My new blog

Kathalog

figuring out the kinks

Vinyl Record Day

Today is Vinyl Record Day

National S'mores Day

Today is National S'mores Day and I have a few twists to add to the s'mores treat.

The standard recipes is Milk chocolate squares with a toasted marshmallow sandwiched between graham crackers. The toasted marshmallow softens the chocolate, creating a gooey treat.

My twist to this treat is Bli

go here to see how we make s'mores:

http://kathalog.typepad.com/kathalog/

Is this the real thing ?

Julian Beever is an English artist who is famous for his art on the pavements of England, France, Germany, USA, Australia and Belgium. Its peculiarity?

for more of his work, go here: 3D pavement drawings

Colorado - August 1, 1876

Colorado

After its first bid for statehood was vetoed by President Andrew Johnson, Colorado entered the Union on August 1, 1876, the year the United States celebrated its centennial. Thus, the thirty-eighth state is known as the Centennial State.

Ute Indian
Ute Indian Camp, Garden of the Gods, Shan Kive,
Colorado, 1913.


Taking the Long View: Panoramic Photographs, 1851-1991

Among the early inhabitants of the land encompassed by Colorado were the Anasazi cliff dwellers. They were forced by drought and other factors to abandon their Mesa Verde homes in the late 1200s. At the time of European exploration and settlement Colorado's population was made up of Arapaho, Cheyenne, and Ute peoples. Their territory was explored by the Spanish who, after Napoleon's conquest of Spain, turned over its title to the French.

Go here for more info on Colorado

The Centennial State

free Bentley Wildflower Seeds

click here for free samples

Penny Pincher buys '08 Truck with loose change

Accompanied by a police escort from the Clinton County Sheriff's Office, Friday he drove his old diesel pickup into the Raisor parking lot and bought himself a brand new, 2008 half-ton, shiny red Dodge Ram truck.

What made the $26,670 purchase even more interesting was the manner in which he paid for it.

Brant's payment was made up entirely of quarters and gold dollars he'd been saving since 1994 - the last time he traded enough of his hard-earned coins to buy a vehicle.


Click here for complete story

Planet Heroes DVD: Free

PLANET HEROES DVD : Mattel is giving away their new Planet Heroes DVD, "The Ace that Jumped Over the Moon" (US residents only)

https://store.mattel.com/transition.aspx?TransitionID=141

Pudding in a Cup

Pudding in a Cup

1/4 cup of Milk
1 Tablespoon instant pudding

Materials:
1/4 cup measuring cup
Tablespoon measuring spoon
Plastic spoon for each child
One 5 ounce cup per child

Measure the milk and pour it into the cup.
Add pudding mix to the cup.
Stir mixture well.

Kid Cappuccinos

Kid Cappuccinos

Sit back and relax and enjoy this tasty after-school snack!

Prep time: 5 min.

Baking time: 1 min.

Decoration time: 2 min.

Difficulty: Easy

What you'll need:

• 1 bag MILKY WAY® Brand MINIS®
• 2 cups milk
• 1 bag large marshmallows
• 3 tablespoons SMUCKER’S MILKY WAY® Brand Topping

What to do:

1. Heat eight MILKY WAY® Brand MINIS® with the milk in the microwave for 1 minute. Transfer mixture to a blender and mix until smooth.
2. Pour mixture into two serving cups. Float 4 or 5 marshmallows on top of each cup and drizzle with the SMUCKER'S MILKY WAY® Brand Topping.

Makes 2 servings.

Free kids lunch at Cici's Pizza

If you are planning a trip before Aug 2; print this
reading log and take your kids to lunch for free with adult purchase

http://www.cicispizza.com/Kids_Fun.asp

Free Home-school Planner

Go here to be entered for a chance to win a SchoolHouse Planner

Car Cooking

One of our fun posters on my kids group just started sharing this idea and others jumped in with their recipes and advice. I love everything being shared and I have to share with you all! I'm going to try this on the 4th as we are traveling to Alamosa (2 hour trip) for the 4th for a cookout with family and I'm bringing........ a car cooking recipe! (laughing...I can't wait to see their faces) Here are a few of the posts:

Savannah said: You make your foil packets before leaving home. I put in steak
bits, marinaded in beer, a quartered onion, some carrots, s&p, Worcestershire
sauce, plenty of garlic, maybe another splash of beer, and a good lump of
butter. I wrap up potatoes that way as well, and put it all in the cooler.
When you get to where you're going, you lay your foil packets on the engine (
which will be nice and hot by now, ) and close the hood while you get yourself
sorted out. While you're finished putting up your tent and all, they should be
ready.

Susan said: Seriously?

Savannah said: It is most *certainly* something I've done! I did it with baked potatoes, and
they were done in ... oh, I dunno, around a half hour? Think about how hot that
engine is!


Denise said: That is good, I didn't do it on the "car" but we cook a lot on open fires
and we do the banana, choc chips, fresh strawberries and mini marshmallows
and MMMM they come out hot and tasting like a banana split.
Get the book "foil cooking" and you can do it on a "car" open fire or oven.
Also theres couple good camping cookbooks.

Any thinner piece of meat and potatoes and carrots and onions and stuff
works
BUT use the BETTER FOIL!!!!!


Leena said:
They have several sandwiches you can make while camping. No not the reg. lol You
get a hard loaf or bread like garlic, spread with spaghetti sauce, after cut in
half, add pepperoni and some hunks of mozzarella. Wrap in foil, and heat until
cheese is melted over indirect heat. Works best if you can put a cast iron stick
or 2 large rocks on top.to smoosh it down. You can use other ingredients too.


Savannah said: Well, let's seeeee ......... No, you do not leave the engine running. I'm
thinking about the last time I did it; we drove from here to Cullman, which is
about fifty miles, to the rest stop there. By the time we got there, the engine
was *plenty* hot, and I thought I'd do something simple - baked potatoes. I
brought them from home, already wrapped in foil, and pricked all over ( to let
the steam escape . ) If you really are in a hurry, boil the potatoes a little
bit before you leave home. Close the hood, but not quite all the way. Wait 20
minutes or so ( depending on the size of the potato, ) and eat 'em up!
I think "foil packet cooking" is neat, too - I do a wicked little kebab-in-foil
thing - the trick is to pour a little beer in the packet, so it can steam. If
you don't have beer, apple cider is *really* nice. And I do a fruit one, too -
it has pineapple, mandarin orange sections, and a banana in it - Yummo! If you
want to get the hubby interested in it, start of with the potatoes, it's nearly
impossible to botch that one : )
I found you a couple of websites on the subject :

http://www.ehow.com/how_2294790_cook-cars-engine.html?ref=fuel&utm_source=yahoo&\


- and

http://www.wisebread.com/cooking-great-meals-with-your-car-engine-the-heat-is-on



Savannah said: Corn-on-the-cob is a prime candidate for on-the-engine cooking. Shuck the corn,
and put in the center of a piece of foil large enough to wrap around the bundle
completely, or the juices will leak out. Give the cobs a good sprinkling of H2O
( so that they can steam, ) and apply butter, salt & pepper, and anything else
you fancy - Parmesan cheese is nice, and so is rosemary. Let sit 25-30 minutes,
turning once halfway through.
Now, as to how to hold them without getting all messy. I keep my good corn
holders in a drawer, sticking out of a cork. Don't take your good ones in your
pic-a-nic basket, you might lose them! Instead, I've scarfed up a handful of
golf tees; I just drive them into the ends of the cob - you will probably want
to use a tool for that ... but then, you *did* bring your hammer along, didn't
you?! You didn't?! What were you *thinking*?!! Okay, then use the bottom of a
can of something : )

Leena said: With the husks we pull ours back, butter them, and pull them back
up. They taste great and no chance of drying out. Here in cali they have a corn
guy who puts mayo on the corn and then Parmesan cheese. The kids can't get
enough of them

Leena said:

Sandwiches like that have been on many food network shows about grilling. You
need to start with hard bread though as it softens with cooking.

Savannah shares her Campfire Potato Chips recipe: Guess what I dug up? Yay! I remember making these, and they are ooooooso yummy.
Slice a couple of potatoes as thinly or thickly as you desire. Spread out on
aluminum foil so that none are touching each other. Spray them all with Pam.
Flip them over, and spray the other side. Toss the slices into a bowl ( ideally
a Tupperware one with a lid. For that matter, you could do it in a little paper
bag. ) In the bowl ( or bag ) you've already mixed up the following :
1 teaspoon paprika
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons powdered dry mustard ( I swear by Coleman's )
2 teaspoons ground red pepper
1 teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon sage
1/2 teaspoon each cinnamon & cloves
1-2 teaspoons salt
Of course, you can adjust this according to how spicy or not spicy you want it.
Shake or toss well to coat. Transfer to foil, and make a packet, trying to keep
it flat so the slices don't overlap. Put the packet on the fire, and grill for
oh ... about 20 minutes or so, then flip it over, and give it another 20. Now,
this will not make a crunchy chip, it's more like cooked potatoes - but *oh*!
What a tastee side dish. Serve with grilled corn ( with or without husks :D ) or
a nice corn salad. Have some strawberry-applesauce with it.
Did that make any sense? It's clear that I'll never make a living formatting
recipes, eh?


Denise shared her Orange Cake recipe:
My kids liked the banana splits but also
Take an orange, slice bottom to make flat so It will sit.
Cut off top and scoop out some of the orange, take Martha Washingtons cake
mix (little blue box, very cheap) follow directions on the box, then pour
some cake mix in orange but NOT TO TOP!.
Cover with foil and place sitting up in the fire and wait about 8-10 min
open up to see if done (just like you would a cake) and let cook then eat,
The cake taste like "Orange cake"

Leena added to the Orange Cake recipe: I bet that you could put little pieces f pineapple in the bottom, wit a bit of
brown sugar and have upside down cake. Out here I think the mixes are Jiffy cake
mixes.




Maybe this should be title: She said She said Now, we have one gal getting ready to do this today so we're all waiting to hear what she says. What do you think?

Here is the kids group we are all sharing these ideas on:

alt="Click here to join kidsactivities">
Click to join kidsactivities






Foil cooking for scouts: http://sne.tripod.com/foil.htm


http://www.angelfire.com/ia3/camping/recipes.htm#foil


http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/CookingSchool/StepByStepRecipes/DinnerRecipes/


http://www.reynoldspkg.com/reynoldskitchens/en/tips_category.asp?cat_id=1688


http://www.chuckwagondiner.com/foil.html

Sinking Soda and other Science Activities

Sinking Soda

Bring in cans of regular soda and diet soda and have students predict which will sink and float. Have students explain their predictions. Then drop both cans in a large bowl or tank of water. Have students make and record their observations. Why does the diet soda float? Why does the other soda sink? Have students research the Internet and determine if their predictions were correct. Encourage them to draw conclusions and share their ideas with the class.

Sunken Treasure

Give small groups a bowl of water and a set of waterproof objects such as metal and plastic spoons, toothpicks, bolts, screws, number cubes, small balls, and metal keys. Have students predict which items will float and which will sink. Then have groups discuss their predictions and drop different items into the bowl. Students should sort the floating items from the sinking items. After everyone has completed the experiment, place all the sinking objects into a tank or large pot filled with water. Hide the “sunken treasure” in your classroom or, if possible, the school and draw a map that helps the students find the treasure.

Water Line

Give pairs of students a clear cup of water and small items that sink or float. Remind them that when an object is placed in water, the level will rise. Have them predict how much they think the water will rise for each item. Students should mark the original water level and draw their predictions on the side of the cup. They can use different colors of marker to distinguish their own predictions. Then have them drop different items into the cup, make observations, and record their data. Encourage them to measure with a ruler to see how much the water rose.

Sink the Ship

Float a toy boat in a clear tub filled with water. Have students find ways to sink the ship in the tank. Students may wish to add items to weigh the ship down, so it is important that they use items that are waterproof. Explain that you can waterlog the ship by tipping it over and filling it with water. Have students predict why the boat sinks when it tips over. Explain that air inside the ship helps the boat float, but when it tips over, the air escapes. Thus, the boat sinks.
Sink or Float Family Activities

Boat Float

Have your child make boats out of different materials, such as toothpicks, cork, paper, craft sticks, fabric, and clay. Have him or her make predictions about which boat will sink or float and write them down. Then have him or her try out their boats in a bathtub. Which boat floats? Which boat sinks? Encourage your child to explain what happened. Then have him or her think of ways to make a sinking boat float and vice versa. Allow your child to experiment using different shapes and adding weight to the boats.

Floating Animals

Together go to a local zoo and find animals that float. Animals like ducks, seagulls, beavers, and otters can all float on top of the water and walk on land. Have your child draw comparisons between the animals and write down their observations. Then have your child research on the Internet or at the library about his or her favorite floating animals. What body parts help them float and swim? How long can they hold their breath? How do they stay beneath the surface of the water? How much time do they spend in the water? Encourage your child to think of adaptations the animals have that allow them to live in the water.



Sink or Float


more science activities

My boy and his pup

Cinnamon Dippers and salsas

I receive a number of cooking magazines and I am subscribed to a number of recipe newsletters. I try a variety of them as often as possible. Here is one I rec'd in my email; this was fun for the boys to make and they loved the cinnamon tortillas. I used the leftover sauce and marinated and baked chicken with it. We make the Cinnamon Tortillas often so it was fun finding a new idea to try them with. I've made the cinnamon tortillas and put cherry and apple pie topping from a can on them, also.



Fruit Salsas with Cinnamon Tortilla Dippers
by Tami Rose

These fresh, fruity salsas are a healthy alternative to candies and other sweets. Kids will enjoy this treat!

Strawberry Apple Salsa:
1 C. of fresh strawberries
2 medium apples
1/2 C. mandarin oranges, drained well
1/4 C. fresh pineapple or unsweetened canned pineapple
1-2 TBSP Splenda - to taste
2 TBSP sugar free strawberry jam

Peel apples and pineapple. Chop all fruit into small pieces and put into a food processor. Sprinkle Splenda over the fruit. Process the fruit using the pulse button on the food processor until the mixture resembles chunky salsa. Pour the salsa into a small bowl and stir in the jam until all of the fruit has been coated. Cover and chill at least 15 minutes before serving.

Melon Berry Salsa:
1 C. cantaloupe
1 C. frozen berry mix consisting of strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries, thawed and very well drained
1/4 C. sugar or Splenda
2 TBSP lime juice
Chopped fresh mint (optional)

Peel cantaloupe and cube into very small bite-sized pieces. Add to a small bowl. Add berries to a food processor. Using the pulse button on the food processor, chop the berries until it resembles chunky salsa. Stir berries into the cantaloupe pieces. Stir in sugar and lime juice. Sprinkle in mint, if using, and stir well to mix. Cover and chill at least 30 minutes before serving.

Cinnamon Dippers:
4 large 10" tortillas
1 TBSP Splenda or sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
butter-flavored cooking spray

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Stack tortillas into one pile. Cut the tortillas vertically into longs strips. Lay the strips in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Don�t crowd the strips; instead do 2 batches if necessary. Lightly spray the tortilla strips with the cooking spray. Mix sugar and cinnamon together and sprinkle over the tortilla strips. Bake for 7-8 minutes or until the tortillas are lightly browned and crispy.

Free kids meals for reading and kids nights

We are heading to the library today and stopping at Fazoli's to get the free kids meals because the boys read 5 books. We also do the BookIt program with Pizza Hut. Are there any other programs out there you can all share with me?

Oh, and we're doing the reading program with the library and Barnes and Noble for free books



Here is the info on Fazoli's: For all you young readers out there, ask your local Fazoli's about our Friendly Reader Program. At participating restaurants, they will give you a Fazoli's bookmark and if you read five books and fill out the information on the bookmark you will receive a free kid's meal.

Monday:


Buffalo Wild Wings
5 p.m. - 8 p.m. Children ages 12 and under eat for 99¢ from the kid's menu.

Tues:


Kids eat for 99 cents at Fazoli's on Tues. nite.

Black eyed pea kids eat free on Tues. 5-9

Wednesday:
AppleBee's
Wednesdays 3pm-close, kids 12 and under eat for only 99 cents.


IHOP
Kids eat free every day, from 3 p.m. - closing, with purchase of an adult meal.

Woodland Park, Colorado

A hidden treat in a tiny mountain town.




I had to take several pictures as this was too large to get it all in one or two pictures. So, if you look at the variety of pictures embedded in the larger one, you'll see they are all different parts of the playground.

Memory Books

Here is a cute idea from the M & M's website:

Memory Book
Create a new tradition by making a memory book together with your kids. Then update it once a year as a mini time capsule keepsake.
Prep time: 30 min.
Difficulty: Challenging
What you'll need:

* Felt
* Construction paper
* Yarn, string, thread or cord
* Needle

* Scissors
* Glue
* Crayons, markers or colored pencils

What to do:

1.
Cut felt or paper to the desired size (these will be the pages of the memory book) and bind by sewing with yarn, string or cord.
2.
Glue-in pieces of construction paper or felt to create pockets for keepsakes and souvenirs.
3.
Each year, a new "chapter" is created, items and information are added to the book, and parents and kids can look back on their past year's experiences.

Makes 1 memory book.

We did these when the boys were younger and they are very cute.


http://brightideas.com/summer/family/f_191_1.jsp

One Giant Sandbox

On the eastern side of the remote, high-mountain San Luis Valley, between the Blanca Massif and Crestone Needle, are the Great Sand Dunes, the tallest sand dunes in North America. The dunes cover approximately 39 square miles and rise to almost 750' above the valley floor.

This is what we did over the weekend. We had fun touring a Gator Farm (Thanks for setting this up Vanessa - more will follow on that), playing at the Great Sand Dunes, Staying in Aunt Sue's cabin in the mountains, touring Alamosa, meeting Donna the first night and having lunch with Aunt Sue on the second day, driving around looking at future camp areas, and reading about all the history and information on the Alamosa, Fort Garland, Mosca and Hooper areas. There is so much to share but for now, I wanted to put together the pictures of the boys before I put together the lesson plan which will follow soon.


Here are a few pictures of the Sand Dunes.

International Towne

(Clicking on the Countries will take you to a lesson plan for that country;
clicking on the words in blue will take you to a website with that craft and pictures)

I will provide info here on International Towne and then I will post the crafts and activities for each country in a separate post.

International Towne helps middle school “world citizens” become well prepared for the financial realities of the global marketplace.
Students learn about world trade by running an "international marketplace" comprised of 12 countries. Countries represented in the camp are Argentina, Australia, China, the Czech Republic, Germany, Ghana, India, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, Switzerland and Zimbabwe.

Using offices as "countries," International Towne are located on the second floor of the Young Americans Bank Building in Cherry Creek, 311 Steele St., Denver, Colorado.

Along with activities, games and international cuisine, the students learn about issues such as the scarcity of resources and why nations trade. They also learn what it is like to be a banker in Switzerland, freight forwarder in Germany, or an artisan in India, by working as producers in various foreign countries.

"The program will immerse kids in the global economy and put it at a level they can understand,"

As in real life, the students will pay tariffs and get their passports stamped as they travel from country to country. Organizers hope the camp will help broaden students' awareness of cultures and customs of other countries, enriching their knowledge of economics and geography and offering exposure to global career opportunities.
* In the first training session,
~ Children turn in a completed job application
~ They have an interview with an adult volunteer.
~ Children nominate and vote on Towne laws,
~ Play several group games out of the curriculum,
~ enjoy an International Taste Test,
~ Learn about the history of flags and their symbolic meanings.

* In the second training,
~ Children receive their job assignments and job training for their day in Towne.
~ They create a regional banner with their personal flags.
~ The country Presidents will conduct a Country Meeting where, as a group, they will
write TV, radio, and newspaper ads, and prepare a country presentation.

Curriculum:

* Young American has created a curriculum to guide your student at home in learning about International Towne.

Each child participating will receive a student workbook and passport, which is included in the cost of registration. These will be filled out while reviewing the curriculum.

The boys had a fun day at International Towne. They shared a lot with me on our drive home and I learned a lot as well. Alex was a Jeweler of Israel; he made custom necklaces and bracelets to sell. Brenden was an Artisan of Ghana, he helped tourists make masks and he also sold souvenirs. They made paper skeletons that symbolize happiness in Mexico. To receive their “cultural credit,” (more about this will follow below) they could choose from making a Calaveras Puppet or creating a Papel Picado Day of the Dead decoration.






Here is a little info on each country and what they offered:

AMERILAT REGION - Brazil, Costa Rica, Mexico
Currency: AmeriLat note

Brazil

Global fact: Brazil has won the World Cup Soccer title more than any other country in the world.

International Towne function: Game Attendants admit fans to participate in an interactive "World Cup" soccer game and sell souvenirs.


Costa Rica

Global fact: Costa Rica's economy is heavily reliant on its production of bananas, coffee and sugar.

International Towne function: Greenhouse Attendants care for a tropical greenhouse, teach a Rainforest Cultural Activity and sell nature crafts and souvenirs.


Mexico

Global fact: Festivals have been an important part of Mexican village life for centuries, many of which celebrate the village's patron saint and blend Indian and Christian traditions.

International Towne function: Artisans teach about Dia de los Muertos and sell refreshments


PACASIA REGION - Australia, Singapore, China, India, Japan
Currency: PacAsia Note


Australia

Global fact: Australia is home to the 1,243 mile Great Barrier Reef and the Aboriginal people.

International Towne function: Artisans teach an Aboriginal Dot Art Cultural Activity and sell souvenirs


Singapore

Global fact: In addition to being the world's busiest seaport, banking and the stock exchange generate over 25% of this city-state's income.

International Towne function: As the International Bank, Currency Exchange employees provide banking and currency exchange services for citizens and countries.


China

Global fact: China is one of the world's oldest cultures.

International Towne function: Museum Guides take visitors on an International Museum tour to study artifacts from each of the 16 International Towne countries. China also teaches an Abacus Cultural Activity and sells green tea and souvenirs.


India

Global fact: Bombay produces more films than anywhere in the world.

International Towne function: Projectionists show travelogues and foreign films from each of the 16 International Towne countries.


Japan

Global fact: Electronic components and computers comprise more than 50% of the electronic goods produced in Japan.

International Towne function: As the International Television Station, Photojournalists, Reporters and Ad Agents produce a world newscast, teach an Origami Cultural Activity and sell commercials and souvenirs.



MIDAFRI REGION - Egypt, Ghana, Israel
Currency: MidAfri note


Egypt

Global fact: Millions of people visit Egypt each year to view the pyramids, one of the 7 wonders of the world.

International Towne function: As the International Towne passport service, Passport Agents process passport and travel photos and sell cultural souvenirs representative of Egypt's old and rich culture.

Ghana

Global fact: Ghana is known as the Gold Coast for its reserves of gold that were mined by the Ashanti people. The Ashanti culture as well as other ethnic groups has developed a rich tradition of masks.

International Towne function: Artisans teach an African Mask-Making Cultural Activity and sell souvenirs.


Israel

Global fact: 25% of Israel's export earnings are derived from the production of diamonds. Israel is also the world's largest exporter of flowers.

International Towne function: Israel offers a "bazaar cart" with a variety of custom-made jewelry and flower seeds.


EURUSSIA REGION - Finland, Germany, Greece, Ukraine, United Kingdom
Currency: EuRussia note


Finland

Global fact: Finland is one of the top producers of softwood pine and spruce.
International Towne function: Carpenters handcraft wood products and sell souvenirs.


Germany

Global fact: Germany produces some of the world's finest cars and electrical equipment.

International Towne function: As the International Radio Station, Disc Jockeys/Ad Agents deliver music and news programming, take song requests and sell advertisements and souvenirs.


Greece

Global fact: Greece operates the largest merchant fleet in the world.

International Towne function: As the International Freight Forwarding Service, Freight Forwarders deliver goods and supplies to the other 15 International Towne countries, courier important documents and sell souvenirs.


Ukraine

Global fact: Fertile plains known as steppes cover almost 75% of Ukraine and much of this land is used to grow cereals.

International Towne function: Ukraine conducts an International Taste Test Cultural Activity with a variety of breads and spreads.


United Kingdom

Global fact: The UK is one of the world's leading sources for international news.

International Towne function: As the publisher of the International Newspaper, Reporters and Typists/Ad Agents report on world news, and sell ads and souvenirs.

International Towne crafts and activities

Mexico

Calaveras Puppets
Materials:

* poster board
* skeleton pattern
* scissors
* glue
* wooden balloon sticks
* paper fasteners
* markers
* various materials for clothes, hats, and props (sequins, colored paper, felt, feathers, flowers, etc.)

Procedures:

1. Cut out pattern of skeleton and trace the pattern on poster board
2. Cut out traced pattern of skeleton on poster board
3. Attach arms and legs to body of skeleton with paper fasteners where circles appear on pattern
4. Decorate the calavera with clothes, hats, and props using various materials. Skeletons can take on characters of everyday life such as skate boarders, musicians, children, or a bride or groom.
5. Attach a wooden stick to the back of the puppet.
6. Enjoy the calaveras puppet!

Here is a mini-unit lesson plan on "El Dia de los Muertos" (Day of the Dead)

Here is a link to a 24 page pdf file Education Packet
Packet Contents:
# Bibliography
# 4 coloring pages
# Word search game
# Mix and match puzzle
# Papel picado lesson plan, including an easy-to-use template for younger children.
# Calavera mask project
# Skeleton puppet project

Here are flash cards to print and glue to index cards:

Examples of Teacher made masks



Ghana

To receive “cultural credits,” decorate your own Ceremonial Mask.



Egypt

To receive “cultural credits,” decipher the work of an ancient scribe, which is a Hieroglyphic printable.

Go here to send an Hieroglyphic ecard

Egyptian Name Translator

Egyptian Calculator

Here are some fun Egyptian games for the kids

2 more fun kids pages for Egyptian theme
Great Scott
Guardians


Ukraine

To receive “culture credits,” they had to taste samples of spreads. The boys did not like these, there was hummus on crackers and “some kind of weird jellies”


Finland

To receive “culture credits,” sketch an outline of how you think a structure might appear in a different climate.


China
To receive “culture credits,” Complete an Abacus Exercise.
How to use an Abacus

The China Museum Tour included a worksheet asking the young adult to correctly figure out the country from which each item was from, and then write the name of the country in the blank space provided.
The items:
~ Kath Putti Puppet
~ Wooden Chocolate Stirrer
~ Matroishkas
~ Calligraphy Set
~ Yanomamo Comb
~ Geisha Doll
~ Hanukka Candle Holder
~ Mueso Board
~ Boomerang

The Chinese Dragon Curriculum Unit




Australia

To receive your “culture credits,” select a kangaroo, koala, platypus, or lizard and create your own aboriginal dot art project using colored markers that represent earth tones.


India

To receive your “culture credits” you will practice meditation, by coloring a mandala. As you color the mandal there are a series of questions to ask yourself on a worksheet."A mandala is a source of meditation that the Tibetans use to show your soul and trying to get to the center or to show the universe and everything that is in it."

The Buddha's Art of Healing

I highly recommend you look at the pages of the children’s mandala’s and their stories to go with each one.

Mandala lesson plan
Himalayan Art story telling for kids


Japan

To receive your “cultural credits,” follow the directions for creating an Origami Wallet.
YouTube video showing how to make an origami wallet

Explain to your children what origami is:
Origami (from oru meaning "folding", and kami meaning "paper") is the ancient Japanese art of paper folding. The goal of this art is to create a representation of an object using geometric folds and crease patterns preferably without the use of gluing or cutting the paper medium. "Origami" nowadays refers to all types of paper folding, even those of non-Asian origin

My children wanted to know why this was a thing in Japan so I looked at and found the history with links to go with any questions.

The origin of the art began as Chinese Paper Folding. The Japanese origin began in the 6th century when Buddhist monks from China carried paper to Japan. The first Japanese origami is dated from this period. Origami had already become a significant aspect of Japanese ceremony by the Heian period of Japanese history. Samurai warriors would exchange gifts adorned with noshi, a sort of good luck token made of folded strips of paper. Origami butterflies were used during the celebration of Shinto weddings to represent the bride and groom.



Costa Rica

To receive your “cultural credits,” complete the tables to find out how much rainforest disappears each year. (You can use a calculator. These measurements are approximate and rounded.)
Based on your calculations, approximately how much rainforest vanishes each year? __________________________________________
I would be happy to take a picture of the tables if you want to use them as guides to make your own.

Student Worksheet on the Rainforest

Life in the Rainforest by scholastic

Pictures and information of Rainforest animals, climate and plants

Animals of the Rainforest

Lesson Plans of the Rainforest


Brazil

To receive your “cultural credits,” decorate your own Carnaval headdress using the materials provided. Use your imagination and have fun.

Rome Lessons

We watch the History channel and these were shared on one of my yahoo groups so I'm going to share them here and come back later to organize them. They would go well with the History Channels programs.

Ancient Rome
http://www.historylink102.com/Rome/index.htm
Ancient Rome for Kids
http://rome.mrdonn.org/index.html
Ancient Rome Timeline
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/romans/rome_timeline.shtml
Classics Department: Daily Roman Life
http://www.uvm.edu/~classics/webresources/life/
Encyclopedia Mythica
http://www.pantheon.org/areas/
Leisure and Entertainment
http://www.vroma.org/~bmcmanus/leisure.html
List of Roman Historical Figures
http://www.ga.k12.pa.us/academics/MS/8th/romanhis/romlist.htm
Marriage in Ancient Rome
http://victorian.fortunecity.com/lion/373/roman/romarriage.html
Slavery In Ancient Rome
http://www.richeast.org/htwm/Greeks/Romans/slavery/slavery2.html
The Roman Empire
http://www.roman-empire.net/

Lesson Plans
A Day at the Roman Forum: Public Life in Rome
http://www.eduplace.com/ss/hmss/6/unit/act6.2.html
Can you save the Roman Republic?
http://ancienthistory.mrdonn.org/RomanReforms.html
Dictator for a Day
http://school.discoveryeducation.com/lessonplans/programs/tlc-
ancientrome/index.html
Download and print ancient Rome lessons.
http://www.mrdowlingcom/702print.html
Let's Journey Back in Time to Ancient Rome!
http://oncampus.richmond.edu/academics/education/projects/webquests/ro
me/
Rome
http://www.educ.uvic.ca/faculty/mroth/438/ROME/rome.htm
Roman Numerals
http://www.eduref.org/cgi-
bin/printlessons.cgi/Virtual/Lessons/Mathematics/Number_Theory/NUM0001
.html

Crafts
Create a Fresco
http://www.easyfunschool.com/article1006.html
How To Create a Lady of Ancient Rome Costume
http://www.ehow.com/how_18768_create-lady-ancient.html
Mosaic Project
http://www.historyforkids.org/crafts/projects/mosaic.htm
Racing Roman Gladiators Craft
http://www.crayola.com/crafts/detail/racing-roman-gladiators-craft/
Roman Arch Project
http://www.historyforkids.org/crafts/rome/arch.htm
Roman Warrior Shield For Kids
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf72550774.tip.html

Cooking
Ancient Roman Dishes
http://www.mit.edu/people/wchuang/cooking/recipes/Roman/
Eight ancient Roman recipes from Around the Roman Table
http://www.press.uchicago.edu/Misc/Chicago/233472.html
Real Roman Recipes
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/lostempires/roman/recipes.html

Multimedia
NOVA | Lost Roman Treasure
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/zeugma/
Pictures of History: Ancient Rome
http://www.jhauser.us/pictures/history/Romans/Rome/index.html
Roman House
http://www.vroma.org/~bmcmanus/house.html
Rome: Map of the Empire
http://intranetdalton.org/groups/Rome/RMap.html

Online Activities
Ancient Rome Quiz
http://www.triv.net/html/Users/user71.htm
D.I.Y. Speech Making
http://www.snaithprimary.eril.net/npoem.htm
Flashcards about Ancient Rome
http://www.studystack.com/flashcard-3291
Gladiator Dressed to Kill Game
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/romans/launch_gms_gladiator.shtml
Quia - Ancient Rome Review
http://www.quia.com/jg/140056.html
Quia - Roman money
http://www.quia.com/ws/358333.html
Roman History Quizzes and Roman History Trivia
http://www.funtrivia.com/quizzes/history/ancient_history/roman_history
.html
Roman Mosaic
http://wwwwarrinerprimaries.com/Resources/mosaic.htm
Roman Numerals
http://www.novaroma.org/via_romana/numbers.html
Twelve Caesars Quiz - Do you know your Emperors?
http://wwwfalcophiles.co.uk/games/quiz_emperors.html
Walk Through Time
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/walk/games_index.shtml

Virtual Tours
A Day at the Baths
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/lostempires/roman/day.html
BBC - History - Housesteads Fort
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/romans/launch_vt_housesteads.shtm
l
Caistor Roman Town
http://www.sys.uea.ac.uk/Research/researchareas/JWMP/CaistorRomanTown/
caistormap.html
Roman Open Air Museum Hechingen-Stein - Tour
http://www.villa-rustica.de/tour/indexe.html
Tour a Roman Town
http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/nettsch/time/rtour.html

Printouts
Ancient Rome Coloring Pages
http://www.coloring.ws/romehtm
Ancient Rome Map Activity
http://www.teachnet-lab.org/miami/2004/linero/rome%201%20map%
20activity.htm
Ancient Rome word search puzzle
http://www.wordsearchfun.com/60500_Ancient_Rome_wordsearchhtml
Ancient Rome Worksheets
http://www.teach-nology.com/worksheets/soc_studies/rome/
BBC - Romans - Activities
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/romans/activities/index.shtml

1898 Gibson Mansion in Canon City, Colorado

When we moved to Pueblo West from Littleton, Colorado I made several trips to Canon City trying to decide where I want to set up permanent residence. There is a beautiful home called the Gibson Mansion in Canon City (not for sale) that I would drive by every time I was in Canon City as I just wanted to stare at it. I took family and friends sometimes telling them all that I would love to see the inside of this home. My birthday this past month was on a Friday, the weather in Pueblo West was supposed to be nasty so I had said, "I'll celebrate on Saturday by going somewhere and doing something." Well, on my birthday, Friday, the Pueblo Chieftain newspaper had an article showing this mansion and how a local organization was having a fund raiser to raise money for disabled children. The fund raiser would be a tour of this mansion! It was going to be on Saturday, the day after my birthday! My husband said this wasn't his thing so I invited my mom. My father-in-law let me borrow his beautiful BMW which is very old and kept in great shape. So, mom and I went to tour the mansion and had a wonderful time. The Gibson mansion is so beautiful. The wood was hand carved, there are a variety of hidden stairways taking you to different parts of the house, the ballroom was on the 3rd floor, they had people dancing and dressed from that era. Mom commented on how you couldn't feel the floor move while they were dancing. The whole house was wooden flooring. There was one bathroom that was an original with beautiful tile on the walls and floor; it was pointed out that this house had one of the first modern bathrooms. The windows were done in lead with beautiful glass paint. There was a fireplace in one parlor with the original tiles and the design was carried out in the room on the walls and hand carved in to a stairway. You'll see that in the pictures. I'm sure there is more for me to say but I'll go ahead and share the pictures for now. I have also included a link on the title so you can go to the website where the photos are stored and see them in a larger format. If you do this, please click on the slide show on that page as that does justice to these photos.

8ft Lego Yoda

We spent the past weekend in Denver
celebrating Brenden's 12th birthday.
We had a good time swimming, walking
the malls, making friends,
celebrating.......

The Lego Store at Colorado Mills Mall
had a designer putting together an 8ft
tall Yoda with the help of any and all
kids even the dads jumped in on building.
They had a very nice set up.  The mall is
really big so the aisles are big; the Lego
store set up tables out front of the store with tubs of legos
and drawings as guides for what the kids were to build.
They then took their creations to the designer who was adding
them to the Yoda which would end up being 8 ft tall. My
husband commented on how smart it was of them to enlist
the help of everyone in putting together blocks of pieces
to add to the larger model.  The last pic is of my 12 year
old holding the miniature model of what they were all building.
We took a break and played glow in the dark putt-putt, had
lunch and went back to build more. Here are more pics of the
Lego store:



slideshow of Lego Yoda

http://s89.photobucket.com/albums/k206/kathy80123/Brenden%20birthday/

Camping in Colorado

Grape KitchenAid

I want one of these! I have a white one; nothing wrong with it - love it - use it regularly - now I want this Grape one. I think it's a neat color - I love color. What color do you have? What color do you want?

Hurricane Katrina Lesson Plan

We did this in August of 07 - I'll try to get in here and add some of our lessons when time allows and once I have time to go through the boys folders and take pics, I'll share those as well

This was a 3 day unit. On the last day, I found a tall tale about Annie Christmas which was based out of New Orleans so I added that due to the Language Arts, Geography, Math, etc included in the lesson

We managed to work in some Hurricane Katrina lessons today:

https://www.rms.com/Publications/KatrinaReport_LessonsandImplications.pdf

http://www.teachervision.fen.com/hurricane/resource/34251.html

http://www.Newseum.org Features today's front pages of 46 newspapers from around the world, as well as archived pages from coverage of Katrina.


-Watched the History channel on Hurricane Katrina - we learned about the history of New Orleans – we learned about Tropical Cyclones – we viewed the weather on the internet in different areas – how the government helps in times of crisis – the importance of levees – the impact of Hurricanes – why our gas prices went up – we became familiar with different types of natural disasters -

Hurricane History: http://www.teachervision.fen.com/hurricane/history/34252.html

The White House – Lessons Learned:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/reports/katrina-lessons-learned/appendix-b.html

PBS Teacher’s Guide:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/storm/

We did the Gulf Coast Region Scavenger Hunt:
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/teachers/lessonplans/socialstudies/katrina.html

Correlation to National Standards
ß Geography -History -Language Arts -Reading -Listening and Speaking -Working with Others
ß We did a lot with this website: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/teachers/lessonplans/socialstudies/katrina.html

We learned how the loss of New Orleans impacted the world in regards to what we receive from New Orleans; seafood, coffee, oil,

Go here to learn of the different Hurricane skills: Category 1 – 5
http://www.history.com/minisite.do?content_type=Minisite_Generic&content_type_id=750&display_order=6&sub_display_orde r=4&mini_id=1401


https://www.rms.com/Publications/KatrinaReport_LessonsandImplications.pdf

http://www.teachervision.fen.com/hurricane/resource/34251.html

http://www.amlainfo.org/curriculum

Hurricane Katrina: The Practice of Journalism
http://www.amlainfo.org/curriculum

http://www.Newseum.org Features today's front pages of 46 newspapers from around the world, as well as archived pages from coverage of Katrina.

http://www.urban.org/afterkatrina/

http://www.classbrain.com/artstate/publish/facts_new_orleans_louisiana.shtml