Dear Reindeer

 

Dear Reindeer

‘Tis the season to think about reindeer. What is so special about them? Find out the answers and more with the following activities.

 

CONNECT:

• When is a reindeer NOT a reindeer? When it is wild and live in North American – they are then called caribou. Watch more facts about reindeer at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXsqn8cskZ8
• Read 12 incredible reindeer facts for Christmas at https://a-z-animals.com/blog/12-incredible-reindeer-facts-for-christmas/?from=exit_intent
• What’s the story behind reindeer and Santa? Get the answer at https://www.cnn.com/2012/12/22/opinion/galloway-reindeer
• Compare deer and reindeer at https://pediaa.com/difference-between-deer-and-reindeer/#:~:text=The%20main%20difference%20between%20deer,second%20biggest%20species%20of%20deer

 

CREATE:

• ‘Tis the season for fun reindeer crafts for kids: at https://www.kitchencounterchronicle.com/20-ridiculously-fun-reindeer-crafts-for-kids/
• Play some reindeer-inspired games at https://www.joyintheworks.com/10-reindeer-games-christmas-parties-family-fun/
• Learn how to make reindeer rockets and other holiday science at https://thekidshouldseethis.com/post/reindeer-rockets
• Make magical reindeer food at https://www.inspiringsavings.com/reindeer-food/
• Track Santa and his reindeer journey at https://www.noradsanta.org/en/

 

CARE:

• Do you have a reindeer – or wish you had one? Here is how Santa takes care of reindeer: https://www.petmd.com/blogs/thedailyvet/aobrien/2013/dec/facts-about-reindeer-and-life-with-santa-31173
• Discover threats to reindeer/caribou at https://www.arcticwwf.org/wildlife/reindeer-and-caribou/
• You can adopt a reindeer at https://alaskawildlife.org/project/reindeer/

 

CAREERS:

Do reindeer-related jobs sound cool to you? You could raise them, heal them, create art about them, or even cook them (tearfully??). You don’t have to be Santa, and you are not limited to Christmas. Just check out these jobs.

• https://www.theguardian.com/money/2010/dec/18/working-life-reindeer-herder
• https://www.unh.edu/unhtoday/2019/05/reindeer-career
• https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/yourvet/even-santas-reindeer-need-veterinarian

AND here are some weird and wonderful Christmas jobs (including reindeer walker): https://coburgbanks.co.uk/blog/friday-funnies/10-weird-christmas-jobs/

 

 

 

 

Ho Ho Ho for Christmas

 Christmas is celebrated around the world, both as a religious event and as a cultural or commercial time. The following activities offer lots of ways to celebrate the season in many ways.

 

CONNECT:

• Chris IS the reason for the season, and here is why Christmas is celebrated on December 25: https://www.whychristmas.com/customs/25th.shtml
• Read up on the history of Christmas at https://www.history.com/topics/christmas/history-of-christmas
• See how Christmas is celebrated around the world at https://www.countryliving.com/entertaining/g4933/christmas-traditions-around-the-world/
• Watch about poinsettias (including their history and pronunciation) at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymgdsWr326A

 

CREATE:

• Follow Santa around the world with NASA at https://www.noradsanta.org/en/ (available in 8 languages)
• Get crafty about Christmas at https://www.thebestideasforkids.com/christmas-crafts-for-kids/
• Get a taste of Australia by making these kid-friendly Christmas treats at https://www.bestrecipes.com.au/entertaining/galleries/christmas-recipes-fun-christmas-recipes-kids-cook/67u8212d
• OR go British with these yummy Christmas baking recipes for kids: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/christmas-projects-kids
• Ready to play Christmas games? There are 35 fun ones for the family to enjoy at https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/christmas-ideas/g2725/christmas-games/

 

CARE:

• Keep your holiday peaceful with these holiday safety reminders: https://saferide4kids.com/blog/holiday-safety-reminders/
• Candlelight is lovely but candle burns and uncontrolled fires are not, so here are candle safety tips for kids: https://smartkids101.com/blog/candle-safety/
• Cookie dough ice cream is fun to eat, but you shouldn’t eat raw cookie dough: here’s why: https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/communication/no-raw-dough.html

 

CAREERS:

Christmas is just one calendar day, but year-round careers are built around Christmas: not only the Christian religious life, but also tree farming, event planning, costuming and performance, designing and manufacturing Christmas items – and then selling and using them. Some jobs can make Christmas seem like every day. See samples here.

https://theundercoverrecruiter.com/top-christmas-jobs/https://www.careeraddict.com/christmas-jobs

https://www.coburgbanks.co.uk/blog/friday-funnies/10-weird-christmas-jobs/

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20141222-where-christmas-is-a-way-of-life

 

See the woods for the trees

Trees are a basic element of Christmas, and they are a vital part of our everyday life. Explore this natural resource in these activities.

CONNECT:

• Get the basic facts and benefits of trees at http://www.kidzone.ws/plants/trees.htm
• Through videos, games and more explore photosynthesis, old field progression, how to measure trees, how city building affects forests, tree harvesting, and much more at http://www.sites.ext.vt.edu/virtualforest/
• Why do leaves change color in the fall? What are leaves? What do they do? Find out at http://www.sciencemadesimple.com/leaves.html
• Trace this timeline of the Christmas tree: http://www.reindeerland.org/christmas-tree/christmas-tree-history-timeline.htm
• Watch how maple syrup is made at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_YZmUrNueo
• Check out fun apple facts: information about apple trees and popular apple varieties that you might find in your lunch box. http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/food/apples.html

CREATE:

• This is a fun interactive site all about trees. You can even create your own at http://www.treetures.com/Meet1.htm
• Discover facts and information about the artwork of Native American Indians and the authentic traditional methods they used, and how to make a totem pole at https://www.warpaths2peacepipes.com/native-indian-art/how-to-make-a-totem-pole.htm
• Try these family-friendly tree crafts: http://www.busybeekidscrafts.com/Tree-Crafts-for-Kids.html
• What food comes from trees? Find out at http://globaltrees.org/threatened-trees/tree-values/food/, and taste some of them.
• Would you like to make things with wood? Try these: http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/woodcraftsforkidsprojectsideas.html

CARE:

• Check out this website to learn all about real Christmas trees, how they are produced, and why you should consider using real Christmas trees for your holiday celebrations. http://www.christmastrees.on.ca/virtual-tree-farm/christmas-tree-history/25.html#
• This official site for Arbor Day explains this holiday and how you can help conserve trees and how to plant a tree of your own. There is also a tree identification guide at https://www.arborday.org/
• Tree nut allergy is the second most common allergy in infants and young children. Learn about it, and how to address it at http://www.kidswithfoodallergies.org/page/tree-nut-allergy.aspx
• Use these identification guides to create a neighborhood tree trail: http://www.treeremoval.com/tree-identification/

CAREERS:

Here are 50 urban careers related to trees: http://www.urbanforest.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Pages.Page/id/430

See the forest careers through the trees at http://www.allaboutcareers.com/careers/career-path/forestry-trees-timber