Pepper Paints

Salt And Watercolors

I first saw this idea at Irresistible Ideas For Play Based Learning.  I LOVE this blog and get so many great ideas from them!!

First we drew a picture or design with a glue stick on some paper. Then we covered it with salt and shook off any excess.

Next we used eye droppers or pipettes to drip some color over the salt. We used liquid watercolors but I am sure food coloring would work too.

It was so exciting to see the salt absorb the colors.

We loved making these. A project I am sure we will be doing again really soon.

Masking with Rubber Cement and Watercolors

We are trying to squeeze in the “better for outside” sorts of projects before it gets too chilly around here.

And the smell of rubber cement is a great reason to take this one outside!

Draw or dribble rubber cement on paper

Let it dry for about 30 to 45 minutes

Paint over the top with watercolors

Rub and peel off the rubber cement!

Say “Yes” To The Square….The Chore Called The Summer Reading Program

Earlier this summer I was invited to a  pre-party of our local libraries summer reading program. My kids have always participated in this program. We are a family of readers so it is really a no brainer for us. Reading = get free stuff. Yet,  I didn’t go to the pre party because really in theory I am totally against the idea of rewarding kids with tokens and or coupons for reading. Yes=I am a bit of a party pooper. No, I don’t over analyze everything and get on my soap box tooting my horn at every main stream activity! But I saw this post on Controversial Summer Reading Programs and it gave me just the nudge I needed to finally come out of the closet.

Now, don’t get me wrong I LOVE our library and I especially love my local branch.  We visit our library as well as other neighborhood libraries often. We rely on our library and appreciate all they do for us. But I just can’t get comfortable rewarding kids (or adults) for reading.  I didn’t (still don’t) want my librarians to know this-I am embarrassed to admit this to them. I just don’t have very high hopes that they could even begin to understand my reasons. They see me as one of their best patrons and I feel like I am letting them down by knocking  their attempts to get kids into the library and reading more. Rewards for this, rewards for that, rewards for reading over the summer too?  There must be a better way.

I don’t live in the dark-I realize that most every family  lives by these arbitrary rewards.  ( Some may even try to call them incentives.)  Homes and schools are run this way; allowance for chores, stickers for pizza parties, candy for potty training, money or presents for good grades.   I call them –just another way to coerce kids into doing what adults want. It’s all a cover up kids!!

Back to reading programs–It is true that these programs start off working as an incentive to read or at least to check out more books. (which is great for libraries–higher circulation is a primary goal of libraries. Higher circulation = more money)  Kids gear up by visiting the library and checking out lots of books and that is a great thing! Then  for 20 minutes–(checking the clock the whole time) they/you  read a book and then get to mark off a square. How many times do they bring that sheet to you asking, “Can I mark off another one? Can you read some more—-so I can mark off another one?”  See what I am getting at? It may seem like it’s all for the love of reading but it’s not–it’s for the love of filling in the stupid square and the the stupid free bookmark or  book bag or back pack that they are rewarded for finishing the summer reading program. How many parents get pissed off and just tell their kids–”Fine! Just mark off 1 square!”  *(clue #1 -kids know if they finish quickly they will get their reward)

I wonder if this reading enthusiasm wanes after they get that backpack?  We hope not-we hope the Summer reading Program turns kids into “readers” but it is doubtful that book marks and bike raffles are going to have that lasting effect on young readers.* (clue #2-once kids get there prize they are not keeping up the frantic reading pace) There is an alternative.  Really, you can avoid all those yucky feelings about keeping track of the chore called The Summer Reading Program.

As I said earlier–We are readers and my kids participate in the summer reading program and yet I am against rewards for reading. But I have a sneaking suspicion other families are going about filling in there squares a little differently than we are. As  readers, we read books, the newspaper, magazines, listen to books on tape as well as podcasts. We read while on the computer and while playing games and writing out lists or following directions both in the car at the grocery and while texting and while cooking.  These same encounters with reading are happening in your family too I bet. Reading is reading. Not just when you set the timer and read from a book.  Sort of how you can’t stop learning new things, and how school isn’t the only place to learn them. Well the summer reading program, like schools leads you to believe that reading occurs in a box  and rewarding this not only takes the enjoyment out of it but it belittles the sheer act of reading by placing an extrinsic reward on it.  I know I am a party pooper! I love a good book and totally love snuggling up with my kids to share a story. And I am all for that kind of reading too!! (I know there is a difference between reading a book and day to day literacy) But for us, ALL reading counts towards those little squares. If my kids ask if they can fill in a square I always say of course you can! See, it doesn’t matter if the timer was set or the reading was taken from a library book. You can feel just fine in saying “Yes to the square”–it’s not cheating. Use it as an opportunity to show your kids just how much they are reading. Probably more than you and they think!

So, we don’t keep track of how long my kids read from a book that someone else deems as legitimate reading material and thinking I need to make sure my kids are following the rules of the program or keeping it secret that I let little Johnny fill in a few extra squares (even though we quit reading at 15 minutes instead of 20).  In the end it is all about the prizes for the kids. Yes, they may be reading more for a short time during the summer but isn’t there a better way other than tricking them into it? And why does reading have to be a competitive sport? Isn’t it meant for totally selfish purposes?! Getting the facts and pure enjoyment?

I am not fooled by these programs–we read all the time. We feel fine filling in the squares and taking advantage of the coupons that we can use to get good stuff! I don’t use these programs to coerce my kids into pressured reading for extrinsic rewards. If you think I am batty-which is fine-you can check out what best selling author, Alfie Kohn has to say on the subject!! There are studies that prove these reward based programs are even hurting your summer reading program participants.

Can’t libraries offer new and exciting programs to lure kids in. Come on–get with the times. Kids read while playing video games!! Bring in some game designers and pull some of those books off the shelves. No, they may not be the classics but they are full of words and kids like them! Have an American Girl Summer Reading Club complete with doing some of the crafts from the books-reading the directions as well as the stories. Have a skate boarding or break dancing demo with those non fiction books pulled as well as those that lead the demo share some of their favorite books.  Have a rapping story time. Wouldn’t that be awesome?! Comic book writers could hold a workshop also. ( I am full of ideas if you want to hire me!!!)

I know there is so much more that is behind those little boxes that I don’t have answers to. Not all kids  live in literacy rich homes. But really , it is just not right to give kids stickers for reading. Don’t be fooled by thinking success equals a high number of participants and circulation. Don’t be fooled that these programs are producing kids that love to read. Maybe these summer readers are really fooling you-

*clues #1 and #2 show just how kids know how to work this rewards system

Pringles Can/Solar Cooker

Believe it or not, there is a good environmental reason to buy a few cans of Pringles : You can easily turn them into solar cookers.

All you need is a wire hanger, some strong cutters to cut the hanger and maybe some black paper, tape and glad wrap and an empty Pringles container.

First untwist  the wire hanger and cut it to a length about 4 inches longer than the Pringles can.  Poke a hole in the top and bottom of the can. Remove lid and slide hanger through the can with bent end of hanger at the bottom end of can.  Place hot dog pieces or alternate hot dogs and tater tots down the coat hanger wire and replace top.

Place your cooker in the hot sun for about45 minutes to and hour.

You can also take that a step further and wrap your can in black construction paper and cut a vent slit down the center and then cover that slit with plastic wrap.

Repeat the same steps with the coat hanger wire and place in a sunny spot.

We have also “cooked” pizza rolls in our cooker.  Anything you could skewer would work.

Enjoy!

Thursday’s Quarter Recipe

From this…

To this…

In several easy steps!!

CHOCOLATE COVERED FROZEN BANANAS

First peel your bananas and compost the peels (or throw them out if you must)

Next cut all your bananas in half and place on a try/cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or wax paper

Grab a bunch of your kids craft sticks

Very carefully insert sticks into bananas about 1/2 -3/4 of the way, taking care not to split bananas.

Melt some chocolate of your choice-I used semi sweet choc chips.  You can melt in a double boiler on the stove or in the microwave but be careful not to burn it.  Use 1/2 the power and stir often.

Dip or frost bananas with the melted chocolate and sprinkle with nuts, coconut, sprinkles, wheat germ…..

Place decorated bananas back on trays and put in the freezer.

Once bananas are frozen they can be placed into a tubby or zip lock for easier storage in the freezer.

And on a different note-Meet Grizzly the 1, 118 lb Blue Ribbon Winner of The Ohio State Fair.

He really does not look comfortable.  Grizzly along with a mama pig nursing her 9 piglets and a closer look at all the Art in the Fine Arts Building were the highlights of my return visit to Theee Fair this evening.

Tips For Me? Links For You!

Just found out we may be visiting Portland, Maine in early September.  Any must sees or good tips?  What about Scottsdale, Arizona with out kids?  We will have a car for both places.

It’s hot here and we are all sleepy for the second day in a row.  Papers to stuff and  deliver, laundry to hang out, vacuuming that has been calling for days, flyers for a benefit concert to hang, a haircut that I really want to make time for and visit to the pool-all before 4:00, so that I can go back to the fair with out kids to see the things I want to see!!  So I am guessing there will be no crafty project to post about today.  So I thought I would pass along some link love to some blogs that I have been enjoying lately!

The New Unschooler

The Inspired Family

That Damn Pioneer Woman What can I say-love the way her blog looks, love her photos, and all those dirty, sweaty cowboys-need I say more!

Shining Egg

Maine Momma

What are your favorites?  I am always looking for reasons to spend even more more time with this needy 4th child, umm I mean computer!

Shaving Cream

My sensory loving kids love the mess that shaving cream can become!  We started off with cookie trays turned upside down for trays and a squirt of shaving cream.  Then I added a bit of tempra for color.

Then we placed a piece of finger paint paper over the top to make a print.  Freezer paper works well too.

Then it the shaving cream started covering feet and legs..

At this point I went in to finish dinner and took the camera with me.  I could hear them squealing with delight through the kitchen window and when I came back out they were completely white!  All except for eye balls.  I didn’t get a final shot but I am sure you can imagine the sight.  A quick dip in the baby pool and it was all gone!  Before bed tonight Ginger told me next time she wants me to put grubby clothes on and have a shaving cream fight with them.

Tonight Joe and I attended the Opening Reception for the Fine Arts Exhibit of The Ohio State Fair.  One of my photographs was accepted in the show.  I felt so proud to be brushing elbows and guzzling all the free local wine we could with the other artists!  If you are local and are planning on attending the Fair-check out all the great art in the Fine Arts building.  My photo is on the back wall in the case.  You can even purchase it!