What to bring: Pen or pencil for each child and something like a book to make writing and drawing on my scavenger hunt sheet easier.
Bring Picnic Lunch or buy something at their CrossRoads Cafe adjacent to the courtyard.
Estimated timeline
Part A: 30-45 mins [...]]]>
Fieldtrip Location: Autry Museum, 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles
What to bring: Pen or pencil for each child and something like a book to make writing and drawing on my scavenger hunt sheet easier.
Bring Picnic Lunch or buy something at their CrossRoads Cafe adjacent to the courtyard.
Estimated timeline
Part A: 30-45 mins – Native North American Bead Exhibit (Exhibit lasts from March 15, 2014–April 26, 2015). After we pay at the front desk, I will walk everyone to the Native American Bead exhibit.
I’ll talk for about 5-10mins before letting the kids scurry about the exhibit with their scavenger hunts. Kids can work solo, with friends or teams.
10-15 minutes later I will walk through the exhibit and discuss items based on what they all found in the scavenger hunt.
Part B: 10 mins – CULTURE CLASH: Westward Expansion through the Native American Lens
Nearby exhibit of local Middle school students who painted before and after images of Native people and boarding schools.
This room is actually is an open balcony overlooking the museum’s waterfall in the back courtyard.
Part C: 15-30 mins – Downstairs Exhibit Anyone who is interested can follow me to the Native exhibit downstairs that has an original Ledgerbook piece on display by Howling Wolf and artifacts from boarding schools. There is a stuffed Buffalo/bison & hands on exhibits on Plains Indians.
At any time after the Scavenger hunt families can walk through the rest of the museum at your leisure.
Part D: Consider stopping at the Autry Store Giftshop on your way out. They have a great selection of books for young and old. This is where I got our family’s copy of the book: The Ledgerbook of Thomas Blue Feather. And in the store there are a few original artpieces of contemporary ledgerbook art by living Native Americans artists.
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Our Potluck is from 11:30 – 12:30. Don’t forget to bring your plates and utensils.
Then the kids will begin to share their own presentations at 1:00 pm. Depending on how many presentations we have, [...]]]>
Each child is invited to present a story, person, event or skill of a native American tribe of their choosing.
Our Potluck is from 11:30 – 12:30. Don’t forget to bring your plates and utensils.
Then the kids will begin to share their own presentations at 1:00 pm. Depending on how many presentations we have, I may insert a run around Indian-inspired game between presentations in order to keep the kids attentive.
Presentations will begin at 1:00pm
I can not wait to see what they have to share. To help make it as engaging and personally fun for themselves as possible, consider dressing up, teaching a craft, telling a story, re-enacting life in a particular tribe, children in the audience can be asked to hold props or become players in the story or presentation. Children are more than welcome to present as a group or a pair by coordinating outside of parkday.
To keep continuity and maximize the learning of all involved, may I request that everyone start their presentation with naming the tribe, helping us all pronounce it and showing where on the 3-D map where their tribe, person, skill originated from.
Here is the link to the 3-D Map craft from the fabulous book, Exploring Native American Culture by Anita
Bonus: if you missed the Tipi from last week, I believe that Enrique will be bringing the Tipi back.
]]>Before written language became a part of the culture of Lakota and Dakota Indians (the word Sioux is a the last syllable of what an enemy tribe [...]]]>
This was as a great parkday. Kids will built a Teepee with M&B Dad, Enrique as part of learning about Plains Indians and their relationship with bison.
Before written language became a part of the culture of Lakota and Dakota Indians (the word Sioux is a the last syllable of what an enemy tribe called the Lakota and Dakota which is why we no longer use that word), images were the best way to preserve history. Events were recorded in images on tents, shields, parfleches, clothing as well as the winter count that each tribe kept. Crow, Cheyenne, Pawnee and more. I picked the Shield craft as a fun way to bring more awareness and history to the children about the culture of Plains Indians.
I recycled pieces of leather into circles. The children used awls and sharpened chopsticks to make holes in the leather. Then they threaded the holes with synthetic animal tendon and tightened the leather around a metal ring. This looked like a miniature warrior’s shield. The plains indians, like Lakota, Cheyenne, Pawnee and more would initiate boys with a 4 day fast to help them discover the animal that would act as their guide, mentor and totem for the rest of their lives. This animal’s likeness would be painted upon the young man’s shield. After building their own shields, they then painted images upon them. 
Enrique was amazing. Here he is painting a Navajo symbol for a Tipi on the outside of the tipi. Another child used a symbol for the Thunder bird near the tipi. After I told the children that the clouds that came from the West were giant, becasue they rolled back from the massive boundary of the Rocky Mts. These clouds and storms were ominous and as a result many tribes believed the spirits that created them were ThunderBird gods.
Add to what we learned this week, by following these links on Winter Counts and Ledger drawings. Or see ledger book drawings in real life, and an exhibit on the bead art of the Plains Indians at our Local Autry Museum ( Howling Wolf’s Ledgerbook). I’m looking to take a homeschooling group in two weeks.
CLick on the cover image for more info on the book above.
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The next three parkdays will be devoted to the rich and interesting culture of Native Americans. This week we will explore the Inuit – the indigenous people who live in the Tundra and polar regions of Canada and USA. Inuit Proverb: May you have warmth in your igloo, oil in your lamp, and peace in your heart.
With long winter nights, there is much time to craft by lamp and now electricity. Sewing and making clothes from furs and carving or decorating bone and other items filled many of those hours. Everyone will get a chance to practice their hand at carving with bars of soap, as anything more dense and permanent would take too much time. I will supply the soap, if you can bring a table knife for each child (no steak knives please, just a normal table knife). Screwdrivers can also be a useful tool for this project.
There are many tales that have been shared at fires and over ice holes while Inuit fish. I will pick out one or two to share with the children. And if they prefer, they too can take part in the telling (as we did with how the Jade Emperor chose the animals for the Chinese Zodiac).
We also learned about the honored skill of Throat Singing which was outlawed for over a 100 years. The young Inuit are asking their elders to teach them before this unique aspect of their culture is lost forever. The same thing happened with Hula in the Hawaiin Islands.
Inuit throat singers try to show their vocal abilities in a fun competitive manner and the first one to either run out of breath, stop or laugh is declared the loser of the game.
In the tundra of ice and snow with few trees or hills – everything looks the same. This makes it hard to determine which way to go if you are traveling even the shortest of distances. So rocks atop of each other become road signs and offer a way to send important a messages to fellow travelers and animals.
I will share about the purpose and difference between Inuksuks (rock markers) & Inunnguaqs! (markers in shape of a person)!
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Potluck starts at 11:30 am for lunch and goes until 12:30. Any Asian inspired food is a plus, but bring what works for your family and your own plates and flatware.
In honor of the Sheep – anyone want to bring some felting supplies or wool crafts – This would be a great time to Bring ‘em!!
“Sheep are best known for being calm, dependable, and well mannered. These are the few external traits that others can recognize soon after meeting a Sheep. Inside, Sheep are also creative, intelligent, artistic, and sincere. They like to spend a lot of time working things out in their own minds before sharing them with others, but when they do decide to share their thoughts they often have incredibly thoughtful ideas that others are surprised by. Though the usually quiet Sheep uses its subtle charm and elegance to win over their peers, they are also often overshadowed in social situations by louder, more outgoing individuals such as the Rooster or the Horse.” Eastern Sheep Zodiac I will share a bit about the BigHorn Sheep which continue to live wild and freely in Joshua Tree national Park as well as Sequoia & Kings Canyon National park (the two locations we take our Homeschool Family Campouts!)! FYI – Sign up with me via email or in person to join us for our Annual Campout at Joshua Tree for the 2nd weekend in April.
Traditionally, the 15 days preceding the Lunar New Year is spent cleaning house, buying new clothes, cutting hair and preparing food for the big New Year’s Feast. Then the Feasting and Celebrations begin on New Year’s Eve and last from 3-5 days. We visit the Hsi Lai Temple, the largest Buddhist Temple and grounds in the Western Hemisphere almost every year to light a candle and wish for health and prosperity for our family, extended family and community. That means today we asked the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas to hold YOU and YOUR family in their hearts.
And if you want to celebrate this New Year in a more dramatic way, here are a few places to take your family
LA’s Chinatown New Year’s Parade Feb 21 and Vietnamese Tet Feb 28 and Mar 1
Here are some books that I recommend to learn more about the value and celebration of the Lunar New Year to our neighbors across the globe and in our own communities…
Recently, Esme and I took in a concert with Samite , born and raised in Uganda, fled to Kenya as a refuge in 92′. He has founded a few organizations including Musicians for World Harmony. 
Samite was the subject of the documentary, “Song of the Refuge” and featured in the doc that is freestreaming on Netflix, “Alive Inside,” about using music to awaken the spirit of those in later stages of Alzheimers. Samite, played many instruments for us including the Kalimba. He also had us join in with him as he sang a beautiful song that he calls his Dalia Lama song, as he performed it for him once. Samite joked about how silly it seemed to him how everyone backstage cried after the Dalai Lama thanked them for their songs, until he did the exact same thing.
Samite is also one of the artists on Putumayo’s African Playground album – track #8 titled – Munomuno
With a bit of wood-working (sanding and maybe even sawing) as well as screwing into wood – anyone can create their own hand held finger piano or Kalima/Mbira.
I will also get the kids to join in on the live telling/acting out of a Griot tale (African Folktale). Drums and other instruments will make great accompaniments – so bring your instruments.
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Many age-old traditions for New Years Day are linked to increased prosperity: southerners eat Black-eyed peas, long soba noodles in Japan, fish in Poland, American’s bake New Years cookies, in Greece round cake with a coin hidden inside, the Spanish eat 12 grapes at the strike of Midnight, in Peru turmeric potatoes to bring gold, and mini Marzipan pigs in Germany. Centuries ago in Europe the idea of avoiding fowl in lieu of pigs (not for the Jewish) was because birds move backward as they eat and pigs move forward as they forage. Try to make a batch of marzipan with organic ingredients for everyone to make a Good Luck Piggie treat. Bring whatever dish or delight you care to share for prosperity, health or fortune for 2014. … it’s not potluck – just extra.
Here are the upcoming New Years festivals to attend. We are attending at least 2 of these four festivals: Japanese New Year’s Festival (1/4), the Lunar New Year Fest (1/31), and LA’s Chinatown New Year’s Parade (2/21) and Vietnamese Tet (2/28&3/1).
Consider creating your own family tradition (see above).
]]>Families will be bringing crafts to share. One family [...]]]>
We can’t wait to get together to share food, crafts and love this week. It will be chilly, but there will be hot cocoa and plenty of hot tea. Bring a lunch dish and something sweet to share at our potluck that starts at 11:30-1pm. 
Families will be bringing crafts to share. One family will share a bit about Chanukah, and another about Kwanza. 
I will read a story of St. Lucia, a part of the Scandinavian (mostly Swedish) Festival of St. Lucia where Light overcomes the dark. And we will pick a night to go visit Bethlehem this weekend and Candy Cane lane this week. We will sing Christmas & Chanukah carols together while we craft. I hope to see you there.
Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Merry Kwanza, Happy Solstice, and more.
We [...]]]>
We use idioms to pepper our speech and writing, often without even realizing we’re doing it. These odd little phrases are used to express a sentiment other than their literal meaning. It doesn’t really “Rain Cats and Dogs,” as the world and his wife knows.
There are English Idioms and also World Idioms, both equally fun to explore. Did you know that in German you can say “To Live Like a Maggot in Bacon” instead of “To Live the Life of Luxury”? Idioms can tell us a lot about what matters to a nation. They’re are a “Window into the Soul.”
Maria will share a bit on the history of Idioms and why we use them all while playing games and using clay to bring it all alive with fun. See you there. Here are a few to think about.
They don’t see eye to eye : They don’t agree with each other
She’s got a nose for a bargain : She’s very good at finding …
I was on my knees by the end of the day : I was very tired
There’s no elbow-room : There isn’t enough space
We did it by the skin of our teeth : We only just succeeded, we almost failed
He doesn’t have a leg to stand on : There’s no justification for what he did or says
I really put my foot in it : I said something by mistake that I shouldn’t have said
She gave him the cold shoulder : She rejected him; she ignored him.
He’s pulling your leg : He’s pretending something is true when it isn’t, as a joke
The car is on its last legs : It’s old and will soon be unusable
He welcomed us with open arms : He was very pleased to accept our help.
We soon lost heart: We became demotivated?)
One of our most recent additions to parkday is a great Dad who is from Venezuela. With his family’s assistance, Enrique will take us through a tour of his country, share bits of Venezuela culture and give us a mini-Spanish lesson to boot! (and Potluck will take place from 11:30-12:30.)
Home to a huge diversity of wildlife in a variety of protected habitats, Venezuela is considered to be among the 17 most megadiverse countries in the world
. For those of you who have seen the Pixar movie, UP, you might remember the destination was Paradise Falls. It was based on the longest uninterrupted waterfall on our planet, Angel Falls. Wanna guess where that is? Yup – Venezuela!
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