In
1905, Frank Epperson ran the soda stand in a small amusement park. He sold
drinks made from soda water mixed with flavor packets.
Frank
wondered how a frozen drink would taste. One cold night, he left a glass of
flavored soda outside with a wooden stirring stick in it. The soda froze. Frank
took his creation to school, and his classmates said it tasted good.
When
Frank grew up, he made and sold “Ep-sicles.” His kids suggested he change the
name to “Popsicles.” The rest is history.
Activities:
1.
How many words can you make from the letters in Popsicle? Make a sentence with
each new word.
2.
Do you like popsicles? What is your favorite flavor of popsicle? Have you made
popsicles by yourself? If not, try it. Then watch the video to explore some
yummy and healthy popsicle recipes.
Do you play kites? Kites have been a toy for thousands
of years. They come in a variety of designs. The wide winged bird, the long-tailed
dragons, the spinning metallic stars, the cartoon characters…. They dance with
your hands in the sky! Do you wonder how to make kites by yourself? Actually, it is quite simple. You’ll need:
two lightweight, smooth sticks, one 3 feet long, the
other 2 feet;
a large plastic trash bag, cut open;
a long strip of lightweight cloth or plastic for the
tail;
scissors; strong tape; a very long string
Then follow these steps:
Step 1: Form a cross shape with the sticks. Wrap tape
around the sticks where they meet.
Step 2: Cut off a 4-foot piece of string. Tape each
end of the string to each end of the long stick. This string is called the
bridle. Tie one end of the rest of string to the middle of the bridle.
Step 3: Lay the cross on the open plastic bag. Cut a
diamond shape around it. Make sure to cut the diamond shape wider than the ends
of the sticks.
Step 4: Fold the corners of the diamond over the ends
of the sticks. Tape the corners tightly to the sticks.
Step 5: For a tail, tape the strip of cloth or plastic
to the bottom of the kite.
When you are ready, remember to choose an open, safe
place to fly your kite. Don’t fly your kite near power lines. Keep away from
trees, roads, and airports. Don’t fly a kite in the rain or when you hear
thunder. Be sure nothing is on the ground to trip over. Have a fun!
Activities:
1. Find ten words that rhyme with kite. Then make a story with the new words.
2. Besides
the diamond shape, can you make other shapes of kites? Have a try. Then watch
the video to learn interesting explanations about Benjamin Franklin and his kite.
Have you ever thought of building a bean tent? A bean
tent is full of fun. You can eat beans and play with them. Then how to make a
bean tent? Here’s how.
First, get a packet of bean seeds. Also get six thin
poles, each at least six feet long.
Next, set up the planting space in the garden. On the
ground, outline a circle three feet wide. Then pull weeds and turn over the
dirt inside the circle with a garden fork.
Rake the ground flat. Then place six poles around the
outside of the circle with their tops leaning into the midpoint. Leave a bigger
space between two poles so that your tent will have an opening. Tie the pole
tops with strings. Now you’ve got a pole frame.
When days start getting hot in late spring, presoak
your bean seeds. Plant them by placing six beans at the base of each pole and
poling them an inch into the ground. Place dirt over them and water them daily.
In less than ten days, your bean plants will sprout.
When the bean plants are three inches high, thin them
out. Take out the little ones, and leave three strong plants at each pole. The
plants must not be overcrowded.
Keep sprinkling them with water, and see how fast they
grow. Your plants will race up the poles.
By midsummer your bean plants will reach pole tops.
The frame will be overgrown with big leaves and bright flowers. These flowers
will turn into beans you can eat. You will have plenty of green beans to pick
and eat.
Your bean tent is like a house with leaves and flowers
growing overhead. It is a place for shade on a hot day. You can also play hide
and seek there or just sit inside and read.
Activities:
1. Illustrate how to build a bean tent. Then explain
your illustrations.
2. Watch the video to learn how a bean tipi is made. What
other fun tents could be built in your backyard? Discuss with your buddies.
