Patchwork Designs > HISTORICALLY SPEAKING DENMARK PATCH PROGRAM

HISTORICALLY SPEAKING DENMARK PATCH PROGRAM
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1. Denmark is a part of countries of mainland Scandinavia (the other countries being Norway, Sweden, and Finland). Locate Denmark on a map and its Capital. Identify Demark's flag and currency.

2. For lunch many Danish people eat smorrebrod, open face sandwiches. Desserts and pastries are enjoyed in the afternoon. Denmark is known for its unique variety of food. Try some foods from Denmark or make a recipe from a Danish cookbook or website.

3. When the festival fun begins, hygee, is a common word that is spoken expressing that they are having fun with their family and friends. There are many public holidays and festivals in Denmark. Some examples of holidays and festivals include: Mid Summer's Day, Constitution Day, April Fool's Day, Viking festival, Whitmonday, Easter, and Christmas Day. Visit a cultural celebration or re-creation of a holiday event OR learn the background of the celebrated holiday or festival. You may also create a drawing or art project, or prepare a food.

4. Along Copenhagen's waterfront is the sculpture of the Little Mermaid, representing the Story written by Hans Christian Anderson about a mermaid that gave up her hair and voice for human legs to be with her prince. Find out more about the Little Mermaid tale, read the book, watch the movie or play, or explore other stories written by Hans Christian Anderson. Examples of other stories include: Thumbelina, The Ugly Duckling, The Little Match Girl, Princess and the Pea, and The Snow Queen. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hans_Christian_Andersen

5. Denmark is made up of over 400 islands, with only 100 being inhabited by people. It is a land of flat plains, shorelines, hills, and sea inlets called fjords. Learn more about the terrain, animals, and plants of Denmark. Identify flowers and animals found in Denmark by having a scavenger hunt in websites, or books about Denmark.

6. The official language spoken in Denmark is Danish. Some of the other languages that are spoken are German, Faroese, English, and Greenlandic. Learn some common words in Danish or write some common phrases.

7. Soccer, (football), is the most popular sport in Denmark. Some other sports that are enjoyed are hiking, gymnastics, badminton, horseback riding, handball, and swimming. Learn more about an outdoor activity or choose one to enjoy.

8. Traditional Danish music and dancing are played at festivals and celebrations. There are many different forms of folk dances and songs sung at celebrations. Listen to a song, learn more about the instruments played, try to dance Danish style, watch a musical show, or play or learn more about a traditional instrument, such as an accordion, fiddle, or guitar. Examples of dances: fanik, waltz and polka.

9. In the early history of Denmark the Viking culture was in existence. They were skilled craftspeople and traders, with some having a reputation of being pirates. They sailed to many parts of the world in lightweight wooden boats. Create a craft representing vikings or the boats.

10. Traditional clothing in Denmark is worn on festival days or during folkdances. The dress for women is a full skirt dress with long sleeves, apron, and bonnet. Men wear tunic coats, pants, and a hat. Draw a picture of the clothing, dress up in a Danish costumes, create and accessory, or view traditional clothing through books or the internet or our country manual.

11. The design of furniture and household items in Denmark are created from ideas of simplicity but yet functional. Other handicrafts include: weaving, carving, knitting, sewing, jewelry making, pottery, or sculpting. Create a craft or project using a traditional a Danish skill OR representing the Denmark OR a holiday craft OR design a piece of furniture.

12. Amalienborg Palace is the residence of the Royal family. When the family is in the residence the changing of the guard takes place. Denmark's oldest piece of architecture is the medieval round shaped roof churches. There are also more than 70 museums and art galleries to explore. Research other landmarks in Denmark. Find out where they are located and what they represent OR how it was created. Examples are: The Radhus, City Hall: National Museum, Hans Christian Anderson birthplace, Tivoli, Jelling Stones, and Koldinghus Castle.

13. Ole Kirk Christiansen came up with an idea during the depression era to create wooden bricks with holes that interlocked. Now the plastic leg godt, Legos®, can be created into many different items. Create something from Legos®, play a Lego® game, view Lego® creations at stores, internet or events, learn more about the timeline of Legos®, visit Legoland®, OR create your own design on paper, with blocks, or the computer. http://www.legoland.com/ http://www.lego.com/en-US/default.aspx

14. The stork is believed to bring good luck to the household. Hedgehogs, red squirrels, foxes, red deer, swans, and magpies are only a few of the animals that are seen in Denmark. There are 400 species of birds, 68 species of butterflies, and 49 species of wild mammals. Research three [3] different animals that reside in Denmark such as their coloring and habitat.

15. The "Little Mermaid" statuein Copenhagen, Denmark was created after the story written by Hans Christian Andersen. Stories and folktales are an important part of Denmark culture. The stories often have a moral and are passed down for many years. Research a folktale or story such as "The Emperor's New Clothes"; write your own story or act out a play; draw a character from a tale or create an art project: OR read a book OR watch a movie or play about of one of the stories. http://www.folkloreandmyth.netfirms.com/denmark.html