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/

 

 

 

Give a Fork

 

While some food can be eaten by hand, eating utensils come in handy much of the time. Explore these activities to dig into the facts about them.

 

CONNECT:

• Follow a time of eating utensils, starting from 500,000 BC to the present at http://www.eatingutensils.net/history-of-cutlery/timeline-of-eating-utensils/
• Compare the variety of forks, from sardines to ice cream, at http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/design/2012/06/the_history_of_the_fork_when_we_started_using_forks_and_how_their_design_changed_over_time_.html
• How do people around the world eat their food? See the variety of utensils at https://www.thetravelalmanac.com/food/utensils.htm
• Get the facts about chopsticks at https://kids.kiddle.co/Chopsticks
• What do trongs, splayds, chorks, and the fred have in common? They are all utensils; see them at https://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/tools-test-kitchen/article/13-weird-eating-utensils-from-sporks-to-trongs.

 

 

CREATE:

• Watch how to use chopsticks at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucHuj48bzgE
• Make an origami holder for chopsticks by following this video’s instructions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzU5oZ-Klpc
• Try some of these recyclable chopstick crafts for kids: https://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/chopstickscraftsideasforkids.html
• ‘Tis the season for nutcracker-themed crafts; explore them at https://www.steamsational.com/nutcracker-crafts-for-kids/

 

CARE:

• For parents: here are tips for teaching young children how to use knives and forks safely: https://www.nhsggc.org.uk/kids/resources/ot-activityinformation-sheets/using-a-knife-and-fork-information-sheet/
• Here’s the low-down on kids and utensil use: https://kidsdigfood.com.au/low-down-kids-utensil-use/
• It’s fun to play “kitchen,” but play utensils can be hazardous; follow the safety tips at https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2010/05/toy-food-and-utensil-sets-safety-tips-for-children/index.htm
• Help save the planet by using recyclable drinking straws. Read by plastic straws are a recycling problem at https://mydisposal.com/plastic-straws#:~:text=Although%20the%20plastic%20they%20are,through%20the%20mechanical%20recycling%20sorter.&text=Because%20straws%20are%20non%2Drecyclable%2C%20they%20end%20up%20landfills.

 

CAREERS:

How might eating utensils turn into a career? As a restaurant worker, a utensil designer or manufacturer, as a cook, as an occupational therapist, or as a manners expert (you often need to know dining etiquette to get a job!).

https://career.vt.edu/job-search/presenting_yourself/interviewing/dining-etiquette/FAQs-dining-etiquette.html

https://collegegrad.com/careers/food-preparation-and-serving

https://study.com/academy/lesson/adaptive-eating-utensils-in-occupational-therapy.html

http://career.iresearchnet.com/career-information/silverware-artisan-worker-career/

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

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/