Sunday, October 29, 2006
Home Educators Workshop
Tips and Tricks:Using Manipulatives in the Curriculum
Monday 11/13/06 9:30-12:30pm
$17 (includes some material fees)
This hands-on workshop focuses on creating various types of manipulatives, and offers techniques for implementing them into the multi-age curriculum. Graphic organizers, origami, and found objects are just some of the materials parents will learn to customize to fit their own personal style of home instruction. Not only will 'newbies' greatly benefit from this 3-hour workshop, but veterans as well.
All participants will receive take-home resource packets. Sorry, no children permitted.
For more information contact Mu:
homeschoolvibes@yahoo.com
(862) 452-8698
Friday, October 27, 2006
Childrens' Cooking Group
One of the most important life skills we can offer our children is the ability to prepare wholesome, nutritious meals. In the age of fast food, artificial ingredients, and microwavable everything (as well as the innumerable disorders caused by them- diabetes, obesity, ADHD), it is imperative that we start to instill healthy habits now. This is exactly what we aim to do at Planted Seeds Alternative Academy childrens' cooking group.
Following are some of the many benefits participants will gain from our hands-on sessions:
*culinary skills
*kitchen safety and cleanliness
*food presentation
*table setting and basic napkin folding techniques
*meal balancing
*how to read food lables
*certificate of completion
Children will have fun and develop self-confidence while learning delicious recipes, simple enough to repeat at home. Classes are kept small (no larger than 6 students) so each participant may get as much as possible from her/his time in the kitchen. For the sake of variety, there are several 'specialties' to choose from:
*Basic-
offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner (also offered as vegan/vegetarian)
Ethnic-
offers culturally inspired dishes: African/African American, Asian, Latin, Mediterranian, Italian, etc.
Family Night-
offers instruction on preparing a 'Sunday night' dinner for the family
Baking-
offers simple breads, cakes, and pies
Classes are set in the professional kitchen of a local East Orange restaurant, and are approximately 1 1/2-2 hours long, 1 time per week; they will be offered as either a 3-week or 5-week session (with the exception of Family Night which will be offered 1 time per month). *The Basic menu will always be 3-weeks only.
UPCOMING CLASSES:
Basic-
Breakfast: Western omelet, homefries, and salmon cake with drink
Lunch: Pizza Mexicana and green salad with drink; deep fried tortillas with salsa
Dinner: Shrimp kebobs over spiced couscous and cucumber salad with drink
Mondays
November 20 and 27, and December 4
Pt. A: 10:00-11:30, ages 8-12
Pt. B: 1:00-2:30, ages 13-18
__________________
FEES:
Registration- There is a $20 non-refundable registration fee due before enrollment is assured, as well as 50% of tuition. The remaining tuition must be paid no later than 1 week prior to the session start date.
This fee will be waived for those who wish to enroll-and pay in full- for two sessions directly following their first preference (ie, instead of $60 for 3 sessions, $40 for the following 2 will be discounted). Family Night is not included.
3-Week Session- $75
5-Week Session-$125
Family Night- $60 (class held 3rd Sunday of every month, 12:00-4:00)
For more information or to register contact Mu:
homeschoolvibes@yahoo.com
(862) 452-8698
Remember space is limited, so act fast!
Following are some of the many benefits participants will gain from our hands-on sessions:
*culinary skills
*kitchen safety and cleanliness
*food presentation
*table setting and basic napkin folding techniques
*meal balancing
*how to read food lables
*certificate of completion
Children will have fun and develop self-confidence while learning delicious recipes, simple enough to repeat at home. Classes are kept small (no larger than 6 students) so each participant may get as much as possible from her/his time in the kitchen. For the sake of variety, there are several 'specialties' to choose from:
*Basic-
offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner (also offered as vegan/vegetarian)
Ethnic-
offers culturally inspired dishes: African/African American, Asian, Latin, Mediterranian, Italian, etc.
Family Night-
offers instruction on preparing a 'Sunday night' dinner for the family
Baking-
offers simple breads, cakes, and pies
Classes are set in the professional kitchen of a local East Orange restaurant, and are approximately 1 1/2-2 hours long, 1 time per week; they will be offered as either a 3-week or 5-week session (with the exception of Family Night which will be offered 1 time per month). *The Basic menu will always be 3-weeks only.
UPCOMING CLASSES:
Basic-
Breakfast: Western omelet, homefries, and salmon cake with drink
Lunch: Pizza Mexicana and green salad with drink; deep fried tortillas with salsa
Dinner: Shrimp kebobs over spiced couscous and cucumber salad with drink
Mondays
November 20 and 27, and December 4
Pt. A: 10:00-11:30, ages 8-12
Pt. B: 1:00-2:30, ages 13-18
__________________
FEES:
Registration- There is a $20 non-refundable registration fee due before enrollment is assured, as well as 50% of tuition. The remaining tuition must be paid no later than 1 week prior to the session start date.
This fee will be waived for those who wish to enroll-and pay in full- for two sessions directly following their first preference (ie, instead of $60 for 3 sessions, $40 for the following 2 will be discounted). Family Night is not included.
3-Week Session- $75
5-Week Session-$125
Family Night- $60 (class held 3rd Sunday of every month, 12:00-4:00)
For more information or to register contact Mu:
homeschoolvibes@yahoo.com
(862) 452-8698
Remember space is limited, so act fast!
Monday, October 09, 2006
what a weekend/beginning
Oh boy, have we been busy!
As has been the tradition virtually every year this past decade, we took part in not only the East Orange Library book sale (yeah, got some gems there), but also the Cherokee Nation of New Jersey's powwow. It was beautiful, as usual. The children were so excited, like they had never been before.
M. and B. had fun inside the teepees.
The traditional dancers were awsome,
and M. and B. even mustered up the nerve to join in the circle when the audience was invited. R. didn't, but was doin' his thing outside the circle though. (You betta work!)
We met a woman there who is a 19th century re-enactor (?), and had some of her wares displayed.
One of the cool things was that I recognized a few of the things from my great-grandmothers kitchen when I was growing up. Also, on another table she had a basket with actual cotton plants inside, and gave me a two or three- with some of the stems still attached. I can't wait to incorporate them into my upcoming history workshops! I don't believe most children understand what it was like for African-Americans to pick cotton before and after emencipation; I myself was an adult before I actually felt real cotton. I think this will help put somethings in better perspective.
Well, anyway that was Saturday, and we had a great time. Now for today...
It used to be that we went hiking on a regular, until I took an outside teaching job, started a new family business, got pregnant, etc., etc. Sooo, three years later, and I finally catch a scheduled guided hike that coincides with a day off, and my not being to tired to actually go. Well, of course we missed the guide -5 people trying to get out in an hour, & R. needing to stop for film was bound to not be on time- but we ventured out on our own anyway.
We hiked the Rahway Trail at South Mountain Reservation. I thought I remembered it being rough, and I was right. Well, most of it was alright, but there are definately challenges- especially if you have a baby on your back! In one area a big tree has fallen since we were last there, and we had to climb over it.
Besides all of that though, it was a beautiful day. The weather was wonderful, the sights were awsome, and I got to spend quality time with my babies. Isn't life grand?
Check out these sites for more info. on South Mountain Reservation:
South Mountain Conservancy- can get guided hike schedule & trail map here
Wikipedia
NYC parks info.
NYNJCT Botany
bike trails- helpful info. for hikers
As has been the tradition virtually every year this past decade, we took part in not only the East Orange Library book sale (yeah, got some gems there), but also the Cherokee Nation of New Jersey's powwow. It was beautiful, as usual. The children were so excited, like they had never been before.
M. and B. had fun inside the teepees.
The traditional dancers were awsome,
and M. and B. even mustered up the nerve to join in the circle when the audience was invited. R. didn't, but was doin' his thing outside the circle though. (You betta work!)
We met a woman there who is a 19th century re-enactor (?), and had some of her wares displayed.
One of the cool things was that I recognized a few of the things from my great-grandmothers kitchen when I was growing up. Also, on another table she had a basket with actual cotton plants inside, and gave me a two or three- with some of the stems still attached. I can't wait to incorporate them into my upcoming history workshops! I don't believe most children understand what it was like for African-Americans to pick cotton before and after emencipation; I myself was an adult before I actually felt real cotton. I think this will help put somethings in better perspective.
Well, anyway that was Saturday, and we had a great time. Now for today...
It used to be that we went hiking on a regular, until I took an outside teaching job, started a new family business, got pregnant, etc., etc. Sooo, three years later, and I finally catch a scheduled guided hike that coincides with a day off, and my not being to tired to actually go. Well, of course we missed the guide -5 people trying to get out in an hour, & R. needing to stop for film was bound to not be on time- but we ventured out on our own anyway.
We hiked the Rahway Trail at South Mountain Reservation. I thought I remembered it being rough, and I was right. Well, most of it was alright, but there are definately challenges- especially if you have a baby on your back! In one area a big tree has fallen since we were last there, and we had to climb over it.
Besides all of that though, it was a beautiful day. The weather was wonderful, the sights were awsome, and I got to spend quality time with my babies. Isn't life grand?
Check out these sites for more info. on South Mountain Reservation:
South Mountain Conservancy- can get guided hike schedule & trail map here
Wikipedia
NYC parks info.
NYNJCT Botany
bike trails- helpful info. for hikers
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Craft/Bake Fair in Montclair
There will be a homeschool craft/bake fair at Brookdale Park's play area in Montclair, NJ on Friday October 20, 2006.
This will be a great opportunity for children to learn basic entrepreurial skills through selling their self-made (w/wo limited adult assistance) wares of baked goods, jewelry, candles, etc.
Admission and set-up is free. Bring your own table or blanket, price list, and don't forget change!
So get those imaginations into high gear! Hoping to see you all!
This will be a great opportunity for children to learn basic entrepreurial skills through selling their self-made (w/wo limited adult assistance) wares of baked goods, jewelry, candles, etc.
Admission and set-up is free. Bring your own table or blanket, price list, and don't forget change!
So get those imaginations into high gear! Hoping to see you all!
Sunday, October 01, 2006
The Patchwork Quilt
Valerie Flournoy- author
Jerry Pinkney- illustrator
M. and I recently read The Patchwork Quilt together. It is about an African-American family who comes to understand the message the grandmother strives to teach to them: that the tradition of makin
g a handmade family quilt is important because it tells the story of a particular family, and travels on to future generations.
Initially, only the young granddaughter was interested in learning the ways of 'old'- how to cut, piece, bind, and quilt, all by hand. A family misfortune soon takes place though, and by the end of the book the entire family learns to love and appreciate the quilt that grandmother began.
Lessons:
Following are some of the lessons that can accompany The Patchwork Quilt:
1) Ask questions and discuss events specific to the book.
2) Ask questions that are specific to your child or family so that a deeper comprehension may be obtained.
Ex. *If you were to make a patchwork quilt and needed special pieces from used clothes, what clothes
of your own would you use? Explain why.
*Do you think that important family stories have been lost because the art of making family quilts has
been lost? What are some family stories that you would like your children to know about?
3) Search the web or borrow a book from the library, and assist your child in constructing a simple 9 piece
block quilt. The fabric may be new, but using old clothing will have more personality, and fit with the
theme of the story.
4) Read up on quilts made by African-Americans during the anti-bellum period. What do the different
symbols mean? Were their quilts special for more reasons than just family history?
Subjects:
Reading, Math, US History, Critical Thinking, Art
Jerry Pinkney- illustrator
M. and I recently read The Patchwork Quilt together. It is about an African-American family who comes to understand the message the grandmother strives to teach to them: that the tradition of makin
g a handmade family quilt is important because it tells the story of a particular family, and travels on to future generations. Initially, only the young granddaughter was interested in learning the ways of 'old'- how to cut, piece, bind, and quilt, all by hand. A family misfortune soon takes place though, and by the end of the book the entire family learns to love and appreciate the quilt that grandmother began.
Lessons:
Following are some of the lessons that can accompany The Patchwork Quilt:
1) Ask questions and discuss events specific to the book.
2) Ask questions that are specific to your child or family so that a deeper comprehension may be obtained.
Ex. *If you were to make a patchwork quilt and needed special pieces from used clothes, what clothes
of your own would you use? Explain why.
*Do you think that important family stories have been lost because the art of making family quilts has
been lost? What are some family stories that you would like your children to know about?
3) Search the web or borrow a book from the library, and assist your child in constructing a simple 9 piece
block quilt. The fabric may be new, but using old clothing will have more personality, and fit with the
theme of the story.
4) Read up on quilts made by African-Americans during the anti-bellum period. What do the different
symbols mean? Were their quilts special for more reasons than just family history?
Subjects:
Reading, Math, US History, Critical Thinking, Art
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)