii the 50th U.S state on August 21, 1959 - 50 years ago this month! In addition, Don Ho, Hawaiian musician and entertainer, was born on August 13, 1930. Say "Aloha to August" with all of the great ideas this month.

Start with a clever title. Use your title to advertise your activities - on your bulletin board, in your monthly newsletter, and on your monthly calendar. Some possible titles include:

"Aloha August" (Aloha `Aukake)
"Happy Anniversary Hawaii"
"A Golden Hawaiian Month"
"Hau'oli 'Aukake" (Happy August)
"A Luau & Leis Month"
"Activities Hawaiian Style"
"Hulas, Grass Skirts, & Muumuus Month"

Design a special sign.

Here are three SIGNS that can be used to advertise all of your theme-related activities this month. Simply type in your information and print.

Design a logo or mascot for your monthly theme.

Give your character a name - such as "Hula Harriet" "Lua Larry." Use your mascot to advertise your activities. ("Hula Harriet invites you to __________ .") Download the images on this page. They are perfect! (Note: Click on the images for a larger version to download. If you are not sure how to download images, check HERE.)

Note: You can find similar images without the word "Activities" on our Clip Art page.

Put copies of your mascot in picture frames and place them in high-traffic areas of your community.

Build your month around the theme.

Begin by visiting our Decorate & Accentuate page where you will find:

A special theme border and bulletin board ideas.
Directions for making "Pineapple Hula Girls."
Ideas for setting up "A Golden Hawaii" display.

Next, use the special theme calendar on the Creating Calendars page to make your calendars this month.

Finally, visit the pages of the site below for theme-based ideas.

Bingo Cards & Twists - Play a game of ALOHA Bingo.
Crafter's Cove - Make "Lovely Long-Lasting Leis" and "Knee-hi Hibiscus Corsages" this month.
Exercise & Healthy Living - "Hula for Health" with the "Hukilau Song."
Flora & Fauna - Grow a pineapple plant and take the "Pineapple Quiz."
Front Porch Travels - Nell and Truman are off to, where else, Hawaii.
Games People Play - Play the "Hawaiian Alphabet Game" and a game of "‘Ulu maika" this month.
It's Puzzling - Try solving all of the Hawaiian puzzles, including a word fit puzzle, crossword puzzle, two word searches, and a maze.
Morsels & More - Check out the Hawaiian recipes and "Food for Thought" discussion about SPAM.
Music Matters - Learn about the ukulele and listen to some ukulele music.
Parties & Socials - Plan a "50th Hula Happening."
Readings & Writings - Read and discuss a short story - "The Call of Duty" - about a veteran who returns to Pearl Harbor with a mission.
Reel to Real - Plan a "Ki’i ‘oni ‘oni (Movie) Night" and show some Hawaiian movies.
Who Am I? - I am Don Ho!

Don't forget the Clip Art page, where you will always find images related to our monthly theme.

In addition, here are some other ideas:

Plan a Hawaiian dress up day where everyone wears bright colors, Hawaiian shirts, muumuus, grass skirts, and leis.
Share some Facts about Hawaii and some Hawaii Trivia this month.
Check with your local travel agent for some Hawaiian posters to put up all around the community.
Ask residents, staff, and families to share any pictures or memorabilia they have from trips to Hawaii.
If you are one of our Hawaiian members, check with your local chamber of commerce to see what special events are scheduled in your area.

NOTE: You can use all of the Hawaiian activities even if you decide to go with a different overall monthly theme.

Select Another Theme

If you want to build your own theme, there are many other ideas to work with this month. To develop your own monthly theme or mini-theme, This Month Is? and Holidays & Crazy Daze have some great ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

ALOHA A HUI HOU (Ah Hooee Ho)!
(Aloha until we meet again.)

Learning about Thematic Programming

If you would like to learn more about the benefits of using themes when planning your programming, check out our sister site - Activity Teacher. Here you will find a course titled:

Getting Into the Theme of Things

Take the class for CE hours or just to learn more about the topic.

Course description: Many people avoid themes because they think they create more work. However, themes do not add more to your plate. Instead, they add more interest for your already existing programming. We will show you how it's done and explain the benefits of thematic programming. We not only give you lots of non-holiday themes to consider, but also a wide variety of ways to carry them out. We’ll suggest ways to develop themes that will generate more enthusiasm for your programming and less work for you.