Fooling Around With Optical Illusions

Things are not always what they appear to be. Whether it’s a mirage on the pavement or a movie “trick,” your eyes can fool you! Get a clear picture about optical illusions by exploring the following activities.

CONNECT:

• Here’s the background about optical illusions: https://kidskonnect.com/fun/optical-illusions/
• Find out how optical illusions occur, and try looking at illusions to see how tricky it can be for your brain to interpret images at https://www.optics4kids.org/illusions
• See how the brain gets fooled by optical illusions at http://fatherly.com/play/activities/best-optical-illusions-teach-kids/

CREATE:

• Make your own optical illusions following the directions at https://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/optical-illusions-eye-tricks-crafts.htmlhttps://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks/color-contrast
• You can change a color by changing its background by doing this colorful experiment: https://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks/color-contrast
• Check out these different kinds of optical illusions: https://kids.niehs.nih.gov/games/riddles/illusions/index.htm  and https://designpress.com/inspiration/optical-illusions-for-kids/ and http://brainden.com/optical-illusions.htm

CARE:

• Can optical illusions damage your eyes? Explore the issues at https://www.ameritasinsight.com/wellness/vision/can-optical-illusions-damage-your-eyes
• Driving can encounter optical illusions such as mirages and motion-induced blindness. Discover how to address these possible dangers at https://usinsuranceagents.com/car-driving-safety-optics/
• On the other hand, Iceland is improving road safety through optical illusions: https://www.guajardomarks.com/2018/08/30/road-safety-optical-illusions/

CAREERS:

Optical illusions can lead to a clear career, such as physicists, artists, film makers,

https://www.optics4kids.org/careers eye doctors. No fooling!

https://careertrend.com/info-8190042-kinds-jobs-there-optical-field.html

https://www.visiononline.org/blog-article.cfm/A-Career-in-Optics/39

https://www.aip.org/jobs/profiles/optics-and-lasers-careers

https://learn.org/articles/Careers_in_Special_Effects_Your_Questions_Answered.html

Feet Feat

You wouldn’t get far without your feet, but how much do you think about them? The world is at your feet so it’s time to explore them with these activities.

CONNECT:

• Find fun foot facts at https://pediatricfootankle.com/fun-foot-facts-for-kids/
• Check out some of the coolest animal feet at https://www.livescience.com/62055-weirdest-animal-feet.html
• Imagine having your bound to stop them growing! Read about this hold Chinese custom at https://wiki.kidzsearch.com/wiki/Foot_binding

CREATE:

• Get good and messy with these fun play activities using your feet: https://lemonlimeadventures.com/must-try-messy-play-activities-using-feet/
• Feet make tracks and you can make prints of them at following the directions at https://www.parentingscience.com/kindergarten-science-activities-tracking-animals.html
• Your feet impact how you walk. Imagine having the feet of another animal, and try walking like them – at https://pathways.org/help-your-childs-gross-motor-skills-with-these-animal-walks/

CARE:

• Look after your feet by following these tips: http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetailsKids.aspx?p=335&np=152&id=2340
• Find the right fit for your shoes at https://www.foothealthfacts.org/article/avoid-kid-s-foot-problems-with-the-right-shoes
• Why do your feet stink and what can you do to prevent the smell? https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/feet-stink.html

CAREERS:

Do you have a good feeling about feet? You can get a good footing in a career that involves feet: as a podiatrist, a pedicurist, a shoemaker, or just a job that keeps you on your feet!

https://www.careersinhealthcare.com/podiatrist/

https://www.truity.com/career-profile/manicurist-or-pedicurist

https://www.careerexplorer.com/careers/shoemaker/

https://money.usnews.com/careers/slideshows/20-jobs-that-keep-you-on-your-feet

Make It Your Mission

Make It Your Mission

Spanish missions are distinctive features of South and Southwestern United States. Easter time is a good time to discover these historic structures.

CONNECT:

• Read about the role of Spanish missions in US history at https://www.history.com/topics/religion/california-missions
• See how Spanish missions were built: http://www.designing-america.com/contenido/the-spanish-missions-in-the-united-states/?lang=en
• Read about the cultures of Texas missions at https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/its02
• Remember the Alamo! At https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTCcnbzSMc8

CREATE:

• Sing about missions with these songs set to familiar songs: http://home.snu.edu/~hculbert/songs.htm
• Use games to teach about missionaries: https://oureverydaylife.com/childrens-games-to-teach-about-missionaries-12083036.html
• Use a map to virtually walk on the California Missions Trail: https://www.visitcalifornia.com/feature/california-missions
• Try living in a mission with these activities: https://education.texashistory.unt.edu/lessons/notebook/SpanishMission/docs/Mission_PlacardC_J.pdf

CARE:

• You can use crafts to remind the family about missionary work and caring for others at https://www.ehow.com/info_8170549_missionary-crafts-kids.html
• How were people cared for in mission times? It depends on whom you ask. Here is an indigenous perspective: https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/its02
• Read how the National Park Service is trying to preserve historic Spanish Colonial missions: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/travelspanishmissions/architecture-and-preservation.htm
• Many missions were made of adobe clay; here is how to maintain it: https://www.nps.gov/tps/how-to-preserve/briefs/5-adobe-buildings.htm

CAREERS:

Want to make it your mission to work on missions? You can be an historian, a preservationist, an archeologist, an anthropologist, a park ranger, an architect, a photographer or artist, a landscaper, a writer, or even a religious member. Get inspired from the possibilities.

https://www.drkit.org/historic-preservationist/

https://www.environmentalscience.org/career/preservation-planner

https://today.uconn.edu/2011/08/the-impact-of-anthropology-on-native-american-culture/#

https://www.saa.org/about-archaeology/archaeology-as-a-career