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Crispy Kale Addiction

Happy the Home — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 18:09:00 GMT

I am addicted and I'm not ashamed to say it! For almost a year I've been trying to get around to making a recipe for Kale Chips that my mom gave me. Either, I would forget or Kale would be out of season. Well, this week I finally did it and boy am I addicted. I've made them everyday since and am getting ready to go outside to pick more Kale to make some again today. It is so easy and so nutritious and wonderfully tasty. My six and eight year olds and I were scrambling for them as soon as they came out of the oven. It was a real hit with my husband also. Now, I must confess that we, all of us, are big greens lovers. We crave them! But someone (kids or adults) who doesn't really care for cooked greens, might be pleasantly surprised to find out that eating your greens could taste so good.

All you need to do is:
Pick your own kale (or buy some at the store).

Wash about 1/2 pound of curly kale (ribs removed) dried well and torn into 2-3 inch pieces.

Toss the leaves in 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt (I would like to experiment with a little garlic or cayenne also) and put on a cooling rack that is placed on a cookie sheet. Bake at 250 degrees F for 20 minutes or until totally dried and yet still bright green.

Enjoy!

Sinking Self

Happy the Home — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 12:43:00 GMT

Some years ago when my oldest child was learning about "buoyancy' in her science class she was required to do some simple experiments in the kitchen using different types of objects to see how well or if they floated. At the same time she was also doing experiments that demonstrated "surface tension." We had fun doing these experiments together and talking about them. It was at this time that we came up with the idea for our "Sinking Self" jar. The purpose of the jar was to encourage good behavior and respect in the home. I used a gallon jar which the kids decorated with different words expressing obedient and respectful responses like, "Yes, Mom", "Okay", "Yes, Dad", etc... We filled the jar about 3/4 the way full with water and put a few drops of blue food coloring in it to make the water easier to see and floated an empty, clear plastic cup on top of the water. Then, as I noticed times when one of my children suppressed self to obey Dad or me or share with a sibling or do something to help another, etc... I would tell them to put a marble in the plastic cup. As the plastic cup got fuller and fuller, of course, it began to sink deeper and deeper in the water until the final marble would send it to the bottom of the jar. At this point there was much rejoicing because we had already set up a reward to celebrate the sinking of the "self" cup; going to the zoo, Childrens Museum etc... We used the "Sinking Self" jar for quite a few years. It is a great visual motivator for young children. I think it's time to resurface it for my second wave of youngin's!
(Just a note: The three cups around the large jar each contained a different color of marbles for each child. They liked to take notice of how many they had contributed to the "self" cup. What's interesting is that my more "strong willed" child would often times have more marbles in the "self" cup, probably because he was also the most competitive.)

Sermon Picture Journal

Happy the Home — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 07:59:00 GMT

I was wanting my 6 year old and 8 year old to start developing their listening skills in church. They always sit quietly on the pew and doodle so I thought I would encourage them to doodle about the sermon. I made each of them a small "Sermon Picture Journal" where I gave them a place to write the name of the sermon, the name of the speaker and the date. (They can copy this info from the bulletin.) Also, I put common words they could listen for like Jesus ... etc. for them to keep a tally if they wish. Then I framed the rest of the page to be used to draw what they are hearing.
We go to a small church so we just leave the journals in the pew for each week, then I encourage their involvement in the rest of the service: singing, prayer, childrens story. When the sermon starts they are able to take out their journal and begin to listen for something they want to illustrate in picture. They are only allowed to use one page front and back, if need be, and I only provide each of them a pencil. (I've found that colored pencils, crayons or markers are more of a distraction in church.)
I'm a little surprised at how successful it's been. Sometimes it's hard to hold them off until the sermon.
You can print your own by clicking on the "Sermon Picture Journal" and "Sermon Picture Journal Cover" below. I set up my printer to print two pages per page and then printed about 50 pages. Then I took them to Kinko's and had them cut them into two journals and bound along the top with a spiral binding. They also put a clear front and stiff back on it. They turned out real nice.
"Sermon Picture Journal"
"Sermon Picture Journal Cover"

Potato Stamps

Happy the Home — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 01:41:00 GMT

We had great fun today creating our own homemade greeting cards using only, paper, paint and potatoes... Yes, potatoes! I remember when I was taking one of my education classes in college on teaching arts and crafts in the elementary school, many moons ago, that we made our own stamps with potatoes. I had not made them since college but for some reason that popped into my mind today to make potato stamps for art class today with the kids and so we did. (I warn you, this can become addictive.) We had great fun! I could go into detail telling you how to do it but if you would just Google "potato stamps" you can watch some pretty detailed video on youtube that will show you in a matter of a few minutes. Here is one that we watched, How to Make Potato Stamps What they don't show you, however, is that you can save your stamps for a few days or so in an airtight container in the refigerator. Just cover your stamps with water to keep the potatoes from turning black and shriveling up. Potatoes were never so fun!

Stairstep Drills

Happy the Home — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 01:01:00 GMT

Learning new sight words, vocabulary words or math facts can be a tedious and sometimes boring task. We have found a way to turn it into a fun and exciting exercise that keeps the kids motivated to learn.

This is what you need:

- The words or facts you're trying to learn written on cards (3x5 or 4x6 is good)
- A staircase, if you have one, or a long hall way or open area in a room
- Stop watch
- Whistle (if you don't have one you can just say "beep")

How to play:

- Put one or more word cards on each step, starting at the top and working down the stairs. (If you are using a hallway or room make a path of word cards.)
- Starting at the bottom of the stairs have the child say the word or math fact on the first step. If he gets it right blow the whistle or say "beep" then he can pick up the card and move up the stairs reading and picking up the cards on each step as he goes. If he gets a word or fact wrong silence will tell him to try again. (If he spends too much time on a word or fact he might want to skip it and come back to it later.)
- Time the child with a stop watch to see how long it takes him to get from the bottom of the stairs to the top. (Or, one end of the room to the other.) Write down his time and challenge him to beat his own time.

Teaching Months and Days

Happy the Home — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 19:50:00 GMT

Year/Week Wheel

I've been trying to get through to one of my younger children the concepts of the months of the year and days of the week, how they are ongoing and continuous. She seems to grasp the continuous part okay but if asked, "What day is four days after Friday?" or the like, she has had a little difficulty. She was also confusing days or months that come before vs. after each other. This has been a little struggle for a couple of months so I made this simple chart, the Year/Week Wheel, to help her visualize these concepts. Hope you can find it useful if you are experiencing some of the same issues.

To use the Year/Week Wheel print the file above "Year/Week Wheel".   Use the following guidelines:

- Show and explain, using the wheel, the concept of the year, how that the months are a continuous cycle as are the days of the week.

- At first you might leave out that January is the first month of the new year and Sunday is the first day of the new week. Introduce that concept later.

- Start with the days of the week (these names are easier for beginner readers to make sense of).

- Say the days of the week pointing with your finger (and child's also) going around and around the chart saying each day without emphasizing a starting or finish point.

- Explain that going with the arrow shows after and going against the arrow or backward shows before.

- Begin asking questions, easier ones at first, such as:
     "What day comes after Tuesday?"
     "What day comes before Friday?"

- As the child is grasping the concepts work up to more difficult questions such as:
     "What day is four days after Thursday?"
     "What day is seven days before Sunday?"

- Use your creativity in your questions. Try to ask questions that make the child think but not get exasperated. When you know that the child is getting a good understanding you might ask questions such as:

     "On Wednesday, Caroline asked her mother how many days it would be until her birthday. Mother answered that it would be five more days. On what day of the week would Caroline's birthday be?"

Teach the months of the year using the same basic system.

Curriculum Standards

Happy the Home — Fri, 08 May 2009 01:53:00 GMT

I have received some questions concerning Curriculum Standards.Curriculum Standards are to be used as a guide. They are set up forclassroom education purposes and are by no means the rule. Somechildren will excel in some areas while having difficulty in otherareas, thus the blessing of Home Education. In a home school settingyou are able to meet the needs of your child whereas in a classroomenvironment they may be unchallenged or left behind. Don't allow thestandards to be a matter of stress. Use them as a guide. The endproduct is the most important thing.
Forthose who are interested in checking out the Curriculum Standards forPreK through 12th grade you may go the the following website publishedby World Book. (Of course, these are US standards.)
http://www.worldbook.com/wb/Students?curriculum

My two younger children have had the privilege to participate in the Christian childrens program called "Tiny Tots for Jesus" which airs on 3ABN (Three Angels Broadcasting Network) The only network that goes to every continent in the world 24 hours everyday. This was a very educational experience. Education goes far beyond books.

Charlotte Mason Style Education

Happy the Home — Fri, 08 May 2009 01:41:00 GMT

Charlotte Mason was an educator in England during the 1800's. Her approach to education is not traditional but emphasizes "strengthening the right". Though we don't see eye-to-eye on some of the suggested reading, much of what she taught reminds me of my favorite author and educator, Ellen G. White. If you are interested in a non-traditional approach and would like to learn more about Charlotte Mason's style of education go to the following websites:

(The free e-book is worth reading also the "Inside SCM" e-newsletter has valuable info.)http://www.simplycharlottemason.com

http://www.queenhomeschool.com

(This is a home school family that publishes a curriculum that is Charlotte Mason Style.)

If you are interested in a Biblical basis for education the book, Education, written by Ellen White is absolutely fantastic. I've read it a number of times myself!

Charlotte Mason Ellen White

Pre-School Education

Happy the Home — Fri, 08 May 2009 01:25:00 GMT

Many mothers begin to think about their child's education when he/she reaches the age of 3 years. We wonder if their is anything we need to be teaching them at this young age. As far as a structured curriculum goes, every child is different. Ellen White says that many children are not ready for a formal education before the age of 10. This, of course,is not the rule.
There are many things your preschooler can be taught and must learn.

*Obedience is the first and foremost lesson we need to be teaching our little ones.
*Involve them in daily home tasks and responsibilities. This will teach them responsibility.
* Develop their attention span requiring them to pay attention for periods of time and increasing it gradually.
*Capitalize on their wonderful memories and teach them scriptures,songs, and poems. (You can also teach them the names of the states and presidents. )
*Teach them to tell you what they see in a picture (tell the story that, they think, is happening).
*And read, read, read to them.

The best curriculum for preschoolers, that I have found, is put out by the Critical Thinking Company:
www.ThinkingToLearn.com/113.html. They have wonderful programs that not only teach your preschooler but help them to think critically. This really builds the child's reasoning skills and prepares them for structured education. My youngest, who is now four, has enjoyed this curriculum for the last two years. She begs me to do her "school" with her and loves every minute of it.

Lap Books!

Happy the Home — Fri, 08 May 2009 00:35:00 GMT

I have heard about them for a couple of years and even purchased a couple of "how to" books on lap booking but it just didn't become real until we were personally introduced four days ago at a "Girls for God" meeting sponsored by our local home school group. Mia Turner, home school mom and lap booker, provided everything needed and guided us through the process of making a lap book on "Love, 1 Corinthians 13 Style." Her creativity and enthusiasm were so contagious that we are now hooked! After getting home that evening my eleven year old daughter decided to make a lap book on "The Reformation." My sixteen year old daughter decided to take her "Love" lap book a step further and added information about dating and courtship. And my four and six year old girls added more details to their "Love" lap books too. If this wasn't enough for a day! Yesterday my eleven year old invited a friend to come over to make lap books together about horses. They collected a bunch of info and pictures from the internet and made some really nice books. While this was going on my sixteen year old wouldn't be left out so she started researching and made a really neat lap book about mountains. It's never ending!!!! What a creative and exciting way to learn - not to mention FUN!

Devotions for Little Ones

Happy the Home — Fri, 08 May 2009 00:24:00 GMT

Enough people have inquired about personal devotional books for pre-schoolers that I decided to post some things we have used with our children through the years.

For the early years, before your child is able to read, these are some we enjoy:

Bible Promises for Tiny Tots
Psalms for Tiny Tots
Tiny Tots Library
My Bible Friends
My Bible First Sabbath School Lessons
We have also used some of the daily devotional books for little ones from the ABC.

(All of the above can be obtained from the Adventist Book Center online. I hope they are all still in print.)

Some wonderful audios are:

The Ladder of Life
Thy Word Creations (Wonderful illustrated scripture song blooks)
Morning Time Devotions by Janice Smith

As our children became old enough to listen and draw pictures of what they were hearing, we decided to play an audio of someone reading the New Testament, one chapter a day, and have them draw a picture of what they heard. I love this! I treasure the "Illustrated" New Testaments that our three older ones completed years ago.

I'm sure there are hundreds of other ideas for personal devotions with pre-schoolers. These are just some we have used and are using. I would welcome input from anyone on this subject. Devotions should be a never-ending project.

A Daily Schedule

Happy the Home — Fri, 08 May 2009 00:14:00 GMT

This is our “skeleton” schedule. Some days it is adjusted for various music lessons. Sundays are big project days also. But for the most part our days run on this schedule.

5:30 to 7:30a      Rise, dress, & devotional (times vary per child)
7:30                  Morning Worship
8:00             Breakfast
                   breakfast chores
9:00                School begins
1:00p                School usually finished
1:30      Lunch
                    lunch chores
                Free time or finish school
4:00                    House chores
5:00                    Family Time and projects
      (optional supper to be finished before 6:00)
7:00                     Prepare for bed
7:30                     Evening Worship

Choosing a Curriculum

Happy the Home — Thu, 07 May 2009 21:59:16 GMT

Below is a comprehensive list of curriculums that we have used to meet the needs of our family. I encourage you to prayerfully study the needs of your family and allow the Lord to lead you to the curriculums that are best for you.
If you are just starting out with home education and are unsure of the needs of your child I recommend you go with a “complete” standard education style program such as Rod and Staff, Abeka or Griggs then evaluate your needs at the end of the year.
May the Lord bless you as you prepare your family for Heaven.

Math
Saxon
www.saxonpublishers.harcourtachieve.com
Math U See
www.mathusee.com
Rod and Staff Math U See
www.rodstaff.com
Learning Vitamins
www.skillsmadesimple.com
The Critical Thinking Company
www.ThinkingToLearn.com/113.html.

Language Arts
Rod and Staff
www.rodstaff.com
Language Lessons
www.queenhomeschool.com
Easy Grammar Systems
English from the Roots Up (Greek and Latin Roots Study)
Learning Vitamins
www.skillsmadesimple.com
Analogies by Continental Press

Reading
Specific Skills by SRA/McGraw-Hill
Rod and Staff
www.rodstaff.com
Explode the Code
Rocket Phonics
www.ThinkingToLearn.com/113.html
The Barton Reading and Spelling System (For students with dyslexia)
www.bartonreading.com

Spelling
Learning to Spell
www.queenhomeschool.com
Rod and Staff
www.rodstaff.com
The Barton Reading and Spelling System (For students with dyslexia)
www.bartonreading.com

Bible
The Bible
My Bible First!
www.mybiblefirst.org

History
The Mystery of History
www.brightideaspress.com
Learning Through History Magazine
www.learningthroughhistory.com
The Story of the World (Must be used with discretion)
Peace Hill Press
www.ThinkingToLearn.com/113.html.

Science
Biology 101: According to the days of Creation
www.the101series.com
Christian Kids Explore Biology
www.brightideaspress.com
Christian Kids Explore Chemistry
www.brightideaspress.com

Little Princess

Happy the Home — Thu, 07 May 2009 21:23:00 GMT

She toddled into our lives the afternoon of Friday, July 20, 2007. Venice and Carrie named her “Little Princess” which was quite fitting. “Little”, however, was an understatement. She was unimaginably tiny and frail. Her body was maybe a foot in length with very long and wobbly legs about the diameter of a ladies finger. Her coat wasremarkably beautiful. Perfectly placed white spots adorned her likeregal attire. They gave her depth providing her with an unsurpassedcamouflage necessary for this delicate fawn. Yes, she was a littleprincess.
From the moment she arrived she was rutting on any creature that moved,whether it was four legged or two. “Are you my mommy?”, she seemed tobe asking. It reminded me of the children’s book, “Are You My Mother”in which a mockingbird baby hatches while his mother is away so he setsout looking for his mother asking everything that moved, “Are you mymother?” until his mother finally comes back and finds him. What hadhappened to this day old fawns mother? Would a mother deer abandon herfawn? Was she looking for her baby right now? Was she even alive? Theevidence seemed to point to the latter.
Little Princess was willingto accept anything as her mother. She tried to adopt three differentgoats, each one rejecting her with kicks and bunts. She even tried toadopt the dogs and cats who were actually kinder to her but had nothingto offer her for food. She tried to adopt us as well, rutting on ourlegs and on our clothes. When it became too tiresome to hold a milkgoat still for her to nurse, which was also setting her up for moreabuse from the reluctant mother, we decided to put her totally onformula or goats milk from a bottle.
She was thriving. Theformula and milk seemed to agree with her. And, she had found her“mother”. Me. What a joy and honor to take care of this precious littlecreature. When coming out for her feeding I would call, “LittlePrincess, baby deer” and she would wobble over and begin licking mylegs or nibbling on my skirt looking for her bottle. Sucking sovoraciously at times that she would lose control of her tongue. Overtime she got to be a better more experienced nurser drinking until herlittle tummy was full and round and satisfied.
About a week laterI noticed a decrease in her appetite and a weakness in her walk. Thenshe was plagued with a terrible case of diarrhea which after a few daysreally zapped her energy. I tried treating her the way one would treata goat with scours and about the time the diarrhea was getting bettershe was hit with conjunctivitis. If she had been a dog, cat, goat,llama, fowl, camel, sheep, horse, cow, duck, snake, mouse, rabbit,hamster, guinea pig, goose, bird, pig, frog, alpaca, wallaby, turkey,fish or ostrich she might have had the right to see a vet and getmedical care. But since she was just a deer she didn’t have this right.Legally she only had the right to die at the hand of nature or ahunters rifle. To be attacked by animals, run over by a car or placedon someone’s wall or in someone’s freezer were the only rights she hadin this life.
She not only didn’t have any right to receive aidfrom us but we didn’t have any legal right to give her any aid. Told bythe authorities to put her out and allow her to die if her motherdidn’t return was a shock! If we didn’t obey the authorities we wouldbe breaking the law. My conscience was torn, “How could we willinglybreak the law? We always hold up the laws of the land and teach outchildren to do the same. We could be fined heavily or worse if she werediscovered. Yet if we don’t protect her and feed her she wouldn’t standa chance. Could we all stand by and watch her die. What would thisteach our children!” The authorities said not to aid her but we choseto follow a Higher Authority. The Authority who commanded us to takecare of His creatures. They are His creatures! They do not belong toany state or government. They are Gods! It is God who made them and itis He who rejoices at each and every birth in the universe whether at apets litter of adorable puppies or a birth in the secret recesses ofthe woods with not a witness there except Him and the dear motherpresent. It is He who mourns the death of each for not even a sparrowdies without His heart aching.
And so with a combination of fearand courage we protected, loved and cared for this little refugee untilovertaken by illness she was laid to rest on August 1, 2007. Her shortlife gave us a little glimpse of Heaven and more of a passion to wantto be there.