Yearly Archives: 2020

Camp Au Pair – Pirates!

Ahoy! Save yourself from walking the plank of summertime boredom but checking out Au Pair in America’s summer fun theme PIRATES!

Virtual Field Trips:

Books:

  • How I Became a Pirate.  Pirates have green teeth—when they have any teeth at all. I know about pirates, because one day, when I was at the beach building a sand castle and minding my own business, a pirate ship sailed into view.
  • How to be a Pirate. CeCe dreams of being a pirate. When the neighborhood boys tell her that she can’t, she wonders where to begin. Luckily, she suspects her grandpa must know something about being a pirate–why else would he have all those tattoos?
  • Pirates Magnified! Ahoy, shipmate! Explore the lives of 10 real pirates and learn about life on the high seas, whilst using the magnifying glass—included inside the book’s foil-accented cover—to spot more than 200 pirate-themed items in 16 eye-boggling illustrations.
  • Pirate. A DK Eyewitness Book.Take a close-up look at the colorful–and cruel–robbers of the sea. Sink into this exciting introduction to the world of sea-thieves – their origins, adventures and blood-thirsty battles. Learn who devised the terrifying Jolly Roger, how a surprisingly disciplined life was maintained aboard pirate ships, and what cunning ruses pirates used to lure merchants to their doom. Everything you ever wanted to know from why European kings and queens encouraged piracy to what pirates ate at sea.

 

Photo by: Leonid Mamchenkov

 

Around the World in 80 Days – Mexico

MEXICO 

North America
Capital: Mexico City
Languages: Spanish
Predominant Religion(s): Christianity (Catholic)

COMMON CHARACTERISTICS:

  • Mexican people describe themselves as hospitable, family oriented and warm.
  • Most Mexicans have very strong family ties.
  • Tradition, culture and Mexican food are very important for Mexicans.

FUN FACTS:

  • Mexico is the 14th largest country in the world!
  • The Aztecs used cacao seeds as a form of currency.
  • The world’s largest pyramid is in… Mexico!

USEFUL PHRASES:

  • How are you?             ¿Cómo estás?
  • Fine, thanks.               Bien, gracias.
  • My name is…              Me llamo / Mi nombre es…
  • Nice to meet you!        ¡Qué gusto conocerte!
  • Thank you.                  Gracias.

 

Around the World in 80 Days – Chinese Children’s Books

Lon Po Po, by Ed Young, is the Chinese version of Little Red Riding Hood.

The Seven Chinese Sisters, by Kathy Tucker, tells the story of six sisters with unique talents who must use them to save the seventh sister after she’s kidnapped by a dragon!

The Seven Chinese Brothers, by Margaret Mahy, is a retelling of the classic Chinese tale about a family of brothers who must work together to triumph over the corrupt emperor.

Dim Sum for Everyone!, by Grace Lin, is about a family with three daughters visiting a resaurant for a meal of dim sum. Childrean learn about Chinese culture and traditions.

Around the World in 80 Days – Latvia

LATVIA

Northern Europe
Capital: Riga
Languages: Latvian
Religion(s): Christianity
(predominantly Roman Catholic/Lutheran)

Common Characteristics:

  • Latvia is a small nation, but Latvians are very proud of their heritage.
  • Latvians are hard working, polite and responsible.
  • Latvians can be reserved when you first meet them, but they are friendly and helpful after they get to know you – friendships are genuine.

FUN FACTS:

  • Aleksandrs was a famous Latvian explorer. He moved to Venezuela in 1939. His most  famous discovery was Angel Falls and he named the river, from which Angel Falls flows, Gauja. He also named 3 other rivers in Venezuela after Latvian Rivers such as Daugava (Riga), Venta (Kuldiga, Ventspils) and Ogre.
  • The capital of Latvia, Riga, is the largest city in the Baltic States and is famous for some of the best Art Nouveau architecture in Europe.
  • Walter Zapp invented and built the first Minox ”Spy Camera” in Latvia.

USEFUL PHRASES:

  • How are you?      Kātev iet?
  • Fine, thanks.       Paldies – labi.
  • My name is…      Mani sauc…
  • Nice to meet you.     Prieks iepazīties.
  • Thank you.           Paldies.

Photo by: Ricardo Liberati {flickr}

Around the World in 80 Days – Famous People from Germany

Johannes Gutenberg was born in Germany in 1400. His invention led to the first printing press. Learn more from the seasonal calendar.

Grimm’s Fairy tales, originally written in German, have been translated into 160 languages. To find out more about Jacob Grimm, visit the seasonal calendar.

Born in 1875 in Germany, Albert Schweitzer studied music, science and religion. He won the Nobel Peace Prize and is probably best remembered for bringing modern health care to Africa  in the early 1900s. He said something that you might want to think about: “Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust, and hostility to evaporate.” To learn more about Albert Schweitzer, visit our seasonal calendar.

Albert Einstein, born in Germany in 1879, lived in Italy, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, the  Netherlands and Israel before becoming a US citizen. As a child he loved to build houses out of playing cards. He is best known for his scientific theories, but he also worked to support the United Nations, nuclear disarmament, and civil liberties. To learn more, visit our seasonal calendar.

Around the World in 80 Days – Italy

ITALY

Southern Europe
Capital: Rome
Languages: Italian
Predominant Religion(s): Roman Catholic

Common Characteristics:

  • Italians love their country, and the first thing they miss is the food!
  • Italians love having large, social dinners with their family and friends.
  • Italians love to talk!

FUN FACTS: 

  • It’s true! Italians really do talk with their hands!
  • Italy is the world’s largest exporter of wine, pizza was invented in Naples and dates back to 1860, and 14 billion espresso coffees are consumed in Italy each year!
  • Italy is home to Europe’s only 3 active volcanoes: Etna, Stromboli and Vesuvius!

USEFUL PHRASES:

  • How are you?             Come stai?
  • Fine, thanks:               Bene, grazie.
  • My name is…:             Mi chiamo…
  • Nice to meet you.        Piacere di conoscerti.
  • Thank you.                  Grazie.

Photo by: Guldem Usten {flickr}

Around the World in 80 Days – Canadian Desserts

For some amazing Canadian recipes, check out the Food Network.  Berry Bannock Bread  Pudding looks amazing!  How about trying Uncooked Danties?

Mix Together

  • 1/4 cup margarine
  • 2 cups white sugar
  • 1/2 cup warm milk

Add

  • a few drops artificial vanilla
  • 3 cups rolled oats
  • 1 cup coconut
  • 6 tbs cocoa
  • 1/2 – 1 cup raisins
  1. Mix well and form into balls on ungreased cookie sheet.
  2. Place in fridge till chilled.

Submitted by Melissa Cleasby from Canada, au pair in Massachusetts 2004

 

 

 

 

 

Photos by: Jen Arr {flickr}

Around The World in 80 Days – Israel

ISRAEL

Western Asia/Middle East
Capital: Jerusalem
Languages: Hebrew, Arabic
Predominant Religion(s): Judaism

COMMON CHARACTERISTICS:

  • Israeli applicants usually do to their au pair year after two years of military service or social service.
  • Israeli applicants are generally quite independent, responsible, and mature. They already have had many experiences in life and are capable of dealing with stressful conditions.
  • Israelis stand up for their rights but will also open up to those who value and respect them.

FUN FACTS:

  • Israeli people are said to be like the “sabres fruit” (“prickly pear,” a cactus that grows in Israel) – tough on the outside but very sweet on the inside.
  • Sometimes, Israeli names can sound strange and uncommon in English and applicants “adopt” new names in the USA. For example the common name “Hen” is another word for chicken in English.

USEFUL PHRASES:

  • How are you?             Ma Shlomcha?
  • Fine, thanks.               Tov Toda.
  • My name is…             Hh Shem Sheli…
  • Nice to meet you.        Nechmad lifgosh otach.
  • Thank you.                  Toda.

Photo by: 16:9clue {flickr}

Camp Au Pair – Dinosaurs

This week’s Camp Au Pair theme is Dinosaurs.

Crafts, recipes, activities, and games related to dinosaurs can all be found here on the Camp Au Pair – Dinosaurs pinboard.

Consider these awesome activities –

Field Trips can be a great way for kids to learn and have new experiences. Here are a few places to go, that fit this theme. Remember to discuss any outings as a family unit to determine what activities your family is comfortable with given COVID19.

Videos – Look for fun videos on YouTube about dinosaurs. Dinosaurs for Kids is a great video that explains dinosaur history and what paleontologists do.

The Good Dinosaur, Land Before Time and Ice Age are all great family movies that fit with this theme. For older kids, consider movies like Journey to the Center of the Earth and Jurassic Park (which is rated PG-13).

Books –

Photo: aaron parecki {flickr}; David Kryzaniak {flickr}

Around the World in 80 Days – Argentine Milanesas or Shnitzels

Milanesas or Shnitzels

Ingredients

  • 6 veal rounds
  • 2 eggs, whipped
  • 1 cup of bread crumbs
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Dip the milanesas (veal rounds) in the whipped eggs and in the bread crumbs with salt and pepper.
  2. Shake of the excess bread crumbs.
  3. Fry the milanesas until golden, or bake in the oven at 350°F (place the milanesas in a pan, cooked them for 10 minutes, then turn them over and baked them 10 more minutes). You can make them a la napolitana with tomato sauce and mozzarella on top.

You can served them with French fries, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, salad or rice.

Submitted by Betiana Turteltaub, au pair in Villanova, Pennsylvania, 2004-2005

Photo by: Matias Berhardt {flickr}