Dragon Boat Racing

These are called Dragon Boats!

Every year in China people celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival. The Chinese Dragon Boat Festival is a holiday celebrated in China on the 5th day of the 5th month in the Chinese Lunar Calendar! This year it falls on June 25th.

The festival is celebrated by having boat races where the boats are in the shape of dragons. Competing teams row their boats forward to a drumbeat, racing to reach the finish.

In this video, you can see a fast race in the water.

Watch out for the man beating the drum in each boat!

Can you see the Dragon faces on the boats?

You could try to make your own colourful paper dragon boat:

Here is a list of what you need:

Sheet of sturdy cardstock or paper (approx. 21×21cm)

boat dragon face

6 straws
Scrap paper for paddles
Tape
Markers or crayons
Glue stick
Hole punch

And here is the method with pictures and instructions:

Instructions:

Step 1: Grab your 21×21cm square of cardstock/paper.
Step 2. Fold the cardstock in half so that fold is on the bottom.
Step 3. Fold it in half again, then open back up to form a crease in the middle.
Step 4. Fold the bottom corners in.
Step 5. Fold the first layer of top corners in.
Step 6. Turn it over.
Step 7. Fold the top corners down.
Step 8. Fold the flap down.
Step 9. Turn it over and fold the other flap down. Secure flaps with glue stick.

     

You  can now decorate and add the two dragon heads from above.  Once you have glued them to the front of the boat, punch three holes into each side of the boat for the straw oars. Finally, cut some paddles from scrap paper and stick these to the straws.

For more information you can visit : https://www.littlepassports.com/blog/craft-diy/diy-chinese-dragon-boat-activity-for-kids/

Finally, a song to finish:

Enjoy your Summer holidays!

See you in August,

Linda and Ana.

 

 

This week is Carer’s Week!     

Carer’s Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges that carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK.

This comes at a time when we have all been thinking about people who care and look after us and our pets  a lot of the time, especially when we are unwell.   Can you think of any?              You can find out on this word mat:

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Have you heard about this event over these last few weeks?   –  “Clap for Carers”      

       

Every week for the last 10 weeks on a Thursday evening at 8.00pm, the country has clapped in their gardens, on their doorsteps and  through  their  open or closed windows  to show it’s appreciation to all those carers who are working so hard for us all just now.

Here is a story about one special carer – a Scottish nurse, whose name you might have heard recently in the news:

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Here is a poem written by some children who want to say “Thank you!”

https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/52574524

It is always nice to say “Thank you” to people who look after us. Here are some activities which you could try to help you do this:

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Thank you cards:

         

Write “thank you” with a wax crayon first, before painting over it. And above, turn paper hand-prints  into colourful flowers in a pot.

Press this link for a “thank you” rainbow to colour in for the NHS:

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Or, try to make this hand-print/heart card.

And finally, – a Thank You song!

Thank you!

Linda.

 

 

 

 

                                             

Eid is a special celebration time for Muslims  which happens at the end of the month of Ramadan:

Here is a word-mat to help you –

How do Muslims celebrate during Eid?  This picture explains:

Maybe you could try to bake some biscuits like these (with help from an adult):

               

Here is a link to a recipe you could maybe use:

Eid Biscuit recipe cards

You could also try to make a special card. Have a look at these children making some cards for Eid:

Finally, here is a short video explaining why Ramadan and Eid are special times for these children :

 

Have a blessed Eid!

Linda.