Germany Uber Alles

Germany has been in the news lately, but you might not know about other aspects of Germany – so “Viel Spass” (have fun) with these activities about this historic European country.

CONNECT:

• Read about the daily life of German youth at http://www.germany.info/Vertretung/usa/en/04__W__t__G/05/__Kids__Teens.html
• ·Anne Frank was a German Jewish teenager who experienced the traumas of World War II. Experience her life at http://www.annefrank.org/
• ·Did you know that blue jeans were invented by a German? Find out about him and other German inventors at http://www.enchantedlearning.com/inventors/germany.shtml
• Visit Munich’s museum virtually: http://www.deutsches-museum.de/index.php?id=1&L=1
• Werewolves feature in several German legends. Read some of them at http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/werewolf.html

CREATE:

• Use these fun facts about Germany (http://www.journey-to-germany.com/german-fun-facts.html)  to create a fact-based “Trivia” game.
• Find out about typical German cuisine, and try making your own versions, by following the directions at http://www.globalgourmet.com/destinations/germany/#axzz1Kp7evGgR
•  You can learn German words by doing some of the activities at http://www.hello-world.com/languages.php/?language=German
• http://www.52composers.com/german-composers.html has stories and sample music about several German composers.
•  What are some common German first names, and what do they mean? Generate a list at https://www.germany101.com/german-baby-boys-names

CARE:

• Germany has taken in more refugees than any other country in the world.  Read some ways that people help these refugees: http://www.thelocal.de/20150903/five-ways-you-can-help-refugees-in-germany
• If you are taking care of younger children, you might entertain them by playing traditional German games: http://www.globalawareness.com/for-kids/games-from-around-the-world/games-from-germany/
• The Berlin Wall separated West and East Germany for 28 years. Read President Kennedy’s speech at the Berlin Wall, and his call for peace: http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/american_originals/kennedy.html

CAREERS:

Are you interested in Germany? Can you speak German? Many international schools and companies have branches in Germany. Governments also have offices in Germany.  Here are some tips:

http://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/for-qualified-professionals/working/guide/looking-for-a-job

https://www.csbsju.edu/languages-and-cultures/german-studies/careers-in-german

Here, Here, for Hair!

Hair is something that most people deal with. It’s not only a part of healthy living but it can also be a fashion statement. There’s a lot more than what meets the eye. Find out here – about hair.

CONNECT:

• http://www.hairfinder.com/kids_hairstyles.htm is a good sourse of information about hairstyles and advice for children and teens.  And guys can also check out http://coolmenshair.com/ (includes boys).
• http://www.myhaircuts.com/ includes points about healthy hair.
• Hair has been part of fashion since prehistory, as shown in this multimedia presentation: http://thehistoryofthehairsworld.com/
• One of the most famous inventors of hair products was Madame C. J. Walker. Find out more about this amazing African American entrepreneur at  https://webfiles.uci.edu/mcbrown/display/walker.html  and http://web.mit.edu/invent/iow/cjwalker.html
• Everything you wanted to know about the science of hair: http://www.hair-science.com/_int/_en/index.aspx

CREATE:

• Do a virtual hair makeover on http://www.hairfinder.com/hair_imaging.htm. No cutting required
• Learn braiding techniques at http://www.princesshairstyles.com/, http://www.wikihow.com/Braid-Hair, and  http://2good2lose.com/braidyourhair.shtml
• There are several patterns for making hair accessories: http://www.favecrafts.com/Hair-Accessories/How-to-Make-Hair-Accessories-16-Free-Patterns
• Want to make someone’s hair stand out on end? Try this electricity experiment: http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/experiments/staticelectricity.html
• Try making your own shampoo and conditioner: http://www.diynatural.com/homemade-shampoo/

CARE:

• Locks of Love (http://www.locksoflove.org/) is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in the United States and Canada under age 21 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. There are several ways to help them.  
• The world is going green by using hair in unique ways: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,320571,00.html
• You might save family money by cutting hair at home (probably by teens and adults): http://www.wikihow.com/Cut-Hair
• Teach children how to take care of their hair: http://www.aad.org/dermatology-a-to-z/health-and-beauty/every-stage-of-life/children/teaching-healthy-hair-care. You might make a video or create a comic for them.

CAREER:

The first career that comes to mind is usually hair cutting and styling. (Cosmetology deals with the cosmetic condition of hair, not cosmology, which deals with astronomy.)  However, other careers deal with hair: chemistry, medicine, manufacturing and sales, photography, even weaving.  Check out some of these career  advice websites:

http://www.bls.gov/ooh/personal-care-and-service/barbers-hairdressers-and-cosmetologists.htm

http://voices.yahoo.com/3-fun-beauty-hair-careers-6845686.html?cat=69

http://beautyschools.org/careers-in-beauty/

And here are 10 jobs where you can have weird hair: http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/Careers/11/24/cb.hair/    

FOR PARENTS:

http://www.parenting.com/article/easy-ways-care-for-your-childs-hair