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Why are rainforests being cut down? Why is deforestation bad?

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What's the difference between weather and climate?

Watch this video to find out--and to learn about how NASA satellites are keeping an eye on conditions on Earth!

Download a poster of this animation!

Download the poster! (Printable as 8.5 x 11 inches or 11 x 17 inches)

Video transcript:

Take a look outside your window.

Is it hot and sunny?

Is it cloudy and rainy?

Is there snow on the ground?

When you look out the window, you're seeing what the weather is like today.

Weather is only temporary. For example, a blizzard can turn into a flood after just a few warm spring days.

Climate, on the other hand, is more than just a few warm or cool days.

Climate describes the typical weather conditions in an entire region for a very long time-30 years or more.

Keeping an eye on changing weather can help us plan ahead.

We know that if thunderclouds are forming overhead, it's probably a good idea to stay inside.

But it's important to keep an eye on changes in Earth's climate, too. And NASA has observed that Earth is getting warmer.

Keeping track of Earth's sea level is one way that we can know how quickly the climate is changing.

As Earth's climate warms, ice in Antarctica and Greenland is melting. This causes the level of the oceans to rise.

NASA satellites can measure sea level rise from space.

They can also track changes in the climate by measuring the clouds.

We know that changes in the number, size or location of clouds could be caused by a change in Earth's climate.

NASA satellites are always orbiting Earth, looking down at our oceans and clouds. And they monitor Earth's climate in other ways, too.

It's important to keep an eye on our planet and all the ways that it's changing. Right now, it's the only one we've got!

Find out more about our Earth at NASA Climate Kids!

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What's the Difference Between Weather and Climate?

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Watch this video to find out--and to learn about how NASA satellites are keeping an eye on conditions on Earth!

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What is the difference between weather and climate?

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What is the difference between weather and climate?

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Join a game of kahoot here. Kahoot! is a free game-based learning platform that makes it fun to learn - any subject, in any language, on any device, for all ages!

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What are these words in your language(s)?

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The 10 steps of the Chocolate Manufacturing Process

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FEATURED GAMES

Check out our award-winning, crowd-favorite learning games.

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Whether you're a teacher, a principal, a homeschooling parent or an educational aide, ThinkFun games will help reinforce your teachings and prepare students with 21st century thinking and STEM skills.

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Check out our award-winning, crowd-favorite learning games. Ignite Your Classroom & Your Students' Futures Whether you're a teacher, a principal, a homeschooling parent or an educational aide, ThinkFun games will help reinforce your teachings and prepare students with 21st century thinking and STEM skills.

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Where does chocolate come from and how is it made?

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Where does chocolate come from and how is it made?

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Where does chocolate come from and how is it made?

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Make tasty chocolate and share with your friends!

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Hernan Cortes: Conquered the Aztec Empire - Fast Facts | History

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Ask History: What Happened to the Aztecs? | History

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The Story of Chocolate: Unwrapping the Bar

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Think about what really goes into a smoothie!

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Fun Kids - the UK's children's radio station

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F is for Fairtrade, but what is Fair Trade? - Fun Kids - the UK's children's radio station

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Fairtrade is a simple yet incredibly important idea - it's all about giving the people who produce the things you buy a fair price for their work. This may seem obvious, but lots of people in poorer countries have to sell their goods at prices so low that they can't make a decent living.

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Look at the vocabulary for this unit, and tell your family/friends one sentence about it using a connective e.g. Cacao beans need fertile soil as well as a tropical climate to grow well.

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What are these words in your language(s)?

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Learn about fairtrade through this song!

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Learn about fairtrade through this song!

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My Next Fairtrade Adventure Story Poster

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My Next Fairtrade Adventure Story Poster

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This story poster that follows the story of Fairtrade tea through the eyes of Tayna, student presenter of My Next Fairtrade Adventure.

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Learn about fairtrade spices in this board game!

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W6: What is fairtrade? Why is it important? 

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W6: What is fairtrade? Why is it important? 

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Why is it important to buy fairtrade chocolate? 

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Why is it important to buy fairtrade chocolate? 

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What do you notice about the nutritional label on the back of this chocolate bar?

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Invention Of CHOCOLATE - The Dr. Binocs Show | Best Learning Videos For Kids | Peekaboo Kidz

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What do you notice about where it is grown? What is the climate like in these countries? What do cacao trees need to grow?

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W1: What is the process of making chocolate (in the cacao field and in manufacturing plant)? 

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W1: What is the process of making chocolate (in the cacao field and in manufacturing plant)? 

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W7: Reflecting on what we learnt from Chocolate

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W7: Reflecting on what we learnt from Chocolate

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What is the effect of exercise and diet on the human body? 

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What is the effect of exercise and diet on the human body? 

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First taste of chocolate in Ivory Coast | VPRO Metropolis

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Identifying chocolate-related words into nouns, verbs and adjectives

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Identifying chocolate-related words into nouns, verbs and adjectives

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What do we already know about chocolate? What do we wonder about it? 

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What do we already know about chocolate? What do we wonder about it? 

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How do you say "Chocolate" in your language?

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How do you say "Chocolate" in your language?

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W2: What is the difference between cacao and cocoa? 

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W2: What is the difference between cacao and cocoa? 

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How do you say it in your language? Type your answers here

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Christopher Columbus | Educational Videos for Kids

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Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés (c. 1485-1547) is best known for conquering the Aztecs and claiming Mexico on behalf of Spain. Cortés (full name Don Hernán Cortés de Monroy y Pizarro Altamirano, Marquis of the Valley of Oaxaca) first served as a soldier in an expedition of Cuba led by Diego Velázquez in 1511.

In 1519, Cortés was set to command his own expedition to Mexico when Velázquez cancelled it. Cortés ignored the order and traveled to Mexico anyway, setting his sights on overthrowing ruler Montezuma II in the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan. The Aztecs eventually drove the Spanish from Tenochtitlan, but Cortés returned to defeat the natives and take the city in 1521. He spent much of his later years seeking recognition for his achievements and support from the Spanish royal court.

Hernán Cortés and Diego Velázquez

Cortés was born in 1485 to Martín Cortés de Monroy and Doña Catalina Pizarro Altamarino, minor nobles in Medellín, Spain. He studied in Salamanca for a time but soon grew restless and left Spain in 1504 to explore the New World. The young Cortés landed in Hispaniola, or modern-day Santo Domingo. He served as a notary in the town of Azúa for a few years before joining Diego Velázquez on a 1511 expedition to Cuba, where he climbed the ranks of the local government to become mayor of Santiago.

Not content on dry land, Cortés was to set sail for Mexico in 1518, this time in command of his own expedition, but Velázquez cancelled the trip. Defiant, Cortés set sail for Mexico anyway with 500 men and 11 ships to seek his fortune.

Cortés 'Discovers' Mexico

Cortés and his crew reached Mexico in February of 1519. They dropped anchor at Tabasco, where he gained intelligence from locals about the land he desired to conquer. They also gave him gifts in the form of 20 women. One of them, Marina, became his interpreter and they had a son, Martín, together.

Cortés landed in Veracruz next, where his men elected him chief justice. According to some accounts, he sunk all but one of his ships before sending the intact one back to Spain. There would be no retreat for his men, only conquest.

Cortés Defeats The Aztecs

Cortés used his new allies and united them against the Aztecs, who were resented by local groups for the high tributes they exacted. By the time he arrived in Mexico, the Aztecs had come to rule over 500 small states and some 5 to 6 million people. He used deadly force to conquer Mexico, fighting Tlaxacan and Cholula warriors before turning his attention on the ultimate prize: taking over the Aztec Empire.

He entered Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital home to ruler Montezuma II, on November 8, 1519. Tenochtitlán, located near today's Mexico City, had more than 140,000 inhabitants at its height, and was the most densely populated city ever to exist in Mesoamerica. Montezuma, thinking Cortés and his men were envoys from the god Quetzalcoatl who was prophesied to return that year in the Aztec calendar, treated him as an honored guest. Seizing his chance, Cortés took Montezuma hostage and his soldiers raided the city.
READ MORE: How Hernán Cortés Conquered the Aztec Empire
When Cortés learned that a Spanish force from Cuba led by Pánfilo Narváez were arriving to strip him of his command and arrest him for disobeying orders, Cortés fled the city. He left 80 Spanish soldiers and a few hundred Tlaxcaltecs under the command of Pedro de Alvarado to hold Tenochtitlan until he returned.

While Cortés was away, Alvarado massacred Aztec chiefs, and Cortés returned to Tenochtitlan to find a rebellion in progress. The enraged Aztec forces eventually drove his forces from the city. During the Spanish retreat, Montezuma was killed and much of the plunder the Spanish had taken was lost. But Cortés was far from finished. His forces defeated the Aztecs in Battle of Otumba on July 7, 1520, and he regained control of Tenochtitlan by August 13, 1521. The Aztec Empire had fallen.

Hernán Cortés: Legacy

While Cortés was conquering Mexico, Velázquez was busy crucifying his reputation in Spain. Cortés responded by sending five now-famous letters to Spanish King Charles V of Spain about the lands he had conquered and life in Mexico.

Never content for long, Cortés continued to seek opportunities to gain wealth and land. He sent more expeditions out into new areas, including what is present-day Honduras. He spent much of his later years seeking recognition for his achievements and support from the Spanish royal court. He died in Spain in 1547.

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Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés (c. 1485-1547) is best known for conquering the Aztecs and claiming Mexico on behalf of Spain. Cortés (full name Don Hernán Cortés de Monroy y Pizarro Altamirano, Marquis of the Valley of Oaxaca) first served as a soldier in an expedition of Cuba led by Diego Velázquez in 1511.

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Waarom is Fairtrade nodig?

In Azië, Afrika en Zuid- Amerika verkeren veel kleinschalige boeren continu in onzekerheid over hun inkomen. Daarnaast zijn ze overgeleverd aan de sterk fluctuerende wereldmarktprijs, waardoor de opbrengst van de oogst vaak te laag is om het hele gezin te kunnen onderhouden. Zonder een betrouwbaar inkomen kunnen ze niet investeren in hun onderneming, de toekomst van hun kinderen, in de gemeenschap en het milieu. Hierdoor blijft de armoede in stand. Fairtrade doorbreekt deze vicieuze cirkel door standaarden te zetten die boeren de mogelijkheid bieden om zichzelf te ontwikkelen.

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In Azië, Afrika en Zuid- Amerika verkeren veel kleinschalige boeren continu in onzekerheid over hun inkomen. Daarnaast zijn ze overgeleverd aan de sterk fluctuerende wereldmarktprijs, waardoor de opbrengst van de oogst vaak te laag is om het hele gezin te kunnen onderhouden.

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What is fair?

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This is a game to be played on your own or with friends. Imagine you are having a party. Each person takes it in turns to stand behind the chair where they will get the most chocolate.

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My lovely Brazilian friend Hannah shared these delicious chocolate truffles with us a few years ago and I just had to have the recipe!

These are just the easiest chocolate truffles for kids EVER! Children will love the making process and the chocolate truffles make great gifts for children to make for others too at Christmas, Valentine's Day or just as a treat!

Supplies For Chocolate Truffles Recipe

Milk Chocolate Truffles

(Makes 20)

1 tin condensed milk 397g

Knob of butter

4 tbs cocoa

Selection of coatings, we used, icing sugar, cocoa, chocolate sprinkles and hundreds and thousands.

20 mini cases

White Chocolate Truffles

(Makes 20)

1 tin condensed milk 397g

Knob of butter

100g white chocolate

Selection of coatings, we used, icing sugar, cocoa, chocolate sprinkles and hundreds and thousands.

20 mini cases

How To Make Easy Chocolate Truffles For Kids

Milk Chocolate Truffles

1. Pour the condensed milk, butter and cocoa into a pan and mix well.

2. Heat gently stirring all the time until the mixture thickens. It is thick enough when stirring leaves deep tracks in the mixture and you can see the pan bottom clearly.

3. Set it to one side to cool.

4. Grease your hands with butter and take a teaspoon sized amount and roll it into a ball.

5. Toss it in your chosen coating and pop it in your mini case.

White Chocolate Truffles

1. Pour the condensed milk and butter into a pan and mix well.

2. Heat gently stirring all the time until the mixture thickens. It is thick enough when stirring leaves deep tracks in the mixture and you can see the pan bottom clearly.

3. Remove from heat and stir in the broken chocolate until melted.

4. Set it to one side to cool.

5. Grease your hands with butter and take a teaspoon sized amount and roll it into a ball.

6. Toss it in your chosen coating and pop it in your mini case.

Looking for some more Christmas recipes for kids? You might enjoy our Piñata Gingerbread or Cute Reindeer Cupcakes.

More Fun Valentine Crafts For Kids:

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My lovely Brazilian friend Hannah shared these delicious chocolate truffles with us a few years ago and I just had to have the recipe! These are just the easiest chocolate truffles for kids EVER! Children will love the making process and the chocolate truffles make great gifts for children to make for others too at Christmas, Valentine's Day or just as a treat!

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W4: What does 'money grows on trees' mean

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W4: What does 'money grows on trees' mean

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Fairtrade Chocolate in the Netherlands (Dutch) 

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Fairtrade Chocolate in the Netherlands (Dutch) 

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Why do so many people love chocolate? Do you think he should have eat all the cake?

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Kids’ Poems and Stories With Michael Rosen

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Chocolate Cake | POEM | Kids' Poems and Stories With Michael Rosen

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Grab a mini apron and try our easy baking recipes for kids. There's something for everyone, from cookies and cakes to puddings and even bread.

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W5: Cacao Farmers Taste Chocolate for the First Time

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W5: Cacao Farmers Taste Chocolate for the First Time

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Is it fair that people who farm cacao can't afford to buy chocolate?

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First taste of chocolate in Ivory Coast | VPRO Metropolis

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What is the cacao belt?

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For Mac OS users, there is a system setting that may not allow you to tab onto several types of elements in a web page. To change this setting:

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This is a word set for learning vocabulary words including cookie, chocolate, cupcake, lollipop, popsicle, cotton candy, candy bar, candy, ice cream. Enjoy learning.

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Was trade important?

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We explored the timeline by picking out the words, phrases and sentences we were most interested in. Can you spot any common themes?

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Come along with me!

click on the color key buttons to share in my cocoa adventures

Chocolate as Muse

("VOYAGE AUX PAYS DU CHOCOLAT")

In the last few years, my cocoa journey has taken me to the chocolate lands of four continents. I have been traveling to trace the popular culture of cacao, interviewing planters and field laborers, entrepreneurs and factory workers, chocolatiers and pȃtissiers, to capture all stages of cacao cultivation and chocolate processing. This research has contributed to articles on food and culture, in addition to all things chocolate, for both popular and scholarly publications.

​

In May 2010, during the celebration of the "Journées du Chocolat" in Bayonne in the Basque region of France, I was inducted as Ambassadrice du Chocolat (hear ceremony to the right). Founder and owner of Crik-Crak Chocolate Connections, I offer presentations, along with tastings, on the history and culture of this mysterious plant and delectable comestible. I have also served as a judge in the International Chocolate Awards in the Americas, Asia and Pacific competition. When not eating or baking chocolate pastries and making bonbons for friends and select clients, I write stories in creative non-fiction, inspired by my overseas field work, travel, and love of languages.

​

I invite you on my journey!

Ambassadrice du Chocolat de Bayonne on May 14, 2010

Unknown Track - Unknown Artist

To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.

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Dr. Ellen Schnepel | Anthropologist | CHOCOLATE AS MUSE

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In the last few years, my cocoa journey has taken me to the chocolate lands of four continents. I have been traveling to trace the popular culture of cacao, interviewing planters and field laborers, entrepreneurs and factory workers, chocolatiers and pȃtissiers, to capture all stages of cacao cultivation and chocolate processing.