# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The Monterey Bay Aquarium Sea Otter Program has played an important role in the continued recovery of the southern sea otter population with our research, rescue, rehabilitation, and surrogacy work.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
With ten live cams to choose from, you can experience the wonder of the ocean no matter where you are. Be delighted by the antics of our sea otters or mellow out to the hypnotic drifting of our jellies. Tune in to one of the Monterey Bay Aquarium's web cams.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Join us for our Virtual Field Trips or watch them on-demand after their premieres. Each no-cost Virtual Field Trip comes with a companion guide packed with standards-aligned, hands-on learning activities! Select one of the options below to register.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Take students beyond the classroom and into some of the world's most iconic locations with virtual field trips. Learn more!

# data[].attributes.body
Mystery Doug

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This invention shoots out powerful sprays of water below a pair of shoes. What do you think would happen if you wore them?

Voting for this episode is now closed. Would you like to vote on the most recent poll?

I pulled three questions from my jar. Which question do you want to explore next week?

How do you make cardboard?

-Jameson, Kindergarten

Do all plants grow from seeds?

-Kaiden, 4th Grade

Why do we have eyebrows?

-Paloma, Grade 3

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This invention shoots out powerful sprays of water below a pair of shoes. What do you think would happen if you wore them? Voting for this episode is now closed. Would you like to vote on the most recent poll? I pulled three questions from my jar.

# data[].attributes.body
Mystery Science

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Voting for this episode is now closed. Would you like to vote on the most recent poll?

I pulled three questions from my jar. Which question do you want to explore next week?

Why is Mars red?

-Emma, 2nd Grade

How can you tell if a mushroom is poisonous?

-Isaiah, Grade 5

Who invented the alphabet?

-Jahid, 4th Grade

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Voting for this episode is now closed. Would you like to vote on the most recent poll? I pulled three questions from my jar. Which question do you want to explore next week? Why is Mars red? -Emma, 2nd Grade How can you tell if a mushroom is poisonous?

# data[].attributes.body
Mystery Science

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Watch the video to discover the answer to “How does hand sanitizer kill germs?” and don’t forget to vote for next week’s question!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
See elephants, lions and naked mole-rats on animal cams streaming live, 24/7 from the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.

Download Animal Cam Bingo Cards (link opens in new window). These activities are designed to engage learners of all ages in looking closely and thinking deeply about animal behavior and habitats. Welcome to the wild side of learning!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Zoo's animal webcams are some of the most famous on the internet. Tune in to watch the Zoo's elephants, lions and naked mole-rats - live, 24/7!

# data[].attributes.body
Mystery Science

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Watch the video to discover the answer to “How do germs get inside of your body?” and don’t forget to vote for next week’s question!

# data[].attributes.body
Mystery Science

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Voting for this episode is now closed. Would you like to vote on the most recent poll?

I pulled three questions from my jar. Which question do you want to explore next week?

Do masks really stop the coronavirus?

-Ila, 5th grade

What's the difference between the coronavirus and the flu?

-Delilah, 4th Grade

Why is the coronavirus so contagious?

-Callen, 2nd Grade

Watch the video to discover the answer and don't forget to vote for next week's question. There are mysteries all around us. Have fun and stay curious!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Voting for this episode is now closed. Would you like to vote on the most recent poll? I pulled three questions from my jar. Which question do you want to explore next week? Do masks really stop the coronavirus? -Ila, 5th grade What's the difference between the coronavirus and the flu?

# data[].attributes.body
Mystery Science

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Voting for this episode is now closed. Would you like to vote on the most recent poll?

I pulled three questions from my jar. Which question do you want to explore next week?

Why don't all trees lose their leaves in the fall?

-Henry, 4th Grade

Who invented football?

- Janzen, 3rd Grade

What's that red thing on a turkey?

-Nikita, 3rd Grade

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Watch the video to discover the answer to "Are unicorns real?" and don't forget to vote for next week's question!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
As China's most famous attraction, the Great Wall of China is an essential stop on all China tours. Commonly considered a wonder of the world, the Great Wall boasts a history of over 2,000 years and stretches more than 3,000 miles across several provinces of northern China, making it one of the most impressive ancient structures on the planet.

Virtual Tour of the Great Wall of China

Best Sections to Visit

Beijing is usually considered the main gateway to the Great Wall, since there are several world-famous sections of the Wall in the suburbs of Beijing, including Badaling, Mutianyu, Jinshanling, Juyongguan, Gubeikou, and Jiankou. These sections were built during the Ming dynasty between the 14th and 17th centuries and have been well preserved.

Of all the sections of the Great Wall near Beijing, Badaling is the most famous one. As a result, Badaling is the destination of choice for many large tour groups and is often very crowded. The nearby Juyongguan Great Wall features one of the three great mountain passes of the Great Wall but is almost as crowded as Badaling.

Mutianyu Great Wall is just as close as Badaling and offers wonderful views of the Great Wall and the surrounding hills with far fewer tourists. This section of the Wall also features a thrilling toboggan run that you can ride from the top of the Wall down to the bottom of the hill.

Due to their proximity, Badaling, Juyongguan, and Mutianyu are all doable as a half-day trip from downtown Beijing. We usually recommend Mutianyu over Badaling or Juyongguan, since the massive crowds at the latter two sections can ruin one's experience of this impressive structure.

Further away from Beijing, Jinshanling Great Wall is about 150 km northeast of downtown and it usually takes about two and a half hours to drive there. Despite the longer drive, Jinshanling is among the most stunning sections of the Great Wall. If your itinerary allows for one full day seeing the Great Wall, then we highly recommend a tour to Jinshanling.

Gubeikou and Jiankou can also be visited within a day tour from Beijing. Both sections have not been restored since they were first built in the Ming Dynasty, making them ideal choices for those who want to hike and experience the wild Great Wall. Do be aware that the Jiankou section features very steep and dangerous climbs and is only suitable for experienced hikers.

There are also some other famous sections of the Great Wall within or outside Beijing, such as Huanghuacheng, Simatai, and Shanhaiguan, but we only recommend these if you are visiting the Great Wall for a second time or planning a multi-day, in-depth Great Wall tour.

Great Wall Hiking and Camping

Due to its original purpose as a military defense, almost all sections of Great Wall were built on mountain ranges and thus involve some challenging climbs and uneven stairs, including the well-restored sections. If you are visiting a restored section but hike to the end of the renovated part, you will be able to see the unrestored part of the Great Wall.

For most visitors, Mutianyu and Jinshanling offer good, medium difficulty hikes, while still being very safe. For those looking for a serious hike along wild, unrestored portions of the Wall, we suggest the Jinshanling to Jinshanling East, or Gubeikou to Jinshanling routes. All these routes boast both unrestored and picturesque renovated sections of the Wall. However, please be aware that hikes along wild, unrestored parts of the Great Wall involve many steep climbs and loose bricks, and can be very dangerous in some places. (People can no longer hike through from Jinshanling to Simatai since the route was closed years ago.)

Camping on the Great Wall is usually banned, especially on the renovated sections. If you want to spend a night sleeping on the Great Wall, we can take you to a watchtower on the Gubeikou section of the Great Wall to experience the life of an ancient soldier and catch amazing sunrise/sunset views over the Wall.

Best Time to Visit

For all sections of the Great Wall near Beijing, the spring months (April to June) offer temperate weather and are great for climbing. In late April to early May, many trees begin to blossom, making this a particularly beautiful period to visit the Wall. Fall is also a nice time to visit, as temperatures are usually comfortable. October to early November are particularly picturesque, as the tree leaves on the mountains begin to change color. The winter months, from December to February, are cold and can be windy, but there are usually far fewer tourists on the Wall during these months. July and August are hot and humid, and thus not the best for long hikes. In addition, it's best to avoid hiking on the Wall after rain or snowfall because some parts can get very slippery.

You should also avoid visiting the popular sections, such as Badaling, Juyongguan, and Mutianyu, around National Day (the first week in October) and Spring Festival. August is also a busy time for the Badaling and Juyongguan sections, since students are on summer vacation and many families travel to these famous sections with their kids before the new school year starts. Learn more about how to avoid the crowds when traveling in China.

Great Wall of China Private Tour Packages

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
As China's most famous attraction, the Great Wall of China is an essential stop on all China ... Virtual Tour of the Great Wall of China ...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Get our best book recommendations delivered straight to your inbox by signing up for the Scholastic Parents newsletter.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Mindful Schools has created ten free mindfulness classes for kids! Join us online - for mindful activities, mindful movement, read-alouds - and let's have fun exploring mindfulness together.

Free Online: Mindfulness Class for Kids!
Sign up to receive new classes in your inbox!
Mindful Schools is designing these online mindfulness classes with K-5 students in mind - AND please know that students and adults of all ages are welcome to participate. We are aware that many families are away from school and work, and we hope this is a resource that families can enjoy together.
Sign up above to receive NEW online classes in your inbox! What to Expect:

Fun and interactive activities for kids such as mindful eating, movement, and more

30 minutes of mindfulness and a restful break from the busyness of daily life

Experienced teachers from the Mindful Schools Training Team

About Mindful Schools
Mindful Schools is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and our everyday work is training educators to bring mindfulness to their K-12 classrooms - we've trained over 50,000 teachers, parents, and school leaders! We created these online kids classes as an immediate resource for families that may be away from school and work during these challenging times. If you enjoy these classes, please share with friends and explore our programs to find out how you can bring mindfulness to your school community. If you'd like to support Mindful Schools and you have the capacity, consider a donation to Mindful Schools Thank you for your support!
Extra Credit!

Students, did you enjoy class today? Send us your notes, photos, and drawings to community@mindfulschools.org, or tag us online:

Educators and parents, tell us how we're doing. Your feedback is important to us so we can continue to create helpful resources for our community. Please email us at community@mindfulschools.org.

FAQs

What age group is this for? While we welcome all age groups including adults, we are designing these classes to be age appropriate for K-5 students. Friends, siblings, parents, and even grandparents are welcome to enjoy the class together!

Can I share this with my community? Yes absolutely - we hope these classes are a helpful resource for everyone in your school community.

How do watch the classes? All classes are posted on this page, see below. Sign up to receive an email when we create NEW online classes!

What Is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness means maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, emotions, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment - with openness and curiosity.
Mindful Schools is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and our everyday work is training educators to bring mindfulness to their K-12 classrooms - we've trained over 50,000 teachers, parents, and school leaders! We created these online kids classes as an immediate resource for families that may be away from school and work during these challenging times. If you enjoy these classes, please share with friends and explore our programs to find out how you can bring mindfulness to your school community. If you'd like to support Mindful Schools and you have the capacity, consider a donation to Mindful Schools. Thank you for your support!
It has a variety of research-backed impacts, including reduction in stress, and improvements in emotional regulation, and focus. Learn how the benefits of mindfulness can be transformative in education.

Classes continue below

Watch the Mindful Schools Kids Classes:
#1 to #10!

About Mindful Schools

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
New! Mindfulness of Emotions - Free: Online Mindfulness Class for Kids! - Mindful Schools

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Mindful Schools has created ten free mindfulness classes for kids! Join us online - for mindful activities, mindful movement, read-alouds - and let's have fun exploring mindfulness together. Sign up to receive new classes in your inbox!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Authentic Stories and Illustrations Reflecting the Voice and Vision of Children

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Share your videos with friends, family, and the world

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
NASA, JPL, and Google bring the real surface of Mars to your browser.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The SAG-AFTRA Foundation's Daytime Emmy-nominated, Storyline Online, features celebrated actors reading children's books to inspire a love of reading in millions of children worldwide.