The Little People

Who takes care of us? Not just our families but “little people” and fairy folk. They are found in Harry Potter books and many other tales.

CONNECT:

• Read the Muggle’s guide to house elves from Harry Potter at https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Muggles%27_Guide_to_Harry_Potter/Magic/House_Elf
• In Norway and Sweden mischievous little sprites protect homes. Their legends are found at https://www.ingebretsens.com/culture/traditions/legend-of-nisse-and-tomte
• A Scottish Brownie is not something to eat but rather a house elf. Read about them and other house elves in https://exemplore.com/magic/House-Fairies-and-Elves-The-Brownie-Monicello-and-More

CREATE:

• Cook up some elf food by following the directions at https://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/elf-food/b7bc54d1-9169-4d50-bae6-189ea68bd9ca
• Fairy bread is an Aussie children’s party favorite; make your own from this recipe: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/80934/fairy-bread/
• ‘Tis the time to make kid-friendly crafts: http://www.playideas.com/25-awesome-elf-crafts-for-kids/

CARE:

• A Brownie is also a young Girl Scout; scout out what they do and how they help others at https://www.girlscouts.org/en/our-program/grade-levels/what-brownies-do.html
• In Iceland elves save the countryside; find out their impact at https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2015/mar/25/iceland-construction-respect-elves-or-else
• Enjoy this German tale of the shoemaker and the helpful elves: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqOGt5TvAUA;  You can be a helpful elf too.

CAREERS:

Do your thoughts turn to fantasy? You could become a writer, a storyteller, an artists, an entertainer or even an anthropologist. Let your imagination fly!

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

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jmaureenhenderson/2015/09/14/if-you-can-tell-a-story-you-can-get-a-job/

https://blog.storyhunter.com/how-they-began-their-career-three-storytellers-with-inspiring-stories-42206690dbe9

It's a Puzzlement

Puzzles in life can be frustrating, but puzzles as recreation can be fun. Try these activities to experience the variety of puzzles and solve why they are so intriguing.

CONNECT:

• What really is a puzzle – and what kinds of puzzles exist? Find out at https://clontz.org/puzzles/types/
• How did jigsaw puzzles originate? Get the answer and other interesting factors about these puzzles at https://www.puzzlewarehouse.com/history-of-puzzles/
• Play puzzles from around that world at http://metadot.vigoschools.org/metadot/index.pl?id=42352&isa=Category&op=show

CREATE:

• ‘Tis the time for puzzles! Have seasonal fun with these: https://www.digipuzzle.net/education/christmas/index.htm And https://www.digipuzzle.net/education/winter/index.htm
• Learn to distinguish animals through solving these puzzles: http://www.hellokids.com/r_1747/free-online-games/kids-puzzles-games/animals-free-puzzles
• Create your own word search puzzles with this puzzlemaker: http://puzzlemaker.discoveryeducation.com/WordSearchSetupForm.asp

CARE:

• Need a quiet activity for a bed-bound or otherwise sedentary preschooler? Try these online jigsaw puzzles: http://www.first-school.ws/theme/onlinepuzzle.htm
• Entertain a friend with these puzzling riddles: https://icebreakerideas.com/riddles-for-kids/
• For parents: Why are puzzles important for child development? Read some reasons at https://www.learning4kids.net/2012/02/21/why-are-puzzles-so-good-for-kids-learning/

CAREERS:

When are puzzles not a puzzle? When you make them. OR maybe you like puzzles because you’re a problem solver. Here are some careers where you can make money in a puzzling way. What a great solution!

https://www.businessinsider.com/best-jobs-for-problem-solvers-2016-3

https://www.gameindustrycareerguide.com/video-game-careers/

http://www.educationplanner.org/students/career-planning/find-careers/careers-results.shtml?mathScience=1

Dig Those Dinosaurs

Even though dinosaurs are extinct, the interest in them is alive. Learn about dinosaurs with these activities.

CONNECT:

• Walk with dinosaurs with this video series: https://www.bbcearth.com/walking-with-dinosaurs
• Get facts and figures about dinosaurs at https://www.kids-dinosaurs.com/
• Learn dinosaur names and sounds at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-P8JuiySuoA

CREATE:

• Play games about dinosaurs at https://kidsdinos.com/dinosaur-games/ and https://pbskids.org/games/dinosaur/
• Which dinosaur are you? Take this quiz to find out: https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/games/quizzes/what-dinosaur/
• Try these dinosaur crafts, which will interest mini-paleontologists: https://www.care.com/c/stories/3886/20-dinosaur-crafts-for-your-mini-paleontologi/st.html

CARE:

• Lots of children like dinosaurs? Find out why – and the benefits -- at https://www.cnn.com/2017/12/12/health/kids-dinosaur-obsession-partner/index.html
• Did you know that dinosaur dads took care of their young? Find out the details at https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/phenomena/2008/12/18/dinosaur-daddies-took-care-of-their-young-alone/
• How healthy were dinosaur teeth? Take this quiz at https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/Dinosaur Quiz

CAREERS:

Do you wish you lived in the time of dinosaurs? Careers related to dinosaurs are still alive. See some of the possibilities here. Dig up a great career!

https://www.careeraddict.com/4-awesome-jobs-if-you-love-dinosaurs

https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/3-jobs-youll-find-in-jurassic-world-that-you-can-work-at-today

https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/articles/teaching-content/career-paleontologist/

https://www.theguardian.com/careers/dream-job-working-dinosaurs-paleontologist

SF

Winter Wonderland

Do you ever wonder about winter? Warm up to winter with these cool activities. It really is a wonderland.

CONNECT:

• Winter customs vary around the world. Read some of the most interesting customs at https://www.thoughtco.com/winter-customs-around-the-world-2562995
• How do trees survive winter? Watch the reason at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d260CmZoxj8
• Why do animals hibernate during winter? Get the answer at https://www.livescience.com/54982-why-do-animals-hibernate.html

CREATE:

• Even if you don’t live in snow, you can enjoy making these wintry crafts: https://www.easypeasyandfun.com/winter-crafts-for-kids-to-make/
• Take advantage of winter to play these games: https://www.momjunction.com/articles/fun-winter-activities-for-kids_00118588/
• No snow where you live? Don’t worry. You can make your own snow by following these directions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QDpnt5PjiQ

CARE:

• Follow these winter-specific winter safety tips: https://www.activekids.com/parenting-and-family/articles/winter-safety-tips-for-kids
• What is frostbite, and how do you treat it? Find out at https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/frostbite.html
• Learn how to keep small pets warm in winter at https://www.pdsa.org.uk/taking-care-of-your-pet/looking-after-your-pet/small-pets/keeping-small-pets-warm-in-winter

CAREER:

Winter can mean lots of jobs: extra sales clerk help, winter resort work, predicting winter weather, as well as keeping transportation on the go. Here is a sample of “cool” jobs.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/karstenstrauss/2016/09/29/15-great-seasonal-jobs-this-fall-winter-in-2016/#6bb626ab6609

https://www.workinsports.com/blog/7-careers-fans-of-winter-sports-should-consider/

https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/jobs-for-cold-weather-lovers-1216

Get nosey about smell

Smell is one of our five senses, so it makes sense to nose around about odors through these activities.

CONNECT:

• Watch does your nose work? Watch the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzOSzX_HXE4
• How many smells can you identity? This fun video may surprise you: https://thekidshouldseethis.com/post/70522180054
• See some of some of the strangest animal noses at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpdNwrqafCo

CREATE:

• Try one or even 20 fun ways to explore the sense of smell at https://theinspiredtreehouse.com/20-activities-for-kids-to-explore-the-sense-of-smell/
• Make a game about these fun facts about smell at http://redtri.com/nosey-facts-about-smell-your-kids-will-love/
• Make scented soaps by following the directions at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5J2O2SEY6UU

CARE:

• Watch how to care for your nose at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7RtOJ6xHBI
• Here are easy kitchen ideas to banish cooking odors: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMYEZKxeQEg
• Play it safe with food smells; read the details at https://www.abc.net.au/news/health/2017-06-07/can-you-smell-if-food-is-off/8594238

CAREERS:

Do you have a nose for smells? Your job may help your life smell like a bed of roses.

https://www.totaljobs.com/insidejob/jobs-for-the-senses-smell/

https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/jobs-that-smell-good-0816

https://ask.metafilter.com/126581/Professional-smell-tester-am-I-part-dog

Praise Palms

Palms are found around the world and have many uses. Praise palms through these activities.

CONNECT:

• Learn 10 surprising facts about palm trees at https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/wilderness-resources/stories/10-surprising-facts-about-palm-trees
• Palm trees in Antarctica? Yep, 53 million years ago. See the evidence at https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/ancient-climate-change-meant-antarctica-was-once-covered-with-palm-trees-12098835/
• Read about the historical role of palms in human culture at http://www.fao.org/docrep/x0451e/X0451e04.htm
• Discover why South Carolina is called the Palmetto State at https://statesymbolsusa.org/symbol-official-item/south-carolina/state-nickname-state-quarter/palmetto-state

CREATE:

• Try growing a coconut palm from a store-bought dehusked coconut by following this video’s instructions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsuesiVJgtI
• Make a palm date milkshake from this recipe: https://www.spiceupthecurry.com/date-milkshake-recipe/
• Make your own paper palm tree by following the video directions at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXildBLq43w
• You can use real palm leaves to make a coaster, mat and fish; see how at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x74MI-0jGIw

CARE:

• Hawaii is trying to conserve palm trees; look at the efforts at http://www.palms.org/
• Find out the health benefits of palm oil for children: https://parentinghealthybabies.com/health-benefits-palm-oil-children/
• Some religions incorporate palms; find out the details at https://www.whats-your-sign.com/palm-tree-symbolism.html
• What are the consequences of the palm oil industry? https://phys.org/news/2017-06-palm-oil-responsible-global-deforestation.html

CAREERS:

Perhaps you can be the one to make the palm oil industry more ecological. Or you can make a difference in palm use as a forester, chemist, nutritionist, artist, or manufacturer. Palms may be waved for your contribution. See possibilities here.

https://www.worldwildlife.org/industries/palm-oil

https://www.scidev.net/asia-pacific/forestry/news/science-can-keep-palm-oil-industry-sustainable.html