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Category: Family, Parenting

Add These to Your Netflix Queue to Help Spark A Love of Math, Science, Nature

Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.

― Carl Sagan

I’ve been working with Netflix as a member of the Netflix Stream Team; this month the theme was Science Fair inspiration. But to tell the truth, I couldn’t get into the idea of talking about our Science Fair ordeal this year— I tried— I’d much rather keep it upbeat 🙂 Maybe I’ll tell that story once time has taken out some of the sting.

BUT I do love Netflix as a prodigious resource to foster an interest in not only science, but math and nature. There are TONS of shows, movies and documentaries on Netflix that will help inspire a child’s curiosity and desire to learn; here’s a few of our favorites.

10 Netflix Picks
to Help Spark a Love of Math, Science and Nature

The Magic School Bus

There are four seasons of field trips with Ms. Frizzle and the kids on the magical bus. I love the way she teaches real lessons beyond the classroom.

Wild Kratts

This is one of Cass’s favorite shows. Zoologist brothers Martin and Chris Kratt and their crew (complete with strong female characters!!) teach all about animals, habitats and “creature powers.”

Microcosmos (Le peuple de l’herbe)

A French documentary in which microscopic cameras and special microphones offer an up-super-close, breathtaking look at the world of insects and other tiny creatures.

The Blue Planet: A Natural History of the Oceans

Narrated by David Attenborough. Beautiful underwater footage. One of my favorite series ever ever ever, but I am super partial to the deep sea bits.

Mythbusters

A favorite for family members of all ages, although some episodes might be a bit much for littler ones. (A great intro to the concept of developing a hypothesis and testing your theory.)

The Life of Birds

Another David Attenborough. Another fantastic visual feast, coupled with epic storytelling.

Ken Burns: The National Parks: America’s Best Idea

True story: my senior year history textbook said, and I quote, Roosevelt pined to save the national forests. Horrible pun aside, this Ken Burns series tells that story (of which my hero John Muir was a major figure).

Nature

Nature is one of TV’s greatest treasures. You really can’t go wrong here, but I’ll give a special shoutout to Animal Odd Couples and A Murder of Crows.

These two aren’t currently available on streaming— do the DVD or add to your queue for when they become available to stream:

Dirt! The Movie

It’s been a while since I’ve seen this one, but I remember being enthralled by the passion the people interviewed had for the soil under their feet, and their efforts to preserve it.

Between the Folds

All about modern origami, which is a lovely art and a fascinating application of mathematics.

Now if only Netflix would add old episodes of Bill Nye the Science Guy! My older kids saw most of these on VHS thanks to the local library, but we don’t have a VHS player anymore.

What are your kids’ favorite science/math/nature related shows?

What other documentaries have you loved on Netflix?

March 30, 2014
Video Gameplay for Good: Play ‘Sidekick Cycle’ and Aid World Bicycle Relief

A game is an opportunity to focus our energy,
with relentless optimism,
at something we’re good at (or getting better at) and enjoy.

In other words,
gameplay is the direct emotional opposite of depression.

―Jane McGonigal
Reality Is Broken:
Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change the World

Regardless of how you feel about video games in general, kids (and adults) love ’em, and with this one you can throw your support behind a good cause.

Sidekick Cycle is from the Global Gaming Initiative, a company that incentivizes charitable micro giving: helping to raise awareness of economic and social issues through fun video games. 50% of the proceeds from Sidekick Cycle sales go to World Bicycle Relief, a non-profit group that gives rugged, locally assembled bikes to students, disaster victims and healthcare workers in Africa. These bikes aren’t just an opportunity for healthy fun; they can ensure a kid attends school every day.

With every 387 downloads of Sidekick Cycle— available for just 99 cents in the app store for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch— GGI purchases one bicycle for a child in an impoverished community. (It’s a universal app that is GameCenter enabled. An Android version will be available this fall.)

[Tweet “99 cents to download @ggiplaytogive Sidekick Cycle game- 50% of proceeds aid World Bicycle Relief”]

I’m already sold at this point, because it’s a dollar donation to get kids on bikes and in school.

Oh! But you get a game too!

Basically Sidekick Cycle is a downhill biking game, whizzing at “vertigo-inducing” top speed over hazardous terrain in Africa and North America; you have to stick tricks and flips (earning bonus points and coins to spend on upgrades) while delivering bikes to kids in need. There are over 30 tracks/levels, with more on the way.

Bikes can be customized with Sidekick companion animals; each of these has its own special ability, so you can mix and match different powers for varying “powered up” play. Bikes themselves can also be customized with gear for a uniquely sweet, sweet ride.

I have to say that I’ve always liked driving games and the wipeout factor of a bike game sounds fun. This sounds like a good way for Cass to pass the time while we’re waiting for a table or at the doctor… while driving home how great bikes are and how they can make a difference.

I’ll have her try it out and report back on how she likes it— but really for a dollar it’s a good buy however you look at it.

February 25, 2014
Easy No-Sew DIY Fingerless Gloves
Winter is not a season, it’s an occupation.
―Sinclair Lewis

I have a long and storied history of getting the SADs in winter, but it hasn’t been too bad this year. I’m pretty sure that’s due to a combination of factors:
- regular exercise,
- a concentrated effort to get out into the sun (when it shows up) for some much-needed Vitamin D,
- I heard we have had 37 different weather events this winter. THIRTY SEVEN. I can’t find anything specific to back that up, but it sounds about right. I do know we’ve had enough snow to make this winter historically a top 5 performer for Delaware. I’ve been too dang busy shoveling and kvetching about school snow days to get all introspective and depressed.
ANYWAY.

On top of all the excitement snow and ice bring, we’ve had a lot of stretches of brutal cold, not to mention periods without power. We don’t keep the heat up very high in our house (doesn’t mean our power bill hasn’t also been brutal this winter) and it doesn’t make sense to keep it raised during the day when I’m (supposed to be) the only one here.

It gets chilly.

In particular, my hands get cold typing. (I can hear my husband making fun of me for this; he’s had to work outside all winter. I realize he’s colder. My hands are still cold.)

My favorite articles of clothing have thumbholes to help keep my hands and wrists warm, but I can only wear them so often. So I’ve been cutting my socks into easy fingerless gloves.

Fingerless gloves are obviously awesome as they allow you to type, use the touchscreen on your phone, buckle kids in and out of carseats, pay for your coffee, etc etc without having to take your gloves off. Upcycled gloves mean it’s not a big deal if kids lose them (or you lose them). I could also see using them for early spring races where the start would be cold.

I’ve been making these a long time, as a way to hang onto my fave pair of socks OR socks that I loved the look of but bothered me once on my feet (I’m weird about seams, being able to feel patterns, excessive threads, etc.) But I’ve had several people recently tell me it was clever, so I thought I’d do a quick share.

It’s as easy as you’d think it would be.

(Well, technically I guess this is a no-knitting tutorial, right? Is there even sewing involved for normal gloves?)
1. Turn your sock inside out for marking.
2. Put your hand inside the sock.
3. Make a mark where your knuckles are. Make another where your thumb wants to come out, in the heel.
4. Cut. Take the sock off your hand first.
5. Turn right side out and enjoy.
How are you keeping warm?
February 18, 2014