Fireworks are a bang!

Fireworks can be spectacular – and a bit scary! Find out the back story of fireworks. It can be a real bang!

CONNECT:

• NOVA Online explains how fireworks explode and why fireworks have different colors: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/kaboom/
• Watch a video on creating dazzling fireworks shows at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5apJqP1KvWA
• Who is Guy Fawkes and why are there fireworks set off in his memory? Find out about the English Bonfire night at http://www.bonfirenight.net
• Fireworks as a dazzling history: trace its evolution at http://www.history.com/news/fireworks-vibrant-history
• All that color of fireworks? It all depends on chemistry. See the list at http://www.fireworks.com/fireworks-university/chemistry-fireworks/ and see the colorful video at http://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/phy03.sci.phys.matter.fireworkcol/fireworks-making-color/

CREATE:

• Create a trivia game based on fireworks facts: http://www.infoplease.com/spot/fireworks1.html
• Create fireworks in a glass by following the directions at http://chemistry.about.com/od/4thofjulychemistry/a/waterfireworks.htm
• Watch the science of fireworks at http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/videos/chemistry/fireworks.html
• Celebrate fireworks from a global perspective: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fireworks#Fireworks_celebrations_throughout_the_world

CARE:

• Fireworks can be dangerous; how do you stay safe around them? http://www.chp.edu/CHP/Fireworks+for+Parents
• Can you imagine how birds react to fireworks? Here are tips to take care of your feathered friends during fireworks time: http://www.birdchannel.com/bird-diet-and-health/bird-care/birds-and-fireworks.aspx
• You can help your dog overcome its fear of fireworks through this training: http://www.animalcareclinicslo.com/pet-health/handouts/help-my-dog-is-afraid-of-fireworks/
• It’s useful to know the laws and regulations about fireworks: http://www.pyrouniverse.com/statelaws.htm

CAREERS:

Want to get paid to create explosions? Here’s an interview with a demolition woman: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/kaboom/loizeaux.html

Orange you glad?

Orange is both a color and a fruit (in the English language), which makes for a fun mix of learning. Orange (..aren’t) you glad you can explore this colorful word?

CONNECT:

·         Did you know that oranges came from Southeast Asia? Travel the world with this history of oranges: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/history-of-orange-fruit.html. You might use a map to track the journey of oranges over time. (The “serious” history, including the citruc industry, is found at http://websites.lib.ucr.edu/agnic/webber/Vol1/Chapter1.htm).

·         Find out the background of the Osage orange at http://www.gpnc.org/osage.htm

·         Enjoy fun facts about pumpkins at http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/food/pumpkins.html

CREATE:

·         Why settle for just plan orange juice when you can add so many different ingredients? http://www.all-about-juicing.com/orange-juice-recipes-for-kids.html  Try thinking up an original juice recipe yourself.

·         What can you do with an orange besides eat it? Try these orange fruit crafts: http://www.ehow.com/info_8295426_orange-fruit-crafts-preschoolers.html

·         Have an orange day at http://www.easyfunschool.com/article1331.html and http://www.123child.com/lessonplans/colors/orange.php and

http://www.atozkidsstuff.com/color.html#orange and

http://www.preschoolexpress.com/theme_station02/oct02_orange.shtml and

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/colors/orange.shtml

·         Did you know that over thirty cities in the United States have the word “orange?” Check out the US ZIP Code database (http://www.getzipcode.us/en/), and search for cities using the term “orange.” Both a list and a map will be generated. Some of the cities don’t seem to be likely places to raise oranges. Try looking up cities by other colors; you might make a comparison chart of how many cities have each color name (note: poor purple…).

CARE:

·         Gardening is a healthy habit; it helps children learn about how to care for nature, and it can lead to healthy eating. Try growing carrots with your children, following the advice at http://www2.fiskars.com/Kids-Activities-School/Projects/Kids-in-the-Garden/Recipes/Growing-Carrots-with-Kids#.U5tA5ij7Hbg

·         Wildflowers are imporant to preserve in nature; you can Identify them  by color at http://www.wildflowerinformation.org/colorlisting.asp

·         Learn about safety orange at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safety_orange

·         Does someone need a little brightness in their day? Check out the psychology of the color orange at http://www.tuned-in.com/ColorSpeaks/Orange.aspx

CAREERS:

Orange has many meaning, as you have found out. So orange-related careers could go in lots of directions too: the citrus industry (see the connection above), forestry,  manufacturing, visual arts, cuisine, safety and transportation – or a job in a city named Orange! Sample some of these:

http://www.thelandlovers.org/

http://www.theartcareerproject.com/art-as-a-career/#.U5tF9Cj7Hbg

http://myfootpath.com/careers/culinary-careers/