Christmas Break Reading Ideas

Yes! We are on Christmas Break!!

However, I thought I'd take a quick minute to make a few reading suggestions. If you are like me, you are just about ready to dive into some reading.

My two favorite books on understanding how we learn are:

A Mind at a Time by Mel Levine

• This book helps us recognize our children's strengths and teach in a way that will enhance their ability to learn.

Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves

• Social scientist have spent years studying the importance of emotional intelligence and not just IQ. This book teaches us how to improve 1) Self-Awareness, 2) Self-Management, 3) Social Awareness, and 4) Relationship Management. Each of these four attributes are critical to success and improving our quality of life.

If you are just looking for some easy reading the next two are great novels:

The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

• Full of family secrets and untold journeys this multigenerational book uncovers the mystery of one women's past and brings forth another woman's future. 

Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay

• When a woman starts to remodel a French apartment she is compelled to uncover the story of the Jewish family that lived there during the 1942 roundups and deportations. This journey of discovery helps her find strength within herself and the will to make a better future.

Whether you read, nap or play.... Have a wonderful break!!

Our Homeschool Christmas Party

Today is our homeschool christmas party and there is excitement in the air!

Jaden came running into my room this morning and asking for his apron said, "Mom, where is my cooking dress?". I got it tied around him and he went to town mopping the floors, cleaning the windows  and wiping down the bathrooms. (Bear in mind that I had to follow him with a towel to dry up all the cleaner drippings.)

We have candy canes of all colors, bowls of gumdrops and lots of other goodies.

What are we doing?

We are decorating cupcakes, playing the candy cane spoons game and having a gift exchange cake-walk.

If you want to feel the Christmas spirit, just plan a little party for the children. Wow! Are they excited?!

Thunder Cake Lesson

Teach Reading, Writing, Math and Science all in one activity!

For this lesson you will need:
"Thunder Cake" by Patricia Polacco
Ingredients and utensils to make the cake (recipe to follow)
Balance scale and gram squares or weights
Beaker
Journal
Index cards
Calculator

Reading- You can read it to the children or have them round-robin read it together.

Math- Convert the measurements of dry ingredients into grams. Convert the liquids into milliliters. Journal your numbers and later add them together for a huge total number.

Writing- Write each ingredient and it's needed measurement on an index card.

Science- Discuss the different types of measurements being used and why (liquid versus solid). Using a balance scale and a beaker measure all your ingredients for the cake. Categorize your index cards and label them different colors according to liquids and solids.

Writing Again!- Journal the activity - What is your favorite cake? How many total grams and milliliters did you use to make the cake? What did you like about the book?

The cake should have strawberries on it, but I don't like chocolate and strawberries so the children put them on their slices.

Thunder Cake 
1 cup shortening 
1 3/4 cup sugar 
1 teaspoon vanilla 
3 eggs, separated ( blend yolks in. Beat whites until they are stiff, then fold in.) 
1 cup cold water 
1/3 cup pureed tomatoes 
21/2 cups cake flour 
1/2 cup dry cocoa 
11/2 teaspoons baking soda 
1 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

Beat egg whites. Set aside. Cream shortening, sugar, vanilla and eggs. Add water and tomatoes. Mix dry ingredients into creamy mixture. Fold in the egg whites until well mixed. Bake in two greased and floured 8 1/2 inch round pans at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes. Frost with chocolate butter frosting while still warm.

Top with strawberries.


My Conversions for Science Baking

2 sticks of butter

629 grams sugar

3 eggs, separated (blend yolks in, beat whites until stiff, fold in)

5 ml vanilla 5 ML

236 ml cold water

79 ml pureed tomatoes

315 grams cake flour (flour has 7 tbsp cornstarch)

32 grams cocoa

1 1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

*This post was taken from my other blog and the conversions we used were added.