A Little Break

I'm taking a little break from blogging except for updates related to the Parenting in Pdx groups.

Be back soon. 

Playing with scissors

Activity: Cutting paper
Required materials: Paper, kid's scissors with metal blades and blunt ends (like these), a bowl, crayons/markers (optional)
Age: Probably 3 and up (under close supervision)
Reason to try it: It's simple, fun for the kids, and easy to clean up

Let me start by saying that kids need the real thing when it comes to scissors. We have had the plastic kind. Yes--they are safer than metal, but they just don't cut as well. Getting each of my kids good scissors was worthwhile.

Recommended activities:

1. Making 'soup'

Letting kids cut up paper makes a mess. It's an easy-to-clean-up mess, but it's still a mess. Try telling them to make soup with their scraps.

How is this done? By simply putting scraps into a big bowl.  This keeps the scraps off the table and floor in an engaging way for the kids.

2. Coupons

Coupons made for me by my son

I'm a coupon-clipper. The kids see it every Sunday. Give them a chance to help. Either save the coupon section (that you don't need for yourself) or let them make their own.

My daughter calls her little scraps coupons. She doesn't color them first.

My daughter designated the red piece a coupon. 

3. Cutting practice

Draw lines on paper and have your kids cut the paper by following the lines. This improves their manual dexterity and fine motor skills. Here I did some zig-zags, some wavy, and some plain straight.

Try drawing shapes for older kids.

For clean up? Just brush any loose scraps into the bowl. Same with the scraps on the floor. Simple!

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Stealing Time giveaway update --  Unfortunately, there is no winner due to the lack of comments. 

Election Recap

Ours is a divided household. My husband and I are not members of the same party and every election is a more than a little interesting. Adding a very aware 5-year-old made things even more fun this year. When asked who he would vote for, my son said, "President Obama."

Truly curious because we've been quite careful not to sway him, I asked, "Why?"

He said, "Because he's President!" I think if my son had been a few years older that would have been followed by a 'duh'. 

We watched the election returns with him, but he went to bed before President Obama was re-elected. He loved seeing the states flash on the screen and watch the map of the country turn red and blue. He didn't understand that those colors mean that we have a deeply divided nation, and that the division means that things aren't working, unlike in our household. 

Both my husband and I were impressed with the speeches. My favorite part of Governor Romney's speech was when he said, "The nation, as you know, is at a critical point...Our leaders have to reach across the aisle to do the people's work. And we citizens also have to rise to the occasion."

I was reminded of my son, and his perception of the electoral map when later in the evening, President Obama said, "We remain more than a collection of red states and blue states. We are and forever will be the United States of America."

"Half the Sky"

Book: Half the Sky by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn

Target audience: Adults

Topic: The international status of women and how we can help

Basic summary: Through specific stories and shocking statistics, the authors shine light on an issue that has far to little air time in this country.

This is an important book. 

Why should you read it? And why am I featuring it on a parenting blog?

Simply put, women around the world are being hurt or killed because of their low status. Their daughters are born systems that do not value them. As a woman, and as a mother of a little girl, this matters to me. We, as a country, need to do something about it.

Truth be told--this is a tough book to read because it details true stories about the abuse of women. It's also a celebration of the human spirit in the face of incredible hardship. It includes stories that break your heart and also make you wonder, "Could I have been that strong?"

I was embarrassed that I did nothing about the issues presented in Half the Sky after reading it the first time. I meant to. Now, having read it again, I'm determined to help get its messages out there. This post is my first step.

I've actually read this book twice: once when it was originally published and again this month for my book club. It was chosen partly thanks to the PBS special that aired in early October. If you missed the broadcast, see more info about how to purchase a copy here. It focuses on specific women and girls in countries around the world. It is thoughtful, challenging, and makes us see these issues on a personal level.

Get a copy of Half the Sky from library. Buy a copy from the bookstore. Watch a copy of the PBS special. Just please, inform yourself about women's oppression and the opportunities these women create in spite of it. Knowing what is happening is the first step. 

The next step is do something. Here are some suggestions from their website. 

Agenda: Meeting #3

November 6, 2012

9:15-9:35

            Connections

            Chalk Talk - Halloween

            Agenda Review

9:35-10:15

            Protocol: Save the Last Word for Me

            Text: "Into It All," by Sarah Gilbert, Stealing Time magazine Issue I

10:15-11:05

            Consultancy protocol

            Topic: Managing siblings

           

11:05-11:15

            Scheduling for December meeting*

            Closing

*note--the December meeting is the last one of your FREE Fall session. The fee for the winter/spring will be $45.

Save The Last Word for Me Protocol

Save the Last Word for Me

The purpose of this protocol is to clarify and deepen our thinking about a text. 

Format:

The group needs a timekeeper/facilitator who keeps the process moving.  The protocol is designed to build on each other’s thinking, not to enter into a dialogue.  Timing is important; each round should last approximately 7 minutes. 

Total Time: approximately 30 minutes.

Process:

1.  Create a group of 3-4 participants.  Choose a timekeeper who has a watch.

2.  Each participant silently identifies what s/he considers to be the most significant idea addressed in the article.

3.  When the group is ready, a volunteer member identifies the point in the article that s/he found to be most significant and reads it out loud to the group.  The first person says nothing about why s/he chose that particular point.

4.  The other 3 participants each have 1 minute to respond to that idea.

5.  The first participant then has 3 minutes to state why s/he chose that point and to respond to his/her colleagues based on what s/he heard.

6.  The same pattern is followed until all members of the group have had a chance to have “the last word.”

7.  Debrief the experience.  Was this a useful way to explore the ideas in the text and to explore your own thinking?  If so, why?  If not, why not?

Source: Patricia Averette, National School Reform Faculty 1/2003

Chalk Talk Protocol

Chalk Talk

Chalk Talk is a silent way to do reflection, generate ideas, or solve problems. Because is it done completely in silence, it gives groups a change of pace and encourages thoughtful contemplation. 

Format

Time: Varies according to need; can be from 5 minutes to an hour.

Materials: Chalk board and chalk or paper roll on the wall and markers.

Process    

1. The facilitator explains VERY BRIEFLY that chalk talk is a silent activity. No one may talk at all and anyone may add to the chalk talk as they please. You can comment on other people’s ideas simply by drawing a connecting line to the comment. 

2. The facilitator writes a relevant question or topic in a circle on the board.

Sample questions:

                             •  What was your biggest success this week/why?

                             •  What are your favorite foods/why do you like them?

                             •  How can we keep the noise level down in this house?

3. The facilitator gives each participant a marker and lines a table with paper.

4.   People write as they feel moved. There are likely to be long silences—that is natural, so allow plenty of wait time before deciding it is over.

5. How the facilitator chooses to interact with the Chalk Talk influences its outcome.  The facilitator can stand back and let it unfold or expand thinking by:

                             •  circling other interesting ideas, thereby inviting comments to broaden

                             • writing questions about a participant comment

                             • adding his/her own reflections or ideas

                             • connecting two interesting ideas together with a line/adding a question mark.

Actively interacting invites participants to do the same kinds of expansions. A Chalk Talk can be an uncomplicated silent reflection or a spirited, but silent, exchange of ideas.  It has been known to solve vexing problems, surprise everyone with how much is collectively known about something, and get quieter members of the group to share.

                      

6. When it’s done, it’s done.

Source: National School Reform Faculty, 1/2003

Pumpkin Banana Smoothies

I have proclaimed that Fridays are now called 'Smoothie Fridays'. It's a no-school day for the kids, so I have the time and energy to fix something for breakfast that requires a little extra effort. They love the novelty, and I love the break from our breakfast rut. 

I have some extra canned pumpkin from all the pumpkin bread I haven't made, so this helps use it up.

RECIPE: Pumpkin Banana Smoothies  (adapted from this Cooking Light magazine recipe)

Serves: 2 kids and 1 adult

Time: 10 minutes

CAN KIDS HELP? Yes. They can help measure and turn on the blender with supervision.

1 sliced banana, frozen

3/4 cup canned pumpkin, chilled

1 cup vanilla greek yogurt

1/2 cup crushed ice

1/3 cup orange juice

1 tablespoon packed brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

dash of ground cloves

1/2 tablespoon Nutella (optional)
Colored sprinkles (optional)
Whipped cream (optional)

The day before:

I forgot to do this step once and the smoothie was not thick enough.

Open the pumpkin, transfer to container with lid. Put in the refrigerator. Slice up the banana, put in a baggie, freeze overnight.

To prepare smoothie:

Put all ingredients in the blender. Blend until smooth. For an extra treat, include the Nutella. You'll taste just a hint of chocolate in the smoothie. Garnish with sprinkles and whipped cream if desired.

How did the kids do?

BEFORE:

My daughter's cup is on the left, my son's is on the right. Note that I added some sprinkles and whipped cream just for fun.

AFTER:

Yep--Smoothie Friday is a big hit around here. They also had some toast to round out the meal.

Portland Children's Museum - part II - Chagall exhibit

Here, in my second part about the Portland Children's Museum (see first post here), you'll learn more about the fantastic Chagall exhibit at the museum. It's there until mid-January.

Outing: Portland Children's Museum

Cost: $9 for adults and children 1 and older (you can buy tickets for $8 online here). Info about membership here. Parking is additional. They have free first Friday afternoons-info here.

Travel time: Located next the Oregon Zoo. Map here. 

Age: Any age, but a child who is mobile will have more fun.

Reason to go: The current special Chagall exhibit is excellent.

I took the kids to the Portland Art Museum a couple of weeks ago to see their new Body Beautiful exhibit. It was beautiful but how would the kids do on their first trip to the museum? They were well-behaved, yet I won't be featuring it as a recommended activity at this time. My three-year-old had trouble keeping her hands away from the art.

This Chagall exhibit is so refreshing for that reason. It's designed with little hands in mind. The mini-gallery of art made by kids is the first part of the exhibit.

 

I was struck with how mindfully the rest of the exhibit was structured. Each representation of Chagall's art featured an activity and phone to listen and learn more.

Kids can do weaving here.

This puzzle mimics the lines of the painting.

The illuminated puzzle re-creates the stained glass window.

There's more than these activities. Kids can paint or contribute to a mural in the large art station.

 

I can't think of a better way to expose kids to great art, encourage their creativity, and teach them that art doesn't have to be hands off. Maybe the next time we visit the grown-up art museum, they will appreciate the pieces even more.