May is the anniversary of the "Freedom Riders"  
On May 1, 1961, student activists joined James Farmer of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) in "freedom rides" on public transportation from across the deep South to New Orleans.  Have your students research these freedom riders and discuss with them how their movement positively challenged the status quo of racial affairs in the South. 
 
Get Caught Reading Month and National Book Month
This is a great month to recognize those students who have been "caught reading" in a service-learning celebration event.  Reward your English class for the work they've done with reading, writing and service-learning this past year. 

National Bike Month
This is the perfect month for students to begin a fix-a-bike campaign. Some cities and towns have organizations or programs that either fix or teach other people how to fix bikes that are in disrepair and otherwise discarded.  These bikes can then be donated to kids and families who can't afford to buy new bikes.  Have students make contact with these organizations or individuals to start a similar outreach program.  Students can also learn what the health benefits are of bike riding and what muscle groups are affected by riding a bike. 
 
May 8 is World Red Cross Day
This day commemorates the birth of Jean Henry Dunant, the Swiss founder of the International Red Cross Movement in 1863. The day also recognizes the international humanitarian work that the Red Cross performs everyday.  Have your students contact their community's Red Cross to find out what events they could volunteer for or organize to acknowledge the very important functions that the Red Cross and Red Crescent in the Middle East accomplish.  
 
May 19-25 Buckle Up America! Week
Use this week to have your students present posters to and discuss with younger students about the importance of buckling up in the car.  Students can research the damage that can be done to the body if in an accident without a seatbelt and can convey this information in an appropriate manner. 

World No-Tobacco Day May 31
This day is intended to discourage tobacco users from consuming tobacco and to encourage communities, groups and individuals to become aware of that challenge and to take action.  Students can fulfill the latter part of the day's mission through a smokers awareness campaign aimed at children who haven't started smoking and adults who do.