Fall for Leaves

 

Leaves are fun to see and collect – AND are necessary for the planet, so explore them with these online activities.

CONNECT:

• Get the facts about leaves at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhpvSGLBEPE
• Find out why leaves change colors in the fall by watching https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xk4-6II8l5Q
• Learn how to identify trees by their leaves at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrqBW1NILuA

CREATE:

• Try some of these fun science activities for kids about leaves at https://igamemom.com/fun-science-activities-for-kids-about-leaves/
• How do leaves breathe? Do this experiment to discover the answer: https://www.kcedventures.com/blog/how-do-leaves-breathe-a-simple-science-experiment-for-kids
• Get crafty with leaves at https://www.diys.com/kids-crafts-made-with-leaves/

 

CARE:

• Leaf play is beneficial; see why at https://www.melissaanddoug.com/blogpost/?postId=sensory-benefits-of-leaf-play
• Learn how to recycle leaves at https://greenliving.lovetoknow.com/Recycle_Leaves_and_Grass
• Compost leaves by following the directions at https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/Kindergarden/kidscompost/CompostingForKids.pdf

 

CAREERS:

Don’t leave a leaf unturned for careers associated with leaves. Explore the possibilities below.

• https://mrplantgeek.com/2021/01/05/20-careers-to-consider-if-you-are-fascinated-by-plants/
• https://www.seedyourfuture.org/careers
• https://www.learnhowtobecome.org/career-resource-center/careers-with-plants/
• https://croplife.org/news/top-10-jobs-in-plant-science/

 

 

 

Don’t Say Goodbye to Animals and Plants Yet

 

There are between 7 and 10 MILLION species on earth, but up to a third are threatened with extinction. Let’s try to explore these animals and plants before they become extinct – and try to help them thrive.

 

CONNECT:

• Learn top 10 facts about endangered species: https://www.theschoolrun.com/homework-help/conservation-and-endangered-species
• This century has been called the 6^th age of extinction. Watch out why at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaKTGJ1UAGM
• Why do animals become endangered? Several answers are given at https://kidsdiscover.com/spotlight/endangered-species/
• Plants are endangered too; see some examples at https://www.pbs.org/video/endangered-species-endangered-plants-vmc1fj/

 

CREATE:

• Give a hand to endangered animals at https://www.greenkidcrafts.com/endangered-animal-handprint-craft/
• Here are 13 activities for kids to learn about endangered species: https://www.naturespath.com/en-us/blog/13-activities-kids-learn-endangered-animals/
• Get arty with these project ideas about endangered species: http://www.savingendangeredspecies.org/art-and-craft-activities.html

 

CARE:

• See some of most endangered animals – and what you can do to save them at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1IDQSeJ1cs
• Here are 9 ways you can help threatened species: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/factsheet-green-kids-guide-threatened-species-9-ways
• Worldwildlife.org suggests several ways that you can make a big difference in helping endangered species: https://www.worldwildlife.org/how-to-help

 

CAREERS:

There’s no danger that a job involving endangered species will go extinct. Check out some of the lively career possibilities.

• https://wildlife.org/next-generation/career-development/careers/
• https://www.trade-schools.net/articles/wildlife-jobs
• https://www.environmentalscience.org/career/endangered-species-biologist

Shark!

 

Sharks seem to be a hot summer topic. But there’s a lot more beyond surface knowledge about them. Plunge into these online activities. They don’t bite!

 

CONNECT:

• Watch this kid-friendly video that share “all” about sharks at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfWMwG6aYzQ. Pay special attention to their teeth!
• Imagine a 5-foot long baby that can weight more than 2 tons as an adult! That’s the great white shark. Discover more details about this shark at https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/animals/fish/facts/great-white-shark
• There are many different species of sharks that range in size from the size of a person's hand to bigger than a bus. Compare their sizes at https://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/sharks/anatomy/Size.shtml

 

 

CREATE:

• Learn the Baby Shark song at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqZsoesa55w
• Here’s a week of shark-themed activities for you to try: https://theeducatorsspinonit.com/sharks-themed-activities-for-shark-week/
• Dive into virtual shark camp at https://www.sharks4kids.com/virtual-shark-camp

 

CARE:

• Going to the beach? your risk of being killed in a shark attack is miniscule—approximately 1 in 3,749,067. But there are still some shark safety tips to follow (they work for most open water swimming): https://www.smartertravel.com/shark-safety-tips/
• Read how kids are helping sharks at https://www.sharks.org/kids-helping-sharks
• Shark fin soup is an ancient Chinese tradition; it’s especially favored at weddings. But it’s at the expense of sharks: about 100 million sharks are killed each year (much more than sharks kill people). Find out about this controversial practice at https://savingoceans.org/blog/f/the-controversy-of-shark-fin-soup

 

CAREERS:

It’s true that you can make money from shark parts, such as their teeth, but there are several more positive ways to make money from sharks without hurting them: as a conservationist, marine biologist, zoologist, shark driver, and lifeguard.

• https://www.sharksider.com/job-working-sharks/
• http://www.professorclarkthescienceshark.com/
• https://scubadiverlife.com/cool-scuba-jobs-great-white-shark-guide/

.

May Rainforests Reign

 

Rainforests may seem exotic – but they are also very down-to-earth. And they are vital for the earth. Explore rainforests around the world with these online activities.

 

CONNECT:

• See how rainforests are layered – and the living things who grow within each layer at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMdD6TTDZ_
• Rainforests aren’t just in the hot tropics; they can be in temperate areas too; find out about their variety at https://www.kidcyber.com.au/temperate-rainforest
• Choose your favorite rainforest animal at https://www.rainforestanimals.net/

 

CREATE:

• How much do you know about rainforests and the animals that live there? Take this quiz and find out at https://animalcorner.org/rainforest-quiz/
• Try 13 activities about the wild and wonderful rainforest at https://www.weareteachers.com/rainforest-activities/
• Bring the rainforest home with these 7 everyday foods that come from the rainforest: https://blog.therainforestsite.greatergood.com/cs-rainforest-foods/

 

CARE:

• See 10 easy ways kids can help save rainforests at https://www.rainforest-alliance.org/articles/10-ways-kids-can-save-the-rainforest
• Adopt a rainforest tree at https://www.kidssavingtherainforest.org/
• Learn how to become a junior rainforest ranger at https://blog.therainforestsite.greatergood.com/cs-kids-rainforest/

 

CAREERS:

• How are a career in a tropical rainforest? See this slideshow about the possibilities: https://prezi.com/itq3ruw-xbw8/life-in-tropical-rainforests-living-working-and-travel/
• Read how you can become a rainforest research scientist at https://crees-manu.org/career-change-banking-published-scientist/

It’s the Bees’ Knees!

Bees have been buzzing around since before humans arrived on the scene. But they are disappearing. Discover how bees contribute to the world in these activities.

 

CONNECT:

• Find out all about our brilliant bees at https://www.natgeokids.com/za/discover/animals/insects/honey-bees/
• Why are bees important? Watch their contributions at https://www.youtube.com/watch/z9zZ48jJZyk
• Why do bees make honey? Watch the reason at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0248uQf_ao
• Bees use body language to communicate, as you can see at  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFDGPgXtK-U

 

CREATE:

• Play bee games as described at https://kindernature.org/activity/bee-games/
• Here’s several recipes for kids using honey: https://honey.com/blog/get-the-kids-in-the-kitchen-with-fun-honey-recipes
• Try more than 30 bee crafts for kids: https://www.kidslovewhat.com/34-of-the-absolute-best-bee-crafts-for-kids/

 

CARE:

• The environment has impacted bees – which can impact us. Read about the potential loss at https://theconversation.com/losing-bees-will-sting-more-than-just-our-taste-for-honey-42765
• Support bees (and other pollinators) by growing a pollinator garden. Follow the directions at https://www.ecobeneficial.com/videos/the-pollinator-victory-garden/
• See how to treat bee strings at https://www.webmd.com/allergies/insect-stings

 

CAREERS:

What do you want to BEE when you grow up? A bee keeper, honey maker, a gardener, a scientist? Be all you can bee…

• https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/cool-jobs-abuzz-bees
• http://www.buzzingacrossamerica.com/2014/07/careers-in-honey-bees.html
• https://www.thebalancecareers.com/beekeeper-career-description-125609
• AND here are 9 jobs of honey bees: https://www.hobbyfarms.com/9-hive-jobs-of-honey-bees-2/

P.S. "It’s the Bees’ Knees!" means something is excellent. The term originated in the 18th century to mean something fanciful, that didn't exist (like hen's teeth). In the 1920s, flappers invented phrases to express that something was really great, such as "the cat's pajamas" and adopted the older term to mean something special.  

 

 

 

Going Green

Whether to address climate change or to reduce energy, green technology is a growing trend. It’s never too early to go green, and these activities can help.

CONNECT:

• See the coolest most environmentally-friendly buildings in the world at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eO1GoPbXubg  Try designing your own green building.
• Part of green technology involves renewable energy. Get the facts at https://www.ducksters.com/science/environment/renewable_energy.php
• Can a bike be green? Read about this cardboard invention at http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/cardboard-pedal-pusher/
• What are some of the green technologies of the future that are being developed now? Find out at https://www.sciencefocus.com/future-technology/exciting-new-green-technology-of-the-future/

CREATE:

• Here are 20 activities that kids can do to learn about sustainability: https://www.naturespath.com/en-us/blog/20-activities-kids-learn-sustainability/
• Get artistic with these easy recycling projects: https://www.notimeforflashcards.com/2014/04/recycled-art-project-for-kids-2.html
• Plastic bottles, anyone? Here are lots of ways to recycle them into crafts: http://www.playideas.com/plastic-bottle-crafts-for-kids/  Brainstorm some more ideas.

CARE:

• What does it mean to be green? Watch this video to find out how you can be green: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lieN18OTlME
• How big is your carbon footprint? Take this survey to show your family’s impact on the environment: https://www.energystar.gov/ia/products/globalwarming/downloads/GoGreen_Activities 508_compliant_small.pdf
• Here are 10 ways to go green at school: https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/blog-posts/beth-newingham/my-april-top-ten-list-going-green-at-school/

CAREERS:

Green technology is a growing career sector. Scientists, environmentalists, engineers, manufacturers, recyclers, are just a few of the possibilities. Read these interviews with green technology professionals, and see your future bloom!

https://climatekids.nasa.gov/career-contractor/

https://climatekids.nasa.gov/career-recycling/

https://climatekids.nasa.gov/career-landscaper/

Wow! Wind!

What’s lighter than a feather but can destroy cities? The wind! Explore the power of wind in these online activities.

CONNECT:

• Watch Bill Nye explain what causes wind: at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBqohRu2RRk
• Speak like a sailor about wind – and find out other fun facts about this phenomenon at http://www.weatherforkids.org/wind.html
• Did you know that there are different kinds of winds, some of which are local such as a Chinook, Santa Ana, Gibli or even Chili? Find out these cool wind terms at http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/notes/keynotes-on-5-different-types-of-wind/12625
• Winds occur on the sun as well; see solar winds at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGLRdAPPnMI
     

CREATE:

• Create a game based on these wind questions and answers: https://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-wind.htm
• Try this riddles about wind with your family and friends: https://www.riddlewot.com/easy-riddles/wind
• Make and fly your own kite by following this video’s directions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0FeNdB2GDY
• Investigate the wind with these science experiments: https://www-tc.pbs.org/parents/curiousgeorge/activities/pdf/CGDG_04_science.pdf

CARE:

• Explore ways to conserve wind energy at https://sciencing.com/ways-to-conserve-wind-energy-12286219.html
• Learn how windmills work and make your own at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgCHxMXkljQ
• Make a woodwind instrument to entertain your friends; choose from the videos found at https://diy.org/skills/instrumentmaker/challenges/11/make-a-woodwind
• Practice strong wind safety by following these recommendations: https://www.weather.gov/safety/wind-ww

CAREERS:

Does the idea of a job about wind blow you away? Set your wind sails with these career ideas: meteorologist, engineer, manufacturer, emergency preparedness personnel, energy project manager, insurer. It’s not a lot of hot air!

https://www.energy.gov/science-innovation/energy-sources/renewable-energy/wind

https://www.awea.org/

https://collegegrad.com/careers/wind-turbine-technicians

https://www.environmentalscience.org/career/meteorologist