Life’s a Circus

CONNECT:

• See the history of the circus in photos ( http://www.circopedia.org/Category:Photo_Archive) and videos (http://www.circopedia.org/Category:Video_Archive).  This website gathers information about circuses around the world.
• P. T. Barnum is known for his amazing circus; find out more about this amazing man – and his museum – at https://barnum-museum.org/about/about-p-t-barnum/
• When is college a circus? When you want to become a professional clown. See clown college in action at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpRlUay7UhE
• Watch some amazing circus tricks at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hk-gN97Ndb4.  (Don’t try these at home.)

CREATE:

• It’s easy to look like a clown: follow the steps at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYSwPVLBU4E
• Who are flatties? Would you like cherry pie? Learn to “talk circus”: http://www.hobonickels.org/circus.htm
• Learn how to juggle by watching this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxzSHRbLAx4
• Imagine collecting circus posters! Princeton University does; see their collection at http://libweb5.princeton.edu/visual_materials/Circus/TC093.html   Try creating your own circus poster.

CARE:

• Build neighborhood spirit by planning and enjoying a kid-friendly circus. Great ideas are shared at http://www.kidactivities.net/post/circus-and-carnival-theme-for-kids.aspx
• Trampolines are often used in circuses, and it’s fun to play circus on a trampoline at home. But trampolines can also be dangerous. Read about its dangers  and ways to keep safe on trampolines at https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/childrens-health/expert-answers/trampoline-exercise/faq-20058001
• Circuses celebrate diversity; see some examples at https://pharecircus.org/a-celebration-of-diversity/
• Think about the circus from the viewpoint of its animals. Do you think they enjoy jumping through burning hoops, for instance? Discover the daily lives of these animals outside the limelight, and what is being done to help them: https://www.peta.org/issues/animals-in-entertainment/circuses/

CAREERS:

Have you ever wanted to run away and join a circus? Here are the realities of circus jobs.

http://www.kidzworld.com/article/4481-becoming-a-circus-performer

https://www.sokanu.com/careers/circus-performer/

https://myjobsearch.com/careers/circus-performer.html

https://www.themuse.com/advice/5-actually-useful-career-lessons-i-learned-as-a-circus-performer

Photo Phun

It's easier than ever to take photos, but how much do you really know about them? Phind out here...

CONNECT: 

• Get illuminated about the history of photography from camera obscura to camera phone by watching https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaGUL8B-BrE 
• How does your eye look like a camera looks? Which this video's explanation at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGqAM2Mykng 
• How are photos developed from negatives? Watch this video to reveal the commercial process: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiLjznwYG1E 
• How can a telescope take photos? See the prize-winning Hubble Heritage program at http://heritage.stsci.edu 

CREATE: 

• Make your own pinhole camera by following these visual directions: http://www.instructables.com/id/How-To-Make-A-Pinhole-Camera/ 
• If a picture is worth a 1000 words, imagine how much your photo can say! Explore these great photo crafts and activities for kids:  https://lifestyle.howstuffworks.com/crafts/other-arts-crafts/photo-crafts-and-activities.htm 
• Your pets deserve a perfect picture, so try these photo tips to show off your pet pal: https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/photo-tips-pet-photography/ 
• These apps will turn your phone into the perfect hub for your kids to capture and crop amazing photos: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/photography-apps-for-kids-and-teens# 

CARE: 

• How do photos fool you? See how it's done at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_LaK4ilshg 
• Do you have a digital camera: Here are simple tips to keep it in good shape: https://www.lightstalking.com/7-simple-maintenance-and-care-tips-to-keep-your-digital-camera-in-great-shape/ 
• Cameras can be useful in emergencies; here are 50 ways: https://www.lifewire.com/emergency-uses-for-your-camera-phone-493069 
• You should know the laws about photographing children: https://www.lawyers.com/legal-info/personal-injury/types-of-personal-injury-claims/child-photography-or-videotaping-consent-laws-are-changing.html 

CAREERS: 

Take an eyeful of these photography-related careers: 

Dive into an ocean photographer's world at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bbX13SfsBw 

Different kinds of photographers: https://www.thebalance.com/photographer-525676 

Just the facts: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/photographers.htm

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