Think Ink

 

How often you think about ink? It’s in pins, printers, even animals! Draw upon your new knowledge as you do these online activities.

 

CONNECT:

• Watch how ink is made at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01aeHXuiXig
• See how ink was discovered at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0NgOLF8f2M
• What is squid ink? Discover the answer at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiT79Lfxwps
• Read 16 surprising facts about printer ink (and toner) at https://www.tonerbuzz.com/blog/ink-and-toner-fun-facts/

 

CREATE:

• Make your own ink from household ingredients. See the directions at https://www.nps.gov/articles/ink-activity.htm#:~:text=Directions%3A%20Boil%20the%20raspberries%20with,it%20is%20ready%20to%20use!
• Create secret ink(shhh!) by following the directions at https://www.cmosc.org/invisible-ink-science-experiment-for-kids/
• Blow an ink monster ! See how at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWZHOzOmGQw

 

CARE:

• For parents: to tattoo or not to tattoo: https://www.healthday.com/health-news/conditions/b-9-10-kids-temporary-tattoos-can-harm-skin-function-2654951206.html
• Watch how to remove ink safely at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atDn_Zi7dSU
• Know someone with a tattoo? See what happens during laser tattoo removal at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6z2VO6pxwM

 

CAREERS:

Want to “ink in” your career? You can become a printer, an artist, a calligrapher, a tattoo artist, an ink manufacturer or seller, or a scientist. That’s a lot of ink! See some possibilities here.

• https://www.ziprecruiter.com/t/Most-Popular-Types-Of-Ink-Jobs
• https://www.careerexplorer.com/careers/calligrapher/
• How to become a tattoo artist: https://youtu.be/MRdl0tn1H0E

How Write You Are!

Getting your ideas down on paper enables you to share your thoughts with anyone – for years! So thank the lowly pencil or pen or marker or crayon. Find out about these valuable writing instruments by doing the activities below.

CONNECT:

• See a timeline of writing ink (and equivalent) at http://www.chadlabs.com/research-development/writing-ink-timeline.html and http://www.history.com/shows/modern-marvels/videos/writing-instruments
• There is no lead in lead pencils? What’s the history of the pencil? What does HB mean? Find out the answers to these and other questions about pencils at http://pencils.com/
• How are ballpoint pens made? Watch this video to find out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYme2M_YPu0
• What did 19^th century offices contain? See writing tools and office equipment at the virtual Early Office Museum: http://www.officemuseum.com/exhibits.htm
• You can buy a pencil for a dime – or over $12,000. How about spending eight million dollars for a pen? See the world’s most expensive writing instruments at http://financesonline.com/10-most-expensive-writing-instruments-in-the-world/

CREATE:

• Follow these directions at http://www.instructables.com/id/Make-a-real-feather-writing-quill/ to make your own writing quill.
• Make your own ink and paper following the directions at http://www.hometrainingtools.com/a/make-homemade-ink-project
• Want to send a secret message? Make your own invisible ink as explained at http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/experiments/invisibleink.html
• Get your stories and poems published at http://www.stonesoup.com/

CARE:

• Share your stories online by creating a storybook at https://www.mystorybook.com/
• Create a family writing center: http://illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets/writingcenters.htm
• How do pencils impact the environment? More than you might imagine: https://www.sustainabilityconsortium.org/wp-content/themes/sustainability/assets/pdf/product-categories/Wooden%20Pencils_Sustainability%20Insights.pdf
• Do well by doing good by joining this writing instruments recycling program: http://www.terracycle.com/en-US/brigades/writing-instruments-brigade-r

CAREER:

Like to write? Almost every company needs skilled writers. And all along the way to the writer’s hand are careers: forestry, mining, manufacturing, marketing, and sales. Write yourself a job!

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

https://blog.udemy.com/writing-careers/

http://www.writingforward.com/creative-writing/creative-writing-careers

http://idratherbewriting.com/2008/02/16/technical-writing-careers-answering-13-questions-about-technical-writing-jobs/

Fantastic! Beasts!

If you’re a Harry Potter fan, you have probably of its fantastic beasts. However, fantastic beasts have existed for thousands of years. Experience these imaginative creatures in the activities below.

CONNECT:

• Watch the myth and truth about mythical creatures from around the world at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgLzwPQB0_4
• Learn how science explains about mythical creatures at https://theportalist.com/7-mythological-creatures-explained-by-science
• OK, let’s recognize the obvious: Rowling’s fantastic beasts. And where do you find them besides in a book? Here at https://www.pottermore.com/features/care-of-magical-creatures-illustrations-introducing-new-fantastic-beasts
• Can animals fantasize? Find out the answer at http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20130207-can-animals-imagine

CREATE:

• Little ones will enjoy these playful games about mythical creatures: https://learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/en/category/topics/mythical-creatures
• Watch this video to see how to draw your own fantasy animals: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYTR9f6Xl9E
• Enjoy these kid-friendly mythical creature crafts: http://learncreatelove.com/crafts/character-mythical-crafts/
• Want to play unicorn? Try these DIY costumes: https://www.seventeen.com/fashion/g2907/diy-unicorn-costumes/

CARE:

• Want to cheer up a friend or relative? Try reading them fantasy poems: https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poems/other/fantasy
• Write a fantasy animal tale for a friend using these story starters: http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/story-starters/fantasy-writing-prompts/
• To help you further with storytelling, use this fantasy animal name generator: http://www.fantasynamegenerators.com/fantasy-animal-names.php
• Share your happiness with a unicorn party: http://www.eatingwell.com/article/290721/magical-unicorn-birthday-party-ideas-for-kids/

CAREERS:

Do you fantasize about your career? It may merge with fantastic creatures: as a writer, illustrator, film-maker, or designer. Imagine the possibilities here:

http://www.writersdigest.com/online-editor/writing-fantasy-how-to-write-fresh-when-following-a-recipe

http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2014/05/fantasy-illustrations-alexandra-khitrova/

https://www.filmconnection.com/movie-genres/scifi/

https://www.disd.edu/careers-interior-design.php

sfd

Signs of the Times

We are surrounded by signs, but do we see them – or otherwise recognize them? Doing the following activities is a sign that you want to learn how to read the signs better. That’s a good sign!

CONNECT:

• Several early writing systems were picture- or sign-based. The Chinese still write in complex signs of “characters.” See the origin of their writing system and how it evolved at http://www.ancientscripts.com/chinese.html
• Did you know that the colors and signs of road and traffic signs are created on purpose? Read more into signs at https://www.myparkingsign.com/blog/significance-of-colors-shapes-in-road-traffic-signs/
• Hallmark Cards used that name for a purpose. Learn the history of hallmarking at https://www.thegoldsmiths.co.uk/company/history/hallmarking/.
• Did you know that sign language isn’t universal? Watch this video to see why: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viRVFxvXSss

CREATE:

• A coat of arms is a sign of a family, and what makes them special. Learn about coats of arms, and make your own family coat of arms at http://medievaleurope.mrdonn.org/heraldry.html
• Learn how to read road signs by playing this game: http://www.jrso.com/funzone/roadsigns/roadsignsgame/
• Can you make a story with just emojis? This dictionary can help you: https://emojipedia.org/people/
• Whether weather? It happens whether or not you like it. But wouldn’t it be useful to forecast the weather? Learn the signs of weather at http://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-forecasting.htm

CARE:

• Learn how to communicate with someone can’t hear; learn the basics of American Sign Language by following along with these kid-friendly videos: http://www.watchknowlearn.org/Category.aspx?CategoryID=333
• Learn how to read and made trail markings, which can be a nature-friendly to get around: http://howtowilderness.com/trail-signs/
• Danger! Several signs indicate chemical hazards: https://www.osha.gov/Publications/HazComm_QuickCard_Pictogram.html. You can cut out these pictograms like flashcards, and memorize them with your family. Your lives might depend them.  
• Have you seen the international peace sign? It was created in the 1950s by a student to promote peace and nuclear disarmament. Its 60^th birthday is coming up: April 4. Learn the reason for the design and more at http://www.planetpals.com/IKC/peacesignbirthday.html.  And celebrate peace!

CAREER:

Whether signs are from nature or humans, there’s a career in knowing about and making signs: forest ranger, meteorologist, graphic artist, billboard manager, interpreter, even chemist (for those neon signs). Sign up for a great job! Here are some examples:

http://work.chron.com/list-weather-climate-careers-18217.html

https://woman.thenest.com/sign-maker-job-description-20379.html

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

https://www.historians.org/jobs-and-professional-development/career-resources/careers-for-history-majors