Plant Seeds of life

 

You plant seeds. You eat seeds. You make things with seeds. They are the start of many living things. Think of plant seeds as tiny sleeping packages complete with a baby plant, food supply, and protective outer cover. They just need sunlight, water and warmth to grow. Pretty amazing. Find out more about this special part of nature with these online activities.

 

CONNECT:

• Watch how a seed becomes a plant at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rJdVQNy6TY
• See different types of seeds at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BxeVqpY-aA
• We usually think of people planting seeds but plants spread seeds too. Find out how at https://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/gardening_with_children/didyouknow_seeds.shtml

 

CREATE:

• See how seeds grow from the start with this simple activity (and more follow-up projects) at https://www.playdoughtoplato.com/kids-science-growing-seeds/
• Seed a scientist with these seed science activities for kids: https://littlebinsforlittlehands.com/seed-science-activities-for-kids/
• Here’s a “ton” of fun seed activities for kids: https://www.howweelearn.com/tons-seed-activities-kids/

 

CARE:

• Discover the nutrition value of seeds at https://plantbasedjuniors.com/nutritional-value-of-seeds-and-kid-friendly-uses/
• Check out these 7 healthy super seeds at https://goodness.com.au/blog/7-healthy-super-seeds-a-guide-to-seeds/
• Some seeds are not only unhealthy; they are poisonous! So watch out for these plant seeds (and what do it if you swallow one) at https://www.chop.edu/centers-programs/poison-control-center/poisonous-seeds

 

CAREERS:

Do seeds seem to plant an idea of a job for you? You could be a farmer, a scientist, a gardener, a landscaper, an environmentalist, a food manufacturer, a chef, a sales person, even an artist. Here are some websites about seed-related jobs that might grow into a blooming career!

• https://www.seedyourfuture.org/botanist
• Landscaper life: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNFAcNsB5Yo
• Greenhouse manager life: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HH6WsN5NI5k&t=2s

Good for you: Food!

 

Of course you need food to live, but some food is better for you than others – and the right mix of food can help keep you healthy. Get the inside scoop on the nutrition of food with these online activities.

 

COMMENT:

• What is nutrition? and why is it important? Get the answers at https://youtu.be/VpfYP2NtHfs
• A good place to start is a good plate. See the US Department of Agriculture’s recommendations for healthy eating at https://www.myplate.gov/life-stages/kids
• Family dentists are sharing 10 fun food facts for kids at https://wemakekidssmile.net/10-fun-food-facts-for-kids/
• Become a healthy superhero by watching Captain Create at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCA9UUVYEagSVjyzf8enp9gQ/videos

 

CREATE:

• Make dining decisions a game at https://www.cdc.gov/school-nutrition/dining-decisions/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/bam/mobileapp.html
• Try the snack shack challenge at https://www.fda.gov/food/nutrition-education-resources-materials/whyville-snack-shack-games
• Take the Vitamin C challenge at https://aglab.ars.usda.gov/let-s-get-to-work/the-vitamin-c-challenge
• Are you 10 or older? Then you can help protect the community from food-based illness by playing https://outbreaksquad.com/index.html

 

CARE:

• Learn how to read a nutrition facts label at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylY0w04AAVk&ab_channel=DrSmarty; parents can use the information at https://www.fda.gov/food/nutrition-facts-label/how-understand-and-use-nutrition-facts-label to help plan nutritional family meals.
• What is a food allergy? See the answer at https://youtu.be/CnxzZXjbddk
• Girls only! Get girl-only nutrition tips at https://girlshealth.gov/nutrition/index.html
• Become a diet detective at https://health.choc.org/how-to-become-a-diet-detective-some-trends-may-be-harmful-to-kids/
• For parents: Build a healthy diet for your children, based on the Mayo Clinic’s guidelines at https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/childrens-health/in-depth/nutrition-for-kids/art-20049335

 

CAREERS:

Does good food sound good to you as a career? You could be a nutritionist, a dietician, a scientist, a healthcare professional, a cook or chef, a farmer, a teacher --- there are many ways to you can make a nutritional living. Here is a sampling of opportunities, so treat yourself.

• https://nutrition.org/careers/career-pathways-in-nutrition/
• https://www.eatright.org/health/wellness/healthful-habits/what-a-registered-dietitian-nutritionist-can-do-for-you
• Farmer markets https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7ZaVZpFSMM&t=51s&ab_channel=NationalAgriculturalLibrary
• Follow the nutrition story map about feeding a growing population at https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/6f92b5c2e3754eb3b449a96580605d98

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rah for Rice

Rah for Rice

Rice is a staple food for people around the world. But how much do you know about this vital grain? Discover why you should hurray for rice by exploring these activities.

CONNECT:

• Check out these fun facts about rice at https://freerice.com/blog/10-fascinating-facts-about-rice
• Watch how rice is grown at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxAEiHCErSA&t=28s
• See how kids react to rice dishes from around the world at
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=et1yp1pnw3A
• Be amazed with the science of rice at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4im1TNpPlOg

CREATE:

• Fill your senses with these rice-based sensory play ideas: https://besttoys4toddlers.com/rice-sensory-play-ideas-kids/
• Try these run rice crafts and recipes for kids: https://funfamilycrafts.com/rice-activities-crafts-for-kids/
• Make rice dance by following these directions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alMD3dq7Nec

CARE:

• How healthy is rice? Find out at https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-rice
• What would happen if you ate rice every day? Get the answers at https://www.eatingwell.com/article/8039484/eating-rice-every-day/
• Check out these tips on handling rice safely: https://www.torbay.gov.uk/business/food-safety/handling-rice-safely/

CAREERS:

Might rice be a staple part of your career? You can grow it, process it, sell it, cook with it, study it, even make art with it. Here are some possibilities:

• https://www.usarice.com
• Rice processing with technology: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ray8LsGvvgQ
• Rice artist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AruavMuIGpc

 

 

 

 

Spill the Beans!

 July is National Baked Bean month. Baking is just one way to serve beans, and beans have been srving us for thousands of years. Use your “bean” (brain) to spill the beans on beans with these activities.

CONNECT:

• Read fun facts about beans at https://justfunfacts.com/interesting-facts-about-beans/
• What's inside a bean? Get the inside story at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFmBKpQxf-U&ab_channel=SciShowKids
• Watch the life cycle of a bean at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9C1snqYyf-0&ab_channel=CesarIbarra
• How do Mexican jumping beans jump? Solve the mystery at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZ45se_3TKA&ab_channel=BBCStudios

CREATE:

• Experiment with beans in the kitchen by following the directions at https://www.kids-cooking-activities.com/bean-facts.html
• Get crafty with beans with these fun activities: https://funfamilycrafts.com/bean-crafts-kids/
• Act out being a bean with these warm-up ideas: https://www.teachingideas.co.uk/warm-up-ideas/beans-activity
• Taste-test these 42 kid-friendly bean recipes: https://www.lizshealthytable.com/2020/06/08/42-bean-recipes-kids-and-families-will-love/

CARE:

• Green beans are one of the easiest plants to grow, as seen in this video. Try it yourself: https://youtu.be/OZr4KBcPXiY
• Grow your own lima beans; learn how at https://smartclass4kids.com/lima-beans-facts/
• Beans help you take care of yourself. Get the facts about beans – their history, their variety, and their benefits – at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9ivVEcs6b8&ab_channel=HealthFacts

CAREERS:

Want to grow beans or cook them – or spread the good news about beans? Here are some careers that could sprout up for you.

• https://start.rm.edu/exercise-science-careers/7-careers-in-nutrition/
• Coffee bean growing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kMKRY9AN4U&ab_channel=PotluckVideo
• Exporting beans abroad: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4qvHynyPS0&ab_channel=FarmKenya

It's the Berries!

Early summer is the time for berry picking and eating. Do these yummy online activities to binge on berries.

CONNECT:

• You think you know berries? How about tomatoes as a berry? Get the berry real facts at https://kids.kiddle.co/Berry
• Look at 10 berries you probably never know about: at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oMigYhlBYI
• Not all fruits are safe; watch the most dangerous fruits in the world: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RN8_-N7zxe0

CREATE:

• Try these super sweet berry crafts for kids: http://www.playideas.com/25-super-sweet-berry-crafts-for-kids/
• Like to eat berries morning, noon and night? Try these kid-friendly berry recipes: https://www.kids-cooking-activities.com/berry-facts.html
• Want to grow your own berries? Here are some good tips: https://www.superhealthykids.com/healthy-home/how-to-grow-berries/

CARE:

• Berries are not only good to eat, but they are also good FOR you. Read about their benefits at https://www.momjunction.com/articles/blueberries-for-kids_00397727/
• This family-oriented website gives tips on strawberry picking trips with kids: https://www.frugallivingnw.com/strawberry-picking-with-kids/
• Berry stains can last a long time; here are some good way to remove them: https://www.kidspot.com.au/lifestyle/home/home-solutions/how-to-remove-berry-stains/news-story/1f6072f4060332786a22d70953cc8054

CAREERS:

Berries can lead to a fruitful career: farming and other agricultural jobs, the food industry, science, and even fashion! Pick some of these berry informative sources about berries and job. You’ll be berry happy you picked these fields.

https://www.canr.msu.edu/hrt/students/undergraduate/careers_in_horticulture

https://www.careersinfood.com/career-planning/

https://www.agdaily.com/insights/farm-babe-stay-ahead-of-the-field-with-these-careers-in-plant-science/

Say Cheese!

Talk about old cheese: there is evidence that cheese was made 7500 years ago! Cheese is great to eat by itself and in combination with so many other foods. No wonder we smile when we say “cheese.”

CONNECT:

Discover over a thousand kinds of cheese – by country, texture, and color – at http://www.cheese.com/

Find the facts about cheese at http://wiki.kidzsearch.com/wiki/Cheese

Read about the history of cheese: http://www.gourmetcheesedetective.com/History-of-Cheese.html

How is cheese made? Watch the video to find out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVVpjVk4Gy8

The science of cheese is weirder than you think: https://www.wired.com/2014/03/everythingyoudidntknowyouwantedtoknow-about-the-science-of-cheese/

CREATE:

It’s time for kids to cook; start with baked mac and cheese, and get good tips for cooking with kids: https://www.babble.com/best-recipes/kid-made-recipes-baked-mac-and-cheese/

Make your own cheese by viewing the photos and directions at http://whileshenaps.com/2015/06/summer-activity-with-kids-making-cheese-at-home.html

Play Cheese Quest at http://www.coolmath-games.com/0-cheese-quest

Play the Cheese Touch game, form the Wimpy Kid Club: https://www.wimpykidclub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/cheese_touch_game.pdf

CARE:

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. See why – and see how cheese can be part of that meal: http://kidshealth.org/en/kids/breakfast.html

Learn how to read food labels at https://www.choosemyplate.gov/budget-food-label and https://www.fda.gov/food/ingredientspackaginglabeling/labelingnutrition/ucm274593.htm. Then compare cheese food, processed cheese and natural cheese.

How do you keep cheese from molding? Find out at http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-store-cheese-what-to-do-100285

CAREERS:

Do cheese-related careers make you smile? You can make money manufacturing cheese, selling it, cooking with it – as well as raising animals whose milk can be made into cheese.

http://www.backwoodshome.com/finding-buying-milking-and-living-with-the-family-milk-cow/

http://careers.stateuniversity.com/pages/7/Cheese-Industry-Worker.html

https://www.thebalance.com/culinary-careers-525994

Craving Cookies?

Cookies are great to eat any time of the year, but the holiday season brings even more kinds of these delicious treats. And there are e-cookies as well, which might be less of a treat. Good food for thought.

CONNECT:

• Cookies are older than Christmas! The first ones date by to the 7^th century BC in Persia. Trace the history of cookies at http://whatscookingamerica.net/History/CookieHistory.htm
• On http://en.translatethings.com/c/o/o/cookie.html, you can translate “cookie” into 148 languages.
• What the chemistry of cookies at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6wpNhyreDE.
• How do cookies get on your computer? And what ARE computer cookies? Find out at http://www.wisegeek.org/what-are-computer-cookies.htm

CREATE:

• Here are kid-friendly cookie recipes for the holidays: http://www.bhg.com/christmas/cookies/christmas-cookies-for-kids/ and http://www.parents.com/recipes/holidays/christmas/12-kid-friendly-christmas-cookies/
• Try making cookies from different countries: http://globalcookies.blogspot.com/ and http://www.christmas-cookies.com/recipes/bycountry.php
• When is a cookie not a cookie? When it’s a craft (such as an ornament or house): create some fun at http://www.ivillage.ca/food/recipes/easy-christmas-cookies-kids-holiday-baking-crafts

CARE:

• Can cookies be healthy? Here are WebMD’s recommendations for healthier holiday cookies: http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/healthier-holiday-cookie-recipes
• Help the hungry. Donate food to a food bank this season. To find a book bank near you, go to http://www.feedingamerica.org/
• Learn ways to be a good cookie through the Cookies for Kids’ Cancer at http://www.cookiesforkidscancer.org/

CAREERS:

Wouldn’t it be great to make money from cookies? You could be a baker or a nutritionist, a seller or a party planner. Or you could become a computer programmer. Look at these possibilities:

https://collegegrad.com/careers/bakers

http://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-programmers.htm

http://careers.stateuniversity.com/pages/535/Party-Planner.html

What’s Cooking?

Cooking is a lifelong skill, and it can be fun and creative. Cooking also has cultural, scientific, and socio-political aspects. What’s cooking in your family?

CONNECT:

• There are lots of different ways to think about cooking: by ingredients, by culture, by holiday. http://www.spatulatta.com/ has hundreds of video recipes by these categories, and features fun recipes such as Teddy Bear Tea and Sea Turtle Taters.
• What is the science of cooking? Explore the science behind food and cooking at http://www.exploratorium.edu/cooking/
• Cooking reflects cultural perspectives. Compare these two sites, for instance: http://www.kids-cooking-activities.com/Mexican-cooking.html, http://members.tripod.com/~Nancy_J/kwanzaa.htm
• Food’s been around long before cooking or recipes. But humans have been improving on food for centuries. Trace food and cooking over time at http://www.foodtimeline.org/
• Where does food come from? Trace one fruit at http://www.watermelon.org/FAQ/FAQ-FunFacts.aspx

 CREATE:

• Create a recipe; many youngsters sent PBS fun recipes, that you can try: http://pbskids.org/zoom/activities/cafe/
• Chemistry is related to cooking. Expand your ideas about recipes by trying slime recipes for kids: http://chemistry.about.com/od/letsmakeslime/Lets_Make_Slime.htm
• Create a nutritional plan as a family using http://www.letsmove.gov/plan-healthy-meal and http://www.choosemyplate.gov/
• Be creative about going meat-free; here is a good site for vegan cooking: http://vegweb.com/

CARE:

• Take care of your bones through good cooking and eating: http://www.bestbonesforever.gov/
• What is a sustainable diet in some countries? In some areas, it includes insects as a staple: http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/dept/bugfood1.asp
• Children's Hunger Relief Fund (http://www.chrf.org/) responds to children's immediate physical, emotional, and spiritual needs following drought, earthquake, hurricane, war, and other disasters.
• Wondering what you can do to help end world hunger? Visit  http://www.chrf.org/; the page sponsors donate money to the United Nations World Food Programme.

CAREER:

Cooking is a staple of life, so it’s no surprise that it is a staple in the arena of careers. And there are many jobs that contribute to cooking: agriculture, marketing, retail business, manufacturing, nutrition, home economics, restauranteur, and food services.

http://www.careeroverview.com/chef-careers.html

http://www.four-h.purdue.edu/foods/Careers%20Level%20A%20frame1.htm#top

http://www.usda.gov/documents/8-Careers.pdf

http://www.onetonline.org/find/career?c=1