By Tricia Drevets
This column features ideas for what a family can do on those days when…the car is in the shop… or the library is closed…or it’s raining…or someone has a bad cold…or everyone has the post-holiday blues…or? You know, those times when you need a fresh idea, but you’re kind of stuck, literally or figuratively. These ideas, which can be adapted for elementary age kids through teens, will use supplies you have on hand at home, the internet and a little imagination.
A Trip Around the World
Here’s an idea for a project that blends most of the major academic subjects with some imagination and creativity.
Spin a globe or spread out a large world map. Now have your child close her eyes and point to a spot. If your spot was in the middle of the ocean — and there’s a good chance it was — or was in the United States, spin again. That country will be the place you study today.
First, find your country in your atlas or search for a map of your country on the internet. Discuss the major land features you find, such as mountain ranges, rivers and lakes. Then look for the capital city and bordering countries or bodies of water. Now print out an outline map (Let’s say your country is Japan. I’ll use Japan as an example in this article. Search “Japan blank outline map”) and let your children fill in those major features on their maps with colored pencils.
While your kids get started on their maps, find a picture of that country’s flag and a blank flag outline as well. (Search Japan flag and Japan blank flag outline). See if you can find some interesting tidbits about how that flag was chosen to represent that country and then compare it with the USA flag in design and colors.
Set the outline flag pictures aside, while you now look for general history of your country. Sites geared for tourism are a good starting point, as they often feature some historical and current event information as well as some photos (Example: Japan National Tourism Organization Web Site (http://www.jnto.go.jp/) Check to see what kind of government your country has, and how it may have been in the news recently.
While the kids are coloring their maps and flags, share with them the highlights of what you have found.
Now comes the fun part. Many of you may have books containing fairy tales and legends. Check to see if they include stories that are from the county you are “visiting” today. If not, search for fairy tales of the country online. You’ll be amazed at what you can find at your fingertips (Search “Fairy tales Japan”)
Fairy tales and legends give a wonderful flavor to a country’s way of life. You’ll also find many similarities with other fairy tales you have heard. Almost every culture has a form of the Cinderella story, for example. Either print out your favorites or bring your laptop or tablet to the couch to get comfy while you read the stories aloud. Encourage older kids to take turns reading and experimenting with voices for the characters.
Now to get everyone up and moving, see what kinds of dances and music are native to your country. (Search “traditional Japanese music” and “traditional Japanese dance”) You’ll find many options on YouTube. Be patient and ready to hit the stop button a few times while you search for the best videos for your family. Talk about the native costuming and what instruments are featured in the music. Give a try at practicing some of the steps or just twirling to the music. Discuss how the music reflects the history you have learned.
By now, everyone should be feeling a little bit hungry, so it is time to plan your Trip Around the World special meal. You may have a few international cookbooks at home. If so, check to see if you already have some recipes from your country. Otherwise, search the internet (Search “Japan recipes for kids”) for easy- to- make recipes that you could do together. Look for sites that have clear directions, photos and information about the origin of the recipes.
Try to choose something that seems different from what your family normally eats and for which you have many of the ingredients on hand. Plan out who will do what steps of the recipe, and also think about how you can decorate your dining area with a festive feel. You might consider using the maps as placemats by ironing them between two pieces of wax paper.
We often have several plastic tablecloths from the dollar store on hand, and we have used to them to create a giant flag for our table. Let your kids use their own ideas. Who knows? Maybe they would like to create some illustrations from the fairy tales you read.
This Trip around the World idea can be a weekly or monthly event in your home. You’ll find your library to be a great source for cookbooks, fairy tales and general information for this ongoing adventure. We keep a file of the international recipes we have enjoyed, and several have become family meal favorites.
Use your kids’ creativity and your own imagination to take this idea wherever your family wants to go. Have fun! T.D.
