Take Flight with Angels

Angels aren’t just tree toppings. They have existed in the minds of people around the world. And many other things are named “angel.” Let your imagination take flight with these angel-related activities.

CONNECT:

• Angels are mentioned in several cultures and religions, as outlined at http://english-magazine.org/english-reading/english-for-culture/1166-culture-article340
• Angel Falls is the highest waterfall in the world; find the facts at http://primaryfacts.com/1322/angel-falls-facts-about-the-highest-waterfall-in-the-world/
• Explore the history of Angel Island in San Francisco Bay, from the Miworks to the Spaniards to immigrants and tourists: http://angelisland.org/history/
• Read Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale “The Angel” as an expression of kindness this season: http://hca.gilead.org.il/angel.html
• Can you play baseball like an Angel? Follow the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at http://losangeles.angels.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=ana

CREATE:

• Angel hair can refer to a type of thin noodle. See the various shapes of pasta, and how their shapes are used for different kinds of dishes: http://www.lifeinitaly.com/food/pasta.asp
• Make fun angel cookies, with pretzel wings and almond hands: http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/almond-angel-cookies/009d2865-e138-40e3-aefa-558ca2dc7d4f
• Here’s lots of angel crafts to make around the year: http://www.freekidscrafts.com/holidays/christmas-crafts/angel-crafts/
• Here are some angel costumes and wings to make: http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/howtomakeangelcostumeshalloweencraftskids.html

CARE:

• Dogs can be angels; canine angels help children with special needs be more independent. Learn about this service at http://www.canine-angels.org/
• The Blue Angels serve as positive role models and goodwill ambassadors for the U. S. Navy and Marine Corps. Watch a 360-degree video demonstration at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6SsB3JYqQg
• Los Angeles is called The City of Angels. That city owns a zoo and botanical gardens. Read about their conservation efforts at http://www.lazoo.org/conservation/. You can support those efforts too.
• Project Angle Food cooks thousands of meals every week to people who are too sick to shop and cook for themselves (http://www.angelfood.org). Perhaps there is a similar service in your area where you can help.
• You can have your own angel: an angelfish. Reel in facts about caring for them at http://small-pets.lovetoknow.com/fish/10-facts-about-angelfish.
• Can coins save a life? Read about the myth of the French Angel coin at http://www.gainesvillecoins.com/tips/25/the-extraordinary-legend-of-the-french-angel-coin.aspx

CAREERS:

You can be a guardian angel for someone by helping to care for them. Healthcare positions offer many opportunities: http://kidshealth.org/teen/school_jobs/jobs/health-care-careers.html

Religion can lead to many careers: http://www.studyreligion.org/where/skills.html