Gee! Gemstones!

 Lots of us like bright shiny things – such as gemstones (although not all gemstones are bright and shiny). Gemstones DO stand out among things in the earth. And you can unearth the facts about gemstones with these online activities.

CONNECT:

• Discover the differences between rocks, minerals, crystals, and gems at https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=MBbZnuV5RdI&ab_channel=AmericanMuseumofNaturalHistory
• Watch how rocks are transformed into gemstones at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GsSd7Yb4xo&ab_channel=TheGoodandtheBeautifulHomeschoolScience
• Gemstones are legendary; read how at https://www.angara.com/blog/gemstone-legends-that-will-blow-your-mind/

 

CREATE:

• Find gemstone pairs (uncut and polished versions in this interactive game: https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/games/puzzles/article/matching-gemstones
• Compare polished and rough versions of gemstones at https://gemkids.gia.edu/view-all-gemstones
• Play with gems and other bright shiny things at https://www.ourplayfullearningjourney.com/post/loose-parts-play-ideas-using-gems-and-jewels

 

CARE:

• If you have any gems, you will want to take good care of them. And each type of gemstone has unique characteristics that need to be considered. See the list at https://www.gemsociety.org/article/gemstone-care-guide/
• Children in parts of the world are forced to mine for gems. Read about their plight at https://www.worldvision.com.au/docs/default-source/buy-ethical-fact-sheets/7185_dtl_factsheet_jewellery_lr.pdf?sfvrsn=2&srsltid=AfmBOorUcWx3eShZD_IMdnu-WNdeTxrc5wkclYZLlv8HGB4uDfrMd3T_
• Find out what are ethical and conflict-free gemstones at https://www.ceylons.de/blog-en/ethical-gemstones

 

CAREERS:

Do gemstones put a sparkle in your eyes? You could have a bright future in gems: as a gemologist, a miner, a manufacturer, a scientist, a collector, a seller, a jeweler, an artist,  or a historian. Explore  some of the possibilities here.

• https://www.gemsociety.org/article/guide-career-options-gemology/
• https://www.gia.edu/gem-careers
• https://work.chron.com/careers-working-gemstones-29973.html

 

Lauding Labor Day

Labor Day is celebrated in the United States on the first Monday of September. Many workers, even teachers, get the day off. Find out why by working on these activities. It’s a labor of love.

 

CONNECT:

• See the history of Labor Day at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KY_L8--kNB0
• Read these facts about Labor Day: https://countryhomelearningcenter.com/labor-day-facts-for-kids/
• When and how is Labor Day celebrated around the world? Find out the answers at https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/common/labor-day#:~:text=When%20and%20Where%20Is%20Labor,May%201%20as%20a%20holiday.
• The US has its own Department of Labor. Be impressed with their history at https://blog.dol.gov/2021/07/27/labor-department-history

 

CREATE:

• Try these family-friendly Labor Day activities: https://www.splashlearn.com/blog/labour-day-activities-for-kids/
• Dress up for Labor Day! Get inspired by these ideas: https://superminis.in/blogs/news/labour-day-fancy-dress-competition-ideas?srsltid=AfmBOooeJIgDouT2nO6QRO9A50pvGgQG1nZ3lqOyJkEMZZnl62aQMAeJ
• Get crafty on Labor Day at https://nationaltoday.com/blog/labor-day-crafts/

 

CARE:

• Learn about child labor reform at https://www.britannica.com/video/226768/did-you-know-child-labor-in-the-United-States
• See how people are combatting current child labor at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckz4qccSVpY
• Labor Day can be a day of service as several of these activities demonstrate (such as thanking workers, volunteering): https://www.care.com/c/6-labor-day-activities-for-kids/

 

CAREERS:

“Labor” means work, especially work that is hard physical work. What are some jobs that demand hard physical work and can be very satisfying? Don’t want to take a job lying down? Get moving with these physically demanding jobs:

• https://stacker.com/careers/50-most-physical-jobs-america
• 15 riskiest jobs in the world: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nbx_-uvOZCg