Iconic Symbols

 Nowadays we tend to think of icons as those tiny little pictures on the computer or phone, but icons have a long history – and have been associated with other concepts than technology. See the possibilities with these online activities. It could be an iconic experience.

CONNECT:

• Legos, the Beatles, and tea are all cultural icons. Find out why at https://kids.kiddle.co/Cultural_icon
• Read about computer icons and how are they used at https://wiki.kidzsearch.com/wiki/Computer_icon
• Watch the background about Orthodox religious icons at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gvrkF3XDBk 

CREATE:

• Get fun ideas about drawing customized social media icons at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iieii87lCIM
• Symbols can be icons, such as United States symbols. Test your memory with the U.S. symbols match game at https://matchthememory.com/kimbrowning
• Can you guess these logs in 3 seconds? Try it as a family at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PNX8MY9lZw

CARE:

• What does the wheelchair symbol actually mean? Watch at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppNYZq-hYTw
• Have you seen food safety icons? Check them out at https://www.foodprotection.org/resources/food-safety-icons/
• Health Icons is a volunteer effort to create a ‘global good’ for health projects all over the world. These icons are available in the public domain for use in any type of project. https://healthicons.org/about

CAREERS:

Dreaming about an iconic career? You could be a graphic designer, a sign maker, a religious leader, or an international communicator.

• (Almost) everything you need about icons in under 3 minutes at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCXFJEK_lVk
• https://usajobs.github.io/design-system/icons/
• https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/graphic-design-jobs

 

Are Fairies Flighty?

 Fairies are fantasy creatures, and come in several varieties.  Over the centuries and across cultures, people have believed in them. Explore the following activities,  and you may find a fairy garden or two.

 

CONNECT:

• Watch the world of fairies at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQh1MLGyMW4
• Discover the who’s who of fairies at https://www.factmonster.com/culture-entertainment/mythology-folklore/fairies
• Read about the origin of some famous fairies at https://teetot.com/blogs/teetotblog/5-facts-about-the-history-and-origins-of-fairies

 

CREATE:

• Fairy bread is a popular Australian snack – and easy to make! Here’s how: https://www.playpartyplan.com/fairy-bread/
• Get creative with fairs with these whimsical crafts to do: https://www.parentmap.com/article/creative-diy-fairy-crafts-kids
• Create a fairy-themed trivia game based on 36 facts about fairies at https://www.griproom.com/fun/36-facts-about-faeries

 

CARE:

• wing the directions at https://laughingkidslearn.com/fairy-mud-for-outdoor-and-sensory-play/
• Sometimes you can’t believe your eyes, even about fairies. Individuals have tried to trick others into believing in fairies by producing faked photographs. Here’s the most popular true story about this deception: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fki-ELK3G5g  The moral of this story is to take care when looking at photos to examine them closely to see if they are real.
• Generative AI makes discernment even more challenging and important, so use these tips to be careful at images: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEhogS_yayY

 

CAREERS:

Do you have flights of fancy and fairies? There’s a job for you: as a storyteller, writer, anthropologist, costumer, party planner, actor, artist, jeweler and more. Sprinkle some dairy dust on your career.

• Interview a fantasy children’s author at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyFaunEL2SU
• https://cfs.osu.edu/about/resources/careers
• See how a fantasy artist works at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9gJyyLqrAE
• Even photographer! https://enchanted-fairies.com/?location=mission_viejo-ca

And here jobs that fairies do: https://theirishfairydoorcompany.com/faqs/what-jobs-do-fairies-do/

 

Are Dragons Fantastic?

 

The short answer is: no.  But it all depends on context. Lots of dragons exist in our imagination and our stories. And dragons DO have inspired by real things. So may you find that dragons ARE fantastic in the best meaning of the word (as in “great!”) when you explore these activities.

 

CONNECT:

• Explore facts about dragons at https://www.twinkl.com/teaching-wiki/dragon
• Read about Smithsonian’s look at potential inspiration for dragon myths at https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/where-did-dragons-come-from-23969126/
• Dragons are often culturally created and defined. Find out the differences between Eastern and Western dragons at https://www.draconika.com/culture
•  Watch 5 facts about dragons in real life at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crVtO3kJkc8&ab_channel=ColossalCranium

 

 

CREATE:

• Connect the dots between dragons and STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) connect by trying fun dragon STEM activities at https://theresjustonemommy.com/dragon-stem-activities/
• Get crafty with dragon-inspired activities at https://www.teachingexpertise.com/classroom-ideas/dragon-crafts-and-activities/
• Pick some great books about dragons to read from this list: https://imaginationsoup.net/dragon-books-kids/
• 2024 will be the Chinese Year of the Dragon so start early to learn about that Zodiac sign – and related activities – at https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/where-did-dragons-come-from-23969126/

 

CARE:

• Did you know that bearded dragons really exist? Here is how to take care of them: https://kidspetclub.com/bearded-dragon-care/
• Dragon breath may be good for you; see why and how to do it at https://www.first5california.com/en-us/articles/inhale-exhale-why-practicing-dragon-breathing-can-help-your-child-manage/
• Have you heard of the game Dungeons and Dragons? Research says it can help youth build social skills. check out the research at https://www.geekwire.com/2023/can-dungeons-dragons-and-other-tabletop-games-help-youth-build-social-skills/

 

CAREERS:

Do flights of (dragon) fantasy tempt in in terms of a career? Writing and illustration loom big. The entertainment media industry – films, TV, games – may call you. You might also manufacture dragon-related items: toys, art, jewelry, cloth and clothing, even dragon-shaped desserts. You might even teach about dragons (besides at Hogwarts).

• https://www.shmoop.com/college-majors/mythology-and-folklore/jobs.html
• https://self-publishingschool.com/fantasy-creatures/
• https://www.syracuse.com/news/2011/02/artist_lives_out_fantasy_with.html
• https://www.businessinsider.com/jobs-childhood-fantasy-dream-career-pay-well-2019-9

 

 

 

Are you trying to trick me?

 

The television series “Loki” focuses on a magical trickster. He comes from a long line of tricksters in folk tales. You may learn a trick or two by exploring the following activities.

 

CONNECT:

• What has been so special about tricksters? Watch and see at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jELsxA28CgM
• Get kid-friendly facts about Loki at https://kids.kiddle.co/Loki

• Native Americans have DOZENS of tricksters from various tribes. Find out about them and read some of their stories at http://www.native-languages.org/trickster.htm
• Foxes hold a special place in Japanese culture, including as tricksters; watch some stories at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2T2Q0NVRcM
• Tricksters are found in many cultures; sample them at https://kidworldcitizen.org/trickster-tales-around-world/

CREATE:

• Act out the trickster tale of the baby turtle, found at https://www.cbc.ca/kidscbc2/the-feed/have-you-ever-heard-a-trickster-tale
• Discover tricksters from different cultures and try a quiz about them at https://kevpass.weebly.com/quiz.html
• Extend your experience with Anansi the spider with these activities: https://classroom.synonym.com/activities-anansi-spider-12041731.html

 

CARE:

• Want to experience being a junior historian? Read this newsletter about coyote stories and do some of the activities: https://history.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/coyote.pdf
• Write a trickster tale to amuse your friends by following these tips: https://amymacdonald.com/educators/writing-tip-trickster-tales-in-7-steps/
• Draw Lego Trickster for a friend who loves Legos (https://www.drawingtutorials101.com/how-to-draw-lego-trickster)  – or create your own idea of a trickster.

 

CAREERS:

It’s probably not wise to be a trickster at work – unless you’re a storyteller, or a magician. Or you could share information about tricksters as a historian, a teacher, or a filmmaker.

• https://www.themuse.com/advice/5-career-paths-for-people-who-love-telling-stories
• https://www.apu.edu/articles/i-love-telling-stories-what-majors-are-best-for-launching-storytelling-careers/
• https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Career/Magician/What-Is-How-to-Become

MARvelous MARS

 

For centuries, people have imagined what Mars was like.  The space vehicle Perseverance landed on the planet Mars February 18, 2021. Maybe you will help colonize Mars.  In the meantime, explore Mars in the following activities. May they raise your eyes to the skies.

 

CONNECT:

• NASA is a great launching pad to learn about Mars: https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/all-about-mars/en/
• Do Martians exist? Watch the possibilities at https://www.esa.int/kids/en/Multimedia/Paxi_animations/English/Do_Martians_exist
• See how Mars was viewed in popular culture at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPcRPqvdEog
• Discover how people might colonize Mars at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5D8e71c75U

 

CREATE:

• Explore life on Mars through this variety of activities: https://www.lpi.usra.edu/education/explore/LifeOnMars/
• Ready Jet Go with these games about Mars: https://pbskids.org/learn/readyjetgo/
• Make a paper Mars helicopter by following the directions at https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/learn/project/make-a-paper-mars-helicopter/
• Join the Mission to Mars student challenge at https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/mission-to-mars-student-challenge/#education-plan.all.week1

 

CARE:

• How much would you weigh on Mars? Calculate your weight – or any other object – on Mars using this online calculator: http://www.learningaboutelectronics.com/Articles/Weight-on-mars-conversion-calculator.php
• Read about the student-based Mars Metropolis Project at https://www.vivifystem.com/blog/2019/4/30/design-a-colony-on-mars-stem-project. Maybe your school can follow their lead.
• Help scientists imagine Mars by joining the Imagine Mars Project at https://mars.nasa.gov/imagine/leaders/getting_started/The_Imagine_Mars_Project.pdf
• Are you looking for the ultimate project-based STEM challenge? Do you need an engineering or science fair project or summer STEM showcase? Try designing a Mars colony, as detailed at https://www.vivifystem.com/blog/2019/4/30/design-a-colony-on-mars-stem-project

 

CAREERS:

This is a universe of space careers. Explore the opportunities; the sky is NOT the limit.

• https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2016/article/careers-in-space.htm
• https://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/careers/index.html
• https://www.space-careers.com/
• https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/07/22/six-space-jobs-you-can-train-for/1638131001/

What a Card!

 

Especially in these days where we need to stay inside card playing can be a great family activity. Find out the background of playing cards and card games in the following activities.

 

CONNECT:

• Get the facts about playing cards at https://www.cbc.ca/kidscbc2/the-feed/its-card-playing-day-on-december-28
• Playing cards have been around for over a millennium; trace their history at https://www.i-p-c-s.org/history.html
• Watch how playing cards are manufactured at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZuFe-M3yOI

 

CREATE:

• Why spend money on fancy cards when you can play these fun classics using a traditional deck? https://www.fatherly.com/play/the-best-card-games-for-kids/
• Watch how to do three easy card tricks at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsXQONiRH8Q
• Make your own playing cards and games using this template: https://www.wired.com/2008/07/help-your-kids/. They can become a family favorite – or a fun gift for friends.

 

CARE:

• Learn about various cultures through card games at https://thetravellingmom.ca/best-card-games/
• Gamify learning by making a card game on any subject; here are some tips: https://www.homeschooling-ideas.com/make-a-card-game.html
• Do you like trading card games? Here are some tips for playing respectfully: https://medium.com/@Petualang80/yugioh-trading-card-game-etiquette-rules-for-respectful-play-ba07dadd8f3b

 

CAREERS:

If you play your cards right, you can find a career based on playing cards. It’s not a gamble. Here are some leads, so ante up. https://www.screenskills.com/careers/job-profiles/games/

 

 

Keep Movin’

Do you like to move to music? Then you probably like dancing. Here are some toe-tapping activities to try.

CONNECT:

• How old is dance? What are fun facts about dance? Find the details at http://www.dancefacts.net/
• Watch how dance reflects culture around the world: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvPWgo3JL9c
• Watch dance in silhouette through the 200 years: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUTICuj_wK8

CREATE:

• Learn some fun fad dances by following these steps at https://www.todaysparent.com/family/activities/awesome-fad-dances-to-teach-your-kids/
• Plan a rockin’ dance party with these ideas: http://www.babble.com/contributor/ekelly/
• Make your own dance following these steps: https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Dance

CARE:

• Dancing is a great way to have fun while keeping healthy. Here are some great moves: https://takelessons.com/blog/silly-dance-moves-for-kids
• Dancing can be hard on your feet so take good care of your feet by following these tips: http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetailsKids.aspx?p=335&np=152&id=2340
• Share your dancing joy by transforming it into a service activity: https://www.dance-teacher.com/3-simple-service-project-ideas-your-dancers-will-love-2622610849.html

CAREERS:

Want to dance into your dream career? Here ais some advice that might make your heart and feet dance.

https://www.dance-teacher.com/3-simple-service-project-ideas-your-dancers-will-love-2622610849.html

http://blog.discountdance.com/10-dance-related-career-paths-for-dancers-to-pursue/

https://www.theartcareerproject.com/careers/dance/