Going Around in Circles

It’s the holiday time, and circles feature largely: wreaths, circular cookies  and pastries, haloes, and even the end of the year circles back to January. Let’s circle around circles….

CONNECT:

• Even in pre-history people considered circles to have magic mystical powers.  Visit these ancient stone circles virtually at http://www.megalithic.co.uk/.
• A few years ago, crop circles were very popular. Some people thought they were created by aliens. We know now that humans created them, but they are still awesome! http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/photos/gallery/crop-circles/
• When we think of circles, the image of pies may come to mind. But what about the concept of pi? That is also related to circles. Figure out how at http://www.exploratorium.edu/pi/index.html
• Amaze your family and friends about circle facts: http://www.kidsmathgamesonline.com/facts/geometry/circles.html

CREATE:

• Sing the circle song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlXnXf6FSq8. Try making up your own song about circles.
• A round is a song that goes around and around.  Learning about singing rounds with children at http://spinninginmyteacup.wordpress.com/2008/04/20/singing-rounds-with-children/
• Hear lots of songs that you can dance to in a circle: http://www.juliewyliemusic.com/pages/dancing.html
• Have you heard of a literature circle? It’s a fun way to share reading. Learn how to start at literature circle at http://www.lauracandler.com/strategies/litcirclemodels.php. Try an online literature circle using a wiki (such as http://www.pbworks.com).

CARE:

• We’re all connected in the circle of life. Join in that circle at http://www.morning-earth.org/TreesCirclesLife.html.  You can find out more about the circle of life at http://www.fi.edu/tfi/units/life/living/living.html
• Celebrate the holidays AND Mother Earth by making wreaths from recycled materials: http://alphamom.com/family-fun/holidays/diy-holiday-wreaths/
• Make some circular cookies as gifts. Here are some kids’ cookie recipes as starters: http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/event-or-occasion/kids-recipes/kids-cookie-recipes?term=Kids+Cookie&nv=4294965409&ps=12&pi=1
• Circle of Care is an organization that helps families of children with cancer. Here are some activities that help children understand this disease; there are also activities that these children can play – and your family might play along with them: http://www.thecircleofcare.org/our-programs/kid-stuff-2

CAREERS:

Do you feel like you’re going around in circles thinking about careers? Here’s a circle of ideas:

http://www.iseek.org/careers/aboutclusters.html