Next week’s Camp Au Pair theme is Science (STEM). This includes science, technology, engineering, and math.
Crafts, recipes, activities, and games related to all things science, technology, engineering, and math can be found here on the Camp Au Pair – Science (STEM) pinboard.
Field Trips can be a great way for kids to learn and have new experiences. Get permission from your host parents before any outings. Here are a few places to go, that fit this theme:
Airport Observation Area
Aquarium
Factory Tour
Farm
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts – Some locations have a viewing area where you can watch the machines used to make them.
Videos – On YouTube, you can find many great videos of science experiments to do with kids.
The Magic School Bus is a cartoon series with episodes on lots of great science topics. You can find some episodes on YouTube and the full series on Paramount Plus.
Bill Nye the Science Guy is science TV series for kids. There is an episode guide on his website with clips and explanations on a wide variety of science topics.
Movies – The Lego Movie, Big Hero 6, Wall-E, Hidden Figures, Robots, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Flubber, Honey I Shrunk the Kids, and Meet the Robinsons all fit the STEM theme.
Webcams – You can do a Google search for science websites with webcams. Here is a collection of 22 science webcams from around the world.
Books – Stop by your local library and look for books on science, technology, engineering, and math. You can also find many read aloud book videos on YouTube. Here are a few to get you started.
Remember… Science is learning about how things work through observation and experimentation. Every day is full of opportunities to encourage children’s natural curiosity about the world!
Field Trips can be a great way for kids to learn and have new experiences. You can start observing nature at any local park or in your own backyard. If you want to take it a step further, Below is a list of other local places to go explore nature. Get permission from your host parents before any outings and check websites before you go for hours and information.
Safety note: When coming inside after you have been outside exploring nature, it’s always a good idea to check the children and yourself for ticks. For more information, take a look at this post.
Videos – Look for fun videos on YouTube about nature.
Books – Check your bookshelves and/or stop by your local library and look for books on nature. You can also find many read aloud book videos on YouTube. Here are a few to get you started.
Pull over as soon as possible. As soon as you even think that you might be the one that the highway patrol car is after, pull over. This shows that you have proper respect for emergency vehicles and understand the law. Pulling over doesn’t necessarily mean to the officer that you’re admitting guilt. Police officers in the USA will be in marked cars and will have the proper uniform on. The officer will not ask for money at the time you are pulled over. You will receive a ticket with the information about how to pay this through the mail. An Office can decide to not issue a ticket with a fine and could instead give a “warning” ticket.DO NOT GET OUT OF THE CAR. Roll your window down and wait for the officer to walk to the window.
Always pull over to the right. Always pull over on the right side of the roadway. On divided highways, signal and safely move over to the far right lane, and then to the shoulder. When you come to a complete stop, choose a section of roadway that has a full shoulder, without guardrails if possible. Pulling over on the left may obstruct traffic, and pulling over next to a guardrail may make it difficult for the officer to safely approach your car. It’s ok to drive a little distance to find a good, safe place to pull over. SLOW DOWN, put your right blinker on, and SLOWLY move to next safe place.
Know where your paperwork is. Normally, when a police officer first pulls you over, he/she will ask for your license, registration, and insurance. Keep these and the following documents in all of the cars you will be driving. Let the police office know that your documents are in the glove compartment. Ask for permission to get them or ask the police office to get them if he would prefer to do it himself. An au pair will need the following items handy at all times in every glove compartment in every car driven.
1. You need a copy of your passport, not the original.
2. You need a copy of your current DS-2019 document. This is especially important if you are a Year 2 au pair.
3. Your international Driver’s license if you have one.
5. Your medical insurance card information with host family’s address.
6. Your host family car insurance information. It is illegal to drive without proof of car insurance in the USA.
7. YOUR Participation letter printed from your AP portal. Be prepared to explain your role as an Au Pair and that you are here on a J-1 visa for your first year or for an extension term.
Make the officer feel safe. Turn your dome light on at night. Always keep your hands in plain sight. Don’t make any sudden movements. Roll your window down all the way. STAY in the car. Use common sense and don’t put the officer in an uncomfortable situation.
Let the officer talk first. Don’t blurt out things that could incriminate you. Keep your calm, even if you’re upset about being stopped. Don’t volunteer information, like how fast you thought you were going. The officer may not be pulling you over for what you think he is. Let him talk to you first. React kindly and you may have more of a chance to be sent on your way without a ticket.
Don’t argue with the officer. Challenging the officer is a recipe for disaster and likely means that you will be written up for the full offense, and the officer will be less likely to opt for a compromise in court. If you are issued a ticket and wish to contest it, set a date in court.
If you are ticketed: Tell your host family immediately. Not telling your host family could result in a rematch. Call the number on the ticket and find out if you will need to appear in person in court or if you should send a check through the mail. Make copies of the ticket and save any future receipts of payment. Ask for assistance from your host family to properly send the payment in the mail.
adapted from :
TCC Tip: Hints for Speeders
What to do when you’re pulled over for speeding
by Bengt Halvorson (2006-06-26)
More tips and information about driving can be found at www.thecarconnection.com/shoppers/drivintipsS172.html
Field Trips can be a great way for kids to learn and have new experiences. Get permission from your host parents before any outings. Check the websites before you go to be sure you understand the hours, costs, and whether advance tickets/reservations are required. Search online to see if your area has any of the following:
Pet or outdoor store (Bass Pro Shop) with fish tanks
Webcams – You can do a google search for aquariums and zoos across the country (and the world) with webcams that allow you to observe sea creatures. Here are a few to get you started.
Videos – Look for fun videos on YouTube about sea creatures. There’s more to see than Baby Shark. Movies like Finding Nemo, Dolphin Tale, and The Little Mermaid also go well with this theme.
If your kids are a little older, check out 10 Crazy Facts About Sea Turtles (below).
Books – Stop by your local library and look for books on sea creatures. The Rainbow Fish is a classic children’s book, your kids may already own. If not, you can find videos like this of it being read aloud.
Movies – There are lots of movies with under the sea themes.
A Dolphin Tale
Finding Dory
Finding Nemo
Little Mermaid
Moana
Moana 2
Shark Tale
Song of the Sea
Television – There are some episodes of children’s television shows that talk about life under the sea.
The Magic School Bus is a television series that follows Ms. Frizzle and her class as they set off on field trips. Most episodes can be found on YouTube. Here are some episodes that fit this week’s theme.
Bill Nye the Science Guy has episodes on Fish, Marine Animals and more on YouTube.
The Discovery Channel has an annual Shark Week coming up on July 20. Check out 15 JAW-some Activities for Shark Week with lots of fun ideas for kids in grades 5 and up, but a few for younger kids too.
When kids are out of school for the summer, it doesn’t take long for them to become bored and sometimes that leads to sibling squabbles and mischief. Even though they don’t realize it, they are usually missing routine and predictability in their daily schedule. One solution is to make fun plans to keep them busy!
Each week this summer we will share a different Camp Au Pair theme. These weekly themes are designed to give you ideas to keep your host kids occupied and engaged all summer long. They will also be learning. (But shhhh, don’t tell them that part.) Check back each Friday, for the next week’s theme. This gives you a chance to make plans and gather materials for the next week. For each theme there will be crafts, games, snacks and activities. You can just use these ideas or add your own and customize the themes to fit the ages and interests of your host children.
If you get some great pictures doing these activities with your host kids, please send those to your community counselor. We love to share your accomplishments and inspire other au pairs!
