Nuts to You!

Thinking about nuts is NOT nuts! and it's not just peanuts.  Get out of your shell, and have fun chewing on these nutty activities.

CONNECT:

• Learn 7 nutty things about nuts at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kristin-kirkpatrick-ms-rd-ld/diet-and-nutrition_b_5234528.html
• Can bears really live on nuts and berries? Find out at http://www.covebear.com/BlackBearFoods.htm
• When is a nut not a nut? When it’s a peanut. They are actually legumes, like peas.
• Why do squirrels hoard nuts? Ready why at http://sciencenetlinks.com/science-news/science-updates/squirrel-hoarding/
• How old are walnuts? Would you believe 50,000 years ago in Iraq? The Nutcracker Museum shares the history of nuts at http://nutcrackermuseum.com/history_nuts.htm
• Discover the story behind idioms about peanuts at http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/peanut

CREATE:

• See how peanuts grow: at http://nationalpeanutboard.org/the-facts/how-peanuts-grow/. You can even grow your own peanuts: at http://nationalpeanutboard.org/farmlife-sustainability/how-to-grow-peanuts-in-your-own-garden/
• Are you nuts about peanuts? Cook up some nutty treats, following the directions at  http://txkidskitchen.com/blog/kids-in-the-kitchen-thursday-we-are-nuts-about-peanut-butter/
• Go natural with these nutty crafts: http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/seashellsnutshellseggshellsartscraftsideaskids.html
• Learn how to play the British game of conkers, which traditionally uses horse chestnuts: http://resources.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/conkers.html. You can even watch the World Conker Championships at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_j4BtYGufY

CARE:

• What is the story behind nut and peanut allergies? They really are nothing to sneeze at, as you’ll see at http://kidshealth.org/kid/health_problems/allergiesimmune/nut_allergy.html
• Learn how the Amazon Conversation Association is protecting Brazil nuts: http://www.amazonconservation.org/ourwork/livelihoods.html
• Jobs depend on rainforests, and specifically tagua nuts, as you can see at http://www.oneworldprojects.com/products/tagua.shtml
• Help donate peanut butter for the hungry: http://www.peanutbutterforthehungry.org/

CAREERS:

Nuts to you: they start from trees or the ground, then to manufacturers, packagers, all the way to stores and other retailers. And there are jobs associated at every stage.

• Get the inside story about almond growing at http://www.almonds.com/growers
• Crack open the peanut industry at https://www.peanutsusa.com/about-peanuts/the-peanut-industry3.html

 

Worlds of Fantasy

Fantasy worlds can be a great escape – and can give insights into the human condition.   Exploring fantasy continues to be a great adventure.

CONNECT:

• Want to read a good fantasy book? Consult “Bookworm for kids” at http://www.bookworm4kids.com/Fantasy.html
• J. R. R. Tolkein was a scholar of arcane languages and a spiritual writer who melded fantasy and humanity in his powerful storytelling. Find out about Tolkein and his Inklings literacy circle at the Mythopoeic Society: http://www.mythsoc.org/
• How much about dinosaurs is fantasy? Get the truth at DinoBuzz: http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/diapsids/dinobuzz.html.
•  Have you heard about the Loch Ness Monster? Find out about Nessie and other fantasy animals at http://learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/en/category/topics/fantasy-animals

CREATE:

• Christopher Paolini was just a teenager when his first book Eragon was published. Visit http://www.alagaesia.com/ to learn the language in Eragon and embark on quests tied to his books.
• Get badges and meet friends – and more – at J. K. Rowling’s Pottermore website https://www.pottermore.com/en-us/
• Create fantasy crafts at http://www.dltk-kids.com/fantasy/.
• Create your own fantasy stories with these grade-specific writing starters: http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/story-starters/fantasy-writing-prompts/
• Did you know that math plays a role in fantasy sports? Batter up at http://www.fantasysportsmath.com/index.php

CARE:

• Love fantasy and science fiction? Join the Wands and Worlds community at http://www.wandsandworlds.com/
• Cheer up a friend by drawing fantasy creatures for him or her. Follow the directions at http://www.dragoart.com/fantasy-for-kids-c415-1.htm
• Do you think that heroes are just a fantasy? Find out about these real super heroes for children: http://www.worldofchildren.org/honorees/past-honorees/

CAREERS:

Where can your flights of fancy take you in terms of a career? One obvious direction is writing and illustration. Another path lies in the entertainment industry: making fantasy films and TV shows, developing fantasy games, creating and participating in fantasy theme parks, as well as traditional storytelling. Dream big!

http://www.bookjobs.com/

http://www.ian-irvine.com/publishing.html

http://www.filmconnection.com/movie-genres/scifi/

http://www.gamecareerguide.com/

http://www.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/theme-park

https://www.themuse.com/advice/5-career-paths-for-people-who-love-telling-stories

And just for fun, there are ten high-risk sci-fi/fantasy careers: http://www.toplessrobot.com/2012/05/10_high-risk_sci-fifantasy_careers.php

It’s May, It’s May!

The lovely month of May is full of holidays and seasonal connotations. Celebrate this month every day through the following activities.

CONNECT:

• Cinco de Mayo is more popular in the U.S. than in Mexico. Learn about its history and importance at http://www.kiddyhouse.com/Holidays/Cinco/
• May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. Learn more about these communities and their contributions at http://www.afk.com/resources/apahm.tpl
• The month of May is named after the Greek goddess Maia. Find out about her at http://www.ourladyofsalt.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=150:the-goddess-of-may-maia&catid=42:newsletter&Itemid=43

CREATE:

• Try some of these ideas for May-inspired activities: http://www.kidactivities.net/post/Ideas-for-Kids-for-the-Month-of-May.aspx
• Create a May calendar with holidays and celebratory birthdays, adding images for each event. Use these websites to fill in your calendar. Then plan your own way to celebrate one of these days, such as International Nurses Day on May 12. http://www.ducksters.com/history/mayinhistory.php. (Note: May is national Burger month so you could celebrate every day…)
• Dance around the maypole – and make it as a family activity: http://www.modernmom.com/f725b57c-3b45-11e3-8407-bc764e04a41e.html. Get ideas about music and dance at http://www.maypoledance.com/index.html

CARE:

• There are lots of ways to say thanks to mothers: making cards, poems, songs,crafts. http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/mothersday/ has several simple ideas.
• Did you know how the Mayflower plant is linked to the pilgrims? Root out the history at http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/trailing-arbutus/mayflower-trailing-arbutus.htm, and learn how to grow this historic flower.
• Memorial Day remembers the people who died in wars or in the service of their country. http://www.military.com/memorial-day/celebrating-memorial-day-with-children.html provides ideas for ways for youth to honor these military heroes.

CAREER:

Almost three-quarters of mothers in the U.S. are in the workforce. http://www.naccrra.org/sites/default/files/default_site_pages/2012/ccgb_mothers_workforce_jan2012.pdf has several important facts about them and their issues.