January 27, 2012
Basically everything we cook in the kitchen is an experiment –or potential lesson– in science. Even kitchen “failures”, such as burned or moldy foods, can provide interesting “teachable moments”, if you are in that mindset. Food preparation is also an invaluable practical life skill for nurturing the bodies and souls of ourselves and those around us. The more children understand both the science and art of cooking, and the more comfortable and familiar they become with kitchen and garden activities, the better able they will be to master and enjoy this important part of daily life.
For some children, formal experiments may be more interesting that “regular” cooking. For some fun study ideas about eggs, refer to Kathy O’Reilly’s “Exploring Eggs—Food Related Activities” here: http://www.amonco.org/spring8/montessori_spring8.pdf
Eggs are a very interesting and versatile food and science object. Find more experiments using eggs below. http://www.hometrainingtools.com/kitchen-science-newsletter/a/1295/ http://www.sandiegozoo.org/education/science_eggs_float.html, http://www.homebaking.org/KitchenScience.pdf and http://www.twohelmets.com/2009/08/eggs-and-copper-bowls-kitchen-science.html
You can also have lots of fun and scientific learning with ice cubes. The fine folks at Fun Felt share quite a few ideas here: http://www.amonco.org/spring2/montessori_spring2.pdf
Some students will find recipes more inspiring than experiments, often because of the incentive of eating the results. (I think most of us can understand that!) If the children in your care are so inclined, try some of these fun recipes. “Fresh Off the Cob Casserole” or “Hot Fudge Topping” from Larry at the Farm Country General Store. http://www.amonco.org/spring7/montessori_spring7.pdf “Home-made Ice Cream in a Bag” from Ron at Intellitunes http://www.amonco.org/spring2/montessori_spring2.pdf and Nan Barchowsky’s “Yummy Peanut Butter Fudge” http://www.amonco.org/spring3/montessori_spring_3.pdf
Between activities, help children keep track of their cooking projects and practice their penmanship at the same time with Nan from Barchowsky’s Fluent Handwriting’s project idea, “Make Your Own Illustrated Favorite Foods and Recipes Notebook”. http://www.amonco.org/spring3/montessori_spring_3.pdf
Gardening can be a useful and enjoyable extension of both cooking and other kitchen sciences. Garden Artisans’ Catherine Hartridge offers many good ideas to help you get started gardening with children. http://www.amonco.org/spring4/montessori_spring4.pdf
Dale Gausman from North American Montessori Center also provides some additional neat insights on gardening with children in his article, “Spring Is Here – Planting a Flower Garden”. http://www.amonco.org/spring5/montessori_spring.5.pdf
If you don’t have a lot of outdoor space, you can still try some indoor gardening. Look at Dale’s cute “Grass-Eggshell People” project. http://www.amonco.org/spring4/montessori_spring4.pdf
Perhaps the easiest indoor gardening of all is growing edible sprouts. There is no soil or fertilizer to handle, and you need only very basic, inexpensive (or sometimes free) equipment. Sara L. Ambarian gives you the details you need to get started in her article, “Home-grown ‘Fast Food’ for Busy Families”. http://www.amonco.org/spring1/montessori_spring1.pdf
Find more useful tips and ideas for gardening with children at these sites.
http://montessori21stcentury.wordpress.com/2011/03/21/spring-is-here-time-to-start-your-school-or-home-gardening
http://www.kidsgardening.org/
http://www.whitehutchinson.com/news/learnenews/2009_june/article103.shtml
http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/gardening_with_children/
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Posted by montessori21stcentury
January 12, 2012
Spring brings many special holidays and historical events to enrich our homes and classrooms. Enjoy these resources to help your students understand and explore these interesting observances.
For a round-up of various links for January and February lesson plans and ideas, visit: http://www.amonco.org/jan_feb_celebrations.html
Black History Month – February
Black History Month, observed in February since 1926, provides many interesting opportunities to explore history, culture and food. The Creative Process can get you started with their “Celebrate Black History Month” page, linked here: http://www.amonco.org/spring8/montessori_spring8.pdf
You will find more information, resources and recipes in the links below.
http://www.lessonplanspage.com/blackhistorymonth-htm , http://seasonal.theteacherscorner.net/black-history-month , http://www.thinkfinity.org/?q=black-history-month , and http://www.soul-food-advisor.com/black_history_month.html
Abraham Lincoln’s birthday, February 12, 1809
There is no question that Abraham Lincoln is one of the most famous and most admired presidents of the United States. Many states no longer observe his birthday as a separate holiday; but his life, accomplishments and assassination are at the heart of one of the most complex and pivotal eras of American history. President Lincoln’s life and career make an excellent basis for unit studies. Explore these interesting websites for more information.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/abrahamlincoln , http://www.nps.gov/abli/index.htm , http://www.civilwarhome.com/lincolnbio.htm , and http://www.primaryteachers.org/abraham_lincoln_unit.htm
George Washington’s birthday, February 22, 1732 (Presidents’ Day observed February 20, 2012)
Sara L. Ambarian helps us get to know the man who is called “the Father of our Country”, with information about George Washington in her article, “Celebrating the Personal Life of George Washington”. You’ll find additional educational links about our first president at the end of the article. http://www.amonco.org/spring8/montessori_spring8.pdf
For more presidential lesson ideas, read “It’s Time to Think Outside the Box and Kindle, Too!” from Literatureplace.com, with its suggestions for studying Thomas Jefferson. http://www.amonco.org/spring3/montessori_spring_3.pdf You can also enhance your studies of government and politics with a batch of the famous, traditional and tasty Senate Bean Soup, from Dale and Rita at North American Montessori Center. http://www.amonco.org/spring4/montessori_spring4.pdf
St. Patrick’s Day, March 17
Visit these links for lesson and craft ideas for the “greenest” spring holiday! http://montessori21stcentury.wordpress.com/2008/02/13/st-patricks-day-crafts-origami-and-more http://www.fastq.com/~jbpratt/education/sstudies/geog/stpatricks.html and http://www.edhelper.com/st_patricks_day.htm
Easter, April 8
Georgette Baker from Cantemos offers some fun projects for Easter and other spring holidays. Check out her festive hat and easy tie-dye instructions. http://www.amonco.org/spring1/montessori_spring1.pdf
For long-lasting Easter fun outdoors, Jan from Garden Artisans shares a cute Hippity Hoppity Bunny Topiary project here: http://www.amonco.org/spring2/montessori_spring2.pdf
Bake up an interesting Italian tradition with Mary Ann Esposito’s Neopolitan Stuffed Easter Bread. If desirable, you could make it easier, more economical and/or more kid-friendly by replacing the fancy imported meat and cheese with meat or cheese of your choice. It might also be more kid-friendly if you dice the meat and cheese a little smaller than Ms. Esposito does in the tutorial. The recipe is full of interesting Easter symbolism, and what child wouldn’t be fascinated (as Ms. Esposito was herself) by the whole raw eggs baked into the bread! http://www.ciaoitalia.com/seasons/20/2020/neapolitan-stuffed-easter-bread
Find more Easter inspiration at the following sites.
http://www.preschooleducation.com/aeaster.shtml , http://www.bobsedulinks.com/easter.htm and http://www.holidays.net/easter/index.htm
Cinco de Mayo, May 5
Cinco de Mayo is not, as sometimes assumed, Mexican Independence Day (a separate holiday which is celebrated on September 16). It marks the Battle of Puebla in which Mexican troops defeated French troops. Find out more at: http://www.mexonline.com/cinco-de-mayo.htm
For introduction or reinforcement of Spanish language lessons, check out the offerings from Cantemos http://www.amonco.org/spring1/montessori_spring1.pdf and Professor Toto http://www.amonco.org/spring6/montessori_spring6.pdf
For Spanish-speaking students or those learning Spanish, check out our Unit Study Lesson Plan About Mexico in Spanish. http://montessori21stcentury.wordpress.com/2008/02/14/a-unit-study-lesson-plan-about-mexico-in-spanish
For more lesson ideas and some recipe ideas for Mexican food to make, check these interesting sites. http://seasonal.theteacherscorner.net/cinco-de-mayo/ , http://recipesource.com/ethnic/americas/mexican /, and http://www.mexicanrecipes.org /
Mother’s Day , May 13
Parents and educators are always looking for ideas and resources for the popular holiday, Mother’s Day. Dale Gausman from NAMC lists some books and ideas in his article, “Mother’s Day in the Montessori Classroom”. He also provides some lesson plan ideas for older students. http://www.amonco.org/spring6/montessori_spring6.pdf
These websites provide some additional ideas for crafts and decorations. http://www.mothersdaycentral.com/mothers-day-crafts/ and http://www.divinedinnerparty.com/mothers-day-ideas.html
Memorial Day, May 28
Memorial Day is a solemn, but potentially important holiday with which to acquaint children at age appropriate levels. NAMC’s Dale Gausman discusses the history of and Montessori perspective for teaching about Memorial Day in his “Montessori Curriculum Ideas for Memorial Day”. http://www.amonco.org/spring7/montessori_spring7.pdf
Find more information on the history of this day of remembrance, at: http://www.history.com/topics/memorial-day-history and http://virtual-markets.net/vme/memorial/dvm_mem.html
**********
For more seasonal and holiday observances for educators, visit: http://www.netposterworks.com/holidays/index.html and http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays
For more about holidays, in a convenient monthly chronology, see Rae from The Creative Process’s “Monthly Observances and Notable Dates”. http://www.amonco.org/spring2/montessori_spring2.pdf
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Posted by montessori21stcentury
December 31, 2011
Leave a Comment » | Algebra, animal safari for chidlren, animal unit study for preschooler, Animals in the Winter, apple recipes, art education, art education lesson planing, Astronomy Lesson Planning, Autumn Cooking Ideas, Autumn Leaves Lesson Plans, Autumn Lesson Plans, Back to School Lessons, beginning photography for children, beginning reading, Bird Feeder Lessons for Children, Bird watching with children, Black History Month Lesson Plans, Booklists for Children, box kites, Christmas, Christmas crafts, Christmas crafts for children, christmas ornaments, Classical Magic Music, Classical Music for Children, Classical Music Lesson Planning for Children, Colonial America Lesson Planning, Cooking, cooking with children, crafts, Crafts with Children, Democratic unit study, desserts, Easter, Easter Crafts, Easter Lesson Planning, European Unit Study, Fall Lesson Plans, family, Famous Americans, Famous Italians, Father's Day, Father's Day Activities for Kids, Films, Fine Arts Lesson Planning, free patterns, French lesson planning, French lessons, French Montessori Lessons, Garden, Gardening, George Washington Lesson Plans, Gift Ideas, growing herbs, Hands On Equations, Handwriting Lessons, Health Education Unit Study, Heart Anatomy and Physiology, Heart Lesson Planning, Heart Unit Study, History of Italy, Holiday Cooking Lesson Planning, holiday crafts, Holiday Lesson Planning, Holiday Music Programs for Kids, Homeschooling, Italian Art Lesson Plans, Italian Foreign Language Lesson Planning, Italian language for children, Italian Meal Preparation, Italian Music Unit Study, Italian Recipes, Italian Renaissance Costume Construction, Italian Unit Study, Italy History Lessons, kids, learn how to read, lesson planning, Lessons with Recipes, Literature for Children, Literature Lessons, Make Your Own French Lessons, Math Lesson Planning, medical terminology, Medical Terminology Pronunciation, Mexican Culture, Mexico, Middle School Lesson Planning, Middle School Word Puzzles, Montessori, Montessori art lesson planning, Montessori Bilingual Presentations, Montessori Foreign Language Lesson Plans, Montessori Gardens, Montessori History Presentations, Montessori Homeschooling, Montessori International Festivals, Montessori lesson planning, Montessori Math, Montessori Music Education, Montessori Music Planning, Montessori phonics, Montessori Practical Life Exercises, Montessori reading, Montessori Resources, Montessori Supplies, Montessori theory, Montessori Unit Study, Montessori Winter Lesson Planning, Mother's Day, Motherhood, Movie Reviews, Movies, Multicultural Cooking Lessons, Music Curriculum for Children, Music Education, Music Education Discussion, Music Improvisation for Kids, Music Lesson Planning, Music Theory for PreK - High School, Nature, Needleponit Kids Crafts, Nervous System Unit Study, Neurology Terminology, New Year's Eve Recipe, New Year's Eve Recipes, Notable Dates for Educators, Nursing Home Crafts, orange recipes, papar bag kite, paper bag kites, parenting, Passover, Patriotic Literature, Patriotic Music, Practical Life Exercises, preschool reading, presidential election unit study, recipe planning, Recipes, Recipes and Handwriring, Republican unit study, salads, SAT college preparation, Sewing, Sing 'N Learn Music, Southern California Events, Spanish, Spanish Language, Spanish lessons, Spelling Lessons, spring lesson planning, Spring Music Lesson Planning for Kids, St. Patrick's Day, St. Patrick's Day Lesson Planning, Study of Birds for Children, Study of Italian Music, Study of Italian Opera, Summer, summer lesson planning, Summer Literature Lesson Planning for Kids, summer music, Summer Reading LIst for Children, Thanksgiving planning, Thanksgiving recipes, Thanksgiving traditions, Valentine Art Projects, Valentine Crafts, Valentine gifts for hospitals, Valentine gifts for nursing homes, Valentine Greeting Cards, Valentine Math, Valentine Origami, Valentine Origami Videos, Vocabulary Lessons, Weaving Projects for Children, wildlife unit study, Winter Art Lessons, winter lesson planning, Winter Music Lesson Planning, Winter Music Lesson Planning, Winter Music Lessons, Winter Science Lessons, Word Puzzles, Writing Lessons, Year Round Gardening, zoology lesson planning | Tagged: Montessori, lesson planning, Recipes, multicultural, unit study, Montessori lessons, foreign language, French, Spanish, cooking with children, Holiday Recipes, Homeschooling, Montessori theory, Montessori homeschooling, Holiday Origami, Crafts for Kids, science lesson planning, education, children, Montessori Lesson Plans, homeschool, parenting, family, Gardening, Cooking, homeschool environment, art lesson planning, crafts, Father's Day, Multicultural lesson planning, music lesson planning, springtime, Montessori homeschool environment, Montessori classroom, Parents, Families | Permalink
Posted by montessori21stcentury
December 12, 2011
Use the lesson below to show upper elementary and middle school students how creative word phrasing and holiday selling are linked together. Build vocabulary and increase verbal skills and logical thinking with these unique puzzles.
‘Tis the Season to be Selling
By Alan Stillson, Copyright © 2011
One method of boosting sales during the holiday season is with letter play. You change one letter in a well-known holiday season phrase and it plugs your business.
Here’s an example:
You own a wedding chapel. You change “We wish you a merry Christmas” to “We wish you a marry Christmas.”
Try to find a letter change in the bold word to plug each of these businesses:
BUSINESS HOLIDAY SEASON PHRASE
Boxing arena ‘Twas the night before Christmas
Florist Had a very shiny nose
Health food store Joy to the world
Sporting goods It came upon a midnight clear
Tanning salon The twelve days of Christmas
Optometrist The eight days of Hanukkah
Plumber The values of Kwanzaa
Transmission shop A partridge in a pear tree
Stumped? Send Alan Stillson an e-mail at astillson@sbcglobal.net to ask for the answers.
Alan Stillson is the author/co-author of printed puzzle books, an e-book of brainteasers and a musical that will be showing in June and July. Please click onto http://stillsonworks.com/mswp/mswp.html for details. Please feel free to share this message.
Happy puzzling and Seasons Greetings,
Alan Stillson
astillson@sbcglobal.net
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Posted by montessori21stcentury
December 3, 2011
In our quest to provide children with an environment that is both “living” and beautiful, as prescribed by Maria Montessori, international and multicultural studies are a natural. The world is full of beautiful scenery, varied flora and fauna, fascinating costumes, delicious foods, and interesting traditions which can broaden and enrich our children. If you need some ideas for bringing international and multicultural concepts into your lessons, check out these resources.
Get your students in the mood for world exploration with this soothing old standard, which was a 1948 hit for Margaret Whiting, and a song well-loved by many famous singers through the years. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmLqE1786hA
Get festive in “Down Under” style with our Christmas in Australia Unit Study, including traditions, southern hemisphere Christmas flora, recipes, maps, and more. http://www.amonco.org/winter2/montessori_winter2.pdf
Find lesson planning ideas for the study of ancient Egypt, and the “Go Fish” for Ancient Egypt card game from Birdcage Press both at http://www.amonco.org/winter3/montessori_winter3.pdf
Georgette from Cantemos offers a Pineapple Unit Study, including a dried pineapple recipe, geography, and music. http://www.amonco.org/winter4/montessori_winter4.pdf For more about pineapples: http://www.fruit-crops.com/pinapple.html
Marjorie from Classical Magic offers Study Activities for Vivaldi’s Winter from The Four Seasons.http://www.amonco.org/winter7/montessori_winter7.pdf For more Italian unit study information visit http://www.amonco.org/montessori_italy.html Share lovely images of Italy in the winter to help students envision Vivaldi’s world at: http://www.xtrallusion.com/Photo/Galleries/x/Regions/To-Winter/RT54.html and http://www.photographersdirect.com/stockimages/i/italy_winter_sports.asp For general photos of Italian cities, navigate at upper left. http://www.images-italy.com/index.htm
If you have a country or culture in mind, but cannot find unit study materials, check out Make Your Own Multicultural Lesson Plans, Parts I and II. http://www.amonco.org/1summer_sup2001.html and http://www.amonco.org/2summer_sup2001.html
Find more inspiration and information at the University of Missouri’s round-up of websites with information about childhood in different countries around the world. http://ethemes.missouri.edu/themes/1809
FactMonster.com provides fast-fact overviews of childhood in selected countries. http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0930058.html
Enhance your lessons with these nice coloring pages with international costumes. http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/children-around-the-world-coloring-pages.htm
Use masks and mask-making in your lessons with ideas from Rae of The Creative Process. http://www.amonco.org/winter1/montessori_winter1.pdf
Leave a Comment » | art education, art education lesson planing, Classical Magic Music, Classical Music for Children, Classical Music Lesson Planning for Children, crafts, Crafts with Children, Homeschooling, Italian Renaissance Costume Construction, Italy History Lessons, Mexican Culture, Mexico, Montessori, Montessori art lesson planning, Montessori Bilingual Presentations, Montessori Foreign Language Lesson Plans, Montessori History Presentations, Montessori Homeschooling, Montessori International Festivals, Montessori lesson planning, Montessori Music Education, Montessori Music Planning, Multicultural Cooking Lessons, Music Curriculum for Children, Music Education, Music Education Discussion, Music Lesson Planning, Spanish, Spanish Language, Spanish lessons | Tagged: art lesson planning, children, cooking with children, crafts, Crafts for Kids, education, Families, family, homeschool, homeschool environment, Montessori, Montessori classroom, Montessori homeschooling, Montessori lesson planning, Montessori Lesson Plans, Montessori lessons, Montessori schooling, Montessori theory, multicultural, Multicultural lesson planning, music lesson planning, parenting, Parents, Recipes, Spanish | Permalink
Posted by montessori21stcentury
November 18, 2011
1/2 cups Marchino Cherries cut in quarters
1 can of sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon(s) pure vanilla extract
1 BAG OF flaked coconut about 2 1/2 cups
Pre heat the oven to 300°F. Line two baking sheets with aluminum foil. In a large bowl, mix vanila, coconut and can of condensed milk. Mixture should be firm. Shape cookie into ball shapes. Place a piece of cherry on cookie. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the surfaces are golden brown.
Cool completely before removing the cookies from the foil. Store loosely covered at room temperature.
Copyrighted 2011
Georgette Baker
Cantemos
Spanish Songs for Kids
Spanish songs for Kids was created to document traditional songs and finger plays from Mexico and other Spanish speaking countries. My name is Georgette and after living in South America for 23 years, most of the kid’s songs I could remember were in Spanish but I was sketchy on the lyrics and the music. Here I have compiled stories, preschool songs, traditional songs and games on Cd’s, all are English Spanish and many come with accompanying books! Share with your children your fun, favorite songs of yesteryear. Let’s sing! Cantemos!
Leave a Comment » | Cooking, cooking with children, desserts, Fall Lesson Plans, family, Holiday Cooking Lesson Planning, Holiday Lesson Planning, Homeschooling, kids, Montessori, Montessori Homeschooling, Montessori lesson planning, Montessori Resources, Montessori Winter Lesson Planning, Multicultural Cooking Lessons, parenting, recipe planning, Recipes | Tagged: children, Cooking, cooking with children, Families, family, Holiday Recipes, Montessori, Montessori homeschool environment, Montessori lesson planning, parenting, Parents, Recipes | Permalink
Posted by montessori21stcentury
November 18, 2011
Georgette Baker is a professional performer of 20 years, a certified teacher who is also fluent in five languages, Spanish included. She lived in the South America 20 years and grew up singing the songs she has compiled in this book / tape. She plays the guitar, piano, accordion and a Venezuelan instrument called the ”cuatro” ! See http://www.cantemosco.com
She recently recently shared the following with AMC:
I will be performing at the following venues in the month of December. The events are all free and Plan today to bring your children to December Holidays From Around the World See locations below:
Chino Youth Museum Dec 2 from 3:30 -4:15
13191 Sixth St.
Chino, Ca 91710
Whittier Public Library December 12, 7pm-7:45
7334 S. Washington Ave.
Whittier, CA 90602
Graham Library Dec. 13, 3:30-4:15
1900 E. FIRESTONE BLVD
LOS ANGELES, CA 90001
Los Angeles Public Library Dec. 17, 2pm
630 W. 5TH ST
LOS ANGELES, CA 90071
Georgette
Spanish songs and children’s music was created to document traditional songs and finger plays from Mexico and other Spanish speaking countries. My name is Georgette and after living in South America for 23 years, most of the kid’s songs I could remember were in Spanish but I was sketchy on the lyrics and the music. Here I have compiled stories, preschool songs, traditional songs and games on Cd’s, all are English Spanish and many come with accompanying books! Share with your children your fun, favorite songs of yesteryear. Let’s sing! Cantemos!
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Posted by montessori21stcentury
November 16, 2011
Stewed Fruit Muffins
Sara L. Ambarian
These rich, aromatic muffins are delicious with an autumn or winter breakfast, or as a slightly-sweet accompaniment to a holiday dinner or buffet. Makes 12 regular or 18 small muffins. /
Stewed Fruit–
1 cup mixed dried fruit (or any combination of dried apples, apricots, peaches, pears, prunes, raisins, brown or yellow raisins, cranberries, and/or sour cherries)
–pack the whole fruit in the cup to measure, then chop into 1/4-inch pieces
3/4- 1 cup water (depending on how soft you want your fruit, use more water for softer fruit)
1/4 teaspoon ground mace
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1 tablespoon packed brown sugar, optional
Combine ingredients in a small saucepan, and cook at a simmer over medium-high heat. Stir frequently initially, then constantly as the liquid absorbs, until the fruit is rehydrated to your desired consistency (approximately 10-20 minutes.) Set aside to cool at least 15 minutes, before adding to muffin batter, or store in refrigerator up to several days. (This recipe also makes a nice topper for oatmeal or ice cream, and can be doubled to make a simple side dish/condiment for pork or poultry. For a topping, you may prefer to add the optional brown sugar. Serve warm or cold, as desired.)
Muffins–
1 1/2 cups all purpose or bread flour
1/2 cup whole wheat or buckwheat flour
1/4 cup flaxmeal, optional
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoons salt
1 egg
3/4 cup milk
1/3 cup cooking oil
cinnamon-sugar, “Sugar in the Raw”, or decorative coarse sugar sprinkles, if desired
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease muffin tins or line with paper muffin cups.
Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl, and mix well. Combine egg, milk and oil in a small bowl or 2-cup liquid measuring cup, and beat egg lightly. Make a well in the dry ingredients, then pour in egg mixture all at once. Stir together until just moistened and fully mixed. Do not over beat. Batter should be lumpy. Gently fold in cooled stewed fruit.
Spoon batter into muffin tins, filling only to 2/3 of capacity. Sprinkle tops with cinnamon-sugar or decorative sugar, if a glazed top and sweeter muffin is desired. Bake 20-25 minutes for standard-sized muffins, 15-17 for small muffins. Serve warm or room-temperature, as desired. Makes 12 standard or 18 small muffins. Warm muffins are delicious with butter, or with butter and apple butter if you like a sweeter muffin.
Variation: You can make a similar muffin using 1 to 1 1/2 cups packaged mincemeat in place of the stewed fruit; however, the resulting flavor is a little more “grown-up”.
Enjoy!
About Sara L. Ambarian
Copyright 2011
All Rights Reserved.
Website: http://condortales.com/bridestouch.html
Sara L. Ambarian is the author and illustrator of /A Bride’s Touch: A Handbook of Wedding Personality and Inspiration/. Sara is also a designer, wife, and mother with professional and personal experience in a wide range of subjects, including: arts and crafts, fashion, weddings, homeschooling, cooking, nature, and travel.
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Posted by montessori21stcentury
November 15, 2011
We thought it would be nice to share some favorite recipes for those looking to expand their horizons and try something different this holiday season.
Cooking and baking for the holidays make for such wonderful practical life exercises.
Below, is a recipe submitted by Nan Barchowsky, from Barchowsky Fluent Handwriting.
Learn about this innovative, logical program at BFHhandwriting.com, by visiting http://www.BFHhandwriting.com
Date-Cream Cheese Rollups
1 cup sugar
1/2 pound cream cheese
2 cups sifted flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
grated lemon peel
confectioners’ sugar
pitted dates
Cream butter and cheese together. Blend in flour and salt, and peel.
Wrap in plastic film and chill several hours or until it is firm enough to roll.
Roll to 1/8 inch thckness on a board sprinkled with the confectioners’ sugar.
Cut in 1 x 3 inch strips with a pastry wheel.
Put a date in the center of each strip and roll up.
Place rolls on a cookie sheet and bake at 375° for 15 minutes.
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Posted by montessori21stcentury
November 15, 2011
Nan Barchowsky recently shared the following with AMC:
Learn and teach handwriting with phonics, an app designed by a Handwriting Specialist and an Early Childhood Specialist. The purpose of Letters Make Words is to help beginning writers develop good handwriting habits for all academic and adult needs, and to learn basic phonemes.
The first screens offer suggestions of how to use Letters Make Words. Then letters are presented. The user can select any letter. Each one comprises a complete unit of instruction for that letter, a warmup pattern, the letter and a word to trace and to sound out. When a letter has a different sound depending on its usage in words, choose from either of two words. The next screen has three words to sound out with a silly sentence for the child to write on paper.
A friendly voice coaches the child to finger trace with the index finger, thereby encouraging good pencil/pen hold when actually writing. It’s the index finger that should push a pen to make marks with the greatest ease of movement.
Lowercase letters are featured. An app for capitals and numerals will follow soon. Lowercase are the ones we most need when we write, and are the easiest to form.
Letter-related warmup patterns start each unit to help the child with formations.Starting points and directions for strokes are clearly defined, graphically and by the audio that guides a child through all finger tracing and pronunciation.
Letters are designed for ease of writing and legibility. Reversals (b for d, etc.) are never an issue with the formations used in this app.
If you are affiliated with a school and would like a free review copy of Letters Make Words, please contact Nan at info@bfhhandwriting.com for the code. Note that Apple offers a discount on multiple orders
Nan Barchowsky
http://www.bfhhandwriting.com/
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Posted by montessori21stcentury
