Women's History, Music in Our Schools, Japan's Doll Festival, World Wildlife Day, Holi, World Folktales & Fables Week, World Storytelling Day, Nowruz, International Day of Happiness, World Poetry Day, Earth Hour

My version of March Madness: World Storytelling Day and World Folktales & Fables Week!

These two events pair perfectly because they share the same goal: helping students experience stories as living traditions - told aloud, passed down, and rooted in culture. We've got great resources to get you started.

Enjoy!

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Founder & CEO, Globe Trottin' Kids​

NEW BLOG POST: TALES AROUND THE WORLD Folktales are the ultimate genre study - stories that build comprehension and global curiosity. I put together a new guide that breaks down 10 types of folktales (fables, trickster tales, pourquoi tales, myths, legends, tall tales, modern folklore, and more) with kid-friendly definitions, picture book ideas, and an any-tale activity for each. Perfect for Folktales & Fables Week or anytime you need a no-prep read-aloud plan. Check It Out!

March is

• Women's History Month - honoring the achievements, leadership, and lasting contributions of women throughout history and today. It’s a time to learn about trailblazers from many backgrounds and fields - arts, science, government, education, sports, and activism - and to recognize how women have shaped communities, movements, and everyday life. Browse picture books about Women's History.

• Music in Our Schools Month - celebrating the importance of music education and its positive impact on students’ learning and well-being through performances, classroom activities, and opportunities for students to share and explore music from a variety of styles and cultures. The theme for 2026 is "United Through Music." Visit our Educators page for global music resources.

March 2 Read Across America Week - a nationwide celebration of reading to spark excitement about books through read-alouds, themed spirit days, book swaps, guest readers, and literacy activities that help kids build a lifelong love of reading. Free Printable Reading Activities and Worksheets -We Are Teachers

March 3 World Wildlife Day - Engage students in activities related to wildlife protection: art, research, nature walk, storytelling, dioramas, guest speakers, virtual trips, seed planting and more!

March 3 Hina Matsuri - Learn about the traditions of the Japanese Doll Festival.

March 4 Holi - a vibrant spring festival celebrated in India and by Hindu communities around the world, often called the “Festival of Colors.” It marks the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil, and it’s known for joyful gatherings where people play with bright colored powders, share sweets, dance, and visit with friends and family. Many celebrations also include a bonfire the night before (Holika Dahan) and a day of color play and community fun.

• ​Nat Geo Kids explains why it's known as the Festival of Colors - and includes a short video of a trip to India for the celebration.
• Join co-author Ajanta of Let's Celebrate Holi! for an engaging introduction to India's Festival of Colors.

March 15 World Folktales & Fables Week

Folktales help students discover something big: people everywhere tell stories to share wisdom, explain mysteries, and bring their communities together. When children explore different types of folktales, they learn to spot patterns in stories, talk about theme and character, and compare how setting and culture shape a tale - all while building curiosity about the world.

​Explore 10 types of folktales - fables, trickster tales, pourquoi tales, myths, legends, tall tales, and more - with kid-friendly definitions, picture book picks, and any-tale classroom activities.

​Browse our folktale collection to keep students reading, discussing, and exploring stories from around the globe all year long.

​Compare Cinderella stories around the world. Book List & Free Printable!

March 20 World Storytelling Day Blend storytelling with folktales!

1. Global Story Circle: Share a folktale/fable from a different region. Students practice being the “story keeper” by retelling the beginning, middle, and end using: First… Then… Next… Finally…
2. “Same Plot, New Place” Global Setting Swap: Keep the plot of a tale but change the setting to a different world region. Students revise details (food, clothing, landscape, animals) to fit the new setting.
3. Puppet or Shadow Storytelling: Create stick puppets or shadow figures. Students perform a folktale using a beginning hook, 3 key events, and a strong ending.
4. Compare Two Versions: Read two versions of the “same” story pattern (like Cinderella-type tales). Students complete a Venn diagram: What stays the same? What changes? Discuss how culture shapes details.

March 20 Nowruz - also spelled Norooz or Nawruz) is the Persian New Year, celebrated at the spring equinox to welcome the first day of spring. Observed for over 3,000 years by many communities across Iran and parts of Central Asia, and beyond, it’s a joyful time for fresh starts.

• Introduce the history and traditions of Nowruz with this video from Twinkl Teaching Resources. Includes a discussion question at the end.
• Lit Connection: NEW RELEASE! Welcome, Uncle Nowruz Iranian-American creator Rashin Kheiriyeh offers her fresh spin on a classic Nowruz folktale. ​Free Printable: ​Welcome, Uncle Nowruz! Coloring Page​.pdf​

March 20 International Day of Happiness encourages people to take simple actions - like showing kindness, practicing gratitude, and building connections - to support mental health, strengthen relationships, and create a more caring world. Perform Happy Acts | Create a Happiness Wall

Math Connection: Dive into the data from the 2025 World Happiness Report (including the World's Top 25 Happiest Countries) and compare it to the 2026 report (releasing on 3/20).

March 21 World Poetry Day

Explore different forms of poetry, introduce notable poets from around the world, and provide engaging activities to celebrate this special day with your students. Get started here.

Travel the world to discover 7 diverse types of poetry: Kennings Poems (Europe), Lantern Poems (Asia), Bush Ballads (Australia), Praise Poems (Africa), Acrostic Poems (Antarctica), Trova Poems (South America), and Viator Poems (North America).

​Teachers Pay Teachers Reviews:

March 28 Earth Hour - a global event when people, schools, businesses, and landmarks switch off non-essential lights for one hour to show support for the planet. Created by the World Wildlife Fund, it’s a simple way to spark conversations about climate change, energy use, and caring for nature - while encouraging everyone to take everyday actions that add up beyond the hour.

Help kids learn how to save energy and make a difference in the world with fun and educational Earth Hour activities.

Global Learning Opportunities & Recommended Reading

​Black History Month is Over. Now What? Every day, not just the days in February, should be an opportunity for students to learn about Black history, experiences, and people. Here are four ways to do it. -Learning for Justice

​Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants - connecting students to scientists, explorers, and conservationists from 113 countries. Live lessons and interactive resources are free for classrooms everywhere.

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