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During these uncertain times, it's important that we continue to inspire each other to be active learners. Below are some fun activities that you can do either independently or with your family to continue to grow your academic skill set.
It's important to remember that you need to keep your English skills active. So make sure you practice reading, writing, and speaking in English daily. In the "resources" section you can find websites that can help you grow your bilingual skills at several grade levels and numerous content levels. Keep learning, keep growing, and keep having fun!
During our time at home, we have a great opportunity to take advantage of some incredible virtual tours. Let’s take this time to explore some zoos, aquariums, visit the Statue of Liberty, visit new cities & landmarks, tour museums, state parks, and even outer space. The possibilities are endless! Your task during each activity is to keep some notes of your top 3 things during each tour or a question that pops into your head along with a drawing. Then share what you have learned with your family!
Attached is a document to help your keep your notes organized during each activity (you can also use a notebook if you have one on hand). click on https://www.highland-k12.org/cms/lib/NY02215766/Centricity/Domain/2528/ENL Student Activity Journal.docx to get the document. Keep your notes to share with me when we return to school, or even take a picture of them and email it to me. I would love to see what you think about the places you visit. Have fun and enjoy!
Activity 1: Visit a Zoo
Let’s go see some animals! Pick one of the zoos below to take a virtual tour or watch an animal live cam (they are super cool!). Make sure to write down the website you choose to visit and 3 things you enjoyed most about the zoo and then draw a picture (if needed use the attached document to help you).
Some things to think about: Which animals did you see? What animal did you find the most interesting, and why? What did you learn about those animals?
Cincinnati Zoo Home Safari (every day at 3:00pm)
http://cincinnatizoo.org/home-safari-resources/
San Diego Zoo Live Cams (see what some of the animals are doing during the day)
https://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/live-cams
Smithsonian’s National Zoo Live Cams
https://nationalzoo.si.edu/webcams
Activity 2: Aquarium
Let’s go for a swim and check out some animal life underwater! Pick one of the aquariums below to take a virtual tour of some sea creatures. Make sure to write down where you visit and 3 things you enjoyed most and don’t forget to draw a picture (if needed use the attached document to help you).
Some things to think about: Which animals did you see that live in water? What animal did you find the most interesting, and why? What is different about the aquariums from the zoos? Do you have any questions about what you saw or learned?
Monterey Bay Aquarium (check out the live cam for the jelly fish, its amazing!)
https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/live-cams/jelly-cam
National Aquarium in Washington (the alligators and sea turtles are fun to watch)
http://samuraivirtualtours.com/example/nadc/index.html
Seattle Aquarium Virtual Field Trips
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mY8__n13tKM&feature=youtu.be
Georgia Aquarium Ocean Voyager Webcam
https://www.georgiaaquarium.org/webcam/ocean-voyager/
Activity 3: The Statue of Liberty
Let’s travel to New York City to go on a virtual field trip to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Make sure to write down 3 things you enjoyed most and don’t forget to draw a picture (if needed use the attached document to help you).
Some things to think about: Why do you think the Statue of Liberty is important? Would you ever want to go visit it in person, and why? Do you have any questions about what you saw or learned?
A virtual field trip to Ellis Island/Statue of Liberty
http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/immigration/webcast.htm
Activity 4: Exploring a City or Important Land Mark
Pack your bags and go on a vacation to a city anywhere in the world. Use the 360cities website to pick a city anywhere in the world to learn about and explore. Or visit the Great Wall of China to take a walk through history or Easter Island to experience the mystery about the huge stones. You can also explore the world’s largest caves in Vietnam called the Son Doong Caves. Make sure to write down 3 things you enjoyed most and don’t forget to draw a picture (if needed use the attached document to help you).
Some things to think about: Where did you go to visit and why did you choose that place? What did you see there? What is something you like about the city or land mark? What makes this place special?
360cities
The Great Wall of China
https://www.thechinaguide.com/destination/great-wall-of-china
Easter Island
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/easter/
National Geographic’s Son Doong Caves
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news-features/son-doong-cave/2/#s=pano60
Activity 5: Museums
Visiting a museum allows us to learn about so many different things from history, science, art, technology, and so much more. Pick from some of the museum options below to take a virtual tour of something that interests you most and hopefully you’ll learn something new! Make sure to write down 3 things you enjoyed most and don’t forget to draw a picture (if needed use the attached document to help you).
Some things to think about: Which museum did you pick and why? Did you find something inspiring during the virtual tour? What did you like most about the virtual tour?
The Louvre Museum in Paris, France (learn about ancient Egypt or medieval architecture)
https://www.louvre.fr/en/visites-en-ligne/
The British Museum (go through a time machine to make history interactive)
https://britishmuseum.withgoogle.com/
The Metropolitan Museum of Art (an experience to explore what interests you most)
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/online-features/metkids/
Boston Children’s Museum (inspiring activities and games you can do in your home)
https://www.bostonchildrensmuseum.org/museum-virtual-tour
Activity 6: State Parks
Let’s go for a hike and explore our amazing National Parks. You can visit Yellowstone National Park or check out the Grand Cannon all from the comfort of your own home. Explore the Old Faithful Geyser live-stream and take the opportunity to make your own predictions for when it will erupt next. Make sure to write down 3 things you enjoyed most and don’t forget to draw a picture (if needed use the attached document to help you).
Some things to think about: What sort of things did you see in this park? Did you see any wildlife or unique plants/trees? Draw a detailed picture of yourself in the park you took a virtual tour of.
National Park Service
Old Faithful Geyser live-stream (predict when it will erupt next)
https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/photosmultimedia/webcams.htm
Activity 7: Outer Space
3, 2, 1 BLASTOFF! Let’s take a rocket ship to explore outer space together. Go inside the NASA’s Hubble Telescope and explore the red planet of Mars. Make sure to write down 3 things you enjoyed most and don’t forget to draw a picture (if needed use the attached document to help you).
Some things to think about: What is something you learned that surprised you? Would you ever want to be an astronaut and explore outer space, why or why not? Draw a picture of you as an astronaut in a rocket ship.
NASA Hubble Space Telescope
https://www.nasa.gov/content/goddard/hubble-360-degree-virtual-tour
Mars, the Red Planet
https://accessmars.withgoogle.com/
Solar System Interactive Tour
Finally, just remember to go one day at a time, one activity at a time, and don’t forget that you’re doing a great job! Good luck, have fun, and email me any questions.