Me Gustan Los Latinos

Mid-September to Mid-October is National Hispanic Heritage Month, which recognizes the contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans. And their contributions continue all year. Now’s a good time to learn about their heritage and leadership.

CONNECT:

• Check out these facts about National Hispanic Heritage Month: http://www.softschools.com/facts/holidays/hispanic_heritage_month_facts/786/
• It’s about Time to read about leading Latinos in the United States: http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/0,28757,2008201,00.html
• Watch these PBS specials about Latino heritage and culture: http://www.pbs.org/specials/hispanic-heritage-month/
• Explore Smithsonian’s Latino Center Kids Corner: http://latino.si.edu/kidscorner/
• Learn how to read a Mayan calendar at https://www.dkfindout.com/us/history/mayans/mayan-calendar/

CREATE:

• Create Ecudorian migajon miniatures following these directions: https://kidworldcitizen.org/2011/11/29/make-miniature-figures-out-of-ecuadorian-migajon-clay/
• Try making some of these Mexican recipes: http://www.dltk-kids.com/world/mexico/recipes.htm
• Play a traditional Mexican game such as toma todo:  http://www.spanishplayground.net/traditional-game-top-printable/
• Come party! Make your own Ponce carnival mask: http://amhistory.si.edu/ourstory/pdf/puerto/carnival_mask.pdf
• Calculate using Mayan numerals: http://mathcentral.uregina.ca/rr/database/rr.09.00/hubbard1/MayanNumerals.html

CARE:

• Add a festive touch to your home with traditional Mexican punched papers called papeles picados: https://happythought.co.uk/day-of-the-dead/how-to-make-papel-picado
• It’s family time for movies that feature Latinos: http://quemas.mamaslatinas.com/parenting/117211/18_latino_movies_your_kids
• Adopt a Latino sister city at http://www.sistercities.org/
• Grow a salsa garden: https://www.chicagobotanic.org/plantinfo/growing_salsa_garden
• Read the stories of these kid reporters about Hispanic Heritage Month, from celebrating Quinciañera to an interview with Selena Gomez: http://www.scholastic.com/browse/collection.jsp?id=695. You too can interview a Latino whom you admire.

CAREERS:

More than even, it’s important to communicate in two or more languages – and it’s a good career move: from translator to service provider, from teaching to business.

http://louisville.edu/spanish/what-can-i-do-with-a-major-in-spanish.html

http://study.com/articles/Career_Options_for_Spanish_Majors_Job_Information_and_Requirements.html

http://work.chron.com/careers-spanish-majors-bachelors-degree-8621.html

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Shine Some Light on the Sun

Do you like to bask in the sun? The sun is more than fun – it is necessary fo you to live! So shine some light on our nearest star by exploring these activities.

CONNECT:

• Read this introduction to our nearest star at http://www.michielb.nl/sun/
• How have people regarded the sun throughout history? Find out at https://www.nasa.gov/vision/universe/solarsystem/sun_history.html
• See the live coverage of the recent full solar eclipse at https://www.exploratorium.edu/video/live-coverage-eclipse
• The sun isn’t really all yellow; it has dark spots, some as large as 50,000 miles in diameter. Find out about sunspots at http://www.exploratorium.edu/sunspots/index.html
• Watch how sunflowers follow the sun at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8mr0R3ibPU

CREATE:

• Here are six sundial projects for you to make: http://www.sundials.co.uk/projects.htm
• Let the sun help you create art by making sun prints: http://www.pbs.org/parents/crafts-for-kids/sun-prints/
• Try some of these 16 brilliant sun crafts for kids: http://aboutfamilycrafts.com/16-sun-crafts-for-kids/
• Read solar folklore at http://solar-center.stanford.edu/folklore/

CARE:

• Become Sunwise with these Environmental Protection Agency handouts: https://www.epa.gov/sunsafety/sun-safety-fact-sheets-and-handouts
• Brush up on suncreeen and sun protection for kids at http://www.webmd.com/children/features/summer-sun-protection-for-kids#1
• Watch how minions keep sun safe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UWvqNeqX6E
• Want to make your own sunscreen? Read this first: https://www.consumerreports.org/sunscreens/homemade-sunscreen-is-a-definite-dont/

CAREERS:

A sun-related career can be in your stars. See how:

http://www.astronomynotes.com/careers.htm

http://www.jobsforastronomers.com/careers

If you work outdoors, you need protection from the heat and scorching sun: https://www.concentra.com/resource-center/articles/keeping-employees-who-work-outdoors-safe-in-the-sun/