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