Summer Cooking Links for Kids

Just in time for the 4th of July and the summer months ahead....

Please see Company's Cooking Kids Cooking = Summer Fun

and

AMC Montessori Summer Hands On Newsletter

June is National Candy Month

June is National Candy Month, so why not celebrate with a fun and educational sweet indulgence with your students/children. Certainly as teachers and parents/grandparents, we want to provide a good example to the children in our lives; but special occasion treats like candy provide a good opportunity to reinforce the principle that “moderation is key”. Unless you or they have specific health issues which preclude candy, most people can enjoy an occasional “goodie” as part of a healthy diet. Older children might enjoy the table at the following link, which lists the calories and other nutritional information for a variety of popular candies. http://housing.k-state.edu/dining/FitCourse/justforfun/06-candymonth.html

If you use the recipes or buy nostalgic candies from the businesses below, consider sharing with family, friends and neighbors. Just a few pieces of candy, wrapped in pretty cellophane, and decorated with a bow and/or artificial flowers (or delivered with a little bouquet of flowers from your own garden, if you have one) makes a lovely gift. Think of people in the children’s lives who might especially appreciate a little “just because” offering. When you share, no one has “too much of a good thing”, and children get the joy of brightening someone else’s day.

For a tasty lesson in math and science and a practical life exercise, consider making your own candy from one of the following fudge recipes. Fudge is a popular candy to make, especially with children, because it is more forgiving of mistakes and heat/time variations than some candy recipes.

Larry from Farm Country General Store has shared instructions for Farmer’s Favorite Fudge, based on evaporated milk and chocolate chips. http://www.amonco.org/winter6/montessori_winter6.pdf

As part of a handwriting project of compiling family recipes, Nan of Barchowsky Fluent Handwriting has submitted a recipe for Peanut Fudge using Karo syrup and marshmallow cream. http://www.amonco.org/spring3/montessori_spring_3.pdf

Angela from Wildridge Education tells about the origins of her family favorite, Grampa Bailey’s Sour Cream Fudge. This is an unusual, old-fashioned fudge recipe, which uses simple ingredients and ought to be a hit with folks who don’t enjoy chocolate fudge recipes. http://www.amonco.org/spring5/montessori_spring.5.pdf

If you don’t have the time or inclination to make your own, enjoy nostalgic candy while supporting small business and a good cause. Victory Seed’s old-time candy store sales help to fund their research and preservation of rare and heirloom seeds. Read their story and check out their products at: http://www.victoryseeds.com/candystore.html

Another family business which sells a wide variety of old-fashioned and unusual candies, including international and sugar-free varieties, is The Vermont Country Store. Find your favorites and share a taste of your childhood at: http://www.vermontcountrystore.com/products/Food-Candy/Candy-Chocolate.html

Montessori Lesson Pick of the Week April 20, 2009

Gardening Year Round - Tips from an Expert

Healthy Nutritional Tips for 21st Century Families

Montessori Lesson Pick of the Week March 22, 2009

The following lessons have been contributed by Montessori teachers for your spring lesson planning:

Part IV — AMC Spring Newsletter
Dale Gausman of North Amrerican Montessori Center - NAMC
offers Introducing a Bird Feeder and Making Grass-Eggshell People

Part VIII - AMC Spring Newsletter

Montessorian Kathy O’Reilly, of Cooking with Children Can Be Easy, uses eggs as the focus of food related exercises. Her multi-subject integrated approach is supplemented with a Booklist for additional extension lessons.

Part II - AMC Spring Newsletter

Richard, of LORD Co. shares a free geography study in a free downloadable set of Land and Water Form Cards and Labels (includes shapes and definitions) and free beginning reading books.

Part I- AMC Spring Newsletter

Free Montessori Sequencing exercises are downloadable in .pdf courtesy of Dianne Knesek from Conceptual Learning

Visit AMC Montessori Spring Hands-On Learning Newsletter to access all of this information plus other free spring lesson plans.

Heidi
http://www.amonco.org