A Word about Dictionaries

 

October 16 is National Dictionary Day! Get the word about this valuable tool by exploring these activities.

 

CONNECT:

• Read some basic facts about dictionaries at https://kids.kiddle.co/Dictionary
• Read about different types of dictionaries at https://www.futurelearn.com/info/courses/understanding-dictionaries/0/steps/62789
• Watch how to use a dictionary at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fo2cSioY6wI
• The largest dictionary in the world is the Oxford English Dictionary. See how it keeps current at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=118HE_rrnRs
• Watch the history of dictionaries and how words are added to the dictionary at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJJ_pRqvtCs

 

CREATE:

• Use the dictionary to play fun word games with your family at https://www.scholastic.com/parents/books-and-reading/raise-a-reader-blog/family-dictionary-games.html and https://tinybeans.com/dictionary-games-for-kids/
• Is a picture worth a 1000 words? Find out with the picture dictionary games and activities: https://www.tefl.net/elt/ideas/games/picture-dictionary-games-and-activities/
• Create your own dictionary games!

 

CARE:

• For parents: Find the right dictionary for your child by using the guide at https://home.oxfordowl.co.uk/childrens-dictionaries-how-to-find-the-right-dictionary-for-your-child/
• Make a family dictionary by following the directions at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDPSF7zZVCM
• Handle your dictionary carefully; see how at https://youtu.be/C9AFDxdDpGY

 

CAREERS:

Love words – and pictures that represent them? You could be a lexicographer (look up its definition in a dictionary), a wordsmith, a proofreader, a librarian, or a translator. There are careers in manufacturing and selling dictionaries too.  And don’t forget data dictionaries for the workplace. Look up these wordy careers.

• https://www.themuse.com/advice/my-job-is-to-add-words-to-the-dictionary-which-is-pretty-cool
• https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/lexicographer
• Data dictionaries: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxWeDJiVdA0

 

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.  

 

 

 

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

Go Gaelic!

Around Christmas time, you may see Gaelic art or hear Gaelic-inspired songs. Discover this rich culture with the following activities. Start with watching a Scottish Gaelic Christmas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8v0_Hj_cG4 and learn Christmas words in Gaelic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDg_6CT87tI

CONNECT:

• Football means different things in different countries. Gaelic football is the most popular spectator sport in Ireland. See this explanation of this form of football at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSOe-USZzok
• Gaelic is a Scottish language related to Irish. Find out about its history and use at https://wiki.kidzsearch.com/wiki/Scottish_Gaelic_language
• Gaelic first names started in the 4^th century and still continue; see the variety at http://www.babynames.net/all/gaelic
• With English rule in Ireland, Gaelic language was threatened. So in the late 1800s, its culture was revived. Learn about those efforts then and now at http://www.gaelicmatters.com/gaelic-revival.html
• Watch Irish Gaelic dancing at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F__a-30Axc4

CREATE:

• Learn simple Gaelic online at https://learngaelic.net/lg-beginners/index.jsp
• Learn traditional songs as a family activity at https://www.gaelic4parents.com/nip/listen-and-sing
• You too can sing Gaelic. This is a song about emigration from Scotland: https://learngaelic.scot/beginners/beagairbheag/songs/illean/index.jsp
• The Celtic cross has it’s beginning in Gaelic Ireland. Discover its meaning at http://www.gaelicmatters.com/celtic-cross-meaning.html. Try your hand making your own.

CARE:

• Learn Celtic and Irish Christmas blessings in Gaelic at: http://www.celticchristmasmusic.com/christmas-traditions/learn-celtic-irish-christmas-blessings-in-gaelic.htm
• How about using drama to learn a language or share a culture? See a Gaelic nativity play as an example: http://gaelic.co/gaelic-nativity/
• Color Celtic art (https://www.colorwithfuzzy.com/celtic-coloring-pages.html), and give it to a friend.
• Try writing with the Irish Gaelic alphabet; it looks great on holiday cards that you can make for others: http://www.gaelicmatters.com/gaelic-written-alphabet.html

CAREERS:

Learning other languages can broaden your career options. You can also use knowledge about Gaelic history and art can also lead to lifelong work.

http://www.feisean.org/en/feisgoil-en/gaelic-learning/gaelic-arts-culture-heritage/

https://gradireland.com/career-sectors/languages-and-culture/careers-using-the-irish-language

https://www.teagasg.com/en

https://www.e-careers.us/lifestyle-interests/languages/scottish-gaelic-package

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