Let there be Light - Festivals!

India just finished celebrating Diwali, and several more light-centric festivals are scheduled soon.

Explore these activities to see the light about these important events.

CONNECT:

• Get the facts (and history) of light festivals at https://facts.net/events/17-facts-about-light-festival/
• See pictures of light festivals from around the world at https://communityoflights.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1117:spectacular-festivals-of-lights-from-around-the-world&catid=68&Itemid=239
• Experience the Hanukkah story at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tws_uMAEOs&list=RDQMtOA86jhwn5c&start_radio=1
• Enjoy the story of Ramaya: the origins of Diwali, at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pp59n0So-XE&list=RDQMtOA86jhwn5c&index=4
• Discover the origin of Kwanzaa at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUIdFiOMX5k

CREATE:

• Try these ideas to celebrate light in dark times: https://www.kidfriendlydc.com/2020/12/02/ideas-for-at-home-celebrations-of-light-in-dark-times-from-the-washington-waldorf-school/
• Reinact lantern festivals with these activities: https://lanternfestival.uk/lantern-festival-games-and-activities/
• Light up a party with these light festival ideas: https://theimaginationtree.com/light-party-crafts-and-games-for-kids/
• Make your own advent wreath by following the directions at https://happyhooligans.ca/cardboard-roll-advent-wreath-craft/

CARE:

• Get smart candle safety tips at https://smartkids101.com/blog/candle-safety/
• Make luminaries and candle holders as a holiday gift by trying some of the ideas at https://www.redtedart.com/diy-luminaries-and-candle-holders/
• Be a point of light by engaging in service projects for kids: https://www.pointsoflight.org/blog/12-service-project-ideas-kids/

CAREERS:

Do you like to celebrate with light? There's light at the end of the career tunnel for you: as a party planner, an anthropologist, a scientist, a historian, an artist, a cook, or a religious leader. Light the way for others. Light up some ideas with these resources:

• Festival planners: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSlPhaLxV28
• Careers in religion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woCgbVWFRIg
• https://www.mashed.com/885179/what-its-really-like-being-a-disney-chef/

Do glaciers move you?

 

CONNECT:

• Get 10 brilliant glacier facts at https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/discover/geography/physical-geography/glaciers/
• See how glaciers change the world at https://www.pbs.org/video/glaciers-glacier-encounter-d6m3hm/
• Find out what are ice sheets at https://kids.kiddle.co/Ice_sheet

 

CREATE:

• Make your own glacier by following the directions at https://www.habitot.org/hands-on-learning/habitot-at-home/stem-activities/make-a-glacier/
• Make glacier gak at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9uVA1DcgbY
• Experiment how glaciers impact earth at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuAx_UBHwjM

 

CARE:

• What would if all glaciers melted? Find out at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnRPHmrPQjU
• Take the following steps to help prevent glaciers from melting: https://www.earthreminder.com/how-to-prevent-glaciers-from-melting/
• Want to explore glaciers? Here are some safety tips: https://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/safety.htm#:~:text=Snow%20and%20Ice&text=very%20steep%20slopes.-,Stay%20on%20designated%20trails%20and%20don't%20go%20beyond%20protective,children%20closely%20in%20such%20areas.

 

CAREERS:

Do glaciers move you? Here are some careers that leverage glaciers.

• https://www.snexplores.org/article/cool-jobs-careers-ice
• https://www.onlinedegree.com/careers/life-physical-science/glaciologist/
• https://www.snexplores.org/article/cool-jobs-hunting-surprises-thinning-glaciers
• https://www.antarcticglaciers.org/students-3/careers/

Picture Picture Books

 Picture books are fun to enjoy -- and a great way to learn how to read. Learn more about picture boks with these activities. 

CONNECT:

• Here’s a starting point for learning about picture books: https://kids.kiddle.co/Picture_book
• Think you know about children’s authors? Discover fun book trivia facts about them at https://brokebybooks.com/book-trivia-for-kids/
• Watch the golden age of children’s book illustration at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPiZqPVY53c

 

CREATE:

• Here’s a dozen activities to do with any picture book: https://entertainyourtoddler.com/activities-picture-book/
• Try these book activities, including crafts, sensory and learning ideas, at https://abcsofliteracy.com/book-activities/
• Make our own book by following the directions at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiVqbQm6d20

 

CARE:

• See how to take care of books at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9AFDxdDpGY
• There are lots of ways to store and display picture books; see some examples at https://www.homedit.com/kids-book-storage/
• Read a picture book about giving to others: https://www.readbrightly.com/picture-books-to-teach-children-about-giving/
• What can you do with old or unwanted picture books? Here are some good ideas: https://luandbeanread.com/what-to-do-with-old-childrens-books/

 

CAREERS:

Picture books are  not just for children. Some picture books are read by all ages. Do you picture yourself having a career with picture books? Get a clear picture of job options with these videos.

• See how picture books are made at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00w-a6yKQMI
• Watch how books are assembled at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBYRIh04_zY
• Watch a day in the life of a bookstore owner at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHR6hcGoR8Q
• Watch a day in the life of a children’s librarian at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oy-vERPOqdU