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

 

 

 

 

Crystal Clear

 

Wintertime is a good time to see crystals. But they are around us all the time. Get clear about crystals by doing these fun activities.

 

CONNECT:

• Watch the surprising science of snow crystals at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6zr2eLpduI
• Watch about the super crystal, diamond, at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tgnkoygbD0
• Crystals can be liquids – and can be used in many ways: see the possibilities at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuWDwVHVLio
• It's time for time crystals. It’s a new kind of matter. See the reality at https://youtu.be/TjVi5L7cYLQ

 

CREATE:

• Try these cool crystal science projects: https://www.kiwico.com/diy/lists/6-cool-crystal-science-projects-for-kids
• Create your own crystals without freezing by watching https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fqjrFzR0HE
• Grow rock candy by following the directions at https://www.thoughtco.com/how-to-grow-sugar-crystals-607659

 

CARE:

• Some people think that crystals can heal.  Is that fake or fact? Find out at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jn4BcFKQoGc
• Does your family have any crystals? Here is how to take care of them: https://www.unearthedstore.com/blogs/guides/crystal-care-101-how-to-take-care-of-your-crystals

 

CAREERS:

There are lots of facets to crystal-related careers: scientist, teacher,  manufacturer, jeweler. Get crystal clear about the possibilities here:

• https://work.chron.com/jobs-use-crystals-20275.html
• https://www.acs.org/careers/chemical-sciences/fields/crystallography.html
• https://www.careerexplorer.com/careers/jeweler/

Touring Museums - Virtually

You may have heard of museums – and even the names of a few famous ones such as the British Museum in London or the Van Gogh Museum. But you probably have not visited many of them. Now you can – virtually. These online activities introduce you to museums and let you tour them anytime anywhere.

CONNECT:

• What is a museum? And why should you visit them? Get the answers at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAr3UZn7nyg&ab_channel=ClickMuseum
• How did museums come about? Watch the answer at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iymqBTCUgKs&ab_channel=AccessibleArtHistory
• Watch some unusual museums from around the world at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GiKf0RfcnM&ab_channel=TheBrain

CREATE:

• Virtually tour kid-friendly museums by choosing from the list at https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/135637/virtual-museum-tours/
• The Smithsonian is a set of national museums in Washington, DC, and has as one of its main goals to provide learning activities for young people. Try some of the “fun stuff” for kids and teens at https://www.si.edu/kids
• Create your own virtual museum by following the directions at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLLD8jceios&ab_channel=BaldGuySci or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqXBT7CB0X4&ab_channel=BethanyThiele%2CArtTeacher

CARE:

• How do museums prepare and preserve their collections? See how natural history is collected and saved at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsKVjmQ-4pQ&ab_channel=PeggyNotebaertNatureMuseum
• Watch how library collections are handled at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UnXsWudagQ&ab_channel=TheMet. You can apply these techniques with books you own or borrow too.
• Here are 10 tips for visiting museums with kids: https://thisismyhappiness.com/tips-visiting-museums-kids/

CAREERS:

Practically any topic can be the focus of a museum: toys, sports, candy, as well as science and history. And there are many museum-related jobs Here are a few curated websites on museum careers.

• https://online.maryville.edu/online-bachelors-degrees/history/careers/types-of-museum-careers/
• Art curator: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKgsT5yTEWs&ab_channel=CamilleAllen
• A day inn the life of a museum collection manager: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEzA0kn6wrE&ab_channel=BurkeMuseum

Recording Music

 

How do you make music immortal? Record it. People have been recording music for thousands of years, and technology has greatly expanded the ways that music can be recorded. Find out with these online activities.

 

CONNECT:

• The first way that music was recorded was by writing it down: notation. See the history at https://kids.kiddle.co/Musical_notation
• Read about the history of recording technology at https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/sound-recording/273007
• Watch how to record a song at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jexlyS0QG-o

 

CREATE:

• See how to read sheet music at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybQ8nWNVZRo
• Compose your own music using https://www.classicsforkids.com/games/compose_your_own_music.php
• Try one of these apps to create your own music: https://www.cbc.ca/parents/learning/view/8-music-making-apps-for-kids

 

CARE:

• Here are tips to help take care of music CDs and DVDs: https://www.framedestination.com/cd-dvd-storage-archiving
• Find out how making music can help students cope with trauma at https://www.framedestination.com/cd-dvd-storage-archiving
• For parents: Music can help children feel better; read the benefits at https://www.zerotothree.org/resources/1514-beyond-twinkle-twinkle-using-music-with-infants-and-toddlers and https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/emotional-wellness/Pages/Music-and-Mood.aspx

 

CAREERS:

Want to record music for a living? Here are some leads.

• https://work.chron.com/types-jobs-can-degree-recording-arts-3318.html
• https://www.careerexplorer.com/careers/music-producer/how-to-become/
• https://wiki.kidzsearch.com/wiki/Audio_engineer

By the way, the music industry is hard to get into as a child so here’s some advice: https://www.thebalancecareers.com/how-can-i-help-my-child-break-into-the-music-business-2460288

 

 

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Into the Internet

For this, the 199^th theme, Cyberfamilies is featuring the Internet: the communication backbone of this blog. Nowadays, more than ever, the Internet has become a way to learn more than even – as well as a way to be entertained. With the activities below, you can learn WITH the Internet to learn ABOUT the Internet.

CONNECT:

• What happens in an Internet minute? See the action at https://www.visualcapitalist.com/what-happens-in-an-internet-minute-in-2019/
• What’s the difference between the Internet and the World Wide Web? Find out this and many more fun technology facts for kids at https://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/technology/internet.html
• Watch how the Internet works at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXsomnDkntI
• Several virtual museums exist; welcome to the Big Internet Museum at http://symbolics.com/museum/

CREATE:

• Staying at home a lot? Check out these free online events and activities for kids: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/free-online-events-activities-kids-at-home-coronavirus
• And https://www.livescience.com/coronavirus-kids-activities.html
• Try an hour of code activities (or more) at https://code.org/learn
• Choose from a variety of hands-on activities that introduce simple machine learning models through games and interactive projects at https://www.ibm.org/activities/machine-learning-for-kids

CARE:

• Get kid-friendly Internet safety tips at https://www.searchrpm.com/internet-safety-for-kids/kid-and-teen-resources
• Here’s more in-depth information about Internet dangers and ways to address them: https://www.safewise.com/resources/internet-safety-kids/
• Watch what’s in your digital footprint at https://www.commonsense.org/education/videos/whats-in-your-digital-footprint
• Not everyone has good access to the Internet; learn about the digital divide at https://kids.kiddle.co/Digital_divide

CAREERS:

The Internet is part of the majority of jobs in the U.S. You can be part of creating the Internet as well. Go from virtual to reality as you check out these possibilities!

https://www.careerfaqs.com.au/news/news-and-views/10-jobs-that-the-internet-created

https://www.jobsites411.com/web-internet.html

https://learn.org/articles/What_are_Some_Popular_Careers_in_Internet_Technology.html

https://www.entrepreneur.com/slideshow/306474

Let’s Hear It for Radio

Radio is a vital communication channel around the world, not just for entertainment but also for education. Tune into these informative and fun activities about radios.

CONNECT:

• Discover radio facts for kids at https://kids.kiddle.co/Radio
• Watch the history of radio at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdfrC7zz8Nc
• Find out how radios have served as educational tools: https://resources.instructure.com/courses/7/pages/instructional-radio
• Explore old time radio game shows at https://www.otrcat.com/quiz-and-game-old-time-radio-shows
• Minecraft has a radio station; watch it at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ytg-BkZ1RA

CREATE:

• Practice your listening skills through is collection of audio activities: https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/school-radio/eyfs-listening-skills/zbc4y9q
• Listen to classics for kids on these radio stations: https://www.classicsforkids.com/more/radio.php
• Do you have a two-way radio? Here are some fun games for kids to play with these radios: https://blog.techwholesale.com/2016/06/09/games-to-play-with-kids-using-two-way-radios/
• Be creative with these radio craft ideas for kids: http://www.preschoolactivities.us/radio-craft-idea-for-kids/
• You can make a radio transmission, and learn how radios work, following this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drLxfjqZHVo

CARE:

• The radio can help you keep happy and healthy; sing, move and play games via podcasts; here are 25 kid-friendly ones: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/the-best-podcasts-for-kids
• Radio stations can inspire kids to fitness. Read how Southern California did it; you can contact your own local station about replicating this idea: https://ocmarathon.com/not-your-local-radio-station-kroc-inspires-kids-to-fitness/
• You can get health information via the radio: https://www.healthcarenowradio.com/
• How the radio industry is helping people cope with the coronavirus situation: https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/headlines/coronavirus-operational-concerns

CAREERS:

Want other people to listen to you? Why not a career in radio? Or perhaps you like being behind the scenes producing or doing technical aspects of radio. And there are opportunities for manufacturing, selling, repairing, selling radio ads, for radios. Listen up to the future of radio – and you.

https://www.workinentertainment.com/blog/radio-jobs-how-to-get-started/

https://www.zippia.com/radio-internship-jobs/

https://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/radio-broadcasting-industry/

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/

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