The end (and beginning) of rainbows

Have you ever tried to find the end of a rainbow? Do you ever see rainbows coming through the window? Do you like all the colors of the rainbow? Then these activities are for you!

CONNECT:

• Did you know that rainbows come in different configurations? See them – and other interesting facts --  at http://www.squidoo.com/rainbow-science
• Help little kids how rainbows are formed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqUp-bsglO4 ; here’s a simple text  introduction: http://eo.ucar.edu/kids/sky/colors1.htm)
• Read rainbow myths and legends at http://rainbowwall.com/rainbows-myths-legends/. Try drawing or acting out one of those stories.
• Reading Rainbow is a program that inspires children to read. This 30-year old program has now gone mobile. Download the app at http://www.readingrainbow.com/

CREATE:

• Here are lots of fun rainbow activities for kids of all ages: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqM4igH9Hizg8NdyLcdmsJuqCZZA_BTAsCOl10mHulkXW-whIYvMi8W00PYN0blR31bKCypV127UYYxSY_yKh_lm7V2rXbj9RjaMeq0d_rLB1TebK-V9LkYcXpkjmJ24jTT9s6Q-drcuhB/s1600/older+kids+rainbow+crafts.jpg
• Create a water prism by following the directions at http://www.optics4kids.org/home/content/classroom-activities/easy/release-the-rainbow/
• Create a rainbow trivia game building on these facts: http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/weather/rainbows.html and http://www.kidsplayandcreate.com/rainbow-facts-for-kids/
• Bite into a rainbow by making one or more these rainbow foods: http://www.cutefoodforkids.com/2012/02/51-rainbow-food-ideas-for-st-patricks.html

CARE:

• Brighten up a friend’s room with rainbow colors: http://www.exploratorium.edu/science_explorer/reflecting_rainbows.html
• Create a rainbow-themed party: http://www.birthdayinabox.com/party-ideas/rainbow-party.html
• Rainbows for All Children is a program that supports youth as they navigate grief and heal from loss, whether from death, divorce, deployment, or other trauma. Here are some of their resources: http://rainbows.org/resources
• Find out about the Rainbow PUSH coalition at http://rainbowpush.org. This organization, founded by Reverend Jesse Jackson, tries to to protect, defend, and gain civil rights by leveling the economic and educational playing fields, and to promote peace and justice around the world.

CAREERS:

You can focus on rainbows as a chemist or meterologist. You might also incorporate rainbows as an artist and designer, a party planner or cook, or a writer or photographer. Check out some of these career guides; there may be rainbow in your future!

http://www.weather.gov/careers

http://www.theartcareerproject.com/nature-photography-career/594/

http://myfootpath.com/careers/art-and-design-careers/

Life's a Beach!

Beaches are found around the world as land and water meet. Take some time to meet beaches by surfing these websites.

CONNECT:

•  Watch the changing nature of shorelines and beaches at http://education-portal.com/academy/lesson/characteristics-of-shorelines-beaches.html#lesson
•   Where does beach sand come from? Find out at http://www.livescience.com/38163-where-beach-sand-comes-from.html
•   Explore beach marine life at http://www.enchantedlearning.com/themes/beach/animals.shtml
•   Hey, Dude! Check out this awesome International Surfing Museum: http://www.surfingmuseum.org/
• What was it like to land on the beach in Normandy on D-Day? Listen and watch hundreds of veterans recount their experiences at http://www.loc.gov/vets/stories/onthebeach.html

CREATE:

•  Here are some fun sand activities, even if the beach is far away: http://spoonful.com/family-fun/20-sand-activities-kids
•  Try some of these beach crafts for kids: http://www.tipjunkie.com/post/beach-crafts/
•  Make a creative sand castle: http://www.sandcastlecentral.com/tips/index.html provides useful tips.
• Have fun playing beach volleyball, even if you’re not at the beach: http://pbskids.org/itsmylife/body/teamsports/article3.html
• Experiment making waves by following the directions at http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/bring-science-home-beach-erosion/

CARE:

•  Learn to stay healthy at the beach, AND protect the beach: http://www2.epa.gov/beaches/plan-trip-beach
• How clean is your local beach water? Check out its quality at http://www.nrdc.org/water/oceans/ttw/default.asp
• Find out how to take a stand to protect oceans and beaches by participating in a local campaign: http://www.surfrider.org/campaigns
•  How do you save a beached whale? Follow these steps: http://www.ehow.com/how_2157535_save-beached-whale.html

CAREERS:

Think of all the people associated with beaches: scientists, lifeguards, sailing crews, maintenance people, retailers, athletes and coaches, artists, resort staff, travel agents, and realtors.

•  One large industry sector that takes advantage of beaches is hospitality: http://discoverhospitality.com/career-paths/
•   Environmental careers are discussed at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/environmental-scientists-and-specialists.htm
• Explore marine careers at http://www.marinecareers.net/field_relatedfields.php

August AUGUST

August is sometimes considered a transition month, signaling the end of summer and looking forward to the school year. No U.S. national holidays occur in August. But August is full of meaning and events; it is truly august (check out its meaning at http://www.dictionary.com).  And after doing the activities here, you might develop a parallel set of activities for other months.

CONNECT:

• Read about the history of the month of August: http://www.infoplease.com/spot/history-of-august.html
• The Soap Box Derby is a youth racing program which has run nationally since 1934.World Championship finals are held each August at Derby Downs in Akron, Ohio: http://www.aasbd.org/
• On August 6, 1945,  was the bombing of Hiroshima. Read the story of a survivor at: http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/wwii/hiroshima/index.htm

CREATE:

• August is known as the best month for looking at meteor showers. Here are some tips: http://www.nasa.gov/jpl/asteroids/best-meteor-showers/#.U91YzWPQo2R
• Here are 14 offbeat holidays you can celebrate in August: http://mentalfloss.com/article/58173/14-offbeat-holidays-you-can-celebrate-august
• Research some of the famous events and birthdays that occurred in August: http://www.historyplace.com/specials/calendar/august.htm

CARE:

• Celebrate your family as the Japanese do: during their Bon (or Obon) Festival. See if there is a festival in your area by checking at http://www.japanese-city.com/calendar/events/japanese-city-events-locations-summer-obon-odori-taiko-line-dancing-dango-drums-games-food.php.
• Pakistan celebrates its Independence Day, which was established August 14, 1947. India’s Independence Day started this next day. You can send a friend an independence day card at http://search.123greetings.com. Just search by the keywords of “independence day.”
• Each month has an associated birthstone. Learn about the history of birthstones, and find out about August’s TWO birthstones: peridot and sardonyx at  http://www.americangemsociety.org/birthstones. Some people think these stones have healing properties: http://www.healing-crystals-for-you.com/

CAREER:

Want an august career? Probably the most obvious theme of the activities above is sociology: how people behave in groups.

• Here is a good list of sociology-related jobs: http://sociology.nd.edu/undergraduate-program/careers-for-sociology-majors/ 
• Look at some of the links provided at http://www.bhsu.edu/academics/programsmajors/behavioralsciences/sociology/careers/tabid/4810/default.aspx