Culture - Day 5 grades 7+ learning activities

Trivia Question: Who ran the world's first marathon?
*you can find the answer at the end of this activity plan
A: The Romans    B: Philippides    C: The Persians

Mindfulness Activity:

• Act out what it looks like to eat too fast.
• Act out what it looks like to eat too slow.
• Now try acting out eating just right.
• How do you choose the right amount of energy?

For this activity, connect with one or more friends on a video chat like Skype, Zoom or Facetime.

How many languages can you say "hello" in?

Take turns saying hello in other languages. The goal of the game is to not repeat languages. If you can't think of another language, you're out. Play several rounds and see how many ways you can learn to say hello.

Here are some languages to get you started:

• Sunchhen (Bengali)
• Ciao (Italian)
• Shalom (Hebrew)
• Buenos Dias (Spanish)
• Salaam (Arab)
• Ni hao (Chinese)
• Oki (Blackfoot)
• Namaste (Hindi)
• Konnichi wa (Japanese)

Supplies:

• Pencil
• Paper

For this activity, connect with one or more friends on a video chat like Skype, Zoom or Facetime.

Have a friend or family member quiz you about the following landmarks. Write down the country where you think the landmark is, then check your answers. *you can find the answer at the end of this activity plan

1. Eiffel Tower

• The Eiffel Tower was originally built as the entrance arch for the World's Fair in 1889.
• Construction took 2 years and was completed in 1889.

2. Taj Mahal

• Construction of the Taj Mahal took around 20 years It started around 1632 and finished around 1653.
• The Taj Mahal is an ivory-white marble mausoleum on the south bank of the Yamuna river.

3. Sydney Opera House

• The Sydney Opera House is one of the most-photographed buildings in the world. It's known for its unique use of a series of bright white sail-shaped shells for a roof.
• It is a multipurpose performing arts facility. Its largest feature, the 2,679-seat Concert Hall, hosts symphony concerts, choir performances and popular music shows.

4. The Great Wall

• The Great Wall is the longest structure ever built by humans.
• Its main purpose was protection against attacks and invasions from the north.

5. Burj Khalifa

• This is currently the tallest freestanding structure in the world. It has the highest number of stories in the world and has the highest occupied floor in the world.
• It's three times as tall as the Eiffel Tower and nearly twice as tall as the Empire State Building. Laid end to end, its pieces stretch over a quarter of the way around the world.

6. Mount Rushmore National Memorial

• Roughly 60-ft.-high granite mountains show the faces of famous presidents.
• The presidents were chosen for their contribution to the founding, expansion, preservation and unification of the country.

Supplies:

• Yoga mat (optional)

Yoga is a group of physical, mental and spiritual exercises that originated in ancient India. Yoga is one of the six schools of Hindu philosophical traditions. Try these poses, or find a video online, to start your own yoga practice.

"I am strong." Pretend to be a surfer.

• From a standing position, step one foot back so that it is facing slightly outwards.
• Hold out your arms so they’re even with the ground.
• Bend your front knee and look forward.
• Pretend to be a surfer and use your strength to balance on the waves.

"I am kind." Pretend to be a tree.

• Balance on one leg.
• Bend your knee and put your foot on the calf or inner thigh of your straight leg.
• Sway back and forth like a tree.
• Think of trees being kind by giving shade, making oxygen, and giving homes to animals.

"I am brave." Pretend to be a skier.

• Stand tall with your feet hip-width apart
• Bend your knees and keep a straight spine.
• Hold your hands out in front of you and pretend to hold ski poles.

"I am friendly." Pretend to be a dog.

• Bend down and put your hands flat on the ground.
• Step your feet back to make an upside-down V shape with your bum high in the air.
• Straighten your legs.
• Relax your head and neck, looking down between your legs.
• Think of being a friendly dog.

"I am wise." Pretend to be an owl.

• Drop your knees to the ground and sit upright on your heels.
• Pretend to be a wise owl sitting on a tree.
• Twist your upper body one way and then the other.

• How does it feel to try activities from around the world?
• How do you think learning from other cultures can help you?
• If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Mindfulness Activity Answer: B: Philippides. The Greek ran from Marathon to Athens to deliver news of victory in a war against the Persians

Guess the Landmark Answers:

1. France
2. India
3. Australia
4. China
5. United Arab Emirates
6. United States