Joeji's Blog

Easter Hunt Idea

2011-03-22T08:20:00.000-07:00

Hey there,

Been awhile since I've blogged. I have a list of things that I want to blog about. But seeing that Easter is coming up soon and my kids love Easter hunts, I'll blog about that.
They ask me when Easter will be here ,constantly! I ask them what it is that they love the most about Easter and they say the Easter Hunt.
Every Easter since my oldest (27 now) was little I've made clues and hid candy and little toys all over the house with the next clue with each little treasure. example: Where does mommy dry the clothes. I'd send them all over the house until they thought it would never end sometimes. This gave me time to have my coffee and enjoy all the laghter and confusion at times. This takes a bit of time but after a few years you get pretty good at it.
This year, since I am homeschooling the clues are will be in a math puzzle. I found this really great site that generates Math puzzles with the clue word. This year I'll only do 3 or so and leave a really super gift for the last clue found. Worth the math work. Tell me I'm a bit over the top. I know my husband will.
Here is the link. Math Puzzle Builder.

Joeji

Speaking Without a Voice Game

2010-10-06T11:38:00.000-07:00

Hello there,

I just got this great idea last night while I was sleeping. Yes...sleeping. It was a dream. I was talking to my family in sign language and notes in my dream. So this morning is asked my girl if she would like to play a no using your voice game for half a day.
Rules: use sign language or gestures, write notes or mime what you want to tell or ask me. She loved the idea because we are learning sign language right now. The site we go to is Auther's site. Simple easy to use and the kids love the site.
We will start this game either this afternoon or tomorrow. My thinking is that each of us would have to carry a not pad and pencil. I really can't wait to start, as this will give the kids great practice with their writing and spelling skills. I somehow think I just tricked them into writing more without them even knowing. We will see how well this works and if it works out and have fun then we may be playing the game more often.

Joeji

Another Sun and 2 Planets Found

2010-08-29T07:14:00.000-07:00

Hey,
So I was watching the news the other night and heard that Nasa has found another Galaxy with a Sun and 2 giant Planets orbiting it.
I was amazed and excited and shared this news with many friends. Yesterday I had the opportunity to share this news with a young man approxitmately 25yrs old. I had met him only once before. He seemed like a smart kid and I was bursting at the seems with this information and blurted it out to him. He tilted his head and moved closer to me and said "say that again" well boy was he full of information.
The conversation led to all kinds of sharing, but what I found interesting was how we talked about the technology changes and time. For example...I, in my life being at the end of the baby boomers have experienced, micro wave ovens, cell phones, satelite TV, Computers and more. (feel free to add more) He then brought to my attention many other facts about us intelligent beings. But the most interesting thought, was the focus on what could our offsprings experience? You should share this finding with your kids and talk about technology and where it could go. I really enjoyed doing this because it shows how far we could really go.
Here is the link Nasa Spacecraft Spots Multiplanet Solar System.

Joiji

Reverse Thinking

2010-06-21T16:20:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone,

Summer is here and I am looking forward to doing some reverse thinking. Reverse thinking to me would be to think-stop-back up and think outside the box. Mainly I would be trying this new technique involving myself and my children in new innovative disscussions. When we discover new ideas I really want myself and my kids to ask as many questions as possible.

This could encourage us to rethink things and possibly make our learning more fun.

My inspiration...well if you must know...we were visiting in our backyard with friends, (you will figure out who you are) and discussing new features that the latest rave (the iphone) has to offer. It was shown to me how this phone not only phones people and searches the net but has app's (applications FYI) for almost everything... like the laser that measures distance. Cooooool, I thought, now that could come in handy. So I threw out this idea that popped into my head at that very moment on how we could jump on this bandwagon and develope a gadget that would do something similar yet unique and make millions selling it to a targeted market.

My girlfriend thought I was brilliant, well maybe not brilliant but pretty smart anyway.

I won't mention what our men had to say. But there you have it... throwing it out there and thinking outside the box. So now when my girlfriend and I make it and sell it and get rich...

our men will have nothing to say:)

How can we do better, will be the topic this summer with my kids. Reverse thinking and thinking outside the box.
Here is an inspirational video about a young boy who thought outside the box and changed his teachers and his classmates thinking.

I think you will enjoy it.

Gardening Time

2010-05-10T07:41:00.000-07:00

Hey there,

I'm back up and blogging again. I've been down for awhile and playing catch up with Home School work. Now it is time to get the garden tilled and planted.

The kids love gardening and have gardens of their own. This weekend we weeded them and got new fresh compost from our little compost bin and added some cow manure. This week we will be planting the seeds. Every year I like to try something new and fun for the kids to do with planting vegetables. I think I'd like to have a Garden Party for the kids. Check out this article about throwing a Garden Birthday Party.

I also came across an interesting Blog about boulevard gardens in Vancouver. It just goes to show you that thinking outside the box can be so productive. I loved this idea and wanted to share it with you.

If you are not a gardener or feel you have no room to grow vegetables a great way to start would be in pots. I grew over 54 tomato plants all in pots last year and had a great crop. I also have 4 rectangle window pots full of fresh herbs. Herbs grow like weeds are are very hardy. I leave mine outside and they just keep growing. Adding fresh oregano and basil to salads really give the salad a new taste.

That's all folks, I'm off to start Homeschool now.
Talk to you soon.

Earth Day

2010-03-27T09:06:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone,

It's been a bit since I've been able to blog. Spring break is over and with the flowers blooming on the trees and the smell of fresh cut grass it makes me think of what a beautiful world we live in.
Talking about the world with the kids can open up so many different discussions. Kids are so curious about our world. Lately, since earth day is coming up soon on April 22nd I've been trying to focus our discussions on environmental issues. Causes /effects, Actions /reactions, what we need to live on this planet and how everyone and everything can be affected when changes take place.

I have been a frequent visitor to Eco Kids Canada and recently they sent me an Eco Kids Scavenger Hunt to be completed with the kids to win a prize. It is a series of questions about the earth. This is a great way to do some research with your kids. I have learnt so much working with them on this Hunt. They have a Homework Help page where you can get most of the answers.
On each page there is "More on this topic area" to the right where there are printable worksheets that go hand in hand with what they are reading.

If the link above doesn't work to get the printable Pdf form of the Scavenger Hunt then just go here and click Sign up it's Free button on the Teacher's Lounge area.

Fun Math

2010-01-22T10:55:00.000-08:00

If you are a Home educator and looking for some cool ideas for your kids to do that involves math, then I think you'll like these ideas. 3 Fun Math ideas and they will not even know they are learning. Even adults will love playing them.

1. String Art: Remember when we did this fun craft in school. The wonderful thing about string art is that it's fun. Children learn patterns, measuring, hand eye coordination and memory.

Patterns are a large part of math. String art allows children to see another form of how patterns work. The end result can be exciting for them.
Memory because they have to remember where they left off to keep the pattern going.
Measuring is used to space out the nails. Hand eye coordination with keeping the string tight and tying simple knots.
Here is a string art pattern for a boat with a link on the pattern to get more free ones.

2. Toilet paper Shopping: This is my idea because my kids love to play "Let's go Shopping". They love to set up shop in our family room and spend hours buying items from the house. It's the set up that is time consuming. One day I decided to use a roll of toilet paper. How it works is like this:

Get a roll of toilet paper and rip about 20 squares off. I have 2 children so this gives them 10 each. With a marker put money amounts on each square. For my grade 1 and grade 2 kids I start at .15 cents and write random amounts up to $3.25 on the rest of the squares.

Then put a pile of change in the centre of the table and let the kids pick one square at a time and put the correct amount on the piece of toilet paper. When they are done you check to see if they have the correct amount. Praise them and then start level two. In Level two they have to place the least amount of change on the piece in order for you (the store clerk) to accept the money. This will get them thinking about exchanging 2 nickles for a dime etc.

3. Add it, Subtract it, speed: Wow I never knew how competitive my kids were until I played this game with them. They even play it now with friends when they come over.

Take a deck of cards and remove the jacks, queens and kings. You are the dealer and the kids are playing against each other. They don't touch the cards at all. Start by telling them to add 1 to each card that is placed on the table. The first one that gets the correct answer, gets to keep the card. If they say the correct answer at the same time then the cards stays on the table and another card is place on top of it. The first one that gets the right answer gets to keep both cards or however many cards they said the answer at the same time.

Each new game can be played by adding a different number to the card on the table. This game works with addition, subtraction and multiplication. It is amazing how fast they start to remember and you will notice that when doing Math book work they are faster at it.

Easy Bake Oven Recipe's

2009-12-21T08:01:00.000-08:00

Hello,

So, this morning I will be baking and preparing for the big day. We will be having dinner at my home with my 5 kids and our extended family.
I usually have all my baking done by now so as you can imagine I am running a bit behind.

My daughter has an Easy Bake oven and I have no time to buy the cookie mixes that comes with them.

Here is a link to some great recipe's that I found this morning.

Joeji's Holiday Crafts and Recipe's

I am putting my girl to work this morning baking and decorating sugar cookies.
I am sure she will be delighted.

Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas.

Joeji

Getting Ready for Christmas

2009-11-16T07:13:00.001-08:00

Well it is now 39 days to Christmas, as I have just read on the northpole site. My Aunt just sent me this link and I think it is great. On this site you will find recipe's from Mrs. Claus's kitchen. A great big deal in our home because baking seems to be the centre of this festive season. One great idea that I'd like to pass on is how the baking exchange works well for those who are not into baking. Gather 6 friends or so that are willing to get involved, it works great. Just pick 6 recipe's, put them on cards, place them in a hat and draw them with your friends. Each friend has to back 13 dozen of the single recipe that they picked. When all the baking is done you make a meeting date to exchange the baking. At the meeting you can visit and sample the goodies. I like to do this close to Christmas with their families and we exchange gifts as well. I am sure this will turn out to be a yearly event with you and your friends. We have fond memories and gathered some great recipe's as well.

Below is a list of ideas on the northpole site.

Fun things for Kids
Stories to read, hear and color
Activities for Teachers
Stuff for Parents
Send a letter to Santa
E cards to send to friends
Games and Puzzles
Recipes

Enjoy and stay tuned for some future Christmas craft ideas.
send me an email if you'd like to get notified when the blog is updated.

Joeji

Developing Great Listening Skills

2009-10-07T07:48:00.000-07:00

Listening to audio books with your family gives you an idea of what it was like back in the day when there were no Televisions. They help develope great listening skills for you and your kids. They give me a warm fuzzy feeling when the kids sit on my lap and snuggle up with their ears willing and ready to help process wonderful imaginary pictures in their heads. You have to try it and I recommend this audio book I recently bought.

The 7 Habits of Happy Kids is a wonderful learning experience for the whole family. It is also offered as a hard cover book that has wonderful pictures. My plan is to get the hard cover copy so my kids can do a comparison. What will be interesting, is to hear what they say about the pictures they had in their heads while listening to the audio version, to what the pictures look like in the book.

The audio book is written by Sean Covey and is composed of 7 stories about a group of Seven Oaks friends. Very entertaining and I love the fact that we learn without knowing that we are learning.

For the Seven Oaks friends, there is always something to do. Whether they're singing along with Pokey Porcupine's harmonica or playing soccer with Jumper Rabbit, everyone is having fun and learning all sorts of things. These seven stories show how practicing the 7 Habits makes this possible for the whole Seven Oaks Community. From learning how to take charge of their own lives to discovering how balance is best, the Seven Oaks friends have tons of adventures and find out how each and every kid can be a happy kid!

Here is a link where you can hear a sample of the Audio Book. 7 Habits of Happy Kids

Happy Listening,

Joeji

Back to School Healthy Snacks and Lunches

2009-09-10T07:07:00.000-07:00

Summer vacation is over and this brings new challenges for teachers, parents and the children.
One challenge some of us find are school snacks and lunches. Making them fun, different and healthy can be time consuming. Although putting an effort into creating an appetizing lunch for your children can be rewarding. The children will be happier and you know that saying "food for thought" really carries alot of weight. If the lunches are healthy the children will be able to concentrate and focus because those brain neurons will be able to work faster and produce quicker answers. This means that the child will also feel smarter and more confident. It's a win win situation for both the child and the cook. So let's share some great healthy snack and lunch ideas here. Try and keep in mind...Litterless Lunches. Don't hold out on us because sharing is caring. Below is my first healthy snack addition.

Healthy Homemade Crackers

Cheddar cheese Crackers

2 cups whole wheat flour

2 cups grated cheddar cheese

3 tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 tsp paprika

1/2 cup butter, frozen

1/2 cup water

Extra whole wheat flour for rolling

1/2 cup sesame seeds (optional) just in case there is an allergy

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

Mix flour, cheese, sugar, salt, paprika, together in a bowl.

Grate frozen butter into this dry mixture and toss to mix.

Add water and mix until just conbined to form a dough. Cut dough

into four equal parts. Flatten out one portion of dough in your hands

and sprinkle a small amount of flour on the counter and on top

of the portion of the dough. Roll the dough making sure the counter

stays well flours to avoid sticking. Roll to approximately 1/8 inch thick.

If using sesame seeds you can sprinkle them over the dough and gently

roll them into the dough at this point. Cut the dough will with cookie

cutter and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 5 to 6 minutes

but watch because they can burn quickly.

These crackers will keep for up to 5 days in an airtight container.