Going Green

Whether to address climate change or to reduce energy, green technology is a growing trend. It’s never too early to go green, and these activities can help.

CONNECT:

• See the coolest most environmentally-friendly buildings in the world at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eO1GoPbXubg  Try designing your own green building.
• Part of green technology involves renewable energy. Get the facts at https://www.ducksters.com/science/environment/renewable_energy.php
• Can a bike be green? Read about this cardboard invention at http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/cardboard-pedal-pusher/
• What are some of the green technologies of the future that are being developed now? Find out at https://www.sciencefocus.com/future-technology/exciting-new-green-technology-of-the-future/

CREATE:

• Here are 20 activities that kids can do to learn about sustainability: https://www.naturespath.com/en-us/blog/20-activities-kids-learn-sustainability/
• Get artistic with these easy recycling projects: https://www.notimeforflashcards.com/2014/04/recycled-art-project-for-kids-2.html
• Plastic bottles, anyone? Here are lots of ways to recycle them into crafts: http://www.playideas.com/plastic-bottle-crafts-for-kids/  Brainstorm some more ideas.

CARE:

• What does it mean to be green? Watch this video to find out how you can be green: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lieN18OTlME
• How big is your carbon footprint? Take this survey to show your family’s impact on the environment: https://www.energystar.gov/ia/products/globalwarming/downloads/GoGreen_Activities 508_compliant_small.pdf
• Here are 10 ways to go green at school: https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/blog-posts/beth-newingham/my-april-top-ten-list-going-green-at-school/

CAREERS:

Green technology is a growing career sector. Scientists, environmentalists, engineers, manufacturers, recyclers, are just a few of the possibilities. Read these interviews with green technology professionals, and see your future bloom!

https://climatekids.nasa.gov/career-contractor/

https://climatekids.nasa.gov/career-recycling/

https://climatekids.nasa.gov/career-landscaper/

The Fabric of Our Lives

Fabric clothes us and surrounds us in our homes and public spaces. Not only does it come in different sizes, colors and textures, but it can be made from many kinds of things. Follow the threads of these activities about fabrics.

CONNECT:

• Cloth, textile or fabric are similar names for manufactured material. Get more textile facts at https://kids.kiddle.co/Textile
• Usually only people wear clothing, more recently from fabric rather than fur. Discover the invention of textile at http://www.historyofclothing.com/textile-history/
• Watch the journey of cotton from far to fabric at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orKBbm9lJ1s

CREATE:

• These great fabric crafts are a fun way to make great projects with the family while learning about working with fabric: https://www.education.com/activity/fabric-projects/
• Create your own Adinkra cloth, a hand-printed fabric made in Ghana, by following the directions at https://www.pbs.org/wonders/Kids/cloth/cloth.htm
• You too can weave – on a cardboard loom – with these simple instructions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ByYj5G4-Hc

CARE:

• Here is an age-by-age guide on laundry skills kids need to learn: https://www.whatsupfagans.com/teach-kids-laundry-skills/
• You can sew for charity; here are ways to get involved and what you can make: https://www.maigocute.com/pages/sewing-for-charity
• Many animals are exploited to make the material for fabrics, some of which are now endangered animals; learn about them at https://www.peta.org/issues/animals-used-for-clothing/animals-used-skins/

CAREERS:

Weave a fulfilling career through fabric: from farm to manufacturing, from design to selling and its maintenance. Here are some insights.

http://www.sewing.org/html/textilecareers.html

https://textiles.ucdavis.edu/careers

https://www.apparelsearch.com/employment/job_descriptions/fashion_industry_job_descriptions.htm

The Mail Must Go Through!

As we approach the holidays, we can expect more mail. How do we get that mail? It takes lots of people from creating to sending it. These activities will send you the message that mail is indeed important!

CONNECT:

• Read about the history and other facts about postage stamps at https://kids.kiddle.co/Postage_stamp
• Watch how the US Postal Service works at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WX16-52bHvg
• See how mail is delivered around the world at https://www.citipostmail.co.uk/blog/postal-delivery-across-the-world-overseas-mail-distribution/
• Learn about the surprising short history of the Pony Express at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vrzi-BEjWs

CREATE:

• Make your own postcard and do other related activities at http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/student-interactives/postcard-creator-30061.html
• Create personalized postage stamps with these vendors approved by the US Post Office: https://www.usps.com/ship/custom-mail-stamps.htm
• Collecting postage stamps can be fun and rewarding. Get started at https://www.ducksters.com/hobbies/stampcollecting.php
• Play post office following the visual directions at https://teachingmama.org/post-office-dramatic-play/

CARE:

• For this upcoming holiday season, make thank your cards with these inspirations: https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/easy-diy-thank-you-cards-4114929
• Watch how to wrap packages for the Post Office: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZU2U_bUzpg
• Try these cool stationary-related ideas as a family activity to keep supplies handy  -- or to give them as gifts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hv9nFNd4hM
• Here are some tips for safe, kid-friendly email: https://www.pcworld.com/article/153381/safe_kids_email.html

CAREERS:

Mail is an international communication channel – and career. From creating careers to mailing and delivering mail. See the possibilities here.

https://about.usps.com/careers/

https://study.com/articles/Mail_Handler_Career_Info_and_Requirements_for_Becoming_a_Mail_Handler.html

https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/how-to-become-greeting-card-writer-hallmark