Spider Dogs or Crab Dogs??

The Scientist lunch bunch friends have been talking about summer cooking activities since last week. Today we decided to make them. The ingredients are all beef hot dogs and crescent rolls. Directions are as follows:

1) cut the hot dogs ends into 4 slices or more ( careful to leave at least an inch for the body)
2) wrap the crescent roll around the body of the hot dog
3) place in 350% oven till golden brown and legs of hot dogs have curled

Viola they are _________ ??

When I made them for my children they were called spider dogs. But when they came out another name was given to them, which I hadn't thought of.
So if you have a moment, take a careful look and vote.

Quotable Quotes~

A while ago friends made the following comments which made me smile.... enjoy

"I wish there was no high school or college" I just had to ask Why??

Response: "I would miss my stuffed animals!" said a friend.

Another friend said "I think you can take them with you!" What do you think???

Thanking G-d before eating. Why do we thank G-d?

A friend said: "He gave us food, bread, and He made the earth for us."

It's Smores Time

We worked so hard all day making buildings it was now time for some fun!!! We couldn't have a camp out so we did the next best thing. We used the microwave. You may want to ask your children what happened to those marshmallows? I think it was a unanimous decision~ they were delicious!!!

Pharaoh wants new buildings

Scientist lunch bunch friends created pyramids and a stories.

Jake created two pyramids` one with a sitting place for Pharaoh accompanied by an illustration of a laughing Pharaoh~ isn't he mean laughing at the Jews. and a sad Jew.

Alex created a big big pyramid that has lots of floors and red water is leaking into the pyramid.

Bay Blades Sharing

Jake has been bringing in his Bay Blade in to share with friends. He explained that at home he plays with dad and it is lots of fun.

Today Lucas decided to bring his in to share with friends as well.

It is sometimes difficult for children to share their treasured items.

These friends did a wonderful job working together and sharing.

Opportunities for sharing from items from home is a learning experience.

Amelia Bedilia Humor

For the past couple of weeks we have been entertained by Amelia Bedelia book humor. After going to the library and getting every Amelia Bedelia books they had, Alison asked for a specific one and described the cover. She looked at all the books and no it wasn't there. So she was kind enough to bring it in to share today.

Imagine our surprise when we DID in fact have the book all along, but the cover was different. As we explored both books we discovered that the cover of the paperback book was the same as the hard cover first page. Then we proceeded to look at the pages and noticed YES it was in fact the same book. When asked why the thought it was a different cover on the hard cover, one friend responded that maybe it was a different illustrator. Definitely a logical conclusion.

Thank you Alison for sharing your book with us.

Just FYI .. My children loved these books when they were younger. They are a great way to explore language ~ here are a few examples...

Amelia Bedelia is always misunderstanding what she is supposed to do.. Ask your children what Amelia does in the following examples, and what she was really supposed to do??

for example:

1) trim the fat from the steak, and dress the chicken

2) dust the furniture

3) draw the drapes

4) put the lights out

5) measure 2 cups of rice

Enjoy....

Heart of THE movement

Scientist lunch bunch friends had a challenge. Each friend was to take a turn being the heart of the movement. We all had to connect to one another. Being the leader/heart of the movement meant that each friend had to decide how we were to connect. What part of the body to use and the level ~high, low etc.

As one can see they worked cooperatively and moved their bodies in many creative poses.

Sewing Mechanism

The Machine inner workings~

The Motzi

We always thank G-d for the blessings of food. What are the many other things G-d has given us that we can be thankful for??

Naomi said " food, our bodies, and the earth".

Yes so much to be thankful for!!!

Inquiring Minds

As we worked on our many projects friends became more and more familiar with the sewing machine. Providing them with the 'time' to work with the same piece of equipment for 2 months allowed them to become familiar and move from simply completing the project to actually wanting understand the "how" the machine worked.
Conversation progressed from "it looks like the machine is eating the material" as it moved forward, to "how" is that happening?
Although difficult to see, there are little moving pieces of metal that catch the material and keep it moving forward.

Kids Taking Photos!

The Jeweled Bears

Jayden and Alison waited patiently until the following week to complete their bears. More googly eyes were purchased and jewels were needed for their vision for the finished bear.

Finishing Touches~ The BEAR

Lucas has finished sewing his bear. He decides he needs some eyes for his bear. So luckily we have googly eyes and glue gun for attaching. Lucas carefully manages the glue gun and attaches the eyes and viola his bear is ready for home.

Wacky Wednesday Fun

During quiet peace out time, Lucas and Jonathan select a fun book. In this book the illustrations have something silly/wrong on each page: shoes on the ceiling, bananas on an apple tree etc. Each page has the number of silly misplaced items that one needs to locate. Lucas and Jonathan keep a tally of those found and work cooperatively enjoying the book as they read together.

Stand Up and COUNT!!!

It is imperative that we, as teachers and parents empower our children to believe they CAN make a difference in their world NOW and always as they mature.
On Wednesday we read this very powerful book about making a difference.

Blue is a quiet color.
Red is a hot head.
Red likes to pick on blue.
Red gets BIGGER and BIGGER, gaining strength, as all the colors move away afraid to take a stand.

Yellow, Green, Purple, and Orange don't like what they see, but what CAN they do?
Here are some of your children's responses:

" Please stop picking on blue because he doesn't like it."
"Please stop, don't worry we will help you, we will be nice."

It really only takes ONE to affect change. The message in the book is two fold: one is to take a stand. As human beings, but particularly, as children of Jewish descent, history demands it.

There are many messages in this book, which I hope to explore more: embracing who we are and really liking who we are, taking a stand against injustices, and also how to forgive, and how that power of forgiveness promotes inclusiveness.... How could RED be cool too?? Stay tuned.

We proceeded to create draw our colors to remind us of the book's message. Becca, Lucas, Jayden, Jonathan, and Naomi will be exploring these messages further, and creating their own books. Sooo stay tuned (: !

Sewing 101 ~ The doll skirt

Teacher Alison and Naomi were the first friends to use the machine, but all friends will have the opportunity to be "designers". You may want to ask them how the sewing machine moved.  What made it go fast and slow?

You may be wondering where are all the other lunch bunch friends not included in the first sewing 101 class blog. Let me assure you. all were eager participants in getting measured for their "pants", "shorts" and "shirts".

Stay tuned for more sewing adventures. These are all great designers in the making. Watch out Project Runway!!!

Sewing 101 ~ The Compromise ~ doll skirt

Sewing 101 class time was nearing completion, so we compromised and made a doll skirt because we did not have enough time to complete our visionary Naomi dress.
We pinned the pre made pattern to the bunny material and friends helped each other cut and prepare for the sewing machine experience.
Stay tuned...

Sewing 101 ~ Model Naomi ~

You may recall, the vision was a dress for Naomi. What do we need to do to get the dress made? What did we need to know first? Naomi said "I'm a size "5". What is a size 5? How do we know what a size 5 dress is? It was decided we needed to measure her.
"We could use measuring tape that came with threading kit", Jonathan said.

So much planning involved to make our vision a reality. It is exhausting, but friends really wanted to sew with the machine, so we took a break from measuring cut some smaller clothes.

The Needle~ Safety Instructions~

Teacher Alison demonstrates threading the needle.

A natural teacher, she thinks of safety first.
She tells friends "you can't touch the sharp side". Friends asked: How do you know which side is sharp?" "It is the side you where you don't put the little hole in and you put the thread inside the hole." She then explains that we need to be very careful not to drop it on the floor or you could "die" if you step on it. Naomi announced "please don't drop it on the floor, because I usually don't pay attention".
Alison proceeds to think ahead, asking Miss Maria if she had a pin cushion. Clearly that would keep our friends safe~ we could just put the needles in the pin cushions when we were done. ( a logical conclusion) Not wanting Naomi to feel fearful, she tells her "if we drop it we will tell you"!! What a reassuring teacher!!!
Miss Maria did NOT have a pin cushion, but promised to have if for our next sewing 101 class.

Sewing 101 Class ~ The Anticipation

January 18th was fast approaching. Teacher Alison Hirschen has been thinking and planning in eagar anticipation of her teaching debut. She needed other essential items to complete her vision. Clearly she wanted to be prepared so she asked Miss Maria : "Do you have a sewing machine and needle?" the week before the sewing class.
It has been truly an amazing thrill to be a witness to this process of reflection and follow thru!! Stay tuned.