Drum Roll, Please!

Drums are one of the oldest instruments in the world, starting by making a beat on one’s own body. Drums cross cultural lines, and the term is now applied to non-musical arenas. Beat it to drums!

CONNECT:

• The most important Native American musical instrument is the drum. Find out why at http://www.native-languages.org/drums.htm
• Canadian First Nations have their specific drum culture: http://www.native-drums.ca/index.php/Drumming/Culture?tp=a
• What do Djembe, Sabar and Bougarabou have in common? They all relate to African drums. Learn about them and other facts about African drums at http://www.drumdr.com/african-hand-drums.html
• One of the main functions of drumming is communication. Explore this aspect at http://resources.primarysource.org/content.php?pid=144239&sid=1226877
• Watch the physics of drums at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-qgTja48NU

CREATE:

• Here are three ways to make your own drum: http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Homemade-Drum
• Make your own African drum by following the directions at http://artsmarts4kids.blogspot.com/2008/10/create-your-own-african-djembe-drum.html.
• Here’s a fun website that enables you to play virtual drums: http://www.livebinders.com/play/play_or_edit?id=32789

CARE:

• Drummers can be spiritual messengers. Read about this service at http://worship.calvin.edu/resources/resource-library/drumming-in-worship-experiencing-god-s-heartbeat/
• Help sustain drummers in Africa by donating money at http://www.africaheartwoodproject.org/buydrums.php#sthash.totVLE6E.dpbs

 

CAREERS:

Want to be a drummer? Here are some tips:

http://www.drummagazine.com/features/post/tips-of-the-trade-laying-the-foundation/

http://thedrumninja.com/2010/10/how-to-make-a-living-playing-the-drums/

http://www.elephantdrums.co.uk/blog/guides-and-resources/a-career-in-drumming/

Vive la France!

France and the U.S. have always had a special relationship – and it’s not just the food or the same colors on the flags. Find out more about the delights of France; you may even become a Francophile.

CONNECT:

• Want to know about all things France? Start with the kids’ encyclopedia: http://academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/France
• France celebrates its own kind of Independence Day 10 days after the U.S.’s day: on July 14. It’s called Bastille Day in English, but it’s really the “Fete Nationale.” And it’s not really about the storming of the Bastille. Get the real facts at http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/french-revolutionaries-storm-bastille
• The U.S. Independence owes a great deal of gratitude to France; read the stories at http://classroom.synonym.com/did-france-aid-american-colonies-6250.html
• Dig up the history of Paris at http://www.paris.culture.fr/en/
• Did you know that a Frenchman created the Statue of Library – but not for the US? Find out 10 amazing facts at http://parade.com/311395/viannguyen/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-the-statue-of-liberty-she-was-almost-gold/

CREATE:

• Try one of the fun French activities listed at http://www.kidactivities.net/post/countries-around-the-world-themes.aspx
• What’s more French than French food? Learn how to say French fries in French (the French actually call them fried potatoes) and many other mouth-watering French words at http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/primarylanguages/french/food_and_drink/. You can hear how they sound too. Bon appetit!
• Make some of your own French cuisine using the kid-friendly recipes at http://www.easy-french-food.com/easy-recipes-for-kids.html
• Wonder what it would be like to see from the top of the Eiffel Tower? You can do that, plus play games about this famous landmark, at http://www.toureiffel.paris/en/childrens-tower.html.
• Tour Versailles without the crowds or expense: http://en.chateauversailles.fr/homepage

CARE:

• One of France’s most popular flowers is the lavender. Make a lavender sachet following these directions: http://www.redtedart.com/2012/08/01/kids-crafts-sewing-with-kids-lavender-bags/
• Promote good U.S.-French relations by connecting with the world’s largest cultural and language centr network: Alliance Francaise: http://alliance-us.org/
• Follow France’s famous bike race: the Tour de France at http://www.letour.fr/us/. Consider creating your own Tour de Neighborhood race as a service project fund-raiser. Race to raise money….

CAREERS:

Are you a Francophile (someone who loves all things French)? There are lots of jobs waiting for you: chef, fashion designer, diplomat, literary expert, translator, travel agent, teacher, international business person.

Check out this long list of job possibilities: http://www.umassd.edu/cas/fll/programs/undergraduateprograms/majorsminorsconcentrations/frenchmajor/whatcanidowithafrenchmajor/

http://www.omniglot.com/language/articles/frenchcareers.htm

This site also gives good reasons for learning French: http://french.virginia.edu/undergraduate/whattodo

Rock on!

Rocks are all around you, but how much do you think about them? It’s time to rock and roll about rocks.

CONNECT:

·         The earth rocks. Trace this planet’s history through rocks at http://www.mnh.si.edu/earth/text/index.html

·         From gem to jewelry; see the transformations at the Smithsonian collection: http://www.gimizu.de/sgmcol/

·         Read about the first rock band: 19^th century Canadians who explored rocks: http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rock/021018-120-e.html

·         Are all rocks created equal? This wall of thousands of rock samples tests how weather impacts weather: http://stonewall.nist.gov/

·         Look at some super pictures of rocks, learn how to identify the rocks you already have and discover neat things you can do with rocks: http://www.rockhoundkids.com/

·         Rocks do change; see their life cycle at http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/rock.html

CREATE:

·         Create three kinds of rocks by following the directions at http://www.gimizu.de/sgmcol/

·         Find out what you need to use to gather great rock specimens! Your geology expert, Vic, will show you what equipment you should use, how to use it safely, and how to carefully bring back the rocks that you find!

·         Are you solid as a rock? How solid is that? Test the hardness of rocks with your fingernail, coins, and rocks. Start from scratch at: http://www.rockhounds.com/rockshop/hardness1.html

·         Grow crystals, build a rock collection, and play mine games at http://www.sdnhm.org/archive/kids/minerals/index.html

·         Here are 8 cool things you can do with rocks: http://thesecretyumiverse.wonderhowto.com/how-to/8-cool-things-you-can-do-with-rocks-0157626/

CARE:

·         Do your family and friends rock? Make rock crafts for them: http://www.grandparents.com/grandkids/activities-games-and-crafts/rock-crafts

·         Put on a rock party for your friends. Here are some good kid-friendly songs to rock to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0IjoxH4brI

·         Help students study rocks by donating rocks to them. See the details at https://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2011NE/finalprogram/abstract_185659.htm

CAREERS:

Dig into a good career by checking out these websites about geology careers. http://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/geoscientists.htm

http://www.geosociety.org/links/careers.htm

https://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2011NE/finalprogram/abstract_185659.htm

http://www.personal.kent.edu/~cschweit/Stark/whygeologymajor.htm

http://www.americangeosciences.org/workforce/geoscience-careers-brochure