I Protest (Peacefully)

 

It’s inevitable that at some point, you don’t like to do what someone else is doing – or is making you do, be it giving away your favorite toy – or someone bullying you. What can you do? These activities can show you what action you might take – and the consequences of bad actions.

 

CONNECT:

• Hear and watch the children’s book Let the Children March at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnptqGnM4xQ
• Learn about and listen to music that was written to protest and the unequal treatment of black people at https://www.classicalmpr.org/story/2020/06/08/classical-kids-music-lessons-protest-music
• Protests reflect a broad spectrum of actions and a huge mix of social issues. This video explains non-violent protests. It is geared for teens and adults, but is very accessible: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eP-mv5IjFzY

 

CREATE:

• Help kids find their voice why supporting ways to help families stand up against injustice: https://www.aeinstein.org/nonviolentaction/198-methods-of-nonviolent-action/
• As citizens, we should be engaged in our community: here’s how to go on a protest as a family: https://www.parents.com/parenting/better-parenting/advice/tips-for-protesting-with-kids/
• Try some of these activities that can help kids handle bullying situations: https://www.pacer.org/bullying/classroom/elementary/

 

CARE:

• Use this guide to talk with youngsters about protests: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5694f5c6bfe87314267a8a1b/t/5a9fe809e4966b2fb99f7627/1520429067378/Talking+With+Kids+6+and+Under.pdf
• Especially now, news on television shows much violence and disinformation. Here are some good practices about screen time use: https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Children-And-Watching-TV-054.aspx
• Active listening is vital for effective communication within the family and among friends, especially where there is disagreement. Try some of these tips: https://www.cdc.gov/parents/essentials/communication/activelistening.html#:~:text=Active%20listening%20is%20a%20good,what%20she%20has%20to%20say.&text=give%20your%20full%20attention%20to,other%20things%20you%20are%20doing

 

CAREERS:

Want to address injustice? Want to make your community better? It might lead to a lifelong career: as a politician, community organizer, social worker, journalist, teacher, lawyer, and more. Explore the possibilities through these websites.

https://www.brazen.com/blog/archive/job-search/10-careers-that-let-you-fight-for-equality

https://www.humanrightscareers.com/magazine/careers-in-social-justice-and-human-rights/

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/10-careers-that-let-you-f_b_1586777

Tune Into Radio

 

Radios have been around for almost 150 years, and they remain a major communications means for people around the world. Tune into these activities to learn about radios.

 

CONNECT:

• Discover radio facts for kids at https://kids.kiddle.co/Radio
• What are different kinds of radio? Find out at https://www.techwalla.com/articles/about-different-types-of-radios
• Look at some early crystal radios at https://kids.kiddle.co/Crystal_radio
• Watch how radios work at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drLxfjqZHVo

 

CREATE:

• Try these kids-friendly children’s radio music at https://tunein.com/radio/Childrens-Music-c530749/
• Listen to 9 great online radio shows for kids; get the list at http://www.educational-freeware.com/news/radio-for-kids.aspx
• Download this app to listen to Kidjam: https://www.kidjamradio.com/
• Become the family radio DJ by following these directions: https://www.realplaycoalition.com/activities-for-kids/radio-dj/

 

CARE:

• How safe are baby radio monitors? Find out at https://www.fcc.gov/engineering-technology/electromagnetic-compatibility-division/radio-frequency-safety/faq/rf-safety
• Follow  these Internet radio safety tips for kids: https://www.searchrpm.com/internet-safety-for-kids/kid-and-teen-resources/internet-radio-safety-tips-for-kids
• Learn how walkies talkies can help kids stay safe and build their independence: https://midlandusa.com/kids-walkie-talkies/
• Get the answers to frequently asked questions about the safety of radiofrequency (RF) and microwave emissions from transmitters and facilities regulated by the FCC: https://www.fcc.gov/engineering-technology/electromagnetic-compatibility-division/radio-frequency-safety/faq/rf-safety

 

CAREER:

Tune onto a great radio career by checking out these websites:

• https://beonair.com/careers/radio
• https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Careers/Occupations/Occupation-profile.aspx?keyword=Radio%20and%20Television%20Announcers&onetcode=27301100&location=UNITED%20STATES&onet=27301100
• https://www.jobmonkey.com/broadcastjobs/radio-production/
• https://careertrend.com/list-different-jobs-needed-operate-radio-station-26987.html

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Hear Ye!

There are so many ways to communicate, and more ways continue to emerge. Speaking of which, here are fun activities about communication to do and share.

CONNECT:

• Whether it’s a cell phone or dial phone, how telephones work remains largely the same. See how they work technically at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDCSMN-h8R
• Rubbing noses, baring teeth, entwining necks. These are just a few ways that animals communicate. More ways are found at https://www.factmonster.com/science/animals/animal-communication
• How do you send a message a long way? Try smoke signals. Find out how native Americans made and use them at https://www.warpaths2peacepipes.com/native-american-culture/smoke-signals.htm
• Did you know that deafness inspired the invention of the telephone? Read about its history at http://www.telcomhistory.org/vm/sciencePhonesWork.shtml

CREATE:

• Did you know that the mechanical pencil is about 100 years old – and invented by a Japanese metal worker? With this website on communication inventions and inventors (http://www.enchantedlearning.com/inventors/communication.shtml), you can create a fun trivia game.
• How can a plastic cup be a telephone? You can create such a phone yourself by following the directions at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQRp4f9O1HQ
• Want to send a secret message? Make invisible ink, as shown in the photos at http://www.pbs.org/parents/crafts-for-kids/invisible-ink/

CARE:

• What if you couldn’t speak or easily communicate? See how augmentative and alternative communication devices can help people communicate at  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3m8_YmTDDM
• Some people communicate by using gestures. Here are resources to learn American Sign Language, even sign language for babies!: http://asl-kids.com/
• Sometimes it’s hard to communicate, even within a family. Here are some good communication tips for those situations: https://kidshelpline.com.au/parents/issues/communication-tips

CAREERS:

Communication is something we do every day. Imagine getting paid to communicate! Whether you like to talk, write, draw, or act out, there’s a communication job out there for you. And there are jobs in keeping those communication channels working. Here is a sampling:

https://www.communications-major.com/careers/

https://www.thebalancecareers.com/best-jobs-for-communications-majors-2059631

https://www.mynextmove.org/find/browse?c=51

Signs of the Times

We are surrounded by signs, but do we see them – or otherwise recognize them? Doing the following activities is a sign that you want to learn how to read the signs better. That’s a good sign!

CONNECT:

• Several early writing systems were picture- or sign-based. The Chinese still write in complex signs of “characters.” See the origin of their writing system and how it evolved at http://www.ancientscripts.com/chinese.html
• Did you know that the colors and signs of road and traffic signs are created on purpose? Read more into signs at https://www.myparkingsign.com/blog/significance-of-colors-shapes-in-road-traffic-signs/
• Hallmark Cards used that name for a purpose. Learn the history of hallmarking at https://www.thegoldsmiths.co.uk/company/history/hallmarking/.
• Did you know that sign language isn’t universal? Watch this video to see why: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viRVFxvXSss

CREATE:

• A coat of arms is a sign of a family, and what makes them special. Learn about coats of arms, and make your own family coat of arms at http://medievaleurope.mrdonn.org/heraldry.html
• Learn how to read road signs by playing this game: http://www.jrso.com/funzone/roadsigns/roadsignsgame/
• Can you make a story with just emojis? This dictionary can help you: https://emojipedia.org/people/
• Whether weather? It happens whether or not you like it. But wouldn’t it be useful to forecast the weather? Learn the signs of weather at http://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-forecasting.htm

CARE:

• Learn how to communicate with someone can’t hear; learn the basics of American Sign Language by following along with these kid-friendly videos: http://www.watchknowlearn.org/Category.aspx?CategoryID=333
• Learn how to read and made trail markings, which can be a nature-friendly to get around: http://howtowilderness.com/trail-signs/
• Danger! Several signs indicate chemical hazards: https://www.osha.gov/Publications/HazComm_QuickCard_Pictogram.html. You can cut out these pictograms like flashcards, and memorize them with your family. Your lives might depend them.  
• Have you seen the international peace sign? It was created in the 1950s by a student to promote peace and nuclear disarmament. Its 60^th birthday is coming up: April 4. Learn the reason for the design and more at http://www.planetpals.com/IKC/peacesignbirthday.html.  And celebrate peace!

CAREER:

Whether signs are from nature or humans, there’s a career in knowing about and making signs: forest ranger, meteorologist, graphic artist, billboard manager, interpreter, even chemist (for those neon signs). Sign up for a great job! Here are some examples:

http://work.chron.com/list-weather-climate-careers-18217.html

https://woman.thenest.com/sign-maker-job-description-20379.html

https://learn.org/articles/What_are_the_Top_Careers_in_the_Sign_Language_Field.html

https://www.historians.org/jobs-and-professional-development/career-resources/careers-for-history-majors

Easy as ABC or एबीसी

Little children learn their ABCs – or or other writing system. Each language has its own system of grammar or writing, and that system may change over time. Maybe ABC isn’t so simple after all.

CONNECT:

·         Explore writing systems from around the world from prehistory to the present day:  http://www.ancientscripts.com/ws.html

·         The ancient Sumerians were the first people to develop an actual written language:  cuneiform. Fnd out  more at http://mesopotamia.mrdonn.org/cuneiform.html

·         Uncover the holy writings of Egypt: hieroglyphics, at http://www.ngkids.co.uk/history/Hieroglyphics-uncovered

·         Not all alphabet letters last. What happened to the letters wynn, yogh, ash, and eth, for instance? Find out about these extinct letters (at least in English) at http://mentalfloss.com/article/31904/12-letters-didnt-make-alphabet

·         Even a single alphabet can be written in several ways, as shown in this typeface periodic table:

http://www.squidspot.com/Periodic_Table_of_Typefaces/Periodic_Table_of_Typefaces_large.jpg

CREATE:

·         Public TV offers fun ABC activities for little ones: http://pbskids.org/games/abc/

·         Play alphabet whack-a-mole and other alphabet game: http://www.learninggamesforkids.com/alphabet_games.html

·         An anagram is a word or phrase formed by reordering the letters of another word or phrase, such as satin to stain. At http://www.wordsmith.org/anagram/index.html you input words or names and it will rearrange the letters into combinations of other words.

·         Write a message in ASCII (computer binary system to code letters) and ASCII-based graphics (such as barbwire, tinker toy, trek) using this ASCII generator: http://www.network-science.de/ascii/

·         Try your hand at calligraphy: http://tinkerlab.com/introduce-kids-calligraphy/

·         Make your own alphabet or even your own language: http://www.instructables.com/id/Making-your-own-Language/

CARE:

·         Morse Code was often used to signal for help. Try communicating using Morse Code letters:  http://www.happychild.org.uk/ifs/00003mrs.htm

·         The most commonly used system of writing by and for blind persons is called Braille: a system of 63 raised characters made of clusters of dots. Learn how to write in Braille, even music notation! http://braillebug.afb.org/Braille.asp

·         Some people with hearing impairments communicate in sign language: creating letters and words with your hands and body. Watch sign language about school at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uW2OQtEzUc

·         Make an alphabet book for a little child following these simple directions: http://www.education.com/activity/article/letterbook_preschool/

CAREERS:

The writing system is a key to communicating across the world and over the ages. You can make a career studying and using alphabets: as a anthropologist, linguist, graphic designer, publisher, and book maker, to name a few.

http://www.allaboutcareers.com/careers/career-path/calligraphy-typography

http://www.theguardian.com/careers/behind-the-job-title-typeface-designer

http://orthographic-projection.weebly.com/who-uses-orthographic-drawings.html