SWISS NATIONAL DAY
Switzerland’s celebration the oath of confederation or the foundation of Switzerland every August 1st.
• Travel - Discuss travels to Switzerland. Search online for information on Switzerland the land, people, and culture and season events.
• Social – The Swiss are known for their cheese, chocolate and breads. Since it will be to hot to cook have a social instead featuring Swiss cheese served with their breads such as Graubunden, Jura, Ticino, Valais, Vaud and Zug. You can find these at a World Market or a specialty bakery.
• Games – Two game suggestion, since the Swiss have a love for cycling and ice hockey:
Cycle race – Play it just like your do the horse derby except us bicycles, or you can look up requirements for a cycle race and make adjustments as needed to play the game. You can have the residents decorate bicycles out of cardboard in a craft activity for them to race or purchase small toy bicycles for them to use.
Ice Hockey – If you have an Air Hockey game table then set up a group competition. If not then see if you can borrow one from anyone that might have one. Another alternative is to use a Nerf ball with the pool noodles as the hockey stick, they must hit it the ball with the noodle just like a hockey into a goal net. OR if you have a Wii rent an ice hockey game for the residents to try.
• Physical Activity – Hiking is a favorite pass time in Switzerland so take the residents out to the park or maybe a trip around the facility.
Movie – Rent or see if the library has a travel movie on Switzerland or you can show the movie Heidi.
HISPANIC HERITAGE - September 15 to October 15 each year
Listen and Learn – Discuss with the residents the history of the Hispanic contributions to the growth of America. If you have some Hispanic residents see if they will speak to the group about their heritage and answer some questions to get a good discussion going while they learn.
Matching Game Spanish style – This is my version of the Pinata Concentration On-Line game. You will need to either purchase two sets of Spanish flash cards large enough for your residents to see, or you can make some. To make: purchase poster board the size of notebook paper or slightly larger. Purchase at least 24 or more. Print out pictures of common items such as banana, tree, sun, moon, shoe, coat, spoon, etc., then above the picture write the Spanish name. You will have to make two of each item picture. Keeping your matching cards together, divide the cards into four sets (total of eight cards). Pin them up on a cork board with the picture facing the board so the residents can’t see. Above the top row have numbers 1 – 4 and below the second row of cards have numbers 5 -8 so the residents can tell you which cards they want turned over to see if they match. Divide the residents up in groups. Once you determine the order the group will take turns then start the game. Let each group take a turn at trying to match the card with its matching pair. Make sure when you pin the cards up you mix the cards well. Now to make it really fun have a Pinata filled with goodies towards the side. The group that gets the most correct matches wins a chance to hit the Pinata. Play until the Pinata is broken and all get a treat. This game will help the residents learn some common Spanish while having fun.
Music and dance – Bring out the maracas, drums, and castanets to let the residents have fun playing along with some Hispanic music. Let your Hispanic residents show off some of their dance moves or see if a dance studio will come show them some easy steps of traditional dances. Let them all move and have fun with the cultural dances. Let them partner up to do a tango and don’t forget the sombrero hat dance. Ola!
Hide and Seek in Rice and Beans – Fill up a few large bowls or boxes deep enough to fill them with uncooked rice and beans. Hide several small Mexican toys for the residents to find. Suggestions small toy tops, small maracas, small toy donkey, and a small toy sombrero hat.
Cooking – Let the residents make some Spanish rice or Mexican Corn Bread. Here is my quick and easy recipe for Mexican Corn Bread. Purchase one package of Corn Bread mix that only requires water and one egg. Mix Corn Bread according to package, except instead of using water use Chicken broth. Add one small can of drained Chopped Mild Chili’s and one cup of shredded Mexican cheese. Bake as and serve fresh from the oven. This makes an 8 x 8 pan, which if cut in small squares may serve 16.
Craft – There are many craft ideas to make relating to the Hispanic Heritage. Some ideas include pottery (paint or paint pictures of pottery), basket weaving, mini-pinatas, etc.
Games and Misc.
• Invite a Spanish translator to come read a poem in Spanish while you read it in English.
Play English-Spanish Bingo – I found mine at Wal-Mart in the children school supply section.
• Movie – Travel to any Hispanic country you want through DVD’s. Other movie suggestions for just entertainment is
• Hispanic fashion show – Let your residents show off their creativity with their version of Hispanic fashion. Bright colored skirts, hats, vest, etc…
• Wooden Top spin off – Purchase some of the tops and have a contest with the residents to see how long they can get their top to spin without stopping.
• Host a facility fiesta for residents, staff, families and volunteers. You can even extend it to the neighborhood community. Get local Hispanic restaurants to participate, dance studios and any local Hispanic singers to perform.
NATIVE AMERICAN DAY - Fourth Friday in September
Discussion - Read through all the great historical information and pick the some highlights you want to discuss with your residents. You may ask them if they know if they have Native American in their family tree.
Game – Take some historical information and some Folklore/Mythology and read it to the residents. After each reading ask if it is fact or myth? See how many the residents will get.
Physical activity – Let them try their hand at shooting a bow and arrow. There are arrows that don’t have points. Another idea is to learn the Indian rain dance, or shake rainsticks.
Craft - You can get ideas to alter to make the Indian craft a little easier for your residents to make. Take a look at dream catchers, moccasins, clay pottery, bead work, or a totem pole to see which will be of interest to your residents.
Social – Have a Powwow. See if you have a local Native American group in your area by calling your Chamber of Commerce. If you do have a Powwow then the clothing, dance, and music will allow the residents to be able to experience the culture of Native Americans.
CHINESE MID - AUTUMN FESTIVAL
September 3rd, 15th or 28th and/or October 3rd
Discussion – Talk about the history of the festival. If you have Chinese residents then ask them question if they speak English well. You might ask their family to come in to talk about the festival. After discussing the history ask the residents if the holiday is similar to a US holiday. The holiday on a couple of websites compare it to Halloween.
Craft – Try making Chinese lanterns. You can find easy instructions online.
Cooking – Make Moon Cakes. The recipe looks easy and if you don’t want to purchase the moon cake molds, just use cup cake pans.
Physical activity – Take a moon light walk around the court yard of your facility to moon and star gaze. If you have a telescope so they can see the moon and stars clearer that would be great.
Skit – Read the legends of the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival. You can have props such as clothing, lanterns, pictures, etc. Have Chinese music playing in the back ground to enhance the experience.
Social – Send out Chinese post cards as invitations to the residents. You can print them out from online. Sample some Chinese food, enjoy Chinese music and don’t forget the Chinese fortune cookies. You can also have some fun with the Chinese horoscopes.
GERMAN THEME (OKTOBERFEST)
Discussion – Look up information about Germany online to help you with culture and historic information. Review some of the interesting information with the residents and ask what they know about Germany. Depending on the age group of your residents you most likely will get some negative remarks, however there will be a lot of positive as well. If you do encounter negative remarks you can discuss how Germany has changed into a bright, lively, classical culture. Discuss the fall of the Berlin wall and the impact it had on the country.
German Trivia – Using all the great information online to write up questions to ask the residents.
Dance – The German dance is a lot like square dancing, however it is slower and has a lot of clapping and spins. If you have a dance studio that performs traditional German dances see if they will come to demonstrate them to the residents. If you have any German residents then ask if they remember any of the traditional dance steps to teach everyone. Engage any family members that can do German traditional dances. If you have no luck with any of the above suggestions, then there is always the Hokey Pokey dance or square dances which are both folk dances that would work for your German theme. Try anything to get them moving to the music. Make sure you play German traditional music. You can see some of the German dances on YouTube as well.
Game – What’s that? – Print out some German words and let the residents guess what it means. You can use card stock paper to print out simple German words and on the back side paste a picture of what the word represents. Examples:
• Cat = Katze
• Dog = Hund
• Man = MaN
• Woman = Frau
• Bike = Fahrrad
• Chair = Stuhl
Social – Have your own Oktoberfest for your residents to enjoy. Serve soft pretzels and non-alcohol beer.
UNITED NATIONS DAY - October 24th
Discussion – Read the history of the United Nations Day online to discuss with the residents. Ask if they remember anything about the United Nations, when it was formed, why it was formed, and what purpose does it serve, etc.
Game – Name that flag – See if your residents can name some of the flags from other countries. You can find pictures of all the nations’ flags online to print or check out your local library for books with pictures they can look at and then guess which country it belongs to. I saw a floor size world puzzle mat in Lowes store back in the flooring department which has all the country flags on it too. It was not very expensive at all and since it is a rubber mat type puzzle it can be washed.
Facility Project – Raise money to donate to UNICEF from the facility. The residents and staff could have a bake or craft sale or other fundraiser with all the proceeds going to the UNICEF funds. You can get more information from unicef.org to discuss with the residents and staff to see if this is a project your facility wants to contribute to.
Cooking – Let your residents try some international foods. Make Mexican cornbread, chicken stir fry, Irish potatoes, or French toast.
Art – Let the residents try painting another country's flag or a famous icon from a different country like the Eiffel Tower, Tulips from Holland, or the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Some may want to display their art work during the international social or an art show.
Social – You may want to see if there is a local band that can play music from different countries, or just find some CDs with music from all around the world. You can serve different teas or coffees from China, England, India, France, Germany, etc. You could also have some different types of cookies to go with it like Scottish Shortbread, truffles, Mexican wedding cookies, etc. Invite the staff and family to make it a facility social.
ITALIAN AMERICAN DAY
October is National Italian American Heritage Month
Learn & Listen – October is designated as National Italian American Heritage Month. It is during this time recognition of the many achievements, contributions, and successes of Americans of Italian descent as well as Italians in America. Check online for a lot of information to share with the residents. Review some of the famous Italian-Americans throughout the American history because some of them will be used in a game or two. Ask residents if any of them are Italian-Americans or if they have Italian heritage. If any of them do, then ask if they remember any traditions that their family passed down from their Italian heritage. Recording any discussion with resident heritage is a great opportunity to add to the resident’s journal if you are keeping one to give to their family members at the end of the year.
Game – When Italians came to America they brought with them traditions and folk wisdom from ancient proverbs which most Americans know today. Let’s see if the residents can finish some of these ancient proverbs that the Italian’s made so famous. Fill in the blanks:
A new broom sweeps _ _ _ _ _. (clean)
Like _ _ _ _ _ _, like _ _ _. (father, son)
_ _ _ _ wasn’t built in a day. (Rome)
Where there’s a _ _ _, there’s a _ _ _. (will, way)
No _ _ _ _ _ _ said than done. (sooner)
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ don’t make the man. (Clothes)
Out of _ _ _ _ _, out of _ _ _ _. (sight, mind)
Far from the _ _ _ _, far from the heart. (eyes)
He who laughs last laughs _ _ _ _. (best)
Clear _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ make for good friends. (agreements)
Every man for _ _ _ _ _ _ _. (himself)
Exercise – Stretch using scarves as the props for the day to some Italian music. Check online for some good Italian music to use.
Craft – Create a passport for each resident. Take pictures of them and print them small enough to glue in a passport book. To make the pass port book stack several sheets of white paper and one black sheet of paper on the bottom. Once stacked together fold all layers in half and cut along crease line. With the half stack of paper fold in half again and staple in the crease to keep all the pages together. Trim the corners to make the book with rounded corners. On the outside of the black front cover use a silver marker to write passport. On the inside of the front black cover glue the resident’s picture in the middle of the cover. On the first white page write (or let the resident write if they are able to) resident's name, room number and facility name. On the next page write the following information:
Port of Destination: Italy
Date: (today’s date)
Departure Time: (time of movie)
Leave room for a stamp. Purchase a check stamp to use when the resident comes into view the movie activity which will be a travel movie on Italy. The resident needs to keep this passport for the next country theme you may have or the next travel movie you will show. Let them fill up their passport as they travel to different countries throughout themed activities.
Game – See if the residents can match the following Italian-American’s name with their achievement. As a suggestion, list the achievements on one side and mix up the names on the other side. Take one achievement at a time asking the residents to match up the person’s name who made that specific achievement. Divide the residents up into teams so they can work together to get the correct answers. Give points for each correct answers and the team with the most points get a special treat like Italian chocolate. Below is a list to get you started with the correct names in ( ):
- Animator and co-founder, with William Hanna, of Hanna-Barbera (Joseph Barbera)
- Family developed a water pump which led to the whirlpool bath (The Jacuzzi Family)
- Supreme court Associate Justice (Samuel Alito)
- Expert on the John F. Kennedy and Robert R. Kennedy assassinations and successfully prosecuted Charles Mason (Vincent Bugliosi)
- Judge famous for presiding over the Watergate hearings (John Sirica)
- Author of “The Godfather” (Mario Puzo)
- Host of Food Network program “Everyday Italian” (Giada De Laurentiis)
- Food Network chef and Emmy-winning television personality (Rachael Ray)
- Composer, guitarist (Frank Zappa)
- Actor, director and Oscar-nominated producer (Danny DeVito)
- Walt Disney’s most popular Mouseketeer, singer and actress (Annette Funicello)
- Host of The Tonight Show, comedian (Jay Leno)
- Singer (Tony Bennett,Perry Como )
- Singer, actor, and politician (Sonny Bono)
- Singer and film actor, most famous music artists from the 1050s (Dean Martin)
- Most popular singer in the twentieth century (Frank Sinatra)
EGYPTIAN THEME
In honor of King Tut’s Tomb being discovered on Nov 4th, 1922
Listen & Learn – Read through the Egyptian history online. Ask residents questions concerning the information you read to them, or see if any of them have traveled to Egypt, or what movie do they remember the most about Egypt.
Game – List some famous Pharaohs to see if the residents can match the name with the event that made them so famous. You can find information on egyptologyonline.com or on Wikipedia.
Food – Fig seems to be a big part of the Egyptian culture, so make something with figs. Easy Fig Squares can be found online.
Exercise – You can start them off with the old “Walk Like An Egyptian” and even try some simple Belly Dancing to stretch to. You could also play some Egyptian music to some chair exercises to keep in line with the theme.
Craft – Make a clay pot or bowl and give it some Egyptian flair. You could also make papermache' pyramids.
Game – Have a race to see who can build a pyramid out of sugar lumps or marshmallows first.
Movies – Cleopatra (1963), The Egyptian (1954), Ten Commandments (1956), Scorpion King (2002), Ancient Egyptians (2003)
VIETAMESE THEME
Discussion – Talk about the general geographical information. Information is available online. Research travel tips as well as general information like population, capital, climate, etc.
Show and Tell – Ask the Vietnamese residents' family members if they would come speak to the group and possiblly show traditional clothing and music. You can also check out some cultural videos from the library or view them on YouTube.
Word Game - Make poster flash cards with English words translated into Vietnamese along with pictures to match. Use common words such as such as shoes, toothbrush, hat, hair brush, etc. See if there is a language expert in your area at the local college that speaks both languages to help the residents to pronounce the words correct. You could also use the "how to say" options online, to hear correct pronounciations.
Match Game - Set up some tables with items such as shoes, toothbrush, hat, hair brush, etc… and have Vietnamese words listing on a sheet of paper in one column and the English words in a second column in different order than the Vietnamese order. After they have reviewed all the items, then instruct them to match the Vietnamese with its English word. This is something they can keep since they can later us it as a reminder guide. (NOTE: to help the residents learn some of the language, use the same words in both games).
Vietnamese Coffee House - Read some Vietnamese Proverbs found online. The residents can enjoy some Green Tea Chai or French Vanilla & Vietnamese Black Tea. You could also serve some rice cakes or flour cakes. You can find recipes online or go to a World Market to purchase.
Craft – Vietnamese are noted for their silk paintings. Check with a college art teacher to see if they or one of their students would be willing to come out and teach basic instructions on the art of silk painting. Purchase plain fans and let residents paint or decorate. They can use the fans when they learn the Fan Dance.
Learn and Dance – Talk about some of the Vietnamese dances and either show or ask a dance studio if they can teach the residents some of the dance moves on the fan dance. You can also check on Youtube.
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CHRISTINE'S THEMES: 