May Rainforests Reign

 

Rainforests may seem exotic – but they are also very down-to-earth. And they are vital for the earth. Explore rainforests around the world with these online activities.

 

CONNECT:

• See how rainforests are layered – and the living things who grow within each layer at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMdD6TTDZ_
• Rainforests aren’t just in the hot tropics; they can be in temperate areas too; find out about their variety at https://www.kidcyber.com.au/temperate-rainforest
• Choose your favorite rainforest animal at https://www.rainforestanimals.net/

 

CREATE:

• How much do you know about rainforests and the animals that live there? Take this quiz and find out at https://animalcorner.org/rainforest-quiz/
• Try 13 activities about the wild and wonderful rainforest at https://www.weareteachers.com/rainforest-activities/
• Bring the rainforest home with these 7 everyday foods that come from the rainforest: https://blog.therainforestsite.greatergood.com/cs-rainforest-foods/

 

CARE:

• See 10 easy ways kids can help save rainforests at https://www.rainforest-alliance.org/articles/10-ways-kids-can-save-the-rainforest
• Adopt a rainforest tree at https://www.kidssavingtherainforest.org/
• Learn how to become a junior rainforest ranger at https://blog.therainforestsite.greatergood.com/cs-kids-rainforest/

 

CAREERS:

• How are a career in a tropical rainforest? See this slideshow about the possibilities: https://prezi.com/itq3ruw-xbw8/life-in-tropical-rainforests-living-working-and-travel/
• Read how you can become a rainforest research scientist at https://crees-manu.org/career-change-banking-published-scientist/

Amazing Asian Americans

 

May is Asian-Pacific Islander Heritage month, celebrating Asian and Pacific Islanders in the U.S. These peoples have contributed significantly: through inventions, fashion, medicine, food, technology, entertainment, architecture.  The list goes on and on. Discover more about these varied Americans through the activities below.

 

CONNECT:

• Check out these famous firsts by Asian Americans: https://www.infoplease.com/history/apa-heritage/famous-firsts-by-asian-americans
• AND here are 16 Asian American heroes kids should know about: https://redtri.com/asian-american-historical-figures/slide/1
• The first record settlement of Filipinos in American predates the American Revolution. Trace Asian American history’s timeline at http://www.cetel.org/timeline.html
• Asian Americans have encountered much prejudice in the United States, one of the worst being Japanese American confinement during World War II. Manzanar National History Site was once one of ten camps where Japanese American citizens and resident Japanese were incarcerated. Explore their stories at https://www.nps.gov/manz/index.htm

 

CREATE:

• Celebrate the rich history and culture of the generations of Asian and Pacific Islanders who have contributed to America’s diversity and success through 12 activities at https://www2.ed.gov/free/features/asian-pacific-heritage.html
• Enjoy some of these traditional Chinese games with your family: https://www.activityvillage.co.uk/traditional-chinese-games
• See lunches that Asian American kids brought to school: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0QycccIKLs
• Now here are tips to make Asian food kid friendly: https://thegingeredwhisk.com/category/cuisine/asian/

 

CARE:

• Watch how Netflix shows what Asian American families love about their culture at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIN6TX3Zc90
• Explore how 50+ Hawaiian practitioners care about their culture at https://smithsonianapa.org/aekai/.
• For parents: Watch this video about explaining hate crimes to children: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vpdGqbnPj8. CNN also provides tips on ways to support kids  during this time of anti-Asian American hate: https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/18/health/parents-support-kids-asian-hate-crime-wellness/index.html

 

CAREERS:

You’ll find Asian Americans in all walks of life and all kinds of careers. Maybe you’d like a career that links you to Asia. You might become a teacher, an historian, an interpreter, an international business expert, a foreign service officer, a travel agent, a writer, and more. Check out some of the possibilities here.

• https://files.upei.ca/careerservices/careers_asianstudies
• https://career.ku.edu/ealc