Rain, Rain, Don’t Go Away

 

Without rain, Earth would be a dead planet. Drop into these activities to learn the special aspects of rain.

 

CONNECT:

• Discover why it rains at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPEoe1DW_5U
• Watch how rain is formed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vfg_I70Q0Sw
• What is a thunderstorm? See the answer and more at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsUjBiZiUFg
• What is the difference between rain and a monsoon. Get the Indian perspective at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Tl1qPIUkSw

 

CREATE:

• Try fun rainy activities for preschoolers: https://empoweredparents.co/rain-activities-for-preschoolers/
• What can you do on a rainy day? LOTS of activities; check them out at https://mommypoppins.com/ny-kids/50-indoor-activities-for-a-rainy-day
• Make a rain cloud in a jar by following the directions at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DB6GITF95es

 

CARE:

• Flash floods are the #1 weather-related killer in the U.S. Become aware of floods athttps://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-safety-flood.htm
• Learn how to dress during the rainy season at https://ozkizglobal.com/blogs/ozkiz-blog/how-to-dress-your-child-during-the-rainy-season
• Discover how to stay safe in a thunderstorm at https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/thunderstorms.html

 

CAREERS:

It’s raining job about rain: as a meteorologist (weather expert), flood controller, storm chaser and more. Drop into these websites to find out about rain-related careers.

• https://www.weather.gov/careers/
• https://www.nssl.noaa.gov/people/jobs/careers.php
• https://www.ametsoc.org/index.cfm/ams/education-careers/careers/career-guides-tools/meteorology-fields/
• https://work.chron.com/list-weather-climate-careers-18217.html

 

 

The World of Storytelling

Storytelling is a universal activity, and even predates written history. Find out about storytelling around the world, and connect with others through telling stories.

CONNECT:

• Watch this introduction to storytelling: https://www.khanacademy.org/partner-content/pixar/storytelling/we-are-all-storytellers/v/storytelling-introb
•  Storytelling has been an important part of India for thousands of years: see some of their diverse traditions: https://penguin.co.in/thepenguindigest/storytelling-traditions-of-india-and-its-importance/
•  Chinese shadow puppetry is over 2000 years old. Learn about their history at https://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/focus/shadow-puppetry.htm
•  Griots are West African storytellers. Hear them in action at https://greenglobaltravel.com/west-african-griot/

CREATE:

•  Watch Japanese kamishibai (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6URceEr_zc), and then make your own storycard drama by following these directions: http://www.sjsu.edu/education/docs/mcc/Everybody_Clapx.pdf
• Be a hula girl by dancing along this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpN1MQXxr5c
• Make your own shadow puppets following these directions: http://www.planet-science.com/categories/under-11s/our-world/2012/04/make-your-own-shadow-puppets.aspx

CARE:

• Learn the art of storytelling at https://www.mensaforkids.org/teach/lesson-plans/the-art-of-storytelling/. 
• Here’s how to change the world with the kindness of storytelling: https://www.doinggoodtogether.org/bhf/blog/how-to-change-the-world-with-the-kindness-of-storytelling
• Make a digital story about your community; these middle schoolers tell how to produce it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5usc00wa40
• To record your story, here are some kid-friendly digital storytelling apps: https://www.educatorstechnology.com/2018/05/12-great-digital-storytelling-apps-for.html

CAREERS:

Do you like making up stories? It can pay off – as a career. Whether you write, draw, film, sing, dance or just talk, storytelling is a valuable and profitable skill. Just ask teachers, librarians, politicians, lawyers and Disney.

https://www.themuse.com/advice/5-career-paths-for-people-who-love-telling-stories

https://idealistcareers.org/jobs-roundup-jobs-in-storytelling/

https://ccskills.org.uk/careers/advice/article/a-career-in-storytelling