Root, Root, Hooray!

 Roots can refer to hair or family roots. This topic focuses on plant roots, which are valuable to nature and humans. Dig into roots with these activities.

CONNECT:

• What do roots do? Watch their functions at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNmZOJHuf3k&ab_channel=HungrySciANNtist
• Watch how fast roots can grow at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w77zPAtVTuI&ab_channel=GPhase
• Would you eat a root? Watch how people grow root vegetables at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJ7KwES45GY&ab_channel=nmsuaces

CREATE:

• Know your roots with this trivia quiz: https://www.funtrivia.com/trivia-quiz/ForChildren/Know-Your-Roots-323200.html
• Chomp on these fun carrot root activities: https://artsymomma.com/fun-carrot-crafts-for-kids.html
• Have a root vegetable tasting party by following these family-friendly directions: https://food.unl.edu/free-resources/newsletters/food-fun-young-children/exploring-roasted-root-vegetables

CARE:

• Another reason to root for vegetables is that they are healthy for you; read what a doctor says at https://www.webmd.com/diet/what-are-root-vegetables
• Soil conservation is made possible largely because of roots; watch how at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNXke_-cnEc&ab_channel=RandburgMontessoriLearningCommunity
• Watch how to plant a garden at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TJuJTFEBbs&ab_channel=SciShowKids

CAREERS:

Want to find your roots in a growing career? You can root for gardeners, cooks, scientisst, and grocers. Consider the possibilities:

• https://mortonarb.org/educators/planted-podcast/
• Visit a sustainable tree farm at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwflaaZ6HNo&ab_channel=MarylandFarm%26Harvest

Palms Up for Palm Trees

 

You’ve seen one palm tree, you’ve seen them all, right? NO! There are about 2600 species of palm trees. Investigate the various aspects of palm trees in these Internet activities.

 

CONNECT:

• Discover the facts about palm trees, one of the best known and most widely planted tree families, at https://garden.lovetoknow.com/trees/palm-trees
• Watch where palm trees come from at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0IjENkhaAU
• See more than 25 uses for coconut and palm leaves at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsLSHDd4dFU

 

CREATE:

• Watch how to draw a palm tree at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nvxUZglP5E
• Learn how to cook with coconuts at https://www.kids-cooking-activities.com/coconut-facts.html
• Create a cool Hawaiian luau party for your friends: https://www.coolest-kid-birthday-parties.com/luau-party/

 

CARE:

• Discover the health benefits of coconut at https://healthy-kids.com.au/coconuts-need-know/
• Dates grow on palm trees – and they are good for kids; find out the facts at https://www.indiaparenting.com/health-benefits-of-dates-for-kids.html
• How healthy is palm oil? Find out at https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/39492207

 

CAREERS:

Are you swayed by palm trees? There may be a fruitful career for you – as a botanist, a gardener, a chef, an artist or decorator. Even climbing up trees!  Climb up a palm tree career.

• https://www.learnhowtobecome.org/career-resource-center/careers-with-plants/
• https://www.zippia.com/tree-trimmer-jobs/
• https://www.botany.org/Profiles/Scott_Mori.php

 

Winter Wonderland

Do you ever wonder about winter? Warm up to winter with these cool activities. It really is a wonderland.

CONNECT:

• Winter customs vary around the world. Read some of the most interesting customs at https://www.thoughtco.com/winter-customs-around-the-world-2562995
• How do trees survive winter? Watch the reason at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d260CmZoxj8
• Why do animals hibernate during winter? Get the answer at https://www.livescience.com/54982-why-do-animals-hibernate.html

CREATE:

• Even if you don’t live in snow, you can enjoy making these wintry crafts: https://www.easypeasyandfun.com/winter-crafts-for-kids-to-make/
• Take advantage of winter to play these games: https://www.momjunction.com/articles/fun-winter-activities-for-kids_00118588/
• No snow where you live? Don’t worry. You can make your own snow by following these directions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QDpnt5PjiQ

CARE:

• Follow these winter-specific winter safety tips: https://www.activekids.com/parenting-and-family/articles/winter-safety-tips-for-kids
• What is frostbite, and how do you treat it? Find out at https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/frostbite.html
• Learn how to keep small pets warm in winter at https://www.pdsa.org.uk/taking-care-of-your-pet/looking-after-your-pet/small-pets/keeping-small-pets-warm-in-winter

CAREER:

Winter can mean lots of jobs: extra sales clerk help, winter resort work, predicting winter weather, as well as keeping transportation on the go. Here is a sample of “cool” jobs.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/karstenstrauss/2016/09/29/15-great-seasonal-jobs-this-fall-winter-in-2016/#6bb626ab6609

https://www.workinsports.com/blog/7-careers-fans-of-winter-sports-should-consider/

https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/jobs-for-cold-weather-lovers-1216

Praise Palms

Palms are found around the world and have many uses. Praise palms through these activities.

CONNECT:

• Learn 10 surprising facts about palm trees at https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/wilderness-resources/stories/10-surprising-facts-about-palm-trees
• Palm trees in Antarctica? Yep, 53 million years ago. See the evidence at https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/ancient-climate-change-meant-antarctica-was-once-covered-with-palm-trees-12098835/
• Read about the historical role of palms in human culture at http://www.fao.org/docrep/x0451e/X0451e04.htm
• Discover why South Carolina is called the Palmetto State at https://statesymbolsusa.org/symbol-official-item/south-carolina/state-nickname-state-quarter/palmetto-state

CREATE:

• Try growing a coconut palm from a store-bought dehusked coconut by following this video’s instructions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsuesiVJgtI
• Make a palm date milkshake from this recipe: https://www.spiceupthecurry.com/date-milkshake-recipe/
• Make your own paper palm tree by following the video directions at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXildBLq43w
• You can use real palm leaves to make a coaster, mat and fish; see how at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x74MI-0jGIw

CARE:

• Hawaii is trying to conserve palm trees; look at the efforts at http://www.palms.org/
• Find out the health benefits of palm oil for children: https://parentinghealthybabies.com/health-benefits-palm-oil-children/
• Some religions incorporate palms; find out the details at https://www.whats-your-sign.com/palm-tree-symbolism.html
• What are the consequences of the palm oil industry? https://phys.org/news/2017-06-palm-oil-responsible-global-deforestation.html

CAREERS:

Perhaps you can be the one to make the palm oil industry more ecological. Or you can make a difference in palm use as a forester, chemist, nutritionist, artist, or manufacturer. Palms may be waved for your contribution. See possibilities here.

https://www.worldwildlife.org/industries/palm-oil

https://www.scidev.net/asia-pacific/forestry/news/science-can-keep-palm-oil-industry-sustainable.html

See the woods for the trees

Trees are a basic element of Christmas, and they are a vital part of our everyday life. Explore this natural resource in these activities.

CONNECT:

• Get the basic facts and benefits of trees at http://www.kidzone.ws/plants/trees.htm
• Through videos, games and more explore photosynthesis, old field progression, how to measure trees, how city building affects forests, tree harvesting, and much more at http://www.sites.ext.vt.edu/virtualforest/
• Why do leaves change color in the fall? What are leaves? What do they do? Find out at http://www.sciencemadesimple.com/leaves.html
• Trace this timeline of the Christmas tree: http://www.reindeerland.org/christmas-tree/christmas-tree-history-timeline.htm
• Watch how maple syrup is made at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_YZmUrNueo
• Check out fun apple facts: information about apple trees and popular apple varieties that you might find in your lunch box. http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/food/apples.html

CREATE:

• This is a fun interactive site all about trees. You can even create your own at http://www.treetures.com/Meet1.htm
• Discover facts and information about the artwork of Native American Indians and the authentic traditional methods they used, and how to make a totem pole at https://www.warpaths2peacepipes.com/native-indian-art/how-to-make-a-totem-pole.htm
• Try these family-friendly tree crafts: http://www.busybeekidscrafts.com/Tree-Crafts-for-Kids.html
• What food comes from trees? Find out at http://globaltrees.org/threatened-trees/tree-values/food/, and taste some of them.
• Would you like to make things with wood? Try these: http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/woodcraftsforkidsprojectsideas.html

CARE:

• Check out this website to learn all about real Christmas trees, how they are produced, and why you should consider using real Christmas trees for your holiday celebrations. http://www.christmastrees.on.ca/virtual-tree-farm/christmas-tree-history/25.html#
• This official site for Arbor Day explains this holiday and how you can help conserve trees and how to plant a tree of your own. There is also a tree identification guide at https://www.arborday.org/
• Tree nut allergy is the second most common allergy in infants and young children. Learn about it, and how to address it at http://www.kidswithfoodallergies.org/page/tree-nut-allergy.aspx
• Use these identification guides to create a neighborhood tree trail: http://www.treeremoval.com/tree-identification/

CAREERS:

Here are 50 urban careers related to trees: http://www.urbanforest.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Pages.Page/id/430

See the forest careers through the trees at http://www.allaboutcareers.com/careers/career-path/forestry-trees-timber

Trees are a Treat

In a recent Dr. Who episode, trees saved the planet.  In the TV show, they grew up overnight. While in real life, trees grow much more slowly, they still save planet Earth. (Notice how the word “plant” resembles “planet” ?). Explore these Internet websites – and save a tree in the process.

 

CONNECT:

·         4H Virtual Forest has fun and colorful information about forest. The site has several forest related sections such as photosynthesis, how to measure trees, how city building affects forests, tree harvesting, and much more. There are also fun videos to watch and games to play. http://www.sites.ext.vt.edu/virtualforest/
·         Learn all about how trees help make your world a better place. This site tells you what trees eat, why the leaves fall off in the fall, and more. http://www.inhs.illinois.edu/resources/tree_kit/student/
·         Pure maple syrup is made by concentrating the slightly sweet sap of the sugar maple tree. Learn how to harvest and process this tree food product at http://www.massmaple.org/how.php
·         Paper University explains about paper, papermaking, recycling, trees, forestry, careers, field trips, art and science activities using paper, history of paper, and other paper topics: http://www.tappi.org/paperu/welcome.htm

 

CREATE:

·         This is a fun and interactive site all about trees. You can create your own tree designs too. http://www.treetures.com/Meet1.htm
·         Why do leaves change color in the fall? Find the answer, and learn how plants prepare for winter. Also try three leaf-color science experiments at this website: http://www.sciencemadesimple.com/leaves.html
·         Check out trees first hand by hiking. http://www.pbs.org/parents/adventures-in-learning/2013/10/lets-learn-trees-video/ helps prepare you, and suggests fun activities along the way
·        Carved from mature cedar trees by the Native people of the Northwest Pacific coast, totem poles exemplify the region's Native American art forms. Try your own hand at designing one. http://users.imag.net/~sry.jkramer/nativetotems/default.html.

 

CARE:

·         What are reasons for planting a tree? What are the basics of tree planting, planting seedlings, and tree care? This website includes projects such as papermaking, a forest fundraiser, and tree adoption. http://www.ecokids.ca/pub/eco_info/topics/climate/tree_planting/
·         Find out how tree farming can help the environment: http://www.realtrees4kids.org/
·         Check out this website to learn all about real Christmas trees, how they are produced, and why you should consider using real Christmas trees for your holiday celebrations. http://www.christmastrees.on.ca/virtual-tree-farm/christmas-tree-history/25.html#
·         This is the official site for Arbor Day. You can learn all about this holiday and how you can help conserve trees and how to plant a tree of your own. There is also a tree identification guide. http://www.arborday.org/kids

 

CAREERS:

From growing trees to maintaining them, harvesting them, and making products from trees: all are tree-related careers. And you can also create art, music, and writing about trees. See how life-fulfilling they are?
http://www.urbanforest.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Pages.Page/id/430
http://forestrycareers.org/
http://www.fs.fed.us/fsjobs/jobs_overview.shtml
http://forestry.about.com/od/forestryemployment/a/become_a_forester.htm
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/production/woodworkers.htm