Forgive

Never take anything personal that children or anyone says to you.  Whether it is a student or your own child, let it go.  My mother used to say to me when other children had said mean things,  “Just let it roll off your back like water on a duck’s back.”

When you let what others say upset you, they think they have a way to control you.

LET IT GO!  Forgive!  Treat everyone unconditionally.   If you can master this, it will have amazing results.

Good Luck!

Birds Nests for the ER sound.

Birds Nests

1. Melt:        1/4 cup chunky peanut butter

(If using natural peanut butter add 1 Tbsp. Butter)

3/4 cup chocolate chips

2. Stir in:      2 cups chow mein noodles

3. Drop big spoonfuls onto wax paper.

4. Make a hole in the middle with a spoon.

5. Put 2 or 3 jelly beans in each nest.

6. Cool and enjoy!

Fun for Easter and for learning the ER sound. (Easter, bird, butter, stir)

NO Bake — Awesome Bars

      Awesome Bars

1. Mash: 16 graham crackers (in plastic bag)

2. Mix:

• graham cracker crumbs
• 1 can sweetened canned milk
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 2 cups crispy rice

3. Butter paper plates or a 9×13 pan.

4. Pat mixture into pan or individual plates.

5. Sit 10 or more minutes.

6. Enjoy!

This is easy and fun to make with children because there is no baking or cooking.   Fun to do when teaching the AW as in SAW sound.

Pumpkin Pie

Crust: (no shortening)

• 1/3 c. whole wheat or unbleached flour
• 1 c. unbleached flour
• pinch of salt
• 1/3 c. oil
• 3 T. milk

Mix flours and salt together.  Mix the milk and oil in a separate bowl with a fork until the milk is suspended in the oil.  Add oil mixture to flour mixture and mix with a fork only until mixed.  Roll out between wax paper.  Roll the dough out within 15 minutes.

Tips:

• The less the dough is mixed the better.
• Don’t make more than a triple batch at one time.
• The better quality the oil the better it tastes.  Try Expeller Pressed.

Pie Filling

Put ingredients in a blender in the order listed.

• 2 eggs
• ¾ c. sugar
• 1 c. pumpkin (fresh cooked or frozen pumpkin tastes better)
• 1 T. cornstarch
• 1 ½ c. evaporated milk
• ½ t. salt
• ½ t. ginger
• 1 t. cinnamon
• 1 T. oil

Blend then pour gently into an unbaked pie shell.

Bake at 350 for about 50 minutes.

Whipped Cream

Whip 1 c. of whipping cream until it starts to be whipped.

• Add 1 T. instant vanilla pudding
• 3 T. powdered sugar or to taste.
• ½ t. vanilla

Whip to mix.

This is a stable whipped cream that can be used as a frosting or topping and won’t separate.

 

Telling on other Children

              Telling on Others!  

No one wants to listen to children constantly telling on other children.  This is a hard issue because children need to know they can say if something is truly wrong, but when children tell on every little thing it is very disruptive in a class or at home.  Also, children need to learn to resolve some of their own differences with children and adults.   Here are a few ideas for helping children do their own work and learn to resolve their differences:

• Sometimes children need to be seated differently, so it isn’t so easy for them to mother the other children.
• Have the rule: We all do our own work.
• When a child complains about how someone isn’t sharing, etc., encourage them to use their words and ask for a turn.  Most children like to share if they are asked nicely.
• Encourage them to make sure they are doing what they should.
• Praise children that are doing their own work.
• When doing cooperative play or projects, encourage them to let their friends help.
• Have a discussion about what kind of things are important to tell the teacher or parent and what things they can resolve themselves.  Knowing this will create successful students and adults.  Bullying can never be tolerated and children need to understand that they can tell.
• Everyone has a personal inner guide, conscience, or holy spirit.  It is good to help children find their inner guide and listen to it.  This can help children know when to tell and when to resolve it themselves.
• Use positive words when talking about this problem.  It is best to use words that point them in the direction they need to go like, “Use your words.” “Do your own work.” “Make sure you are being a good friend to everyone.”  Negative labels never help.

This is hard skill to master, but it is an important part of growing up.  No one wants friends that are continually complaining.   It doesn’t work well in the job world.  It is also important to know when to say something to stop bullying and abuse.  Please comment with ideas you have for working on these issues.

MiXed Pumpkin Cookies for the X sound

This is a fun cooking project to go with the X sound.

MiXed Pumpkin Cookies

1. MiX:

• ½ cup oil or butter
• 1 ½ cups brown sugar
  1 egg
  1 tsp. vanilla
  1 cup pumpkin

2. MiX:

• 2 ½ cups flour
  1 tsp. baking powder
  1 tsp. baking soda
  1 tsp. cinnamon
  ½ tsp. nutmeg
  ½ tsp. salt

3. MiX:     ½ bag of Chocolate Chips

4. Drop on greased cookie sheet.

5. Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes. Cool!

6. Frost with Frosting or eat plain. Enjoy!

Cream Cheese Frosting (Optional)
Mix or beat 8 oz. cream cheese – softened, 1 stick of butter- softened, 2 T. milk, 1 t. vanilla and
About 3 cups of powdered sugar until it is thick and smooth.

Discipline Tip-I am Good and I Can

I am Good and I Can.

If children can internalize a positive self-image, they are more successful.  This is best done by them voicing the words.

I had an elementary math class where most of the children had a life of trouble with math.  “I can’t!” was what they believe about themselves.  We started everyday with everyone closing their eyes and saying in unison:  “I am good, I am smart, and I can do math.” Then we started your day.  We were rewriting what they believed about themselves.   We would work until they learned each concept.  They were not allowed to fail.  It was amazing how well those children did for the first time in their life.   There also was never any discipline problems in the class.

When I tutor children, I include this same method.  It makes the learning more successful.

Telling children doesn’t change their self-image as much as when they tell themselves.  It is good to compliment, but follow-up by asking how they feel about their work.

If you are a parent of a child with low self-esteem, say with them a statement of a new positive self-image.  Help them say the same statement each morning in a private place. This will help them have a permanent change of self-esteem.  I know it seems strange, but it really makes a difference.  Enjoy the children in your life.

There is another discipline tip in this blog called “I Like Myself”.  It has more ideas.

http://www.phonicsbyspelling.com/

Oatmeal Kindness Cookies

(Fun to make and share for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.)

1. Mix:

• 1 cup flour
• 3/4  t. soda
• 1/2 t. salt
• 1 t. cinnamon
• 1/4 t. nutmeg

2. Beat in:

• 3/4 cup butter
• 1  1/3 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 t. vanilla
• for 2 minutes.

3. Stir in:

• 2 cups regular oatmeal
• Optional 1 cup chocolate chips

4. Roll in balls or use a small ice cream scoop.

5. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

6. Eat and share!

LOVE UNCONDITIONALLY–Love is the Key

Love is the  key!                                      

Everyone needs to feel loved and cared about.  No one can interact with others perfectly, but if the children in your life feel loved and cared about, they will work harder and be more successful.

Here are a few ideas to help children feel your unconditional love for them:

• Express your love for them individually.  Make it personal and real.
• Use Active Listening.   Repeat back to them what they have said in an understanding manner.
• Ask them a specific question about themselves.  I like to have free time first, so I can have some personal interaction with as many students as possible before starting class.
• An affectionate touch or hug.  Never force a hug or affection.   Sometimes a one-armed side hug, a hand on the shoulder or hand makes all the difference.  If you listen with your heart you will know when it is needed.
• A personal smile.
• Give them a personal simple task to help you.  We all need to be needed.  Incorporate helpers in your day.  Make helping a pleasure not a chore!  “You get to” or “I need you to”, not “you have to”, makes all the difference.
• One on one or small group activities help them see you care.  Try handwriting practice in a tray or plate of cornmeal or finger painting.

Sit back and quietly observe with an open mind.  Open your heart!  Taking time for each child will eliminate future possible discipline problems.  Act don’t React!  Enjoy your time with the children in your life.  Make each day a treasure; we never know what tomorrow brings.

Give us your comments on how you help children feel loved.  Have a great day!

Visit our website for great phonics materials for home or school. http://www.phonicsbyspelling.com/

Cornbread

Cornbread  (gluten free)

Mix together:

• 2 cups rice flour
• 2 cups cornmeal
• 2 tsp. Xanthan gum
• 4 tsp. baking powder
• 1  1/2 salt
• 4 eggs
• 2 cups water or milk
• 1/2 cup oil or applesauce
• 1/2 cup honey

Pour into greased 9 x 13 pan. 

Bake 425 degrees for 25-30 minutes.

Serve with honey-butter.

Tips:  If you have a grain mill, brown rice and unpopped popcorn make great flour for this recipe.  It also works well to put all the dry ingredients in ziplock bags in the freezer to use later.  It makes a fast wonderful cornbread.   Everyone will love it.