Welcome to ThinkLink!
ThinkLink is our new online platform emphasizing global learning from home, designed for educators and students.
Meet the Artists Videos
Title: Our Farm
Artist: Ivan
Age: 10
Country: Russia
Title: Preserving Our Tradition
Artist: Manuel
Age: 9
Country: Guatemala
Title: Escaping from Home
Artist: Swabrina
Age: 14
Country: Uganda
Title: My Chicken Family
Artist: Sasha
Age: 13
Country: Russia
More videos to come soon!
Spotlight On Videos
ArtLink students from around the world sharing moments in their lives. And art exhibits featuring their art pieces.
Spotlight On: Kenya’s Virtual Exchange Farewell
Spotlight On: Kenyan Traditions
Spotlight On: Nepali Traditions
Spotlight On: Getting Ready for School
Questions to consider after watching this video:
- Describe Noris’ school uniform?
- Why do you think Noris and her siblings’ beds have netting around them?
- Each morning, who takes care of Noris’ hair?
- We see Noris eating a breakfast of tortillas, eggs, and coffee. Where do you think the eggs came from?
- What beverage does Noris and her mother make each morning?
- Describe where Noris is baking the tortillas?
- What questions would you like to ask Noris?
Spotlight On: What We Do After School In Our Free Time
Please note this video was filmed before the worldwide pandemic.
Questions to consider after watching this video:
- How do the students carry their books home from school?
- What are some of the things Alexa’s grandmother sells in her convenience store?
- What does Felippe and his friends like to do after school?
- What are the two main reasons Walter likes the lake?
- What questions would you like to ask the children in the video?
- Locate Macanché, Guatemala on the internet. What is the name of the lake the children are swimming in?
- This video was shot in around February 1st. From the video, what is the climate like? Is this different from the climate in your community? Why?
- Macanché is officially in the Mayan Biosphere Buffer Zone? What is an environmental buffer zone? Why are buffer zones important?
Spotlight On:
Highlights Art Show
Spotlight On:
Traditions Revealed Art Show
Resources
Enjoy these curated links to supplementary materials, both informative and fun!
We will be adding to this list, so be sure to check back often.
We also welcome suggestions! Please email us at worldlink@creativeconnections.org with any you may have.
Lessons
For students ages 9-13
This lesson features art pieces from young artists from Russia, Spain, England, Mexico, and Turkey that show their concerns for the present and future condition of the environment.
You will explore their artwork, learn about their ideas on things that can be done to preserve the environment, and test your knowledge by answering questions about the pieces.
You will also be asked to think about what you can do to help protect the environment.
Spotlight On: What We Do After School in Our Free Time
For students ages 9-13
Take a look at this video of a free afternoon after school for RainForest ArtLink students in Macanché, Guatemala, located in the Mayan Biosphere Reserve Buffer Zone.
Then test your knowledge by answering questions about the students featured in the video and the area where they live.
Our Celebrations & Our Environment
For students ages 9-13
This lesson features art pieces from young artists from China, India, Japan, Latvia, and Sri Lanka that show the cultural celebrations they enjoy and how these celebrations are impacted by their environment.
You will explore their artwork, learn what they are doing to protect that environment, and test your knowledge by answering questions about the pieces.
You will also be asked to think about how your celebrations are impacted by the natural environment.
For students ages 9-13
This lesson features art pieces from young artists from Kenya, Cyprus, Gambia, Guatemala, and Uganda that show the importance of their families and how family members interact with their outdoor environment.
You will explore their artwork, learn what they are doing to protect that environment, and test your knowledge by answering questions about the pieces.
You will also be asked to think about how your family and culture interact with the natural environment.
Maíz (Corn): A Staple Crop in the Americas
For students ages 9-14
We invite you to explore Mesoamerica, one of the regions where our ArtLink partners live. Enjoy learning from and meeting the students as they share aspects of their culture in detail.
See their artwork, watch their videos and begin to understand the importance of Maíz.
Maíz is an essential food that is central to the culture of millions of people around the world.
In this lesson, you will learn how rural communities in Guatemala grow this crop in their backyards and how Maíz is an important cultural asset deeply intertwined with their environment.
Instructions:
Map of Mesoamerica
- Select this link to access the lesson. Read the introduction and click on the “Start Maíz Lesson” button.
- Watch the video on the mythology and historical importance of Maíz.
- Locate on the map Mesoamerica and Guatemala, the rainforest region of Petén, and the Mayan archaeological site of Tikal.
- Explore the seven pieces of art created by Guatemalan students and watch the videos the produced on growing and using Maiz.
- Evaluate your acquired knowledge by taking the final quiz.
