Their Native Land

The first immigrants to North America probably walked across the Bering Strait and sailed across the Pacific Ocean. And many of their descendants continue to live on this continent. What are their stories and other contributions? Find out by trying these activities below.

CONNECT:

• Explore the diversity of the Native people of the Americas at the National Museum of the American Indian.
• Learn about World War II Navajo Code Talkers.
• Listen to the Pledge of Allegiance in Tewa, Navajo, Zuni, Choctaw and Blackfeet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1HmUm2AOdw
• Watch Native American dancing styles and meanings at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MONgmqIpaW8

CREATE:

• On whose land do you live? Go to the map on https://native-land.ca/ to find out the original residents.
• Make your own Native American food, from flapjacks to snow candy, by following these recipes: https://nativeamericans.mrdonn.org/recipes.html
• Recreate Native American games, based on https://www.wnit.org/outdoorelements/pdf/408nativeamerican_ga.pdf
• Try your hand at making some simple Native American crafts: https://socalfieldtrips.com/13-easy-native-american-crafts-for-kids/

CARE:

• How can you help Native Americans? Here are some real, practical and meaningful ways that you can give support to indigenous people in your community and around the country: https://www.powwows.com/can-help-native-americans/
• Several Native American organizations welcome your help; explore them at https://www.diversitybestpractices.com/news-articles/top-native-american-organizations-to-know
• The National Tribal Preservation Program helps Indian tribes protect resources and traditions important to them.
• Help preserve Native American words by learning some of them: http://www.native-languages.org/vocabulary.htm.  You probably already new some of those words, such as skunk, squash and hickory; see a short list of them and their history at https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/native-american-words/bayou

CAREERS:

Native American will face job discrimination, as this radio program relates: https://www.npr.org/series/559149737/you-me-and-them-experiencing-discrimination-in-america

You can help Native Americans and have a fruitful career, as these websites show:

https://cla.umn.edu/wcidwami/american-indian-studies

https://www.bia.gov/jobs

https://www.ihs.gov/careeropps/

Germany Uber Alles

Germany has been in the news lately, but you might not know about other aspects of Germany – so “Viel Spass” (have fun) with these activities about this historic European country.

CONNECT:

• Read about the daily life of German youth at http://www.germany.info/Vertretung/usa/en/04__W__t__G/05/__Kids__Teens.html
• ·Anne Frank was a German Jewish teenager who experienced the traumas of World War II. Experience her life at http://www.annefrank.org/
• ·Did you know that blue jeans were invented by a German? Find out about him and other German inventors at http://www.enchantedlearning.com/inventors/germany.shtml
• Visit Munich’s museum virtually: http://www.deutsches-museum.de/index.php?id=1&L=1
• Werewolves feature in several German legends. Read some of them at http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/werewolf.html

CREATE:

• Use these fun facts about Germany (http://www.journey-to-germany.com/german-fun-facts.html)  to create a fact-based “Trivia” game.
• Find out about typical German cuisine, and try making your own versions, by following the directions at http://www.globalgourmet.com/destinations/germany/#axzz1Kp7evGgR
•  You can learn German words by doing some of the activities at http://www.hello-world.com/languages.php/?language=German
• http://www.52composers.com/german-composers.html has stories and sample music about several German composers.
•  What are some common German first names, and what do they mean? Generate a list at https://www.germany101.com/german-baby-boys-names

CARE:

• Germany has taken in more refugees than any other country in the world.  Read some ways that people help these refugees: http://www.thelocal.de/20150903/five-ways-you-can-help-refugees-in-germany
• If you are taking care of younger children, you might entertain them by playing traditional German games: http://www.globalawareness.com/for-kids/games-from-around-the-world/games-from-germany/
• The Berlin Wall separated West and East Germany for 28 years. Read President Kennedy’s speech at the Berlin Wall, and his call for peace: http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/american_originals/kennedy.html

CAREERS:

Are you interested in Germany? Can you speak German? Many international schools and companies have branches in Germany. Governments also have offices in Germany.  Here are some tips:

http://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/for-qualified-professionals/working/guide/looking-for-a-job

https://www.csbsju.edu/languages-and-cultures/german-studies/careers-in-german