Au Pair in America

American Heart Month

As Valentine's Day draws near, we are surrounded by paper hearts of all sizes. Take a moment to learn about the heart that beats within us by visiting http://sln2.fi.edu/biosci/preview/heartpreview.html (for older children). 

Super Bowl Sunday!

The Super Bowl is the annual American Football championship and a popular time for friends to gather in front of the TV. Last year, 86 million people watched the game! To learn more about football, visit the “Life in the US” section of this website. Besides football fans, the show attracts watchers for the half-time musical entertainment and also for the commercials. People will be talking about the commercials for days. Wondering what that’s about? Watch ads from the past several years at http://www.superbowl-ads.com/2007/index.html.

Groundhog Day

Traditionally, the groundhog is supposed to wake up on February 2 and come up out of his burrow. If he sees his shadow, he will return to the burrow for six more weeks of winter. If he doesn't see his shadow, he remains outside and starts his year, because he knows that spring has arrived early. German settlers brought this tradition to the U.S. It is based on Candlemas, a day that is halfway between the first day of winter and the first day of spring. In the U.S., the "official" groundhog is kept in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, and is called "Phil." Though not based in science, it is a fun U.S. tradition. Visit http://www.groundhog.org to learn more about Punxsutawney Phil.

Endangered Species Act

In 1973 the United States passed a law to protect animals that were in danger of becoming extinct. Tigers, elephants, otters, and mountain gorillas are all in danger of disappearing from the earth. Draw a picture of these animals, visit the zoo to see them, read a book about them, or learn more about endangered species at http://www.bagheera.com/.

Dental Health Month

It's always important for children to brush their teeth, but here is a special reminder! Brushing should last 2-3 minutes; use a timer to see how long the children actually brush. Visit http://www.healthyteeth.org/ for information, science experiments (do you know what happens to bone if it is soaked in vinegar?), and games about teeth. This is a good time to read books about loose teeth or going to the dentist if your children are at the right age.

Black History Month

February is Black History Month. Look for books at your local library or exhibits at your local historical society. Read more about it at http://www.tulane.edu/~wc/months/bhm.html.

Pancake Race

The first International Pancake Race was held on this day in 1950 in Kansas. The women in the race wear dresses and aprons and cover their heads in scarves to run a 415-yard (380 meter) course. Each woman also carries a pancake in a skillet and must toss the pancake three times. This would make a funny race for children with a shorter course and lightweight frying pans. Or you can tell them a story and make pancakes to eat, instead of racing with them!

Chocolate Chip Pancakes (from www.thatsmyhome.com)

• 1 ¼ C flour
• 1 T sugar
• ¼ tsp. cinnamon
• 1 T baking powder
• ¼ tsp. salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 C milk
• 4 T melted butter
• ¾ tsp. vanilla
• ¾ C chocolate chips

Preheat griddle or skillet. Combine flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Mix together liquid ingredients and beat into dry mixture until smooth. Fold in the chocolate chips. Pour ¼ cup batter for each pancake onto hot griddle. Cook until the bubbles that form on top begin to pop, flip the pancakes, then cook a minute or so more.

Valentine’s Day

Through the ages, many cultures have paused to celebrate love and romance in mid-February, but Americans use Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to tell almost everyone how much they care. Children usually exchange cards at school. Even more importantly, the observance of this day encourages a spirit of goodwill and respect for fellow human beings. Valentine's Day truly is a time of love, friendship, giving, and caring. For Valentine’s Day ideas and games, visit http://blackdog4kids.com/holiday/valentine/index.html.

Galileo's Birthday

Born in 1564, this Italian physicist and astronomer is famous for his experiments dropping objects from the leaning tower of Pisa. You can conduct your own simple falling object experiments using two items that are different in weight – a piece of paper, feather, or cotton ball dropped at the same time as a crayon or a stone (or whatever you can think of). Try different combinations with the children and record the results. Be sure not to drop anything breakable or where another person might be standing.

President’s Day

President's Day is a Federal holiday created to commemorate the births of former Presidents George Washington (Feb. 22) and Abraham Lincoln (Feb. 12). Throughout America, President's Day is observed by big sales in the stores, closed schools, and no mail delivery.

The United States has had more than 40 presidents. How many can the children name? Who has been president during their lifetime? Take a look at American coins and bills; who are the Presidents pictured on each coin and bill? (Only dollar coins have a picture of someone who was not president.) Find out more about George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Why are they so important to the United States?

National Engineer’s Week

Every day we use things that have been created by engineers. Engineers design sports equipment, high tech clothing, cars, planes and even plastic bottles. Children in middle and high school can explore this fascinating topic at http://www.discoverengineering.org/coolstuff.asp. See how long a list of things you can make that are in our world because of engineers. How do they make your life easier?

Louis Tiffany

Born in 1848, Tiffany (whose father started the Tiffany jewelry store) was a very fine painter but is best known for his work in stained glass. Make your own “stained glass” by following these easy instructions. This is a perfect use for broken crayons. Spread out newspaper and make crayon shavings (a small pencil sharpener is perfect for this). Cover the ironing board with newspaper and sprinkle the crayon shavings on a square of wax paper. Cover with another square of wax paper and more newspaper. Press the paper with a warm iron until the wax of the crayons is melted. These look beautiful hung in the window! Make a frame out of construction paper if you wish.

Post Office

On this day in 1792, the first postal service was created in the United States. Preschool and young elementary age children will love to create their own post office at home. You need envelopes (you can use new ones or save the return envelopes from junk mail), a rubber stamp and inkpad, stickers, and some paper. Children can write a note or draw a picture to put in the envelope. They can use the stickers as stamps and the rubber stamp to make the “postmark.” They can deliver the mail to bedrooms or you can create mailboxes by stacking a few empty shoeboxes on their sides. There can also be a box to mail letters – use a larger shoebox or a small cardboard box with the top closed and cut a slot to put the letters through.

Emma Willard

Emma Willard was born in Connecticut in 1787. She was self-educated and thought it was very important for girls to learn the same subjects that were being taught to boys. She started the first school to teach math and science to girls and the first college to educate women.

Young children love to play school. You can take turns being the teacher. Read a book out loud in front of the "class." (Children who can’t read yet still like to "read" to others. If you have a small chalkboard or white board, you can put assignments or lessons on the board. Paper and pencils are important for the work that needs to be done, but don’t forget to have recess!

Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras, French for “Fat Tuesday,” marks the end of Carnival and the beginning of the Christian fasting of Lent. The biggest Mardi Gras celebration in the U.S. is in New Orleans, Louisiana. Rio de Janeiro in Brazil also has a huge celebration. Find a Brazilian au pair in your cluster and ask her to tell you all about it.

Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday, in Christian churches, is the first day of the penitential season of Lent. On Ash Wednesday some Christians have a smudge of ashes placed on their foreheads as a sign of penitence.

Visit a Greenhouse Today

Find a local greenhouse to visit. Let the plants and flowers brighten your day. Too cold? Make your own greenhouse! Just follow these directions from http://www.theideabox.com.

You’ll need:

• 2-3 liter plastic bottle
• dirt
• seeds
• water

Directions: Cut down from top of bottle 4 inches all the way around. Rub the edges with sandpaper to smooth them. Fill bottom of bottle 4-6 inches with dirt. Plant seeds and water slightly! Place top back on to cause dew to be collected for self-watering action. Place in a sunny window. Wait until big enough to transplant outside, then ENJOY!

Treasure Hunt!

Pretend you are all on a desert island looking for treasure. Make a map or place clues around the house leading the children through the hunt. This can be done with pictures for non-readers – draw a picture of the television, then at the television place a picture of the stove. At the stove place a picture of a bed, and so on. The "treasure" can be a treat to eat, or a new game to play. Read books about pirates to add to the fun.

Build a Playhouse Day

Find a box from a large appliance and turn it into a playhouse to use indoors. Cut windows and a door. Furnish it and decorate it as you wish.