Sleep

We spend about a third of our life sleeping – but that’s not wasted time. Keep awake to find out more about this necessary activity.

CONNECT:

• Here’s a good introduction to several aspects of sleeping: http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/En/JustForKids/Life/OnePagers/Pages/OnePagerSleep.aspx
• Why is sleep important? Find out why at http://www.sleepforkids.org/
• When we’re asleep the brain is still active. Find out about its work at http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/sleep.html
• How do you sleep in outer space? Find at out at http://www.esa.int/esaKIDSen/SEMAIP6TLPG_LifeinSpace_0.html
• Learn how marine animals sleep: at http://marinelife.about.com/od/marinelife101/tp/SleepInMarineAnimals.htm
• Trace the historical and cultural perspectives of sleep at http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/healthy/matters/history

CREATE:

• Some animals are nocturnal: they sleep in the day and are active at night. Watch and listen to them at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVloVe4jWMU.  Try making some animal night sounds yourself.
• Children sing lullabies around the world. Hear them, and sing along, at http://www.songsforteaching.com/lullabies/.   (And you can listen to 8 hours of lullabies at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vU0fYzuypXg).
• Having nightmares? Try drawing them, or making a mask about them. Get details at http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-wisdom-your-dreams/201004/working-childrens-dreams-especially-nightmares
• Create a dreamcatcher following these directions: http://www.kidzworld.com/article/26775-how-to-make-a-dream-catcher

CARE:

• What causes sleeping, and what happens when you walk in your sleep? How can you keep safe? Get the inside story at http://kidshealth.org/parent/growth/sleep/sleepwalking.html#
• Do you have nocturnal enuresis (that’s sleep wetting)? It runs in families. Found out how to deal with it at http://kidshealth.org/kid/health_problems/bladder/enuresis.html
• What can you do if you can’t sleep? Try these tips: http://kidshealth.org/kid/stay_healthy/body/cant_sleep.html
• Why do some teens have trouble sleeping? Find out at http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_body/take_care/sleep.html#

CAREER:

What is your dream career? Babysitting might be your first paying job that deals with sleep. Lots of adults deal with sleep: doctors, scientists, anthropologists, clothing designers and manufacturers, furniture makers and sellers, even artists. Here are a couple of leads:

http://school.sleepeducation.com/sleepcareers.aspx

http://healthcareers.about.com/od/healthcareerprofiles/p/SleepCareers.htm

The end (and beginning) of rainbows

Have you ever tried to find the end of a rainbow? Do you ever see rainbows coming through the window? Do you like all the colors of the rainbow? Then these activities are for you!

CONNECT:

• Did you know that rainbows come in different configurations? See them – and other interesting facts --  at http://www.squidoo.com/rainbow-science
• Help little kids how rainbows are formed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqUp-bsglO4 ; here’s a simple text  introduction: http://eo.ucar.edu/kids/sky/colors1.htm)
• Read rainbow myths and legends at http://rainbowwall.com/rainbows-myths-legends/. Try drawing or acting out one of those stories.
• Reading Rainbow is a program that inspires children to read. This 30-year old program has now gone mobile. Download the app at http://www.readingrainbow.com/

CREATE:

• Here are lots of fun rainbow activities for kids of all ages: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqM4igH9Hizg8NdyLcdmsJuqCZZA_BTAsCOl10mHulkXW-whIYvMi8W00PYN0blR31bKCypV127UYYxSY_yKh_lm7V2rXbj9RjaMeq0d_rLB1TebK-V9LkYcXpkjmJ24jTT9s6Q-drcuhB/s1600/older+kids+rainbow+crafts.jpg
• Create a water prism by following the directions at http://www.optics4kids.org/home/content/classroom-activities/easy/release-the-rainbow/
• Create a rainbow trivia game building on these facts: http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/weather/rainbows.html and http://www.kidsplayandcreate.com/rainbow-facts-for-kids/
• Bite into a rainbow by making one or more these rainbow foods: http://www.cutefoodforkids.com/2012/02/51-rainbow-food-ideas-for-st-patricks.html

CARE:

• Brighten up a friend’s room with rainbow colors: http://www.exploratorium.edu/science_explorer/reflecting_rainbows.html
• Create a rainbow-themed party: http://www.birthdayinabox.com/party-ideas/rainbow-party.html
• Rainbows for All Children is a program that supports youth as they navigate grief and heal from loss, whether from death, divorce, deployment, or other trauma. Here are some of their resources: http://rainbows.org/resources
• Find out about the Rainbow PUSH coalition at http://rainbowpush.org. This organization, founded by Reverend Jesse Jackson, tries to to protect, defend, and gain civil rights by leveling the economic and educational playing fields, and to promote peace and justice around the world.

CAREERS:

You can focus on rainbows as a chemist or meterologist. You might also incorporate rainbows as an artist and designer, a party planner or cook, or a writer or photographer. Check out some of these career guides; there may be rainbow in your future!

http://www.weather.gov/careers

http://www.theartcareerproject.com/nature-photography-career/594/

http://myfootpath.com/careers/art-and-design-careers/

Life's a Beach!

Beaches are found around the world as land and water meet. Take some time to meet beaches by surfing these websites.

CONNECT:

•  Watch the changing nature of shorelines and beaches at http://education-portal.com/academy/lesson/characteristics-of-shorelines-beaches.html#lesson
•   Where does beach sand come from? Find out at http://www.livescience.com/38163-where-beach-sand-comes-from.html
•   Explore beach marine life at http://www.enchantedlearning.com/themes/beach/animals.shtml
•   Hey, Dude! Check out this awesome International Surfing Museum: http://www.surfingmuseum.org/
• What was it like to land on the beach in Normandy on D-Day? Listen and watch hundreds of veterans recount their experiences at http://www.loc.gov/vets/stories/onthebeach.html

CREATE:

•  Here are some fun sand activities, even if the beach is far away: http://spoonful.com/family-fun/20-sand-activities-kids
•  Try some of these beach crafts for kids: http://www.tipjunkie.com/post/beach-crafts/
•  Make a creative sand castle: http://www.sandcastlecentral.com/tips/index.html provides useful tips.
• Have fun playing beach volleyball, even if you’re not at the beach: http://pbskids.org/itsmylife/body/teamsports/article3.html
• Experiment making waves by following the directions at http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/bring-science-home-beach-erosion/

CARE:

•  Learn to stay healthy at the beach, AND protect the beach: http://www2.epa.gov/beaches/plan-trip-beach
• How clean is your local beach water? Check out its quality at http://www.nrdc.org/water/oceans/ttw/default.asp
• Find out how to take a stand to protect oceans and beaches by participating in a local campaign: http://www.surfrider.org/campaigns
•  How do you save a beached whale? Follow these steps: http://www.ehow.com/how_2157535_save-beached-whale.html

CAREERS:

Think of all the people associated with beaches: scientists, lifeguards, sailing crews, maintenance people, retailers, athletes and coaches, artists, resort staff, travel agents, and realtors.

•  One large industry sector that takes advantage of beaches is hospitality: http://discoverhospitality.com/career-paths/
•   Environmental careers are discussed at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/environmental-scientists-and-specialists.htm
• Explore marine careers at http://www.marinecareers.net/field_relatedfields.php