Posts Tagged ‘Good Choices’

Interactive Matching Games Make Vocabulary Fun

Friday, November 11th, 2011

Miss Pat and vocabularyMiss Pat knows that many of the “Can Dos” are not fans of vocabulary lessons. She also knows that learning learning new vocabulary words is important. The big question for her…how to get the “Can Dos interested and excited about learning the names of people places and things and to spell them correctly.

Miss Pat  tried using flash cards and other word games and some of the class liked learning vocabulary that way, but it wasn’t enough. So, she thought and thought and then it came to her. She would create matching games on the computers and let each “Can Do” match the name of an object with the object. The game would tell each “Can Do” if they got it right or wrong.

That afternoon, when the class  usually had vocabulary time, Miss Pat asked all the children to go to their computers and turn them on. The class was thrilled because they thought…computer time instead of vocabulary time.

They were so surprised when she had them go to their computers and go to the  “Can Do” Club House  where they found two new games. The first was called vegetables and the second was called fruits.

“Class,” said Miss Pat,”Today we are having today’s vocabulary lesson by playing two interactive matching games.  You may recognize some of the names for some of the objects. Do the best you can and then choose the button that says correct and see how you did.”

The class grew quiet as they played the games and checked their answers. Miss Pat waited until everyone was finished the games and asked, “How did everyone do?”  Hector raised his hand and said, “I have to play this game a lot.  I didn’t do so well.”Some of the other “Can Dos” shook their heads in agreement.

Of course Orrie did well, not perfect, but well, but then again he always does.

Miss Pat asked the class to come back to their seats and take out a piece of paper. “Class, write a sentence about each of the fruits you matched in the game. Remember to start each sentence with a capital letter and end each sentence with a period. Let’s see what you remember from the matching game you just played and how well you spelled the names of the fruits.”

Boys and girls reading this post, why don’t you see how you can do? Go to the “Can Do” Club House, choose games, look for the games called fruits/vegetables and start playing. When you are finished playing both games and check how many right answers you got, why don’t you use each of the objects you matched correctly in a sentence?

 

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The Apple…

Monday, September 26th, 2011

Miss Pat passed around a plate filled with slices of apple. She directed the class to each take a slice of apple and eat it. The Can Do Kids were happy to do what she asked, but a little puzzled as Miss Pat never handed out food in the middle of the afternoon.

“Class who knows what day today is?” Miss Pat smiled and looked around at all the faces looking at her. Hector raised his hand, “Why it’s Monday the 26th of September, Miss Pat, don’t you remember?” Miss Pat laughed and answered, ” I know Hector, but who do we honor on September 26th?”

As always, Orrie was the first to raise his hand with an answer. “It’s Johnny Appleseed Day,” said Orrie. “Very good, Orrie,” answered Miss Pat, “Now who, other than Orrie, can tell me who Johnny Appleseed was and why we remember him today.”

The “Can Dos” all squirmed in their seats, hoping they wouldn’t be called on for the answer. Miss Pat waited, then she said, “I see I need to read to you about Johnny Appleseed. Be sure to pay attention because there will be a short quiz when I am done.”

Miss Pat began to read,”When the colonists first came to America they carried with them seeds from apple trees back home in Europe. It was a good thing, as there were no apple trees in America when they arrived. They planted the seeds where they settled in New England and soon there were apple trees full of fruit for eating and baking.

When the Wild West was opened a man named John Chapman, who was born on September 26, 1774,  set out to explore the new territory and to plant apple orchards along the way. His work earned him the name, “Johnny Appleseed.” He was a devoted naturalist who respected the land. He treated everyone as he wanted to be treated.

When he died, at 70 years of age, he left behind apple orchards all over the Western U.S. that still bear fruit today.”

Miss Pat Looked up from her reading and said, ” Take out your pencils  and I will pass out a short quiz about what I just read to all of you.

The Quiz:

When was John Chapman born?____________________________________________________

Were there always apple trees in the U.S. ?___________________________________________

Who brought apple seeds to America?________________________________________________

Why did John Chapman get the name Johnny Appleseed?_________________________________

Where did he plant apple orchards?__________________________________________________

Are any of his apple orchards still around today?________________________________________

Name 3 things we can make with apples________________________________________________

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September is National Children’s Good Manners Month

Saturday, September 24th, 2011

Hector wants to know…what are manners? Maria says that manners are guidelines for how to behave in all social situations. Is she right?

How would you describe manners?

Bobby says manners are important because they keep us from hurting people’s feelings. Do you think he’s right?

Do you know words that show you have good manners? Here are a few: Please…Thank You…You’re Welcome…Excuse me. Can you name any others?

Let’s see what you think would be good manners.

1. You are at the dinner table, with family company, and your head starts itching. What should you do?

2. A friend comes to your house and brings a gift. What should you say or do?

3. You see your grandma on the street and she is carrying packages. What should you do?

4. You have a seat on the bus, but an elderly lady gets on the bus and there are no seats left. What can you do?

5. You need to go to the bathroom in school. You need to get permission from your teacher but  she is talking to someone. What can you do?

Do you think you have good manners? Do you ask by saying please first? Do you say thank you when you receive something or get help? What about when you need to get by someone, or you bump into someone do you say excuse me?

Can you name a few things you can do to improve your manners?

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Food Safety and Fixing an After School Snack

Tuesday, September 13th, 2011

nurse diane teaches after school snackNurse Diane visited the “Can Dos” in class and spoke to them about being careful when they prepare an after school snack at home.

Here is what she had to say. “You need to be careful when you make an after school  snack or you could wind up getting sick. This is what you need to do keep from getting sick:

  • First…put your books, knapsack, and sporting equipment on the floor, not on eating counters or the kitchen table where the germs on your bag, books and sporting equipment can get on the table where you are going to make your snack or eat it.
  • Wipe the counter or food preparation area before you put food on it to make sure their are no germs on the counter. Use a clean paper towel with hot water and soap to wipe the counter. Then rinse the area with another clean paper and clean, cool water. Make sure you get all the soap up
  • Clean out your lunch box and throw away sandwiches or other “refrigerator type” foods, such as yogurt tubes or cheese sticks, left over from lunch that are no longer safe to eat. Don’t eat them for a snack. It doesn’t matter if they look or smell okay.
  • Wash your hands before you make or eat a snack. Hands carry lots of germs, and not washing hands is a big reason for getting sick from making food with germ-filled hands.
  • Always use clean spoons, forks, and plates.
  • Wash fruits and vegetables with running tap water before you eat them.
  • Do not eat bread, cheese, or soft fruits or vegetables that have bruises or spots of mold.
  • Do not eat unbaked cookie dough because it may contain raw eggs that can have bacteria that can make you sick.
  • Do not leave cold items, like milk, lunch meat, hard cooked eggs, or yogurt, out on the counter at room temperature. Put these foods back in the refrigerator as soon as you’ve fixed your snack.
  • Don’t eat any food that has been  left out of the refrigerator, such as pizza — even if it isn’t topped with meat. Food should not be left in the temperature “Danger Zone” of 40 to 140 °F for more than 2 hours or no more than 1 hour if the temperature is 90 °F or higher.
  • When you finish preparing your snack, be sure to wash off the counter or food prep area with a clean paper towel.”

“Wow,” said Hector, “That’s a bunch of things to remember about making a snack!”

Nurse Diane nodded and answered, ” True, but It beats getting tummy troubles doesn’t it Hector?”

Hector had to agree!

Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control

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Holy Guacamole!

Wednesday, July 27th, 2011

Miss Sue came into the cooking class at summer camp just before the session started and said,” Boys and girls I have a surprise for you today.”

chef raquel makes guacamoleWith that Chef Raquel, stepped out from behind Miss Sue, saying, “Is everybody ready to learn how to make Guacamole? It’s a great summer dip you can prepare with your mom or dad or a grandparent.”

The “Can Dos” all clapped and called out, “We’re ready!”

Chef Raquel smiled, opened the door and said,”It just do happens I stopped by the senior center on my way here. Look who all volunteered to come and help all of you cut, slice and chop the ingredients for the Guacamole.”

With that the grandmas all came into the class! There was Grandma Maureen, Grandma Hattie, Grandma Frances and Grandma Sue. Each of the grandmas joined a group of “Can Dos” around their individual food prep tables.

“Hmmm,” said Chef Raquel, “What is the first thing we have to do before we start making our Guacamole dip?”

As usual, Orrie was the first to raise his hand and answered, “We have to wash our hands really well and then dry them with a paper towel before we handle the ingredients for the Guacamole.” Orrie led the group to the wash sinks in the room and everyone took turns washing up. Then they went back to their food prep tables.

Soon the room filled with the sounds of chopping and slicing and conversations about what they were making. Before long the Guacamole dip was ready and it was time for tasting. Chef Raquel passed around pita wedges and everyone sampled what they made.

A couple of the “Can Dos” liked the Guacamole so much they popped their tops!  Willie was so excited about the taste he yelled out, ” Holy Guacamole!”         Willie says Holy Guacamole

Here’s is Chef Raquel’s recipe for Guacamole, in case you want to make it at home for your family.

Additive Guacamole with Pita Wedges Serves 6

Ingredients:

2 Haas avocados – peeled, pitted, and smashed

1 Haas avocado, peeled, pitted and medium diced

1 lime, zest and juiced

1 tsp. kosher salt

½ cup yellow onion, minced

3 tbs. chopped cilantro

2 Roma tomatoes, seeded and diced

1 clove garlic, minced

Directions:

  1. In a medium bowl, have child mash the avocados, lime juice, and salt.  Add onion, cilantro, tomatoes, and garlic and cayenne pepper. Have him or her stir.
  2. Gently fold in diced avocado. Don’t not over mix or it will get too mushy.
  3. Refrigerate 1 hour for best flavor, or serve immediately with pita chips.
  4. For Homemade Pita Chips: Cut pita bread into 8 slices. Lay flat on a baking sheet.  Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil, sprinkle with salt, pepper and dried oregano.
  5. Bake for 6-10 minutes at 400 degrees until golden. Allow to cool and serve with Guacamole.

www.apinchofsalt.com

Raquel@apinchofsalt.com

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