Look into Lunar New Year

You may have heard of Chinese New Year, but the underlying concept crosses several cultures. Hop into 2023 – the year of the rabbit – with these enlightening activities about Lunar New Year

CONNECT:

• Watch how people celebrate Lunar New Year at https://youtu.be/Mm9LJC_5g2o
• Discover the legend of the Lunar New Year and the Chinese zodiac at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVPHdFX9iHY&ab_channel=PandaExpressTV
• Find out some things things are unlucky do to during Lunar New Year at https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/festivals/chinese-new-year-taboos.htm

CREATE:

• Try eating lucky food for Lunar New Year; get the details at https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/lucky-foods-for-your-chinese-new-year-feast/
• Find out your Chinese zodiac sign at https://www.buildingbeautifulsouls.com/zodiac-signs/chinese-zodiac-for-kids/
• Celebrate Chinese lantern festival with the activities found at https://www.misspandachinese.com/happy-lantern-festival-closing-out-chinese-new-year-celebrations-with-a-lantern/

CARE:

• Lunar New Year is a time to wish people good fortune. Read about how Chinese people give money in red envelopes for good luck at https://artsandculture.google.com/story/8-things-you-should-know-about-the-lucky-red-envelope/PwKiICEFJXMOJg
• Fireworks are often part of Lunar New Year – and New Year's eve celebrations. Keep safe by following these tips: https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/fireworks.html
• New year is a good time to make a fresh start for yourself and how you connect with other people Here are some idea for kid-friendly new year resolutions: https://aroundthekampfire.com/2021/12/50-new-years-resolution-ideas-for-elementary-kids.html

CAREERS:

Looking to the future for a career? How about planning events? Starting planning your eventful job with these ideas.

• https://online.jwu.edu/blog/8-careers-people-who-love-plan-events
• https://www.socialtables.com/blog/event-planning/event-planning-careers/
• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/meeting-convention-and-event-planners.htm

What makes intelligence artificial?

 Can only humans have intelligence? What about pets? What about ants? So can only living things have intelligence? We may have to rethink this whole idea – which takes lots of intelligence. The following articles may make you more intelligent.

 

CONNECT:

• Get started by watching this short video that defines artificial intelligence (AI): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdIppwUJ0f8
• Read a kid-friendly through introduction to artificial intelligence at https://kids.kiddle.co/Artificial_intelligence
• Imagine yourself in this Chinese classroom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMLsHI8aV0g. How would you feel?

 

CREATE:

• No need for a computer for these unplugged activities to experience AI: https://www.iste.org/explore/Computer-Science/3-unplugged-activities-for-teaching-about-AI
• Semi-conductor allows you to manage a real orchestra just like a real-life conductor. All one has to do is look at the camera of the mobile device and move his hands! The Semi-conductor can be found at https://tinyurl.com/AIEx-SemiConductor
• How do animals show their intelligence? Try this animal smarts challenge at http://www.kidsciencechallenge.com/year-four/as.php

 

CARE:

• Meet the AI robots helping take care of elderly patients: https://time.com/5660046/robots-elderly-care/
• Can AI help children? So children should be part of that discussion. See that UNICEF is doing at  https://www.unicef.org/globalinsight/featured-projects/ai-children
• Meet Moxie, social robot designed for children. https://youtu.be/LQlNtxurleo Would you like Moxie?

 

CAREERS:

AI has a great future – and so could you with an AI career. Here are some of the possibilities.

• https://www.cnbc.com/2021/06/01/10-of-the-most-in-demand-ai-jobs-that-pay-at-least-95000.html
• https://builtin.com/artificial-intelligence/career-in-artificial-intelligence
• https://www.computersciencedegreehub.com/faq/skills-job-artificial-intelligence/

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

The World of Storytelling

Storytelling is a universal activity, and even predates written history. Find out about storytelling around the world, and connect with others through telling stories.

CONNECT:

• Watch this introduction to storytelling: https://www.khanacademy.org/partner-content/pixar/storytelling/we-are-all-storytellers/v/storytelling-introb
•  Storytelling has been an important part of India for thousands of years: see some of their diverse traditions: https://penguin.co.in/thepenguindigest/storytelling-traditions-of-india-and-its-importance/
•  Chinese shadow puppetry is over 2000 years old. Learn about their history at https://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/focus/shadow-puppetry.htm
•  Griots are West African storytellers. Hear them in action at https://greenglobaltravel.com/west-african-griot/

CREATE:

•  Watch Japanese kamishibai (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6URceEr_zc), and then make your own storycard drama by following these directions: http://www.sjsu.edu/education/docs/mcc/Everybody_Clapx.pdf
• Be a hula girl by dancing along this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpN1MQXxr5c
• Make your own shadow puppets following these directions: http://www.planet-science.com/categories/under-11s/our-world/2012/04/make-your-own-shadow-puppets.aspx

CARE:

• Learn the art of storytelling at https://www.mensaforkids.org/teach/lesson-plans/the-art-of-storytelling/. 
• Here’s how to change the world with the kindness of storytelling: https://www.doinggoodtogether.org/bhf/blog/how-to-change-the-world-with-the-kindness-of-storytelling
• Make a digital story about your community; these middle schoolers tell how to produce it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5usc00wa40
• To record your story, here are some kid-friendly digital storytelling apps: https://www.educatorstechnology.com/2018/05/12-great-digital-storytelling-apps-for.html

CAREERS:

Do you like making up stories? It can pay off – as a career. Whether you write, draw, film, sing, dance or just talk, storytelling is a valuable and profitable skill. Just ask teachers, librarians, politicians, lawyers and Disney.

https://www.themuse.com/advice/5-career-paths-for-people-who-love-telling-stories

https://idealistcareers.org/jobs-roundup-jobs-in-storytelling/

https://ccskills.org.uk/careers/advice/article/a-career-in-storytelling