GIve a Big Hand for Hands

Aren’t hands amazing? They move in so many ways, and have so many uses. They certainly come in handy, as these activities show.

CONNECT:

• What are hands made of? Bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, nerves, and blood vessels. See each of them at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyl6eoU-3Rg
• How does the hand work? Read the details at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279362/
• Did you know that your hand can be used to understand math beyond just counting your fingers? Discover how your hand demonstrates the Divine Proportion and other math concepts at http://www.goldennumber.net/human-hand-foot/
• Create a trivia game based on these fun facts about hands: http://www.eatonhand.com/hw/facts.htm

CREATE:

• Try some of these hands-on crafts for kids: http://www.craftsforkids.com/
• Hands are the main way that we use the sense of touch. This website on the senses includes many experiments and activities in which the participant is blindfolded in order to heighten the sense of touch: http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/chsense.html
• Think drawing a hand is just drawing a circle and 5 lines? There is so much more! Look at the possibilities at http://design.tutsplus.com/tutorials/human-anatomy-fundamentals-how-to-draw-hands--cms-21440
• What kind of fingerprint are you? Try this experiment: https://www.nsta.org/sciencematters/docs/Shippensburg-FingerPrinting2.pdf

CARE:

• Show your care of the environment by making crafts from recycled materials: http://www.handsoncrafts.org/
• No matter how old you are or what you do for a living, you are always using your hands. When there is something wrong with them, you may not be able to do your regular activities. Find out about possible hand problems and how to prevent or deal with them at  https://medlineplus.gov/handinjuriesanddisorders.html
• Choosing the right pair of gloves or mittens for snow sports can be the difference between a fun-filled, comfortable outing and a miserable trip with frigid fingers. Learn the details at https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/snow-gloves-and-mittens--how-to-choose.html
• And if you have ink on your hands (say you did fingerprint experiments), be crafty, and make something for a friend: http://www.triciagoyer.com/15-fingerprint-crafts/

CAREERS:

Do you like to work with your hands? Almost all jobs use hands, but some jobs specialize in hands: hand care specialists, health professionals hand models, clothiers, forensics.

• Here are top jobs for hands-on workers: http://www.insidejobs.com/blog/top-jobs-for-hands-on-workers
• Communicate with your hands as a sign language interpreter: http://www.deafwebsites.com/sign-language/career-sign-language-interpreter.html
• Watch how detectives use fingerprints at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ohDwGPeqgE

Go Fish!

The kingdom of the sea is the realm of fish. Consider your pet goldfish as a land visitor. Fish for these fun activities.

CONNECT:

• Do fish sleep? Do fish breathe air? Can fish swim backwards? Here’s a bouillabaisse of fish FAQs: http://www.nefsc.noaa.gov/faq/
• Experience an aquarium online in real time at http://www.waikikiaquarium.org/experience/webcam/
• At the bottom of the ocean where does light come from? Fish make their own light: bioluminescence. Shed some light on these DEEP water animals at http://ocean.si.edu/bioluminescence
• Seahorses aren’t horses. Sea horse dads give birth to their babies. What else makes seahorses special? Round up details about seahorses at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/seahorse/

 

CREATE:

• Create a trivia fact game using the information from Shark Sider: http://www.sharksider.com/shark-facts/
• Try your hand at tying fishing knots by following the directions at http://www.fishingcairns.com.au/page6-1.html
• Learn how to fish in 9 easy steps: http://www.mykidsadventures.com/how-to-fish/
• Ever hear of folding fish? Try create origami fish by following the directions at http://www.origami-resource-center.com/origami-fish.html

CARE:

• Learn how to make an aquarium and take care of your pet fish by consulting http://www.tetra-fish.com/Splash.aspx
• Take care of your aquarium too; http://www.aquariumcarebasics.com/
• Use this web tool to diagnose your pet fish’s health: http://www.fishyportal.com/diag/
• Over 50 species of fish are threatened or endangered in the U.S. Leran how to help them keep around at https://www.fws.gov/endangered/. Type “fish” in the species search box to identify your favorite finny friend.

CAREERS:

Fishing for a good career? Your future may look watery – but fun!

• Consider volunteering for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: https://www.fws.gov/refuges/about/youth.html
• Meet an oceanographer: http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/edu/oceanage/05auster/welcome.html
• See the range of jobs in the fishing industry: http://www.fishingindustryjobs.com/fishing-index.asp

Island Life

“No man is an island,” but there are many islands for humans. And life on islands can be very rich. Bring the family together for these island activities; you won’t be alone in having fun.

CONNECT:

• President Obama is a Hawaiian native, as are several other famous people. Read about them at http://www.atozkidsstuff.com/hawaii.html
• An island can be a good place for criminals because it is hard to escape. Here are ten prison islands that are now tourist attractions: https://weather.com/travel/news/paradise-prison-islands-photos-20140725#/1
• What’s the biggest island in the world? Greenland! Read about its geography, climate, and Northern Lights: http://www.geographia.com/denmark/greenland.html
• Easter Island has long been the subject of curiosity. How and why did its inhabitants carve and transport the massive statues which surround the island? What lessons can we learn from their legacy? Dig out the facts at http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/earth/easterisland.html
• Read about the mermaid of the Orkney Islands: http://www.orkneyjar.com/folklore/finfolk/mermaid.htm

CREATE:

• Create a trivia fact game about islands using facts found at https://www.nps.gov/findapark/index.htm.  Type in “island” in the search bar, and you’ll find over a dozen islland national monuments and parks.
• Have an island party, and make your own snacks; even preschoolers can get cookin’: http://motherhood.modernmom.com/island-party-theme-snacks-children-can-make-themselves-16591.html
• Play a game about Oceania islands: http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/Oceania_GL_click.html
• Enjoy fun Hawaiian luau games: http://www.polynesia.com/luau-games.html#.V4G8VTVF1_Q

CARE:

• Where did your family immigrate from? It’s likely they arrived at Ellis Island or Angel Island Dig into your family history at http://www.libertyellisfoundation.org/genealogy/index.asp and http://www.aiisf.org/
• Did you know that foxes live on islands? Read about this diminutive and increasingly rare native of the Channel Islands. Learn about factors contributing to the decline of the island fox, and find out what you can do to help – at https://www.nps.gov/chis/learn/nature/island-fox.htm
• Did you ever read the book Misty of Chincoteague? The legend is that ponies swam to this island from a Spanish Vessel which had capsized off the coast, around 1600. Find out about these hardy pones, and help maintain them: http://www.mistyofchincoteague.org/

CAREERS:

What kinds of jobs might you have if you live on an island? Fishing, tourism, park ranger, naturalist, marine biologist, transportation.

http://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/whats-it-like-to-actually-work-on-a-cruise-ship/

http://www.parkrangeredu.org/

http://www.academicinvest.com/science-careers/forestry-careers/how-to-become-a-park-and-wildlife-naturalist

http://www.fishingindustryjobs.com/fishing-index.asp

http://www.marinecareers.net/

Spring into Summer

It’s now officially summer. What does that entail? What’s special about this time of the year? And how do you make the most of summer days? Find out with these Internet-based activities.

CONNECT:

• Why are the days so long in the summer? Get the inside angle about the summer solstice at http://www.factmonster.com/spot/solsticeforkids.html
• On June 21 you might have seen a strawberry moon. If not, you can see this rare phenomenon (and learn the background of this special moon view) at http://www.space.com/33240-delicious-strawberry-full-moon-wows-stargazers.html
• Step into the Way Back Machine to see what summer camp and family car trips were like years ago: http://kids.pbskids.org/wayback/summer/features.html
• Imagine dancing for 16 days! Discover the Native American Sun Dance ceremony: http://www.brownielocks.com/sundance.html

CREATE:

• June 6 was National Yo-Yo Day. Watch this video to see how to make a yo-yo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uoldaHVt0s.  Then watch how to play with one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDiioSreoPc
• Now that school is out, you have lots of time for summer crafts: https://www.care.com/a/62-summer-crafts-for-kids-1307010525
• Try some of these creative car games for summer road trips: http://www.pbs.org/parents/summer/road-trip-games-for-kids/
• Gear up for the summer Olympics by finding out its history, symbols, and competitions: http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/collection/gear-summer-olympics.  Hold your own summer olympic games.

CARE:

• Need a special day to show you care? Go to https://www.checkiday.com/06/01/2016. Just on June 1 alone you can observe Heimlich Maneuver Day, Global Day of Parents, Say for Children, and Say Something Nice Day!  
• Take care of your summer skin. Here are natural sunscreen alternatives as well as natural sunburn treatments: https://sunwarrior.com/healthhub/natural-sunscreen-alternatives
• Got bitten by an insect or spider? Here are some home treatments that doctors suggest: http://www.webmd.com/first-aid/tc/insect-bites-and-stings-and-spider-bites-home-treatment
• Did you know that a lemonade stand can help fight cancer? Check it out at http://www.alexslemonade.org/campaign/kids-corner.  You can help too.

CAREERS:

• Is there a teen in your family? This website provides a great collection of summer seasonal jobs and tips: https://www.livecareer.com/quintessential/summer-job-sites
• What about working abroad this summer? Here are some good short-term jobs abroad: http://www.transitionsabroad.com/listings/work/shortterm/summer_jobs_abroad.shtml
• College Board provides tips on how to find a great summer job – and why: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-started/outside-the-classroom/how-to-find-a-great-summer-job

Father's Day Every Day

Fathers come in all sizes and shapes, and serve in different roles: from founders of our country to spiritual advisors. It’s not just biology that makes a father; it’s how one acts and how others perceive a father. Discover the variety – and the universality -- of fathers in these activities.

CONNECT:

• Read the stories of America’s Founding Fathers: http://colonialhall.com/
• Did you know that Father’s Day started in Spokane in 1910? Sonora Smart Dodd wanted to honor her father, who was a civil war veteran who singlehanded raised his six children. (Trivia fact: Ms. Dodd was this blogger’s Sunday School teacher.) It took 62 years for Father’s Day to become a national holiday. Get the details from the History Channel: http://www.history.com/topics/holidays/fathers-day
• What’s the word for “father” in different languages? Pick out some name at http://www.loveyoufather.com/father-in-different-languages.html, and use them with a father you know.
• See the animal kingdom’s top ten dads at http://www.animalplanet.com/wild-animals/10-animal-dads/

CREATE:

• Learn how to write a poem from Father Goose (aka Charles Ghigna): an American children’s poet: http://www.charlesghigna.com/poemhowto.html
• Try these activities and resources for the celebration of Father's Day, including games, clip art, stories, and  crafts: http://www.dltk-holidays.com/dad/
• Make some fun father’s day food: http://kidsactivitiesblog.com/53963/fun-fathers-day-food
• Here’s Father’s Day by the numbers; try creating a game from them: http://www.census.gov/newsroom/facts-for-features/2016/cb16-ff11.html

CARE:

• Here are 29 Father’s Day gifts that kids can make for someone’s dad: https://www.care.com/a/29-fathers-day-gifts-kids-can-make-1305280622
• Father Flanagan founded Boys Town, a place for at-risk children. Find out about this caring person and service at http://www.boystown.org.
• “Father” is a name often given to Catholic priests. Find out  how they became fathers: http://bustedhalo.com/questionbox/when-did-the-use-of-father-become-a-practice-in-the-catholic-church-for-ordained-priests
• This national initiative helps men be better fathers: http://www.fatherhood.org/

CAREERS:

Being a father is a career in itself. This article points how how fathers can affect one’s career: http://www.forbes.com/sites/kathycaprino/2013/12/23/7-ways-your-father-affected-your-career/#6efc08cb7537