Updated Mar 17, 2023
Searching for this year's Thinking Day theme? Each year the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scounts (WAGGGS) announces the theme of this years Thinking Day event and they even release a booklet with information and activities.
The theme for 2021 is Peacebuilding.
WAGGGS Activity Pack Link: https://www.wagggs.org/en/resources/world-thinking-day-2021-activity-pack/
Ten Things Kids Can Do To Stop Violence
This engaging classroom activity can easily be applied to any meeting group.
Draw a bucket and the headings "Looks Like", "Sounds Like", and "Feels Like". As a group, get the kids to imagine that everyone carries an invisible emotional bucket. Kind actions and positive behaviours help fill a person's bucket while hurtful actions and negative behavior results in draining a person's bucket.
Discuss what bucket filling actions and behaviours look, sound, and feel like and write down their ideas.
What actions did you do today to help fill someone's bucket?
What is Conflict?
Conflict is a disagreement or problem that happens between two or more people. It can happen to anyone, from best friends to enemies. Most conflicts start small, but they continue to grow, snowballing into major problems. As teachers, we can explain what conflict is, in order to effectively teach how to keep conflicts from becoming major problems in the classroom.
What is Conflict Resolution?
When there’s a problem, it’s important to address the problem in a peaceful way, understanding both sides of the situation. This is conflict resolution or peaceful problem solving as I like to call it in my classroom. Conflict resolution is an important skill to have, both in the classroom and in life. By helping our students practice and adopt healthy ways of solving interpersonal problems, we help them succeed in other areas of their education and life as well.
Learn more about conflict resolution at https://proudtobeprimary.com/conflict-resolution-activities/
Break any large groups into smaller teams of 8 to 15. This activity requires some space and is best played outdoors.
The team begins by standing in a circle. One person hits the ball into the circle and tells the team that they need to hit the ball twice as many times as there are team members (eight members need 16 hits). The only rules are that no team member can hit the ball twice in a row, or volley the ball back and forth over and over with another member. Because this game is more difficult than it first appears, conf lict may erupt early on as the team realizes this and has to regroup and devise a plan.
Once the team achieves their goal number of hits, give them the next challenge, which is to hit the ball an equal number of times as there are team members. This time there is a new rule: each team member can hit the ball only one time. Even though this is a more difficult version, they should be able to build on what they have already learned to achieve success without conf lict.
Discussion Questions
What will be your commitment to making your community more inclusive be? Share your thoughts and your diversity bracelet photos with Guides and Girl Scouts around the world on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook using #WTD2020 and #InOurHands
WAGGGS Activity Pack Link: https://www.wagggs.org/en/resources/world-thinking-day-2020-activity-pack/
Disability – a disability applies to a person's functional limitations.
Examples of a disability include:
Handicap – a handicap is a barrier in the environment.
Examples of a handicap include:
What is braille? Braille is a code used to enable people who have a visual disability to read. It uses raised dots to represent letters and numbers of the print alphabet.
What is a visual disability? A visual disability ranges from blindness to a slight disability such as needing to wear glasses.
The braille alphabet is comprised of the braille cell and six dots arranged and numbered.
The capital sign, dot 6, is placed before a letter to make the following letter into a capital.
The number sign is placed before the characters a through j to make the numbers 1 through 0.
Easy braille sentence.
Answer: I learned braille.
Hard braille quote spoken by Helen Keller.
Answer: The chief handicap of the blind is not blindness, but the attitude of seeing people towards them.
Generate your own braille text with Bryon Knoll Online Braille Generator at http://www.byronknoll.com/braille.html
Materials:
Instructions:
Cut out a large tree trunk and glue it onto the extra-large piece of poster paper.
Next have the kids dab their hands in the paint then press their palms onto the poster paper to form the leaves of the tree.
Goal: Discuss how people can look different on the outside, but how we are all the same on the inside.
Materials:
Talk about diversity and how humans can come in all different shapes, sizes, and colours. Display the two eggs and have the kids fill out part 1 of the response sheet: colouring the eggs. Next crack the eggs open. The kids should then be able to complete part 2 and 3 of the response sheet.
Answers:
Step 1: One egg is white and one egg is brown.
Step 2: The insides of both eggs are the same.
Step 3: The eggs are like people because although they may be different on the outside, they are the same on the inside.
Learning About Autism
Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), affects how a person's brain works. ASD refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviours, speech and nonverbal communication.
When a person has autism, they may have problems:
Since autism is a spectrum disorder, not everyone with autism has all the problems listed. One person may have four while another might only have one.
Activity on Autism
This activity is designed to show how people with autism are bothered by things most people don’t notice. People with autism are often extra sensitive to noise, movement and even things like background noises. Remember, not everyone with autism has these problems.
Divide the group into teams of 5. Explain that they will each have a job to do. Go over their jobs and tell them they will start when you give the signal.
Person #1 - You will play the part of a person with autism. Your job is to try and listen to what Person #5 is reading to you so you can take a test on the material. Try to ignore everyone else.
Person #2 - Stand behind the student playing the part of someone with autism. Rub the edge of an index card (or piece of cardboard) against the back of their neck. Do not rub hard, but keep doing it over and over.
Person #3 - Grab a book (any book will do), lean close to Person #1 and read in a loud voice the entire time.
Person #4 - Pat Person #1 on the head and shoulder the entire time.
Person #5 - Using a normal voice, read a paragraph to Person #1 then ask them questions about what you read. Do NOT try to drown out the other noises.
Have all the students take a turn being Person #1 before you discuss it. How did it feel to have so much commotion going on? Did it make them want to scream or get away? Were they able to concentrate on the paragraph being read? What might have helped?
There are many different types of learning disabilities, but in a broad sense they are processing problems that interfere with learning basic skills such as reading, writing, or math. They can also interfere with higher level skills such as organization, time planning, abstract reasoning, long or short term memory and attention.
Types of Learning Disabilities
Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) – People who are unable to recognize subtle differences between sounds in words, even when the sounds are loud and clear enough to be heard. They can also find it difficult to tell where sounds are coming from, to make sense of the order of sounds, or to block out competing background noises.
Dyscalculia – Affects a person's ability to understand numbers and learn math facts. These individuals may have poor comprehension of math symbols, telling time, or have trouble counting.
Dysgraphia – affects a person's handwriting ability and fine motor skills. Problems may include illegible handwriting, inconsistent spacing, poor spatial planning on paper, poor spelling, and difficulty composing writing as well as thinking and writing at the same time.
Dyslexia – Affects reading and related language-based processing skills. Can affect reading fluency, decoding, recall, writing, and spelling.
Language Processing Disorder – Difficulty attaching meaning to sound groups that form words, sentences and stories.
Non-Verbal Learning Disabilities (NLD) – An individual with NLD has trouble interpreting nonverbal cues like facial expressions or body language.
Visual Perceptual/Visual Motor Deficit – Affects the understanding of information that a person sees, or the ability to draw or copy.
Activity on Learning Disabilities
This activity gives you a general idea on what it is like to have to fight against what your brain is telling you the correct answer is.
Hold up a copy of the handout. Your group must read out the COLOUR of the word that is written, not the word itself.
Afterward, discuss how your brain wants to read the actual word. Even when you can make yourself do it correctly, you tend to read much slower than normal. This is an example of how difficult it is for students with learning disabilities to get through the day. Their brain understands what needs to be done, but they have to struggle to make it come out right.
Do you know about WAGGGS’s five World Centers? There’s the Pax Lodge in London, Sangam in India, Our Chalet in Switzerland, Our Cabana in Mexico and Kusafiri in Africa.
Are you struggling to find ideas on a good fundraiser? Go to http://www.worldthinkingday.org/en/fundraising/ideas for WAGGGS’ suggestions and helpful tips.
Or check out The Trailhead for tips and tricks on how to sell more Girl Guide Cookies.
Searching for a Chinese New Year craft that combines a dragon with recycling? Well look no further than this adorable Egg Box Dragon. You can find instructions on how to make your own Egg Box Dragon at http://nurturestore.co.uk/egg-box-dragon.
Looking for ways to teach your kids about Indian culture? Try this Diwali craft! Diawali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is the largest of all Indian celebrations. Learn more the Festival of Lights at http://kidworldcitizen.org/2011/10/30/diwali-the-festival-of-lights/
Extend your hand around the globe to New Zealand or Australia to meet a fuzzy new friend. Got a younger group? Try the cotton ball sheep craft; these fluffy critters roam all over New Zealand’s rolling hills. Have an older crowed? Learn how to make an Australian kola mask.
Do you want your girls to be more engaged in this years Thinking Day? Try hosting a Thinking Day meeting night where every one has to dress as a girl from another culture.
Need ideas for a cool Canadian craft? Here are a few to help you get your mind rolling. Instructions can be found at
Winter Jar: http://www.create-kids-crafts.com/canada-day-crafts-for-kids.html
Hand Print Flag: http://puddlesandmud.blogspot.ca/2011/06/more-canada-day-activities-crafts-etc.html
Beaver Puppet: http://rubberbootsandelfshoes.blogspot.ca/2013/06/the-inukshuk-symbol-of-canada.html
Maple Leaf Magnets: http://www.ourbigearth.com/2010/06/29/canada-day-craft-diy-maple-leaf-magnets/
Flag Painted Rocks: http://www.homemadefrontier.com/2012/06/29/canada-day-july-4th/
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Have you ever tried making a Thailand Lotus Boat? They’re very pretty to look at and fun to race down the river. If you put a plastic plate on the bottom it will float just fine.
Looking for some Chinese themed crafts? Well go no further until you’ve checked out
Chinese Drums: https://www.giftofcuriosity.com/chinese-new-year-drum-craft-for-kids/
Chinese Characters: https://www.freekidscrafts.com/chinese-character-cards/
Coffee Filter Fan: http://www.busybeekidscrafts.com/Coffee-Filter-Fan.html
Image: chinese_collage
Share the Canadian Guiding Flower for this year's Swap. You just need white pipe cleaners, colourful beads, a safety pin, paper, and a pen.
Do you have oodles of noodles and some spare time? Try making a Thiland dyed noodle necklace. For instructions go to http://bobbleheadbaby.com/?cat=29
If you are planning on meeting a new friend on Thinking Day and want to make sure that you’ll be remembered give this Canadian Picture Frame craft a try.
Have you ever wondered what Icelandic’s drink to stay warm? Icelandic coco soup of course! Learn to make this tasty drink at http://www.food.com/recipe/icelandic-cocoa-soup-137355
Searching for a way to start a new partnership? Try making your own Canadian cultural exchange kit and share it with a friend in another country.
Bring a bit of Australia to your group with this delicious Australian birthday tradition: Fairy Bread! Check out the recipe at http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/9535/fancy+fairy+bread
Share your group’s favourite songs with this interesting swap idea. All you need is some construction paper, markers, scissors, a stapler, a safety pin, and your favourite songs.
Get a taste of Italy with this delicious homemade Italian cream soda. Just go to http://www.butterwithasideofbread.com/2012/11/homemade-italian-cream-sodas.html for the recipe.
Want to learn what it’s like to be a Ladybird, Brownie, or a Guide in Ireland? Check out http://www.irishgirlguides.ie/index.php/world-thinking-day and scroll down to the bottom of the page for some neat ideas.
ow do Russian’s make friends? Why, with Russian Friendship Tea of course! Learn how to make it at http://www.food.com/recipe/russian-friendship-tea-mix-16632
Have you ever played Around the World in 80 Minutes? If you haven’t then you’re missing out. Where else can you be in Egypt, Germany, England, Africa, and so many other places all within 80 minutes? Check out this great Thinking Day game at http://goforwardwithfaith.blogspot.ca/2011/04/around-world-in-80-minutes.html
Hop on over to The Frugal Crafter to discover how to make these neat hieroglyphic pendant swaps.
You don’t have to go to Mexico to enjoy these neat sombrero cookies. All you need is a box of sugar cookies, icing, sprinkles, and gumdrops.
Looking for crafts to express your Canadian heritage? Try making an inukshuk carving out of a bar of soap.
Try a taste of Finland with this yummy looking summer vegetable soup also known as Kesäkeitto. You can find the recipe at http://www.food.com/recipe/finnish-summer-vegetable-soup-kes-keitto-136955
Has your group ever wanted to visit Australia’s Great Barrier Reef? Well if you can’t go there yourself, how about trying this ocean in a bottle craft?
Share your Canadian heritage with this simple Canada Postage Stamp swap. Just cut out your backing in any shape you want, punch a hole in the top for the tassels, write “Canada”, paste on a postage stamp, and you’re ready to share your swap.
Here’s an easy swap your group can do to honour Lord Baden-Powell on his birthday.
Today we head to the Netherlands where kids play a game called Koekhappen. The goal is to eat the ontbijtkoek (dutch spice cake) off the string while blindfolded and without using your hands.
To learn more about Koekhappen, go to http://expatsincebirth.com/2013/04/29/traditional-dutch-games-for-children-sjoelbak-koekhappen-en-spijkerpoep/
To make these cute little pear mice just halve a canned pear, cut almonds for ears, place a piece of black licorice for the nose and eyes, and red shoe string licorice for the whiskers and tail.
Searching for ideas that relate to Canada, Greenland, Russia or any other polar location? Try some chilly songs such as “I’m a Little Penguin”.
I'm A Little Penguin (Tune of I'm A Little Tea Pot)
I’m a little penguin, black and white.
I waddle to the left and I waddle to the right.
I cannot fly but I can swim.
So I waddle to the water and jump right in!
On your travels around the world during Thinking Day, don’t forget about the Native American culture. Here’s a simple craft you can do with Popsicle sticks and your imagination. To learn how to make the craft just right to play the Stick Dice game go to https://www.nature-watch.com/images/Stick%20Dice%20Instructions.pdf.
Looking for a swap that’s right out of a book? Check out this cute Robin Hood bow, arrow, and quiver swap made by Swaps 4 Less.
Become an ancient Chinese mythical creature when you play “Catch the Dragon’s Tail.” This outdoor chain game is great when you have a lot of kids since you can have many dragons running around at once. Just catch the tail to win!
Rules:
The children all form a line with their hands on the shoulders of the child in front. The first in line is the dragon's head, the last in line is the dragon's tail.
The dragon's head then tries to catch the tail by manoeuvring the line around so that he can tag the last player. All the players in the middle do their best to hinder the dragon's head. Don't let the line break!
When the head catches the tail, the tail player takes the front position and becomes the new dragon's head. All the other players move back one position.
Canada is a place of many cultures and traditions and the Mi’kmaqs of Nova Scotia are one of the oldest. Learn how to make a Mi’kmaq quill box craft at http://multiculturalkidblogs.com/2014/11/06/exploring-the-mikmaq-culture-with-a-quillwork-inspired-craft-native-american-heritage-month-blog-hop/
Packed full of your kids favourite vegetables, these creative and colourful Indian Dosas are sure to get your child excited for breakfast. You can find the recipe at http://www.padhuskitchen.com/2011/09/breakfast-ideas-for-kidsindian-kids.html
Searching for that last minute funding? How about hosting a bake sale? These Valentines treats are simple to make and the kids can have fun decorating them.
Go round and round with this old Dutch game called Spijkerpoep. Just tie a nail to a string and let it dangle off your waist and behind you. The goal is to get the nail into the bottle with only hip movements.
France is a country known for it’s culture and history, but it’s also known for its delicious yule log cake. Head on over to https://www.lifeloveandsugar.com/yule-log-cake-buche-de-noel/ to discover the recipe.
In Africa adult male elephants can weigh from 4,700 to 6,048 kg and stand 3.2 to 4.0 meters tall. Can you imagine the size of the toothbrush zookeepers would need to use? You can make your own elephant toothpaste at home with just a soda pop bottle, warm water, yeast, hydrogen peroxide, dish soap, and some food colouring. Go to http://preschoolpowolpackets.blogspot.ca/2012/01/science-experiment-elephant-toothpaste.html to learn how.
Want a Thinking Day craft that encourages your kids to play outside? How about making a traditional Inukshuk out of ice? Just add food colouring to some water, freeze into different size blocks, and go out to play!
Want a simple swap that really says, “I am Canadian”? Try gluing a penny to a felt maple leaf.
This Australian salad is not only healthy, but it’s quite fun to make too. Check out the recipe at http://www.food.com/recipe/toadstool-salad-for-kids-188315
Head over to Japan where healthy lunches are prepared in bento boxes. To learn how to make a bento box lunch with these ideas https://www.allrecipes.com/gallery/beautiful-bento-box-lunches/
Did you know that in 2017 Canada turned 150? Join the celebration by sharing a part of Canada’s history. Create your own Canada logo from 1967, when Canada turned 100 years old! Just cut triangles out of coloured construction paper and glue them to match the logo.
What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of Switzerland? For most children the answer will be Swiss cheese. Here’s a simple Switzerland swap that is easy to make.
Teach your kids a song in another language by singing Head, Shoulders, Knees, Toes in Chinese. A video on how to pronounce the lyrics can be found on Mama Lisa’s Word of International Music & Culture. Just follow this link and scroll down to find the video: http://www.mamalisa.com/?t=es&p=2569 or browse through the website to explore songs from all around the world (http://www.mamalisa.com/).
Are you new to Thinking Day and are wondering what are these SWAPs that everyone is talking about? SWAPs can mean either “Share With A Pal” or, my favourite, “Special Whatchamacallist Affectionately Pinned Somewhere.” The purpose of SWAPs is to introduce one Scout or Guide to another by trading their crafted whatchamacallits with each other. This trade usually strikes up a conversation which can lead to friendship. Learn more about the tradition of SWAPs at https://www.girlscouts.org/en/about-girl-scouts/traditions.html
Interested in learning about Greek mythology? Look no further than E-Patches & Crests own Discovering Mythology challenge kit. Read the tale of Zeus, Odysseus, or the Trojan Horse in this 35 page PDF filled with teachings, crafts, games, puzzles, and more.
Take a trip back to the medieval ages and learn how people lived, what games they played, and, of course, how to become a knight in this 45 page King Arthur Quest weekend camp.
Do you know the song “Around the World” by Patricia Morrison? This song, sung to Skidamarink, is perfect to sing on Thinking Day. Remind everyone that even with oceans or borders dividing the nations we are all part of the same world.
Searching for a rhyme that helps little children understand the different sounds around the world? Try teaching them the 'Tick Tick Tick' nursery rhyme from India. You could even recite the rhyme in Hindi if you wanted to teach an older audience. Visit http://www.mamalisa.com/?t=es&p=641 to learn more.
Want to explore the world while staying in the gym? Have your group sit in individual “airplanes” (cardboard boxes) and give them a prop from a location around the world. Invite a child to board their plane and say “Good morning, I will be your pilot today. We are going to discover…(example: France! Or wherever their prop came from). The child then goes on to give a short description on what the rest of the passengers see on their trip. Move onto the next player and repeat.
Got a lot of kids wanting to play? Split into groups and together they must create a story about what the other passengers see on their trip. The more props the better.
Fire on the mountain, run, run, run! This Nigerian circle game is perfect for helping children learn how to cooperate with each other. Get your group together and watch them scamper and run as they try not to let the “Fire on the Mountain” get them. For instructions on how to play, go to http://www.informationng.com/2016/03/9-childhood-games-anyone-who-grew-up-in-nigeria-can-never-forget.html
Start Thinking Day off right with a Canadian swap idea. These cute beavers are simple to make and great for sharing with friends.
Head over to our friends at Scouting Web to find a great activity booklet filled with World Thinking Day Activities. Games such as A Day in the Life, Dreams for the World, Global Beats, and more!
Wander over to Italy and create your very own pizzas! This brilliant activity idea doubles as a craft; all you have to do is gather some left over pizza boxes, hunt down some markers and left over craft supplies and create your masterpieces.
An owl has arrived, and just in time too! Our Thinking Day owl represents three of the past themes of World Thinking Day: Connect, Grow, and Impact. Get yours today in our owl category.
Ready to sample what the world has to offer? With this neat idea you can sample tastes from all around the world. https://sprinklesomefun.com/2014/08/tastes-around-the-world-party.html
