August 15th-19th Family Activities Newsletter

Welcome to the WMHT Family Activities Newsletter. This weekly family newsletter is providing resources for children’s growing and learning throughout the summer and fall months. The theme for this week is Wind. I hope you find this helpful! Barbara Lukas, Family Learning Coordinator

Theme: Wind

Welcome to family activities with PBS Kids!  Wind is the result of air moving around in the atmosphere. Cool air creates high pressure, and hot air creates low pressure. When areas of high and low pressure meet, it creates wind. Explore “windy” activities below.   Two age level areas are available – PreK-K and Grades 1-2.

PreK-K Make a simple pin wheel from Curious George, to measure the wind. Print the design, and color both sides of the four sections. Cut along the dotted lines - be careful not to cut into the center circle. You can use a push pin or thumb tack to make the holes and attach your pin wheel to the eraser end of a pencil.

Tornado in a Jar In parts of the country, summer weather means tornado. A tornado is a violent, rotating column of air that forms under the right weather conditions. When a tornado forms, it creates a vortex which is a spinning, often turbulent flow of air. Make your own tornado in a glass jar using cold water, clear dish soap [you can substitute light yellow or orange dish soap], and vinegar. Be sure to put the lid on tight before you shake it up!

Grades 1-2 Wind or the movement of air across Earth’s surface, is an element of weather. Winds may be gentle or powerful. Make this wind gauge from Cyberchase to measure the speed of the wind. Tools are simple – index card, string, paper clip, scissors and glue. Using a sheet of paper, draw a weekly chart and measure the wind each day.

Windsock Measure the wind’s power with a windsock made of recycled materials. Start by collecting 2-liter bottles and plastic bags. Add scissors, tape, markers, string, and a hole punch. Now you are ready to begin. You may need adult help cutting and punching holes in the plastic bottle. Did you print the chart and record the wind each day?

America’s Test Kitchen Young Chefs’ Club Bread and Butter Pickle Chips

Summer is the time to make some sweet and tangy quick pickles (QUICKLES?!). Use these pickles to top your burger or add to a sandwich. Ingredients are simple – pickles, vinegar, onion and seasonings. You will need adult help with the 5-7 minute cooking method and packing the hot pickles & brine into jars. Note – Persian cucumbers are good for small pickles.

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