Dear Reindeer

 

Dear Reindeer

‘Tis the season to think about reindeer. What is so special about them? Find out the answers and more with the following activities.

 

CONNECT:

• When is a reindeer NOT a reindeer? When it is wild and live in North American – they are then called caribou. Watch more facts about reindeer at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXsqn8cskZ8
• Read 12 incredible reindeer facts for Christmas at https://a-z-animals.com/blog/12-incredible-reindeer-facts-for-christmas/?from=exit_intent
• What’s the story behind reindeer and Santa? Get the answer at https://www.cnn.com/2012/12/22/opinion/galloway-reindeer
• Compare deer and reindeer at https://pediaa.com/difference-between-deer-and-reindeer/#:~:text=The%20main%20difference%20between%20deer,second%20biggest%20species%20of%20deer

 

CREATE:

• ‘Tis the season for fun reindeer crafts for kids: at https://www.kitchencounterchronicle.com/20-ridiculously-fun-reindeer-crafts-for-kids/
• Play some reindeer-inspired games at https://www.joyintheworks.com/10-reindeer-games-christmas-parties-family-fun/
• Learn how to make reindeer rockets and other holiday science at https://thekidshouldseethis.com/post/reindeer-rockets
• Make magical reindeer food at https://www.inspiringsavings.com/reindeer-food/
• Track Santa and his reindeer journey at https://www.noradsanta.org/en/

 

CARE:

• Do you have a reindeer – or wish you had one? Here is how Santa takes care of reindeer: https://www.petmd.com/blogs/thedailyvet/aobrien/2013/dec/facts-about-reindeer-and-life-with-santa-31173
• Discover threats to reindeer/caribou at https://www.arcticwwf.org/wildlife/reindeer-and-caribou/
• You can adopt a reindeer at https://alaskawildlife.org/project/reindeer/

 

CAREERS:

Do reindeer-related jobs sound cool to you? You could raise them, heal them, create art about them, or even cook them (tearfully??). You don’t have to be Santa, and you are not limited to Christmas. Just check out these jobs.

• https://www.theguardian.com/money/2010/dec/18/working-life-reindeer-herder
• https://www.unh.edu/unhtoday/2019/05/reindeer-career
• https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/yourvet/even-santas-reindeer-need-veterinarian

AND here are some weird and wonderful Christmas jobs (including reindeer walker): https://coburgbanks.co.uk/blog/friday-funnies/10-weird-christmas-jobs/

 

 

 

 

Meow to ROAR!

 

There are more than 500 million domestic cats in the world. AND they have play important roles throughout history, and have even been considered sacred at one point. AND let's not forget wild cats. Get your claws into the following activities to learn about this PURRfect animal.

CONNECT:

• Check out a range of facts about cats at https://kids.kiddle.co/Cat
• Read how cats communicate via Cat Language 101: https://www.petmd.com/news/view/cat-language-101-how-do-cats-talk-each-other-37620
• How did cats become domesticated? Watch 10,000 of cats at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WolEFv6oyg&ab_channel=Tinyverse
• See every type of cat in the cat family at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cQmky_wQao&ab_channel=SciShowKids

CREATE:

• Cuddle up to these 28 cat crafts for kids: https://www.kidslovewhat.com/diy-crafts/cuddle-up-to-these-28-cat-crafts-for-kids/
• Conduct science with your cat at https://info.thinkfun.com/stem-education/science-with-your-cat
• Play nature cat games at https://pbskids.org/naturecat/games

CARE:

• Follow these tips for taking care of cats: https://animalwellnessmagazine.com/teaching-kids-care-cat/
• Even though there are half a billion domestic cats, some kinds of cats are near extinction. Find out how you can help them survive at https://friendoftheearth.org/conservation-project/save-the-big-cats/
• Hopefully, you would not want to hurt a cat, but sometimes people do hurt them without realizing it. Watch 21 bad habits in caring for cats – and how to take care of them better: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKhwgSXlOmE&ab_channel=Jaw-DroppingFacts

CAREERS:

Do you purr when thinking about a career about cats? There's always veterinary science, but you could also make things for cats (such as clothes, food and furniture), take care of them, and even sell them. Explore the possibilities.

• https://www.insider.com/jobs-cat-lovers-2018-11
• https://www.rover.com/blog/jobs-for-cat-lovers/
• https://www.thepennyhoarder.com/make-money/20-best-jobs-with-cats/

Farms: Outstanding in their Field

 

What would we do without farms? 800 million people work on farms, which makes sense since everyone has to eat. The following activities “farm out” lots of information for you.

 

CONNECT:

• First, read some fun farm facts at https://www.twinkl.com/teaching-wiki/farm
• You may have a mental picture of a farm, but there are more kinds of farms than you might imagine. See of their varieties at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TamwdrJLvk
• Take a video field trip to an animal farm at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hg2ZX0PF-jI
• See how farming differs around the world at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDoV4I0XQSs

CREATE:

• Get ready for fall (and spring) with 60 farm activities for kids: https://www.123homeschool4me.com/25-farm-activities-for-kids_53/
• Feed the animals, plant veggies and learn about life on the farm with these fresh farm crafts for kids! https://artsycraftsymom.com/farm-crafts-for-kids/
• Make hay for a farm-themed party with these farm games: https://www.scarymommy.com/parenting/farm-games-for-kids

 

CARE:

• How can we create the perfect sustainable farm? See possible strategies at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFqecEtdGZ0
• Is your family visiting a farm? Watch safety tips for children at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsFtVol0C7Q.  Parents: here are specific factors for children at different ages: https://nasdonline.org/1278/d001082/farm-safety-for-young-children.html
• How do you safely handle livestock? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGudMrUnZgk

 

CAREERS:

Does farming feature in your career dreams?

• Imagine being a farmer at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtH7hNKyOD8
• Take a virtual field trip to explore career in agriculture at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJjBpELWXZ0

.

Why Are Diamonds So Special?

 

Diamonds have been highly valued for centuries. Why? Explore the history and use of diamonds with these activities.

 

CONNECT:

• Watch how carbon (which is also used to make coal) changes to the super crystal diamond at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tgnkoygbD0
• Learn how to cut diamonds at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3UX0l6f1aE
• Check out uses of diamonds at https://www.miningforschools.co.za/lets-explore/diamond/uses-of-diamonds

 

CREATE:

• Try these diamond-shaped crafts for preschoolers: https://classroom.synonym.com/diamondshaped-arts-crafts-preschoolers-8125731.html
• Make a paper diamond by following these instructions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdQ3aQR0G5U
• Can you turn coal into using peanut butter? Watch the process at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=737r0mRf0hY

 

CARE:

• Explore the Crater of Diamonds State Park at https://www.arkansasstateparks.com/parks/crater-diamonds-state-park
• Watch a kid’s learning about diamond mining’s hidden cost at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sentTvMHnkQ
• Find out how to buy an ethical diamond at https://time.com/4013735/how-to-buy-an-ethical-diamond/

 

CAREERS:

Diamonds may be a career’s best friend: in manufacturing, cutting, jewelry making, selling, and marriage planning. Explore sparkling diamond-related careers with these Internet resources.

• https://austindiamondbuyer.net/career-diamond-industry/
• https://www.diamondfacts.org/pdfs/media/media_resources/fact_sheets/Diamond_Industry_Fact_Sheet.pdf
• https://miningdigital.com/top10/top-10-trends-in-the-diamond-industry

 

 

 

.

Is the Grass Always Greener?

 

Grass is found around the world. But don’t let grass grow under your feet; instead, use these activities about this important plan.

 

CONNECT:

• Get the facts about grass at https://www.factsjustforkids.com/plant-facts/grass-facts-for-kids/
• All grasses are not created the same; discover different types of grasses at https://www.konnecthq.com/different-types-of-grass/
• Why is grass green? It’s more than a pretty color. Watch the answer at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NesBxScxIVA
• How old are lawns? See the history of lawns at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=095t1w6Iuno
• See 44 uses for grass at https://www.trendhunter.com/slideshow/uses-for-grass

 

CREATE:

• Grow your own lawn-type grass in a cup by following the directions at https://www.pre-kpages.com/planting-and-growing-grass-in-preschool/  
• And here are grass science projects for older kids: https://sciencing.com/grass-growth-science-project-7334658.html
• Have grass, will play -- with these fun games: https://activeforlife.com/6-fun-games-you-and-your-kids-will-play-on-grass-this-summer/
• Try some of these grass-based activity starters: https://www.educatall.com/page/874/Grass.html

 

CARE:

• As much as people love lawns, these greeneries can harm animals and the environment. Read how at https://www.peta.org/living/humane-home/plea-lawn-safety/
• There may be other pet hazards in your yard. Learn how to fix them at https://www.familyhandyman.com/article/pet-hazards-in-yard/
• Can you eat grass survive? Get the answer at https://survivalfreedom.com/can-you-eat-grass-to-survive/

 

CAREERS:

Farmer, gardener, landscaper, crafter, cook, scientist, naturalist: all have jobs that involve grass. So DO let grass grow under your feet – and be paid for it. Read how others make their living with grass.

• Facts about cows, milk and grass: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VH62Sxy5IvI
• https://www.seedyourfuture.org/careers
• https://www.learnhowtobecome.org/career-resource-center/careers-with-plants/
• https://mrplantgeek.com/2021/01/05/20-careers-to-consider-if-you-are-fascinated-by-plants/

 

Long Live the Queen -- and King

 

Great Britain's Queen Elizabeth II had a long reign – and impacted people around the world. With her passing, let's explore her life and legacy with these activities.

CONNECT:

• Watch this kid-friendly video about Queen Elizabeth's life at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liW_ejcONU0 (it was made in 2021, a year before she died).
• Learn 15 fun facts about Queen Elizabeth at https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/discover/history/monarchy/facts-about-the-queen-elizabeth-ii/
• What is a monarchy? Read and watch the answer at http://www.youngcommonwealth.org/our-story/
• What is the British Commonwealth? Read their story at http://www.youngcommonwealth.org/our-story/

CREATE:

• Earlier this year, Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her platinum jubilee (70 years as queen). You can do several activities that British children ejoyed: at https://www.heart.co.uk/news/royals/queen/platinum-jubilee/kids-craft-activity-ideas-templates-print-off/
• Queen Elizabeth II's son Charles became her successor: as king. Help celebrate this new ruler with these activities: https://www.muminthemadhouse.com/activities-for-celebrating-the-kings-coronation-with-kids/
• Play some British children's party games described at https://princesspartiesuk.com/uncategorized/traditional-childrens-party-games/

CARE:

• Death is a reality that most children have to deal with at some time. Here are some tips for families to help grieving children: https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/death.html
• Here are ways that children can remember someone who died: https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/help/support/bereaved-family-friends/supporting-grieving-child/helping-child-remember-someone#:~:text=Share%20happy%20stories%20about%20the,by%20anyone%20at%20any%20time.
• See tip for coping when your pet dies: https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/coping-death-your-pet

CAREERS:

What is like to be a ruler – or to serve a ruler?

• https://www.monarchie.be/en/for-children/a-day-in-the-life-of-the-king
• https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/tradition/a26963377/royal-family-household-job-description/

Wheels Make the World Go Round

 

Imagine a world without wheels! Lots of activities would come to a stop. Get going with these activities about wheels.

 

CONNECT:

• Get the wheel facts at https://www.konnecthq.com/wheel/
• Wheels have had a lot of uses over the years; read about them at https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/a-salute-to-the-wheel-31805121/
• Watch a short history of the wheel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzG1aPw7YBc
• See how wheels – and axles -- keep us moving at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIV9IUHqW3A
• See how wheels are made at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VM74BHb_s4

 

CREATE:

• Try the wheely-fun experiments at https://www.teachpreschoolscience.com/wheels.html
• Wheel decide with these interactive spinning wheels: https://www.yourkidsot.com/wheel-decide.html
• Make your own water wheel and find out how it works, following the directions at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkqLE9ysWek

 

 

CARE:

• Watch how to check your bake for safety, including its wheels, at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hq6vjYuFKf4
• Like going place by wheels – biking, skateboarding, using a scooter? Watch the videos for safety no matter how you get wheeled around at https://www.lifespan.org/centers-services/4-safety-program/safety-topics/wheeled-sports-safety
• Wheelchairs are useful for many people; watch their history at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JB6Ib_7TFNs

 

CAREERS:

Explore a moving career: in transportation, manufacturing, toys, mechanics, science, physical therapy. They all make the world go round.

• https://www.transportation.gov/careers
• https://www.thebalancecareers.com/manufacturing-job-titles-2061501
• https://www.otis.edu/toy-design/careers
• https://www.apta.org/your-career/careers-in-physical-therapy