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India’s Festival of Holi

March 22nd, 2013

Hi! It’s Thursday, March 22, 2013 and time for Social Sciences at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:

Pitara Kids Network: Holi

Age Range: 5-13 (approximately, with parental preview and supervision)

This ad-supported website was developed by entrepreneurs, journalists, curriculum developers, and educators in India and “was born out of the recognition that education is not an end in itself. That it has a higher goal – of helping our children become intelligent human beings. Intelligent and sensitive to their immediate social-political-cultural-ecological surroundings.”

The website offers all kinds of free games and activities to encourage learning, including terrific information on the spring festival in India called, “Holi.”  In 2013, Holi will be celebrated on Wednesday, March 27th.  This is a great opportunity to learn more about the culture, customs and traditions of India. 

When you get to the site, you’ll see a brief introduction. The information is slightly outdated as it says that Holi is on March 9-10. The festival changes dates annually. As mentioned previously, in 2013 it will be celebrated on March 27th. Explore the menu below the welcome message that includes:

*Holi: The Colours of Spring – Read about the history and meaning of the festival.

*Where Holi is the Talk of the Town – Find out why Holi is “the day when the world turns upside down.”

*The Song of Hori or Happiness – Read about the Hindu myths and legends about Holi. (Note: There is a game on this page that I couldn’t open and review. I’m not certain if it’s part of the page, or an ad.  If you can open it, preview to determine suitability of content.)

*Holi is for Children – Read a woman’s recollection of Holi and how her family celebrated when she was a child.

*Holi’s Here – If you’ve read all of the articles above, take the quiz to test your knowledge of Holi. Taking the quiz is education all by itself. Whether you answer correctly or incorrectly you receive an informative explanation.

This site offers a peek into Hindu beliefs, traditions, and legends associated with the festival of Holi in India. Some of the customs and beliefs may seem strange and puzzling, but they present a good opportunity for discussion and greater understanding of the people and countries of our world.

The site also offers many games and activities that I did not review. Plus, random ads are generated on each page of the website. Therefore, as always, parents should preview to determin suitability of content and supervise all Internet activity.

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“Liberty’s Kids” History Videos!

February 28th, 2013

Hi!  It’s Thursday, February 28, 2013 and time for Social Sciences at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:

Liberty’s Kids

Age Range: 7-14 (approximately, with parental supervision)  

History comes alive with these free, animated, educational videos about the experiences of two young teens during the American Revolution and the political, social, and cultural forces that resulted in the birth of a nation. Liberty’s Kids was an Emmy-winning television series (40 episodes, about 23 minutes in length each) that was originally broadcast on PBS to teach kids about the origins of the United States of America.

At this website, you can watch 10-minute clips from the various episodes that feature animated characters experiencing the major events in the Revolutionary War and Colonial America. The two main characters, Sarah and James, are from different backgrounds and have different opinions as they contend with issues like slavery, taxation without representation, loyalty, and independence. The presentation is educational as well as entertaining with the use of celebrity voices such as  Sylvester Stallone (as Paul Revere), Ben Stiller (as Thomas Jefferson), Billy Crystal (as John Adams), and Dustin Hoffman (as Benedict Arnold).

When you get to the site you’ll see some featured video clips. Use the menu tab at the top of the page and click on “Browse Videos” to see all of the episode-clips that are available including:

  • Boston Tea Party
  • Midnight Ride of Paul Revere
  • Battle of Lexington and Concord
  • Benjamin Franklin
  • Common Sense
  • The First Continental Congress
  • Benedict Arnold
  • And More!

These free, 10-minute clips contain a good deal of information. The entire series is available on DVD for purchase, but you don’t have to buy a thing to enjoy these terrific video clips that may springboard your kids to want to learn more.

Bonus: PBS created a companion website to the Liberty’s Kids show with free games and activities to extend learning. You’ll find it here: http://libertyskids.com/

Note: This is a YouTube site with random ads and comments from viewers. Parents, as always, should preview the site and supervise Internet access.

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Free Social Studies Video Dictionary!

February 21st, 2013

Hi!  It’s Thursday, February 21, 2013 and time for Social Sciences at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:

GaDOE: Video Dictionary

Age Range: 10 and up (approximately, with parental supervision)

The Georgia Department of Education offers this terrific free “Video Dictionary” to help students learn Social Studies. When you get to the site you’ll see a menu of over 30 topics that include:

  • African Savanna
  • Anti-Semitism
  • Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster
  • Cortes
  • Ganges River
  • Great Barrier Reef
  • Incas
  • Montezuma II
  • NAFTA – North American Free Trade Agreement
  • Ottoman Empire
  • Simon Bolivar
  • The Cultural Revolution
  • Toussaint L’Ouverture
  • Treaty of Versailles
  • And More!

Click on a topic of interest, and watch a professionally produced, well-narrated video that explains the term, its history, and its relevance – all accompanied by a montage of film clips, illustrations, and photographs.

These videos are a great way to introduce the people, cultures, countries, and events that have impacted our world.

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Games to Learn about Europe!

January 24th, 2013

 

Hi!  It’s Thursday, January 24, 2013 and time for Social Sciences at ClickSchooling!  

Recommended Website:

Europa.eu: Kids’ Corner

Age Range: 9 and up (approximately, with parental supervision)  

This website offers over 25  free, interactive games and activities to help kids learn about Europe and the European Union.

When you get to the website, you’ll see a brief introduction and two features followed by the menu of games. You can just scroll past the features, if desired, to access the games. The features include:

1) Check Out Your Rights – This is a separate section with games and activities designed to teach kids and teens about “The Rights of the Child.”  Since this is a controversial topic for some, parents (as always) should preview the website and supervise all Internet activity. 

2) The EU: What’s It All About – This section contains an interactive map of the European Union. Place your cursor over any country and a pop-up window appears with a few facts about the country. Click on a country and a window opens with more detailed information about the country’s history, geography, economy, and culture.

If you explore “The EU” section first, you’ll improve your chances when you play the games that cover topics such as:  

  • Countries and Flags of the European Union
  • History of Europe
  • Euro Coins and Notes
  • Famous Historic & Modern People
  • European Landmarks

Again, some of these activities require some basic knowledge of Europe and the European Union that you can learn in “The EU” section. You can also learn a lot through simple trial-and-error as you play the games. :)  

 

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Free Game & Curriculum Teach the War of 1812!

January 17th, 2013

Hi! It’s Thursday, January 17, 2012 and time for Social Sciences at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:

Hold the Fort!

Age Range: 9-14 (about grades 4-8, with parental supervision)

A Maryland ClickScholar suggested this website, sponsored by The National Park Service and Fort McHenry National Historic Monument in Baltimore, Maryland, that provides a free interactive, multi-media game and free curriculum to teach students about the War of 1812.

When you get to the website, you’ll see a menu that includes: information about the game, a preview video of the game, game screenshots, and the history of the War of 1812. If you click on “About the History” you’ll find a link to “Teacher Resources” provided by the Friends of Fort McHenry with free downloadable lessons for grades 4-8.

I highly suggest reading “About the Game” to understand the nuances of play. This game takes about 45-75 minutes to play, depending on how quickly you maneuver your player, and how well you prepare and command your troops at Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore. You’ll engage in a variety of activities that will determine the outcome of the battle including:

  • Lead and inspire 1000 men under your command!
  • Manage fort resources to survive the long day and night!
  • Explore a 3D virtual world of the fort!
  • Play the Fife & Drum and command a Gun Battery!
  • And of course, fly the flag!

The goal of the game is to protect Fort McHenry from invasion by British troops, inspiring a young lawyer named Francis Scott Key to write The Star-Spangled Banner.

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History of Holidays!

December 13th, 2012

Hi! It’s Thursday, December 13, 2012 and time for Social Sciences at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Websites: See Below

Age Range: Varies (with parental supervision)

The holidays are here and I thought you might enjoy learning about their origin and history, as well as some of the customs associated with them.

The History of Christmas

History.com offers several videos you can watch on the history of Christmas from the religious story to the traditional icons in popular culture. Discover the origins of Santa Claus, explore Christmas celebrations around the world, and learn about ancient rituals and Winter Solstice celebrations too.

The History of the Christmas Tree

This site provides a lesson plan on the history of the Christmas Tree. Use the discussion questions to stimulate conversation or prompt a writing exercise.

The History of Christmas Carols
This website provides information on the history of Christmas carols! When you get to the site you’ll see a brief introduction and a menu of songs. Click on any one and a new page opens that explains the origin of the song, along with the lyrics. (If you want to hear the music to these songs, click here.

The History of Hanukkah

Get a terrific overview of the history of the Jewish Festival of Lights called Hanukkah. Watch a 4-minute video, explore traditions like lighting the menorah, playing dreidel, and discover why potato pancakes (latkes) are a popular food at Hanukkah celebrations.

The History of the Dreidel

The dreidel is a traditional Hanukah toy. At this website you can get an overview of its history and its various meanings in theology, psychology, philosophy, numerology and more!

The History of Kwanzaa
At this site, you can watch a video that provides a good explanation and overview of Kwanzaa, a non-religious African American holiday that celebrates family, community, and culture for 7 days from December 26 – January 1.

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