Flag It Down!

It’s getting close to several federal holidays: Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day (July 4). That means it’s flag time – although any day is a good day for flags. And you might be amazed at the variety of flags.

CONNECT:

• Find out the history of Flag Day at http://www.va.gov/opa/publications/celebrate/flagday.pdf
• Who was Betsy Ross, and why did she sew the first U.S. flag? Check out the facts at http://www.ushistory.org/Betsy/.  On that website you can also learn how to cut a 5 pointed star in one snip.
• Did you know that native peoples have flags? See a sampler of tribal flags and their stories at http://www.tmealf.com/DH/
• Find out what each flag means in a car race at http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/xf-auto.html

CREATE:

• Have you noticed that certain colors seem to dominate country flags? See images of every flag in the world at http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0201477.html, and do a color frequency analysis. How many flags use red? How many use pink? And so on. You can also analyze flags by their shape (check out Nepal!), symbols shown, directions of stripes, and other ways that you can think of.
• Find out about the history of the United States flag at http://www.usflag.org/toc.html. Try making a timeline of its changes by using http://www.softschools.com/teacher_resources/timeline_maker/
• See what your name looks like using signal flags: http://www.riseacadets.org/training/phoneticalphabet.html. You can also spell out your name using semaphore motions, which are on the same website. The flags are also code for messages, such as “you should stop, I have something important to communicate.”
• Make your own flag – or a family flag – using the cybertools at http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/game/tools/flag-maker

CARE:

• Good manners apply to flags; http://www.usa-flag-site.org/etiquette.shtml explains American flag etiquette.
• Practice how to fold the U.S. flag correctly by following the animation and directions at http://www.crwflags.com/folding.html
• The Girl Scouts have lots of information about flag ceremonies and other flag activities at http://www.getyourgirlpower.org/files/Flag_Protocol.pdf.
• Here are some good kid-friendly ways to commemorate Memorial Day respectfully: http://www.military.com/memorial-day/celebrating-memorial-day-with-children.html

CAREERS:

Lots of groups use flags: the military, governmental agencies, transportation, weather services, and entertainment (such as races and events).

Could you be another Betsy Ross and make flags? It’s actually an interesting industry: http://www.flagsofallnations.com.au/flags/the-flag-industry-today/

It's a puzzlement!

Puzzles are fun to do, and can strengthen the brain. Puzzles come in all sizes and formats. Try some web-based ones, and make your own.

CONNECT:

Did you know that the crossword puzzle is just a little over 100 years old? Read about its history, and see the first one at http://thinks.com/crosswords/first1.htm. You’ll also find lots of other puzzlements on that website.

Puzzles come in lots of different “flavors,” as “The Ultimate Puzzle Site” attests to: http://www.puzzle.dse.nl/index_us.html (note it can be read in English, French, and German).

Optical illusions can be very puzzling. Challenge your eyeballs at http://www.sandlotscience.com/

Do you find science puzzling? This may be YOUR corner: http://www.sciencespot.net/Pages/classpuzzle.html

Games and puzzles can be a fun way to test your knowledge about various cultures; try a few at http://www.coedu.usf.edu/culture/activity.htm

Try some fun brain teasers created for kids: http://www.squiglysplayhouse.com/BrainTeasers/index.html

Build your family’s vocabulary using this online interactive tool: http://www.vocabulary.com/

Try these interactive map puzzles to learn continents, countries, states, capitals, borders, physical features and cultural monuments: http://www.yourchildlearns.com/map-puzzles.htm

CREATE:

The Lemelson Center of the Study of Invention and Innovation knows that play is an important component of invention. Go inside their invention playhouse at http://www.inventionatplay.org/

How about a crossword puzzle that is customized for YOUR needs? Click on Cricklers: http://crickler.com/crossword.html

Create your own puzzles using the free generator tool: http://www.discoveryeducation.com/free-puzzlemaker/?CFID=3068813&CFTOKEN=84890352

Do you like jigsaw puzzles? At http://www.jigzone.com/ you can choose your level of difficulty from 6 to 247 pieces. You can also upload your photos to make them into pigsaw puzzles.

Have you ever heard of tangrams? Read the legend of tangrams, play with them, and create your own puzzle magic at http://www.creativeimaginations.net/PAGE4.html

Cryptology can be considered as language puzzles. Learn about this secret communication at http://www.cerias.purdue.edu/education/k-12/teaching_resources/lessons_presentations/cryptology.html.  You can even create your own secret messages

CARE:

Memory puzzles can help people with learning disabilities. Try some yourself at http://www.ababasoft.com/games/learning_disability.html, and introduce them to someone who could use help developing their memory.

http://www.e-bility.com/links/games.php links to several games and puzzles for people with disabilities.

Puzzles can help older people keep their brains in gear. http://www.generationon.org/service-clubs/make-your-mark/projects/puzzles-to-remember provides directions on how to set a a club to donate puzzles to organizations that serve seniors – and to play puzzles with them.

Want to do service projects? This website teaches project measurement skills through logic puzzles: https://www.nationalserviceresources.gov/americorpsstatenational-logic-model-puzzles#.U2wCgFfiiSo

 CAREERS:

Do you love to solve puzzles? Here are some careers that might solve your career puzzle: mathematician, scientist, engineer, forensics, computer programmer, linguist, puzzle maker, repairer.

http://jonasadhitya.wordpress.com/2010/01/02/5-careers-for-people-who-love-solving-problems-and-puzzles/

http://www.bls.gov/opub/ooq/2003/fall/art02.pdf

http://careers.collegetoolkit.com/career-search/criteria/skills/complexproblemsolving.aspx

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4BF3_ICgXY