Kidz Klub Connection 35
Hello Kidz Klub!
Happy Friday! We did it! We finished another virtual learning week together! I’m so proud of you all!
So far for Where in The World !! we journeyed to our first four countries: Canada, Mexico, Bahamas, and Bermuda. We learned about their history, culture & language, cuisine, and other fun facts. We were introduced to important citizens, visited famous landmarks, and watched videos of regional recipes.
But, we are not done yet. We have one more country to explore before we depart our virtual airplane for the weekend. Let’s go to our final stop this week: colorful Jamaica!
Be Safe. Be healthy. Enjoy!
Take good care.
Miss Charisse
Let's Learn About Jamaica!
History:
Did you know … Jamaica is a mountainous island in the Caribbean Sea about 600 miles (965 kilometers) south of Miami, Florida. Jamaica was first settled by the Native American tribe the Arawaks. The first European to arrive in Jamaica was Christopher Columbus in 1494. In 1510 Spain settled the island. In 1655 Britain took control of the island from Spain and it became a British colony. In the early 1900s Jamaica gained more self-government and control from Britain. In 1962 Jamaica became a fully independent country.
LEARN MORE: HERE, HERE, & HERE.
Culture & Language:
Did you know … Jamaica is known for its colorful culture and long list of traditions. Jamaican culture is a product of the interaction between Europe and Africa. Family life is central to most Jamaicans. It is common for three generations to share a home. The official language of the island is English. However, Jamaican residents have a distinctive linguistic style that you’ll likely have heard before. Most Jamaicans will also speak a variation of English known simply as Patois an English-African creole language. Jamaica’s currency is the Jamaican dollar.
LEARN MORE: HERE, HERE, & HERE.
Kingston, Jamaica:
Did you know … Kingston, the capital of Jamaica, was founded in July 1692 when an earthquake destroyed the nearby city of Port Royal. Sprawling along the southeastern coast of the island and backed by the Blue Mountains. Kingston is famous for its fine natural harbor.
LEARN MORE: alue="https://www.blackpast.org/global-african-history/kingston-jamaica-1692/" type="url" href="https://www.blackpast.org/global-african-history/kingston-jamaica-1692/" target="_blank" data-runtime-url="https://www.blackpast.org/global-african-history/kingston-jamaica-1692/">HERE & HERE.
Famous Landmarks:
Did you know … An island like Jamaica, with a rich natural and social history, inevitably has many fascinating sites to explore. Jamaican history includes Spanish rule, a British takeover and a struggle for independence. This mixture of cultural influences means a wide variety of interesting things to see, from famous architecture and artifacts, to natural scenery and historic sites.
Famous Citizens:
Did you know … There have been so many well-known people from Jamaica who stand out in the fields of philanthropy, civil rights, music, athletics, and the arts. Jamaica has become especially linked to reggae music through the legendary Bob Marley and to outstanding Olympic athletes like Usain Bolt.
Fun Facts
Did you know … Believe it or not, Jamaica has a national bobsled team. In 1987, two American businessmen, George Fitch and William Maloney, were living in Jamaica and were inspired by a local pushcart derby to form the country’s first bobsled team. The tale of the bobsled team from Jamaica who triumphed against the odds to compete at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics is loosely embedded in pop culture more than a quarter of a century on.
Did you know that the first Jamaican bobsled team trained for three hours a day next to a soccer field in the Army barracks using a makeshift sled in preparation for the Olympics?
Here are silly Olympic jokes to make you giggle:
Q: Why does Cinderella never win the Olympics?
A: She has a pumpkin for a coach and runs away from the ball.
Q: Why were the swimming elephants thrown out of the Olympics?
A: Because they couldn’t keep their trunks up!
Q: Why can’t tomatoes win races against lettuce at the Summer Games?
A: Because the lettuce is always a head, and the tomatoes are always trying to ketchup!
Q: Why did the spotted cat get disqualified from the Olympics?
A: It was a cheetah.
Q: Why was the Olympian not able to listen to music?
A: Because he broke the record!
Jamaican cuisine includes a mixture of cooking techniques, flavors, spices and influences from the indigenous people on the island of Jamaica, as well as influences from Africa, Spain, India, Britain and China. Jerk-style cooking is the star of Jamaican cuisine. What makes spicy, jerk-style authentic is the wood used to smoke the meat: pimento chips, and the other ingredients in the marinade: lots of salt, scotch bonnet (habanero) peppers and allspice to name a few.
Here’s a video of famous chef, Gordon Ramsey,
making Homemade Jamaican Jerk Chicken … Yum!
