Fooling Around With Optical Illusions

Things are not always what they appear to be. Whether it’s a mirage on the pavement or a movie “trick,” your eyes can fool you! Get a clear picture about optical illusions by exploring the following activities.

CONNECT:

• Here’s the background about optical illusions: https://kidskonnect.com/fun/optical-illusions/
• Find out how optical illusions occur, and try looking at illusions to see how tricky it can be for your brain to interpret images at https://www.optics4kids.org/illusions
• See how the brain gets fooled by optical illusions at http://fatherly.com/play/activities/best-optical-illusions-teach-kids/

CREATE:

• Make your own optical illusions following the directions at https://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/optical-illusions-eye-tricks-crafts.htmlhttps://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks/color-contrast
• You can change a color by changing its background by doing this colorful experiment: https://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks/color-contrast
• Check out these different kinds of optical illusions: https://kids.niehs.nih.gov/games/riddles/illusions/index.htm  and https://designpress.com/inspiration/optical-illusions-for-kids/ and http://brainden.com/optical-illusions.htm

CARE:

• Can optical illusions damage your eyes? Explore the issues at https://www.ameritasinsight.com/wellness/vision/can-optical-illusions-damage-your-eyes
• Driving can encounter optical illusions such as mirages and motion-induced blindness. Discover how to address these possible dangers at https://usinsuranceagents.com/car-driving-safety-optics/
• On the other hand, Iceland is improving road safety through optical illusions: https://www.guajardomarks.com/2018/08/30/road-safety-optical-illusions/

CAREERS:

Optical illusions can lead to a clear career, such as physicists, artists, film makers,

https://www.optics4kids.org/careers eye doctors. No fooling!

https://careertrend.com/info-8190042-kinds-jobs-there-optical-field.html

https://www.visiononline.org/blog-article.cfm/A-Career-in-Optics/39

https://www.aip.org/jobs/profiles/optics-and-lasers-careers

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

Feet Feat

You wouldn’t get far without your feet, but how much do you think about them? The world is at your feet so it’s time to explore them with these activities.

CONNECT:

• Find fun foot facts at https://pediatricfootankle.com/fun-foot-facts-for-kids/
• Check out some of the coolest animal feet at https://www.livescience.com/62055-weirdest-animal-feet.html
• Imagine having your bound to stop them growing! Read about this hold Chinese custom at https://wiki.kidzsearch.com/wiki/Foot_binding

CREATE:

• Get good and messy with these fun play activities using your feet: https://lemonlimeadventures.com/must-try-messy-play-activities-using-feet/
• Feet make tracks and you can make prints of them at following the directions at https://www.parentingscience.com/kindergarten-science-activities-tracking-animals.html
• Your feet impact how you walk. Imagine having the feet of another animal, and try walking like them – at https://pathways.org/help-your-childs-gross-motor-skills-with-these-animal-walks/

CARE:

• Look after your feet by following these tips: http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetailsKids.aspx?p=335&np=152&id=2340
• Find the right fit for your shoes at https://www.foothealthfacts.org/article/avoid-kid-s-foot-problems-with-the-right-shoes
• Why do your feet stink and what can you do to prevent the smell? https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/feet-stink.html

CAREERS:

Do you have a good feeling about feet? You can get a good footing in a career that involves feet: as a podiatrist, a pedicurist, a shoemaker, or just a job that keeps you on your feet!

https://www.careersinhealthcare.com/podiatrist/

https://www.truity.com/career-profile/manicurist-or-pedicurist

https://www.careerexplorer.com/careers/shoemaker/

https://money.usnews.com/careers/slideshows/20-jobs-that-keep-you-on-your-feet

Make It Your Mission

Make It Your Mission

Spanish missions are distinctive features of South and Southwestern United States. Easter time is a good time to discover these historic structures.

CONNECT:

• Read about the role of Spanish missions in US history at https://www.history.com/topics/religion/california-missions
• See how Spanish missions were built: http://www.designing-america.com/contenido/the-spanish-missions-in-the-united-states/?lang=en
• Read about the cultures of Texas missions at https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/its02
• Remember the Alamo! At https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTCcnbzSMc8

CREATE:

• Sing about missions with these songs set to familiar songs: http://home.snu.edu/~hculbert/songs.htm
• Use games to teach about missionaries: https://oureverydaylife.com/childrens-games-to-teach-about-missionaries-12083036.html
• Use a map to virtually walk on the California Missions Trail: https://www.visitcalifornia.com/feature/california-missions
• Try living in a mission with these activities: https://education.texashistory.unt.edu/lessons/notebook/SpanishMission/docs/Mission_PlacardC_J.pdf

CARE:

• You can use crafts to remind the family about missionary work and caring for others at https://www.ehow.com/info_8170549_missionary-crafts-kids.html
• How were people cared for in mission times? It depends on whom you ask. Here is an indigenous perspective: https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/its02
• Read how the National Park Service is trying to preserve historic Spanish Colonial missions: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/travelspanishmissions/architecture-and-preservation.htm
• Many missions were made of adobe clay; here is how to maintain it: https://www.nps.gov/tps/how-to-preserve/briefs/5-adobe-buildings.htm

CAREERS:

Want to make it your mission to work on missions? You can be an historian, a preservationist, an archeologist, an anthropologist, a park ranger, an architect, a photographer or artist, a landscaper, a writer, or even a religious member. Get inspired from the possibilities.

https://www.drkit.org/historic-preservationist/

https://www.environmentalscience.org/career/preservation-planner

https://today.uconn.edu/2011/08/the-impact-of-anthropology-on-native-american-culture/#

https://www.saa.org/about-archaeology/archaeology-as-a-career

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/

V is for Virus

Right now, COVID-19 (a form of coronavirus) is impacting people around the world. But it’s not a time to panic. Explore these online activities to keep informed about COVID-19 and other viruses. And keep healthy!

CONNECT:

• What is a virus? Watch the answer at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YS7vsBgWszI
• Here’s a fun basic explanation of COVID-19 and needed precautions for young people:  https://www.brainpop.com/health/diseasesinjuriesandconditions/coronavirus/
• This comic and 3-minute lesson about the new coronavirus is just for kids: https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/02/28/809580453/just-for-kids-a-comic-exploring-the-new-coronavirus
• And here’s a social story about the coronavirus: https://littlepuddins.ie/?fbclid=IwAR1-RoPqo4zQ92YAFvjVmxIEqg3EAnoVzu98b4IsMtdcndPvUUfDwxTAl1Y

CREATE:

• Create a family COVID-10 daily schedule so you can make the best use of your family time at home: https://kfan.iheart.com/featured/mansour-s-musings/content/2020-03-15-try-this-covid-19-daily-schedule-to-keep-your-kids-from-going-stir-crazy/
• Here are things to do with your kids at home during COVID-19 closures: https://www.kktv.com/content/news/Stuck-at-home-568831521.html
• Dance this catchy song about fighting coronavirus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctF5aMV05kM

CARE:

• This PBS article helps parents to with their children about COVID-19: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/10-tips-for-talking-about-covid-19-with-your-kids
• Here’s another family-friendly tips about addressing COVID-19: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/chest-lungs/Pages/2019-Novel-Coronavirus.aspx
• Read what kids can do about coronavirus at https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/coronavirus-kids.html?ref=search  (it’s in English and Spanish)

CAREERS:

While some businesses and public places are closed during virus attacks, other people are working hard to address such diseases. Hare are some possible healthy careers for you.

https://work.chron.com/type-scientist-studies-viruses-22811.html

https://www.environmentalscience.org/career/microbiologist

https://www.historyofvaccines.org/content/articles/careers-vaccine-research

https://www.asm.org/Articles/2018/November/Careers-in-Microbiology-and-the-Microbial-Sciences