Origami n' Stuff 4 Kids

Flags of the World: China

Color the flag of China:

Flags of the World: Philippines

Color the flag of the Philippines:

Flags of the World: Canada

Color the flag of Canada:

Flags of the World: Australia

Color the flag of Australia:

March Equinox and a Spring Bouquet of Origami Flowers

What's an equinox? The equinox occurs when, because of the Earth's tilt as it orbits the sun, the sun shines directly on the equator, when the "length of day and night are nearly equal in all parts of the world." Hence the name equinox, from the Latin aequus (equal) and nox (night).

There are two equinoxes each year. The first occurs on March 20 or 21 and the second occurs on September 22 or 23. Here in the Northern Hemisphere, we associate the March or Vernal equinox with the official start of spring (in the Southern Hemisphere, the March equinox marks the start of autumn). The 2011 equinox on March 20 was special because it coincided with the rare supermoon, which occurs only once every 20 years or so. On March 19, 2011, the full moon was on its closest approach to earth, appearing 14% larger and 30% brighter than normal.

March equinox celebrations:

World Storytelling Day, which began in Sweden in 1991 as a day devoted to the art of storytelling, is now a global celebration.
World Citizen Day celebrates the unity of the human family, transcending borders.
Burning of the Socks Festival in Annapolis, Maryland. Traditionally, the boating community wears socks only during the winter. These are burned at the approach of warmer weather, to welcome the start of spring.

Create an Origami Spring Bouquet for March

2011, Year of the Rabbit: Happy New Year!

Activities to celebrate the New Year:

According to Chinese astrology, 2011 is the Year of the Rabbit, and the New Year will be celebrated on February 3--so usher in the new year with these fun paper crafts and origami activities!

Chinese Zodiac Year of the Rabbit: Learn about your animal zodiac sign!

2011 Year of the Rabbit: Origami Bunnies

2011 Year of the Rabbit: Origami Bunny Face

Origami Chinese Dragon Puppet:

Chinese Lion Paper Bag Puppet:

Dragon Fortuneteller:

What's your Chinese Zodiac Animal?
Celebrating 2010, the Year of the Tiger

New Years Celebrations Around the World: Images from Boston.com

Chinese Zodiac: 2011, The Year of the Rabbit

1927 February 02 to January 22 1928
1939 February 19 to February 07 1940
1951 February 06 to January 26 1952
1963 January 25 to February 12 1964
1975 February 11 to January 30 1976
1987 January 29 to February 16 1988
1999 February 16 to February 04 2000
2011 February 03 to January 22 2012

PERSONALITY

You are intelligent with a peaceful and quiet nature. You usually try to avoid competitive or aggressive surroundings and even risk taking. But when you choose safety over risk, some good opportunities may pass you by. You shy away from being the center of attention for it makes you feel uneasy. Instead, you are most happy in comfortable surroundings. Therefore you make a very good host when you entertain at home as you always make sure your guests are well taken care of and comfortable.

When confronted with a problem or when you fell depressed, you tend to keep things to yourself instead of unloading on others. You simply do not want to burden others with your problems or opinions. Because you like to be on good terms with everyone, you are the first to leave when a troublesome situation occurs.

At work the Rabbit is quiet and efficient and possesses a good memory. Respected for your integrity and honesty, you are loyal to your employer. As a Rabbit, you generally do well in business and financial matters, but dislike being in situations whereby sudden decisions must be made. Since you like to maintain the status quo, you dislike the need to make changes. You like to leave things just as they are, undisturbed. Your colleagues appreciate your tact and modesty and realize you are a conscientious worker, and would never step over them to achieve your goals.

MARRIAGE

Good for matrimony with ram, boar, or dog year people.
Avoid mating with rooster, rat or dragon year people.

COLOR: GREEN

The rabbit is associated with the color green, which represents the season of spring. It is the color of new life, calmness and relaxation. Chinese believe that your dream will have a happy ending if it features the color green, since it is a lucky and influential color, especially when combined with the color red.

Learn about the other signs of the Chinese zodiac:
•Boar •Rat •Ox •Tiger •Rabbit •Dragon •Snake •Horse •Ram •Monkey •Rooster •Dog	You might enjoy:

Crafts Around the World: Italy

Buon giorno! Print these paper models of Constantine's Arch and the Roman Colosseum. Cut out along outer solid line, then use tape or glue on tabs to assemble models. Who said Rome wasn't built in a day?

Colosseum. Photo by Tammy Yee.

The Colosseum
The Roman Colosseum, or Flavian's Amphitheatre, reflects the genius and grandeur of ancient Roman architecture and remains one of Rome's major attractions.

Construction on the Colosseum began almost 2,000 years ago during the reign of the Emperor Vespasian in 70 AD. Vespasian never saw the completion of his arena--at the time of his death in 79 AD, construction had reached the third level.

The top level was finally finished and inaugurated by Vespasian's son, Titus, in 80 AD. The inaugural games were a spectacle. 9,000 wild animals were slaughtered to the roar of spectators, and the arena was flooded with water to stage mock sea battles.

Colosseum. Photo by Tammy Yee.

Years later, Vespasian's younger son, the Emperor Domitian remodeled the Colosseum, creating a maze of underground tunnels and cages for gladiators, slaves and animals, and increasing its seating capacity by adding an upper gallery.

In its heyday the Colosseum sat 50,000 people who gathered to watch gladiatorial games, battle re-enactments, executions and staged animal hunts. Rhinos, hippos, elephants, lions and tigers were brought from across the known world for entertainment.

The Arch of Constantine. Photo by Tammy Yee.

Constantine's Arch
Beside the Roman Colosseum is a stately arch, 70 feet tall and 84 feet wide. Erected in 315 AD, the arch commemorates Constantine I's victory at the Battle of Milvian Bridge. Inscriptions on both sides of the arch hail Constantine's military prowess and righteousness:

IMPERATORI CAESARI FLAVIO CONSTANTINO MAXIMO
PIO FELICI AVGVSTO SENATVS POPVLVSQVE ROMANVS
QVOD INSTINCTV DIVINITATIS MENTIS
MAGNITVDINE CVM EXERCITV SVO
TAM DE TYRANNO QVAM DE OMNI EIVS
FACTIONE VNO TEMPORE IVSTIS
REMPVBLICAM VLTVS EST ARMIS
ARCVM TRIVMPHIS INSIGNEM DICAVIT

To the Emperor Caesar Flavius Constantinus, the Greatest,
pious, fortunate, the Senate and people of Rome,
by inspiration of divinity and his own great mind
with his righteous arms
on both the tyrant and his faction
in one instant in rightful
battle he avenged the republic,
dedicated this arch as a memorial to his military victory.

Print and Color Constantine's Arch and the Colosseum:

Print and Build Constantine's Arch and the Colosseum:

Print and Color the Flag of Italy:

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