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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 2018 - Volume
16 Number 4
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Favorite
Web Sites
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collected
by Paul and Vicki
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Soul
of Nations
Soul of Nations is a for-purpose organization established to
uplift the vast amounts of displaced Indigenous communities
throughout the Americas. Established in 2015, Soul of Nations
has dedicated majority of its efforts in supporting Indigenous
youth through inspiring business creativity, encouraging academic
excellence, and engagement in the arts.
http://www.soulofnations.org |
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Cherokee
Nation Foundation
The Cherokee Nation Foundation is a nonprofit organization serving
the Cherokee Nation, a federally recognized tribe of more than
300,000 citizens. Its mission is to provide educational opportunities
to Cherokee students so they can reach their full potential.
The Cherokee Nation Foundation is a tax-exempt charitable organization
under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
http://www.cherokeenationfoundation.org |
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American
Indian College Fund
Founded in 1989, the American Indian
College Fund has been the nation's largest charity supporting
Native higher education for more than 28 years. The College
Fund believes "Education is the answer" and provided
6,548 scholarships last year totaling $7.6 million to American
Indian students, with more than 125,000 scholarships totaling
over $100 million since its inception.
http:/www.collegefund.org |
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Kites
Kites date back 3000 years, when the Chinese made them from
bamboo and silk. Over the centuries kites have been used in
religious ceremonies, scientific experiments, military maneuvers
and, of course, for fun. In honor of April’s status as
National Kite Flying Month, today’s sites explore the
history, the science and the sport of kite flying.
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NASA:
Kites
"An excellent way for students to gain a feel for aerodynamic
forces is to fly a kite. " This NASA site starts with a
short history of kites, and then introduces the forces that
act on kites. "In fact, with the exception of thrust, the
forces acting on a kite are also the same forces which act on
an airliner or a fighter plane. Like an aircraft, kites are
heavier than air and rely on aerodynamic forces to fly. "
To progress through the Guided Tour about Forces on a Kite,
use the blue arrow at the bottom of each page.
https://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/airplane/kite1.html
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National
Kite Month: Kite History
You'll find lots of great resources under the For Teachers link
in the main horizontal menu. This page tells the history of
kites, starting with the legend that a "Chinese farmer
tied a string to his hat to keep it from blowing away in a strong
wind." Other links include "Why Kites Fly", "How
to Fly a Kite", and kite games and projects for use in
a classroom.
http://www.nationalkitemonth.org/kite-history-overview/kite-history/#
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G-Kites:
Professor Kite and the Secrets of Kites
Professor Kite teaches us how to pick the right kite for different
days. "Deltas, Diamonds and Dragon kites fly well in light
to medium winds (approximately 6-15 mph) while Box Kites and
stickless Parafoil kites fly better when the winds get a little
stronger (approximately 8-25 mph)." Flying is most fun
in a medium wind, when you can do more than just hold on for
dear life. Look for movement in the leaves and bushes, but not
blowing or shaking. The Professor also explains how to get your
kite to fly and lists important safety rules.
https://www.gombergkites.com/nkm/rec1.html |
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Virtual
Kite Zoo
"Come in and see my sketches and descriptions of kites
of every shape and size, many of them also including historical,
anecdotal, allegorical or aeronautical snippets of information."
The Virtual Kite Zoo categorizes more than fifty types of
kites. Start with the terminology page (unless you already
know your longerons from your spreaders) and then take the
guided tour. You can finish with the interactive kite quiz.
http://www.blueskylark.org/zoo/
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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.
https://learn.eartheasy.com/guides/gardening-with-children/
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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.
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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://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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Frogs
Years ago, while standing in my driveway at night, a frog
hopped onto my foot. I probably screamed (wouldn’t you?)
but when I saw what it was, I bent down to pick him up. We
kept the frog for awhile, feeding him live crickets and naming
him Hoppy, before releasing him into a wetlands preserve near
our house. These sites are for you, Hoppy. Wherever you may
be.
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All
About Frogs
"Frogs are members of the zoological class called Amphibia.
Amphibians are cold-blooded (or poikilothermic) vertebrate animals.
They differ from reptiles in that they lack scales and generally
return to water to breed." From facts to fun, All About
Frogs covers all the froggie bases. For school reports, you'll
find "true, weird and wacky facts" as well as a brief
explanation of the environment threats faced by frogs. For pet
owners, there is a guide to buying your first frog, and an FAQ
covering common questions.
http://allaboutfrogs.org/froglnd.shtml |
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American
Museum of Natural History: Frogs: A Chorus of Colors
This AMNH site is my frog pick of the day, with frog sounds,
a Dart Poison Frog Vivarium (visit to learn why the dart poison
frogs on display at the museum in New York are actually harmless),
a peek into the work of the museum's professional herpetologists,
and fun frog facts. "Frogs were the first land animals
with vocal cords. Male frogs have vocal sacs - pouches of skin
that fill with air. These balloons resonate sounds like a megaphone,
and some frog sounds can be heard from a mile away."
https://www.amnh.org/about-the-museum/press-center/frogs-a-chorus-of-colors-returns |
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Exploratorium:
Frogs
The Exploratorium's online frog exhibit brings us well-written
articles, illustrated with photos and video clips. The lead
feature, The Amazing Adaptable Frog, is a must see, as is the
click-and-hear (ribbit, ribbit) Frog Tracker exhibit. For something
a little different, venture beyond biology with Tales and Tours,
where you can become acquainted with Frog City, Louisiana or
learn about Frog Myths Across Cultures.
http://www.exploratorium.edu/frogs/ |
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Kiddyhouse:
All About Frogs for Kids and Teachers
Oodles of frog facts organized as questions and answers make
All About Frogs an excellent destination. Beyond the Q's and
A's you'll find frog crafts, songs and poems, original froggie
clipart (free for non-commercial use), and links to lesson plans
for K-8 teachers. Although the bulk of this site is for elementary
students, middle and high-school students will find links to
sites with more in-depth coverage under More Frog Facts and
Information.
http://www.exploratorium.edu/frogs/ |
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KidZone:
Frogs
Wow! With excellent content for elementary and middle-school
students and dozens of printable worksheets for elementary
grades, this KidZone section is surely a crowd pleaser. Frog
Facts is organized into thirteen chapters, from "Frogs
are Amphibians" to "Frog Species" such as Darwin's
Frog and Goliath Frog. Frog Activities is my favorite click,
because it houses more than a dozen printable worksheets such
as the Life Cycle of Frogs and a Frog Picture Book.
http://www.kidzone.ws/lw/frogs/
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Albert
Einstein
Albert Einstein, known as one of the greatest scientists of
all time, was born on March 14, 1879 in Ulm, Germany. The
following sites explore his life and his work. I was struck
by how accessible Einstein’s theories can be when explained
with examples and illustrations.
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American
Institute of Physics: Einstein: Image and Impact
The American Institute of Physics site (my pick of the day)
explores Einstein's life through historical accounts, photographs
and sound clips. The Brief Version (recommended for elementary
students and anyone not wanting to read all one hundred pages
of the Main Exhibit) can be traversed by following the Next
Page link at the very bottom of each page. Clicking on any other
links for more detail will take you into the Main Exhibit. To
return to your tour through the Brief Version, use your browser
back button, or start again at the home page.
https://history.aip.org/history/exhibits/einstein/ |
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BrainyQuote:
Albert Einstein Quotes
"It's not that I'm so smart, it's just that I stay with
problems longer." While I might argue with Einstein's first
statement, I can't agree more with his conclusion about the
importance of effort. Want to understand relativity? Here's
Einstein's short version: "Put your hand on a hot stove
for a minute, and it seems like an hour. Sit with a pretty girl
for an hour, and it seems like a minute. That's relativity."
https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/albert_einstein |
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E
= mc2 Explained
"Albert Einstein published his Special Theory of Relativity
in 1905 and, in doing so, demonstrated that mass and energy
are actually the same thing, with one a tightly compressed manifestation
of the other. This mass-energy equivalence has had a major impact
on all our lives, although how and why isn't always obvious."
Take a walk through Einstein's famous formula.
http://www.emc2-explained.info |
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Einstein
"Today, the practical applications of Einstein's theories
include the development of the television, remote control devices,
automatic door openers, lasers, and DVD-players. Recognized
as TIME magazine's 'Person of the Century' in 1999, Einstein's
intellect, coupled with his strong passion for social justice
and dedication to pacifism, left the world with infinite knowledge
and pioneering moral leadership." Calling itself "The
Official Site", Einstein.biz has a short biography, a photo
gallery, a quote page, but very little about his theories and
his work.
http://einstein.biz |
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The
Why Files: The Importance of Being Einstein
For middle- and high-school science enthusiasts, The Why Files
dive into Einstein's theories about the speed of light and
the space-time continuum. Twentieth century physics "has
been a long trail of vindication for Einstein's theories."
And this great Why Files site takes you by the hand to show
how black holes and neutron stars offer proof of theories
Einstein made eighty years earlier.
https://whyfiles.org/2011/the-importance-of-being-einstein/
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Alexander
Graham Bell
Alexander Graham Bell was born March 3, 1847 in Edinburgh,
Scotland. March is also the anniversary of his most famous
invention: the telephone. In 1875, after receiving a patent
for the transmission of multiple telegraph signals on a single
wire, Bell and his assistant Thomas Watson, set out to invent
the telephone. Success came on March 10, 1876.
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Biography:
Alexander Graham Bell
"Bell's education was largely received through numerous
experiments in sound and the furthering of his father's work
on Visible Speech for the deaf. Bell worked with Thomas Watson
on the design and patent of the first practical telephone.
In all, Bell held 18 patents in his name alone and 12 that
he shared with collaborators." Visit Biography.com for
quick facts, Bell quotes, and three videos, including a full-length
(43 minute) biography video.
https://www.biography.com/people/alexander-graham-bell-9205497
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CBC.com:
It's Alexander Graham Bell Day
Alexander Graham Bell was nominated in 2004 as one of Canada's
favorite sons. This page tells Bell's story, with emphasis
on the time he spent in Canada. "Although Bell was born
in Scotland, he moved with his parents to Ontario [Canada]
when he was 23. He ended up moving and settling in the United
States just a year later, but he bought a summer home in Nova
Scotia [Canada] in 1885, and ended up living there until he
died."
http://www.cbc.ca/kidscbc2/the-feed/brrring-brrring...-its-alexander-graham-bell-day/
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Ducksters:
Alexander Graham Bell
Bell "first became interested in the science of sound
because both his mother and wife were deaf. His experiments
in sound eventually let him to want to send voice signals
down a telegraph wire." Elementary and middle-school
students should visit Duckster for fun facts, and links to
bios of other inventors and scientists.
http://www.ducksters.com/biography/alexander_graham_bell.php
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Library
of Congress: Alexander Graham Bell: Articles and Essays
For high-school students and adult learners, the Library of
Congress collection includes a timeline, and articles about
Bell's life as an inventor and scientist. "The telegraph
and telephone are both wire-based electrical systems, and
Alexander Graham Bell's success with the telephone came as
a direct result of his attempts to improve the telegraph."
https://www.loc.gov/collections/alexander-graham-bell-papers/articles-and-essays/
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Library
of Congress: Everyday Mysteries
"Who is credited as inventing the telephone? Was it Alexander
Graham Bell, Elisha Gray, or Antonio Meucci?" This Library
of Congress site answers the complicated question of why Bell
is credited with the invention of the telephone, even though
Gray and Mesucci were working on similar devices at the same
time. "So, if someone asks who is credited with inventing
the telephone, you can explain the controversy that still
surrounds this question. The answer is Bell, but be sure to
mention Meucci and Gray, because they played important roles
in its development."
http://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/mysteries/telephone.html
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