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

Did You Feel the Earth Move?

While the earth isn’t really alive, it is certainly dynamic. And it can be a moving experience. The following activities focus on geologic disasters: earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, sinkholes, avalanches and landslides. We can’t prevent them, but we can be prepared for them.

CONNECT:

•  Learn lots of facts and have fun at from the U.S. Geological Survey: https://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/kids/
• Stromboli is not a pasta dish; it’s an active volcano in the Mediterranean. Stroll through Stromboli at http://www.swisseduc.ch/stromboli/volcano/index-en.html
• Can yelling cause an avalanche? Get the facts by watching Avalanches 101: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcr1Sl-T9S0
• What’s a sinkhole, and how does it happen? Watch this video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqKuSKCO6o8

CREATE:

• Make a homemade volcano following the directions at https://www.learning4kids.net/2012/04/11/how-to-make-a-homemade-volcano/
•  Ever think of lava as cake batter? To understand some of the geological processes and the structures that form as lava flows across planetary landscapes, you can use cake batter as an analog for lava, at http://www.spacegrant.hawaii.edu/class_acts/CakeLava.html
• Use a computer to simulate an earthquake at http://qcnexplorer.org/
•  Create a model of an avalanche; to see how they work, go to https://sciencing.com/create-model-avalanche-4866747.html

CARE:

• Did you feel the earth move? The government collects information from people who felt an earthquake and creates maps that show what people experienced and the extent of damage.  Report local earthquakes at https://earthquake.usgs.gov/data/dyfi/
• Practice earthquake safety by following the tips at http://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-safety-earthquake.htm
• Landslides can be disastrous. What can prevent landslides? Watch the causes and interventions at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCxvbosa4fU
• You never know when a disaster might come, so be prepared by building a family disaster kit: https://www.ready.gov/kids/build-a-kit

CAREERS:

The earth can provide a solid foundation for a great career! Be a mover and shaker by pursuing careers such as a geophysicist, meteorologist, and disaster relief expert.

https://content.wisestep.com/jobs-created-by-natural-disasters-calamities/

https://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/kids/become.php

http://www.sciencemag.org/careers/2005/08/careers-science-disasters

https://www.workitdaily.com/career-paths-disaster-management/

https://www.environmentalscience.org/career/disaster-management-specialist

Toot Your Horn!

It’s New Year’s time, and you may hear lots of horns. Do you know why? Horns are usually associated with celebrating. It’s time to toot your own horn as you engage in these rootin’ tootin’ activities!

CONNECT:

• Horns were created more than 2500 years ago. Discover their history at http://www.hornplanet.com/hornpage/museum/history/horn_history1.html
•  Car horns have been needed since the start of cars in order to warn others of their coming; it’s a lot simpler than the other warning suggesting: having a man walk in front of each car and wave a red flag. Read more about car horn history at http://www.cogapa.com/history.htm
• Animals have natural horns ; look at the top ten amazing horns in the animal kingdom at https://themysteriousworld.com/10-amazing-horns-in-the-animal-kingdom/
• Watch and hear the shofar being blown for Rosh Hashana at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRpwei1Qs88

CREATE:

• Make your own French horn by following these visual directions: https://www.savvyhomemade.com/homemade-french-horn-for-kids/
• Watch this video to create unicorn horns: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EM9udMbTfbk
• Have your horn and eat it too with these edible party horns that you can make: http://cookingwithmykid.com/2010/12/28/countdown-to-2011-edible-party-horns/
• Explore the science behind horns with a plastic bottle horn: https://www.childrensmuseum.org/blog/saturday-science3a-handmade-horn

CARE:

• Music can be an important part of life, but instruments can be expensive. “Horns for kids” (http://www.hornsforkids.org/) supports music education. Consider donating to this cause – or start your own musical instrument donation project.
•  Animal horns have been desired by people for thousands of years, and have sometimes been cut before the animal is dead. What are the consequences – and what can you do? https://www.savetherhino.org/rhino_info/thorny_issues/dyeing_rhino_horn_and_elephant_ivory
• Discover how technology in rhino horns can help save them: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/technology-save-rhino-extinction-180956958/
• Find out how the National Park Service is using horns at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/projectHome.cfm?projectID=35955

CAREERS:

What can you do with horns? Manufacturer them, sell them, play them, repair them, teach how to play them – and that’s just as a musical instrument. You can also product them as they exist on animals.  It’s time to blow your own career horn!

https://www.careersinmusic.com/

https://music.usc.edu/music-teaching-careers/

https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes499063.htm

http://wildlife.org/next-generation/career-development/careers/