gbiearthfriends2

AROUND THE WORLD

Compiled by Robyn © July 2006

INTRODUCTION

Obtain a globe to use whenever you are showing or discussing a country.

Or make your own ~ http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/globe/

Introduce children to ‘the world’ ~ areas of water (oceans) and areas of

land (continents). Continents are divided into countries, and countries

are where everyone in the world lives. Point out the city/country you live in. It’s going to be fun learning about where & how other children in the world live.

Choose which continents or countries you would like to cover at this time. I have chosen a few to briefly touch on in the activities in this unit. Excellent Links are provided to others below. Choose the countries that you like. How much detail you go into is dependant on the child’s age and interest at this particular time. You can spend as long as you want to on each country or return to this theme as often as you like. Online Atlas http://www.atlapedia.com/index.html

ACTIVITIES, RECIPES & CRAFTS

Paper Dolls From Around The World ~ Fold the length of a long paper in half and in half again in the same direction until you get to the desired doll size. Draw a simple doll-shape on the front sheet. Leave the arms & legs connected to the sides of the paper and cut out. Open up and colour and decorate each ‘doll’ traditionally from a different country.

Set an area up as a travel agency. Include tickets, travel brochures, posters of different destinations and countries. You can plan and book your travels here. Make a passport and stamp the different countries you travel too.

Post letters to friends and relatives around the world. Ask them to post you back a postcard and info of something interesting from their country. Make Pen Pals from Around the World. If you don’t have friends the same age living in a far away country, you can find your own new pen pal at Kids Space Connection

A GLIMPSE OF JAPAN

Japan is a country in the continent of Asia made up of a series of islands just off the east coast of mainland Asia. In Japanese, "Good Morning" is "Ohayo" (pronounced "Ohio") and "Goodbye" is "Sayonara" (pronounced "sigh-o-nara")

Make your own ‘sushi’ by wrapping sticky steamed jasmine rice & fillings of your choice into seaweed strips(nori). See EASY Directions

Japanese Fan ~ Decorated fans are very much part of the costume for special dances. Lightly paint a Japanese watercolour on both sides of a landscape A4 paper and let dry. Fold the paper back and forth in a concertina fashion. Gather the paper together at one end and staple or tape together. Spread out the folds to make a beautiful fan.

Cherry Blossoms ~ In the spring, cherry trees in Japan are covered with pink blossoms. Draw or paint a bare brown tree. Tear pink tissue paper into little pieces and scrunch, put small dots of glue on the branches, and press on the blossoms.

Japanese Prints ~ Carve designs out of potatoes and make potato paint prints. These are nice to use on the fronts of your homemade cards. See some lovely Japanese design ideas

The Japanese Art of Origami – literally meaning ‘to fold’ (oru) ‘paper’ (kami)

Some Origami from Enchanted Learning

Step-by-step pictures on how to make the popular Origami Crane

See links below for my favourite sites about Japan.

A PEEK AT CHINA

NI HAO (NEE HOW) is how the Chinese people say hello.

Chinese Lanterns ~ Fold a rectangular paper in half the long way. Cut lines up from the folded edge going to about an inch away from the non-folded edge (do not cut through). Open up paper and tape the other two edges together to form a cylinder. Make a handle by taping a strip of paper to the top. See EASY directions

Chinese Chain Dragon ~ Dragons are a very important part of Chinese mythology, arts, songs & architecture. In ancient China, dragons did not breathe fire, but were wise and caring. They guarded the wind, rain, rivers, precious metals & gems. Make a paper chain dragon by interlinking and gluing 6 strips of coloured paper. Glue paper tassels to the one end. Print, colour & cut out a dragon head and glue to the other end of the chain. Dragon Head Template

Rice Painting ~ Rice is the staple diet for many people in Asia. Mix white glue with a little red paint. Paint a Chinese Picture or Character on white paper with the glue. Sprinkle with dried rice. When dry, it gives a lovely shiny effect.

Eat Rice Cakes with your choice of topping.

Try Eating with chopsticks!

See links below for my favourite sites about China.

A LOOK AT ALASKA

Alaska forms part of North America. It is cold all year round. Because of the freezing conditions, people in Alaska live very differently to what we do. The natives in Alaska are called Eskimos. Eskimos wear warm jackets with fuzzy hats to keep their heads warm. Eskimo boots are called Mukluks. To make mukluks, take brown lunch bags and glue cotton balls or batting around the tops of the bags. Put them on over your shoes and tie in place.

Eskimos sometimes ride in dog sleds pulled by groups of huskies. Using cardboard boxes for sleds, let children pull each other around.

Discuss what kinds of animals live in the Arctic. Some examples are walrus, penguin, seal, polar bear, fish, reindeer, artic hare, whales and moose. Camouflage – white snow ~ how many of these animals are white?

Eskimos have a different way of kissing, they rub noses. Try it! Talk about snow…

Make your own Ice Lollies using juice or yoghurt mixed with fresh fruit and blended.

See links below for my favourite sites about Alaska.

A DASH ROUND HAWAII

Hawaii is a part of the United States. It is made up of 8 major islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. The largest volcano on earth is situated on Hawaii. In Hawaiian, "Aloha" means "hello, goodbye, love" -- literal translation is sharing of breath (i.e. life).

To make an easy hula skirt, staple or sew strips of raffia, crepe paper or brown paper around an elastic waistband.

Make Leis by threading silk or paper flowers and pasta onto a string and tie when it is long enough to go over the head.

Do the Hula Dance to some Hawaiian music with lots of hip wiggling! (You could borrow this music from a CD library).

Make a tropical fruit punch and serve in a hollowed out pineapple with little umbrellas to decorate.

See links below for my favourite sites about Hawaii.

A TRIP TO AUSTRALIA

Australia is known as ‘The Land Down Under’. It is a country, an island and also the world’s smallest continent. Australia is known for animals such as kangaroos & koala bears, duck billed platypus, emus, sheep farming, crocodiles & wombats.

Make ‘Fairy Bread’ - buttered pieces of bread sprinkled with ‘hundreds & thousands’. Kids love making and eating!

Kangaroo Hop – Children hop around like kangaroos. Tie a piece of material around their waists and put a baby ‘kangaroo’ into their pouch. Explain and discuss the Australian marsupials.

Try some of these Australian Crafts and Activities from DLTK