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Canku
Ota
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(Many
Paths)
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An
Online Newsletter Celebrating Native America
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April 2017 - Volume
15 Number 4
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Favorite
Web Sites
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collected
by Paul and Vicki
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North-South-East-West:
American Indians and the Natural World
Through exploration of four different visions of living in and
with the natural world—those of the Tlingit of the Northwest
Coast, the Hopi of the Southwest, the Iroquois of the Northeast,
and the Lakota of the Plains—North, South, East, West:
American Indians and the Natural World examines the belief systems,
philosophies, and practical knowledge that guide Indian peoples'
interactions with the natural world. Though all of these peoples
have chosen different pathways and strategies for making a life
in their various environments, one similar concept is voiced
by all—that a reciprocal connection exists between people
and the world.
http://www.carnegiemnh.org/online/indians/ |
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Bald
Eagle
The Bald Eagle has been the national emblem of the United States
since 1782 and a spiritual symbol for native people for far
longer than that. These regal birds aren’t really bald,
but their white-feathered heads gleam in contrast to their chocolate-brown
body and wings. Look for them soaring in solitude, chasing other
birds for their food, or gathering by the hundreds in winter.
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Bald_Eagle/id |
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Golden
Eagle
The Golden Eagle is one of the largest, fastest, nimblest
raptors in North America. Lustrous gold feathers gleam on
the back of its head and neck; a powerful beak and talons
advertise its hunting prowess. You're most likely to see this
eagle in western North America, soaring on steady wings or
diving in pursuit of the jackrabbits and other small mammals
that are its main prey.
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Golden_Eagle/id
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About
Alaska Native Science & Engineering Program (ANSEP)
Started in 1995 as a scholarship program for university students,
ANSEP has evolved into a longitudinal education model that provides
a continuous string of components beginning with students in
sixth grade and continuing on through high school, into science
and engineering undergraduate and graduate degree programs through
to the PhD.
http://www.ansep.net |
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Gardening
Spring is here, and it’s time to get out of the house
and into the garden. I’ve learned that most adult gardeners
started their hobby as children. The good gardening experiences
we give our kids today become great gardening memories tomorrow.
Hopefully, these five site picks will inspire your family
(or your classroom) to turn their devices off, and go plant
something tasty, beautiful, or both.
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Eartheasy:
Gardening with Children
"Working in a garden, a child can experience the satisfaction
that comes from caring for something over time, while observing
the cycle of life firsthand. Gardening gives children a chance
to learn an important life skill, one that is overlooked in
standard school curricula. Gardening is also a great way to
teach environmental awareness by exploring the workings of nature."
Visit Eartheasy for a top-ten list of what to plant and tips
for gardening with kids.
http://eartheasy.com/grow_gardening_children.htm |
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Exploratorium:
Science of Gardening
"Like all great endeavors, gardening is both a science
and an art. See how the plants we tend feed our bodies, our
minds, and our senses." This multimedia exhibit is divided
into Feed, Control, and Bloom. It covers topics as diverse as
carnivorous plants, the science of soil, the benefits of biodiversity,
humongous pumpkins, and the secret lives of flowers.
http://www.exploratorium.edu/gardening/ |
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KidsGardening.org:
Gardening Toolbox
KidsGardening.org is a non-profit supporting "garden-based
education" for kids. The Gardening Toolbox section includes
advice on Gardening Basics and Gardening Activities, along with
a Plant of the Month feature. Teachers will find curriculum
and other classroom ideas listed under the Educator Resources
menu item.
https://www.kidsgardening.org/gardening-toolbox/ |
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Kids'
Valley Garden
From planning and planting your garden to maintaining it and
entering your plants into competition, this site covers it all.
Written expressly for kids, you'll find great advice ("Keep
a Garden Journal to record how and when you worked on your garden
and its results.") and step-by-step instructions. You'll
also find a glossary to help with gardening terms from "annual"
to "zone" and separate sections on growing flowers,
veggies, herbs and shrubs.
http://www.typodermic.com/garden/ |
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University
of Illinois Extension: My First Garden
"Take a walk around your yard and look for spots that
have good sunlight, are easy to get water to, and aren't in
the way of somebody else trying to have fun in the yard."
My First Garden from the University of Illinois Extension
is blooming with step-by-step gardening instructions for elementary
kids, and the parents and teachers helping them. Best clicks
are Garden in Unbelievable Places (how about planting in your
old tennis shoes?) and a downloadable, reproducible Garden
Journal template.
http://extension.illinois.edu/firstgarden/
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Bird
Feeding
Because the cold winter months are the hardest for wild birds,
February and March have been named National Bird Feeding Months
by the National Bird Feeding Society. You can help your local
bird population by providing supplemental food, water and
shelter, and start a fun, educational hobby at the same time.
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All
About Birds: Feeding Birds
"Bird feeding has been an American tradition since at least
the times of Emily Dickinson and Henry David Thoreau. It provides
us with wonderful opportunities for close viewing of birds.
It can also be good for birds." All About Birds (from The Cornell
Lab of Ornithology) provides terrific advice on choosing a bird
feeder, types of bird seed, and where to place your feeder.
For teacher resources, search for "curriculum" in the search
box near the top of the page.
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/browse/topic/feeding-birds/
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Audubon:
Bird Feeding Basics
Although birdseed and suet provide dietary supplement to more
than 100 North American bird species, bird feeders also increase
dangers such as window collisions, predators, and disease. Audubon
offers tips on safely attracting and feeding birds, maintaining
a feeder and guarding against squirrels. "A recent study found
that colliding with a window is the most common cause of bird
death associated with feeders. To avoid such collisions, position
feeders at least three feet from the window."
http://web4.audubon.org/bird/at_home/bird_feeding/ |
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Birds
& Blooms: DIY Bird Feeders
Birds & Blooms (from the bird and garden print magazine
of the same name) presents twenty-seven fun bird feeders you
can make with your kids/ Here's a short list of some the imaginative
materials used : a coffee cup and saucer, a glass soda bottle,
a muffin tin, a pie tin, PVC pipe, silverware, an embroidery
hoop, and a tin can.
http://www.birdsandblooms.com/backyard-projects/diy-bird-feeder/
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The
Humane Society: Feeding Your Backyard Birds
Visit this Humane Society page for answers to commonly asked
questions about feeding your backyard birds. "Should I feed
birds year-round? It's not necessary. Bird feeding is most helpful
at times when birds need the most energy, such as during temperature
extremes, migration, and in late winter or early spring, when
natural seed sources are depleted."
http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/feeding_birds.html
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Wild
Birds Unlimited: Educational Resources
The Wild Birds Unlimited website has a huge educational section
that includes information on bird feeding, bird species, bird
behavior (such as bathing, courtship and migration), choosing
binoculars, and creating a wildlife habitat in your backyard.
You'll find bird-related Kid Activities listed under the main
menu item "Get Close to Nature".
https://www.wbu.com/get-started/
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St.
Patrick's Day Crafts
For a wee bit of green fun in celebration of St. Patrick's
Day, here's a roundup of creative craft projects. Most are
easily made with materials you already have at home or in
the classroom, and many are simple enough for the tiniest
of leprechauns.
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Activity
Village: St. Patrick's Day Crafts
Rainbows, shamrocks, and leprechauns, oh my! Each St. Patrick's
Day craft page from Activity Village includes a photo, materials
list, and directions. You'll find additional projects by following
the category links (such as Leprechaun Crafts, Rainbow Crafts,
or Shamrock Crafts) listed under Explore Activity Village.
https://www.activityvillage.co.uk/st-patricks-day-crafts
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Disney
Family: St. Patrick's Day
"On March 17th, the luck of the Irish is yours with these
leprechaun-approved St. Patrick's Day crafts, desserts, printables
and games." The photos here are gorgeous, and every craft
and cupcake simply jumps off the screen. These are not categorized,
so you'll need to scroll through all the pages if you are
looking for something specific.
https://family.disney.com/st-patricks-day/
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DLTK:
St. Patrick's Day Crafts for Kids
These fun and easy St. Patrick's Day crafts are listed by
subject, including leprechauns, pots of gold, shamrocks, and
rainbows. Each illustrated craft recipe includes a recommended
minimum age, a materials list, and (of course) instructions.
Most include printable templates in both color and black and
white (for those who wish to color their own crafts.) And,
best of all, the instructions are available in a printable
format (look for the highlighted link at the bottom of each
craft page.)
http://www.dltk-holidays.com/patrick/craft-index.htm
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First-School:
St. Patrick's Day Activities and Crafts
For preschool and kindergarten kids, First School provides
printable crafts (and lesson plans) for St. Patrick's Day
and Irish American Heritage Month. In addition to the craft
instructions, the activities include reference links to articles
about shamrocks, the history of St. Patrick's Day, and other
related topics. "Shamrock: (three leaves) is the national
emblem of Ireland. Lucky Four-Leaf Clover: when a rare four
leaflet occurs in a clover it is said to be lucky and the
leaves represent hope, faith, love and the fourth one, luck."
http://www.first-school.ws/theme/h_st_patricks_day.htm
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Free
Kids Crafts: St. Patrick's Day Crafts
Shamrock Man with googly eyes, Paper Plate Leprechaun, and
St. Pat's Rainbow Loops are just a few of the thirteen illustrated
craft projects listed at Free Kids Crafts. Additionally, on
the second page of the St. Patrick's Day section, they have
a collection of links to St. Patrick's Day crafts at other
sites. Looking for a steady stream of new craft ideas? On
the front page of the site, Free Kids Crafts features a new
craft every day. Click on the calendar for an archive of previous
crafts.
http://www.freekidscrafts.com/holidays/st-patricks-day-crafts/
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