Aglow with Candles

 

This time of the year features candles in several cultures. Brighten up your day by doing the following activities about candles.

 

CONNECT:

• Find out who first invented candles at https://candles.lovetoknow.com/The_History_of_Candle_Making
• Explore the science of candles at https://candles.org/candle-science/
• Learn about candle traditions around the world: https://tinybeans.com/candle-traditions-from-around-the-world/

 

CREATE:

• Watch this video for details about making homemade candles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRj61Z88iHo
• Make your own dipped candles as a fun family activity by following the directions at https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/6994/candle-dipping/ 
• Experiment with candles at https://toddlerinaction.com/water-candle-experiment-to-try-out-with-kids/

 

CARE:

• Lit candles are beautiful – until they start bigger fires. Watch this video about candle safety presented by a fireman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqPDZb_Fjxc
• Learn more candle safety tips at https://smartkids101.com/blog/candle-safety/
• Use this handy checklist to guide family candle use: http://fire.co.clark.nv.us/(S(x1gny3u2gcln4u1pngbideth))/Files/pdfs/FPWCandle.pdf

 

CAREERS:

You can make a living making and selling candles, and you can incorporate candles in other jobs: interior decoration, party planning, emergency services, science, historical reenactments, and art.

https://www.betterteam.com/candle-maker-job-description

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DU8jMqiln8

Here’s a historic video about candle production: https://thekidshouldseethis.com/post/how-are-candles-made-british-pathe

 

Who came first to America?

 

It’s hard to beat 30,000 years ago; that is the latest calculation as to when humans arrived in the Western Hemisphere. Indigenous People’s Day, celebrated in the United States on October 11, honors the rich heritage and contributions of Native Americans. By doing the following activities, you too can appreciate these varied peoples throughout the year.

 

CONNECT:

• Learn the history of Indigenous People’s Day by watching https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nET5LBB_wLE.
• Discover 10 Native American inventions commonly used today at https://www.history.com/news/native-american-inventions
• Explore Alaska Native history and culture by watching “Grandpa's Drum” from “Molly of Denali”: https://ca.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/mod19-soc-grandpasdrum/grandpas-drum-molly-of-denali/ . “Molly of Denali” was created by Alaska Native writers and advisers. It’s also one of the first children’s television programs to have a Native American lead.
• Watch pow wows at https://youtu.be/jQ-9QCDp9Ho. You can find more details at https://www.powwows.com/what-is-a-pow-wow/

 

CREATE:

• Try some of the ways that kids can observe Indigenous People’s Day: https://www.rebekahgienapp.com/indigenous-peoples-day/
• Sing a Native American lullaby at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pB9W5PntH3s
• Hungry to know about native life and food? Chew on this information: https://www.historyforkids.net/native-american-food.html You may already have tried some of their native food!

 

CARE

• Enjoy with your family the video read aloud We Are Water Protectors read by the author, Carole Lindstrom: https://youtu.be/2YHaRmj9wLU  What are ways that you can help water become clean again?
• A lovely, earth-conscious way to honor indigenous culture and to “give back” is to plant some Native American plants as a family. Some native plants to consider are milkweed plants and pawpaw trees. You can consult the U.S. Forest Service website (https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/) to learn more about native plants and how to plant and care for them.
• How are Black-Indigenous youth working to advance social justice? This Indigenous Peoples’ Day program highlights youth of blended Black and Native heritage who use art, activism, and policy to advance Black and Indigenous solidarity and affect positive change in their communities: https://americanindian.si.edu/nk360/student-programs/distance-learning/#indigenous-peoples-day

 

CAREERS:

Indigenous people often encounter barriers to employment. Understanding these obstacles can lead to thinking about ways that you can become more culturally aware and competent, which can help all people to find meaningful work: https://www.ictinc.ca/blog/8-basic-barriers-to-indigenous-employment

 

The Colorful World of Coloring Books

Coloring books have become more popular than ever – for all ages. Brighten up your day by doing these activities about coloring books.

CONNECT:

• Coloring books are their earlier variations started over five hundred years ago! Read about their history at https://time.com/4880819/coloring-books-history/
• Coloring books for children didn’t start until the late 19^th century, stimulated by the establishment of kindergartens a few years earlier. Teachers realized that coloring could be a great way to learn. Find out how they developed at https://www.vox.com/2015/9/2/9248663/coloring-book-history
• Today, crayons are the main tool used to use with coloring books. Watch this video to see how they are made: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmiRjmbnn8Q

CREATE:

• Celebrate National Coloring Book Day any day, not just on its official day of August 2. This holiday is new: it started just in 2015. Get the details at https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-coloring-book-day-august-2
• Make your next party more colorful by making color book party favors. See how to make them at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FTjy2GdW1g
• Libraries and museums have created coloring books from source in their collections. Choose and color some special pictures from http://www.openculture.com/2016/02/download-free-coloring-books-from-world-class-libraries-museums.html

CARE:

• Coloring books are used to teach about health and to keep healthy because it can relax and sooth you. Color can also be used for rehabilitation purposes, such as recovering hand-eye coordination. Meet healthy heroes by coloring them in at https://www.cdc.gov/family/kidheroes/index.htm
• Have fun and be crafty while practicing recycling with these cool craft projects you can do with broken crayons: https://www.simplemost.com/11-cool-things-broken-crayons/
• As a family activity, create a coloring book from family photos. You’ll make lasting memories as you draw from your memories. Follow the directions at https://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-a-Coloring-Book/

CAREERS:

Learn about the world of word by creating a coloring book of occupations. Here’s how: http://mychildsfuture.org/parents/activities/Activity_ES_OccupationsColoring.pdf

Do you see your future in coloring books? You might draw original designs, construct or manufacture coloring books, sell them, or use them as a teacher at school, in a doctor’s office, or business. Here are ways to make your job more colorful.

https://www.flavorwire.com/136196/books-as-visual-art

https://www.thebalancecareers.com/top-book-publishing-jobs-2316066

Spring into Summer

It’s now officially summer. What does that entail? What’s special about this time of the year? And how do you make the most of summer days? Find out with these Internet-based activities.

CONNECT:

• Why are the days so long in the summer? Get the inside angle about the summer solstice at http://www.factmonster.com/spot/solsticeforkids.html
• On June 21 you might have seen a strawberry moon. If not, you can see this rare phenomenon (and learn the background of this special moon view) at http://www.space.com/33240-delicious-strawberry-full-moon-wows-stargazers.html
• Step into the Way Back Machine to see what summer camp and family car trips were like years ago: http://kids.pbskids.org/wayback/summer/features.html
• Imagine dancing for 16 days! Discover the Native American Sun Dance ceremony: http://www.brownielocks.com/sundance.html

CREATE:

• June 6 was National Yo-Yo Day. Watch this video to see how to make a yo-yo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uoldaHVt0s.  Then watch how to play with one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDiioSreoPc
• Now that school is out, you have lots of time for summer crafts: https://www.care.com/a/62-summer-crafts-for-kids-1307010525
• Try some of these creative car games for summer road trips: http://www.pbs.org/parents/summer/road-trip-games-for-kids/
• Gear up for the summer Olympics by finding out its history, symbols, and competitions: http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/collection/gear-summer-olympics.  Hold your own summer olympic games.

CARE:

• Need a special day to show you care? Go to https://www.checkiday.com/06/01/2016. Just on June 1 alone you can observe Heimlich Maneuver Day, Global Day of Parents, Say for Children, and Say Something Nice Day!  
• Take care of your summer skin. Here are natural sunscreen alternatives as well as natural sunburn treatments: https://sunwarrior.com/healthhub/natural-sunscreen-alternatives
• Got bitten by an insect or spider? Here are some home treatments that doctors suggest: http://www.webmd.com/first-aid/tc/insect-bites-and-stings-and-spider-bites-home-treatment
• Did you know that a lemonade stand can help fight cancer? Check it out at http://www.alexslemonade.org/campaign/kids-corner.  You can help too.

CAREERS:

• Is there a teen in your family? This website provides a great collection of summer seasonal jobs and tips: https://www.livecareer.com/quintessential/summer-job-sites
• What about working abroad this summer? Here are some good short-term jobs abroad: http://www.transitionsabroad.com/listings/work/shortterm/summer_jobs_abroad.shtml
• College Board provides tips on how to find a great summer job – and why: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-started/outside-the-classroom/how-to-find-a-great-summer-job

Vive la France!

France and the U.S. have always had a special relationship – and it’s not just the food or the same colors on the flags. Find out more about the delights of France; you may even become a Francophile.

CONNECT:

• Want to know about all things France? Start with the kids’ encyclopedia: http://academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/France
• France celebrates its own kind of Independence Day 10 days after the U.S.’s day: on July 14. It’s called Bastille Day in English, but it’s really the “Fete Nationale.” And it’s not really about the storming of the Bastille. Get the real facts at http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/french-revolutionaries-storm-bastille
• The U.S. Independence owes a great deal of gratitude to France; read the stories at http://classroom.synonym.com/did-france-aid-american-colonies-6250.html
• Dig up the history of Paris at http://www.paris.culture.fr/en/
• Did you know that a Frenchman created the Statue of Library – but not for the US? Find out 10 amazing facts at http://parade.com/311395/viannguyen/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-the-statue-of-liberty-she-was-almost-gold/

CREATE:

• Try one of the fun French activities listed at http://www.kidactivities.net/post/countries-around-the-world-themes.aspx
• What’s more French than French food? Learn how to say French fries in French (the French actually call them fried potatoes) and many other mouth-watering French words at http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/primarylanguages/french/food_and_drink/. You can hear how they sound too. Bon appetit!
• Make some of your own French cuisine using the kid-friendly recipes at http://www.easy-french-food.com/easy-recipes-for-kids.html
• Wonder what it would be like to see from the top of the Eiffel Tower? You can do that, plus play games about this famous landmark, at http://www.toureiffel.paris/en/childrens-tower.html.
• Tour Versailles without the crowds or expense: http://en.chateauversailles.fr/homepage

CARE:

• One of France’s most popular flowers is the lavender. Make a lavender sachet following these directions: http://www.redtedart.com/2012/08/01/kids-crafts-sewing-with-kids-lavender-bags/
• Promote good U.S.-French relations by connecting with the world’s largest cultural and language centr network: Alliance Francaise: http://alliance-us.org/
• Follow France’s famous bike race: the Tour de France at http://www.letour.fr/us/. Consider creating your own Tour de Neighborhood race as a service project fund-raiser. Race to raise money….

CAREERS:

Are you a Francophile (someone who loves all things French)? There are lots of jobs waiting for you: chef, fashion designer, diplomat, literary expert, translator, travel agent, teacher, international business person.

Check out this long list of job possibilities: http://www.umassd.edu/cas/fll/programs/undergraduateprograms/majorsminorsconcentrations/frenchmajor/whatcanidowithafrenchmajor/

http://www.omniglot.com/language/articles/frenchcareers.htm

This site also gives good reasons for learning French: http://french.virginia.edu/undergraduate/whattodo