Putting it Together

At home with my own munchkins, we're doing a new unit on the American Frontier. I will be using my KONOS curriculum as a base for the unit.

I love this Nature Explorer Bag craft from Chez Beeper Bebe (via Crafty Crow). I may not make the bag from scratch (just being honest), but I will definitely gather all those explorers items so we're ready to go exploring at a moment's notice. It also reminds me that our unit after this one will be birds, so maybe I can just blend them together!

A few months ago I found this mini-book tutorial on Elsie's wonderful blog.


Mini-book from danny brito on Vimeo.

It's the best tutorial ever. In just one minute out of one sheet of paper, I can a make a little book for- anything! I have used it for countless activities. This time, I will use it to make little travel journals for my little explorers.


-Ash

Do Not Disturb.

Sunday marked our 7th wedding anniversary. I cannot believe that. It also marked Brock's birthday, because we got married right on his birthday. (cute, huh?)

I am married to an amazing man. He is so passionate about nurturing his relationships with the kids and I, which makes the world of difference. I care because he cares so much, you know what I mean? He is also very driven; so willing to think outside the box. I really have him to thank for pushing me to pursue more than I ever thought I could.

This weekend, my gracious parents took the kids for 24 hours while we "stay-cationed" in Laguna Beach. Dinner. Dancing. Ocean Kayaking. Hanging at the beach. Going for yogurt. It was absolute heaven.

Well, back to my dream jobs!

-Ash

Smarty-Pants Smoothie: Gourds

Gourds are a very versatile little veggie. Follow this recipe to discover more about them.

PLANT the Seeds.

GROW them into this.

(source)

MAKE Musical Gourds (Shekere)
(directions from here.)

1. Start by cleaning the surface of the gourds with soapy water and allow them to air dry. You can wipe them with rubbing alcohol to further ensure the surface dries completely.
2. Place in a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight, for about 1 week. The skin will begin to harden and change color. After a week, the outside of the gourd should be well dried.
3. Move the gourds to a well-ventilated, dark area where they can remain for at least 6 months. Spread them in a single layer and be sure none of the gourds are touching each other. Allow for air flow under the gourds by placing them on a screen or vented surface. It may be easier to hang larger gourds for drying.
4. Check your gourds every day or two and discard any that begin to decay, shrivel or get soft. If mold appears (2rd photo at right), see if you can wipe it off with a dry cloth or one dipped in bleach. If the gourd is still hard, it should be fine. Drying gourds is not a pretty process.
5. Turn the fruit every couple of weeks, to dry evenly and prevent rotting.
6. When the gourds become light and solidly hard and you can hear the seeds rattling inside when you shake them, they are ready for use. At this time you can carve, paint, wax, shellac or decorate your ornamental gourds any way you wish. Hard-shell gourds may still be rough or peeling (3rd photo at right) and can be smoothed and polished up with steel wool or fine sandpaper They should last indefinitely. 

(Note: This part of the process take 6 months! Consider buying pre-dried gourds.)


WATCH this video.

And this one.

LISTEN to this Ugumbo (Gourd and Bow) player.


READ this story, learn the history and sing the song.

FIND the Drinking Gourd (Big Dipper) in the night sky with google sky app.

Have Fun!

-Ash

Kye Kye Kule and More

Wow! Show season is (un)officially over. It still have one show left that was postponed. We have now moved on to our new lesson: Around the World in a Song. In this lesson, I am highlighting the song "Kye Kye Kule (pronounced che-che koo-lay), which is a classic Ghanaian children's song. I always love to dig up as much information as I can about the material I use. I wanted to find out what was the original language of this song and the meaning of its lyrics.

One long google search later, this is what I found:
- The lyrics don't mean much. They are nonsense words.
- Nobody knows what language the song is in because they are nonsense words and there are 79 languages in Ghana!

The best part of my search is that I rediscovered Smithsonian Folkways, a marvelous resource of folk music from around the world. I also found that they offer FREE courses on folk music and how to implement it into the classroom through iTunes U. Thank you! They also offer 1-week intensives with certification in world music pedagogy! That's so exciting!
(Anybody? Just me? Okay...)

If you're a teacher of any kind, I highly recommend Smithsonian Folkways as a must-have cultural resource. Check it out!

-Ash

Roughin' it

We've been a tent-camping family since our oldest was six months old. I don't know where the passion comes from. We come from long lines of non-campers. But there's just something about the majesty of it all. Or maybe it's the adventure of the road trip. Or maybe it's just the chance to hang out as a family. Our latest adventure: Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Forests.

 Boyden Cavern (stalactites!)

My hubb draws General Sherman, the largest tree in the world.

 Building fairy houses (my boys were all about it!)

 

 This is Kings River. The breaks were mesmerizing.

 Is that a cave? No! It's the inside of a fallen sequoia tree!

The best part of this trip was that, since we are studying Native American History, the whole trip counts for home school days! Yay! (Kings Canyon and Sequoia share a rich Native American History)

Show Time

Hey kids! Gather 'round! It summer show time for Leaping Lizards Music!

If you didn't know, I absolutely love my job. And the show seasons (summer and winter) are my favorite times of all. It so fulfilling to get a chance to show the families what the kids have been learning all year. Plus, we usually theme the shows, so I get a chance to get into my other obsession- crafting! This year, I made the sun puppet/costume and an outdoor theatre curtain. The curtain was my very first sewing project on my new-to-me sewing machine. 

Here are a few shots via my android from one of the shows. The kids did so great!

Mini skit within the show. Kids shown here in character- such hams!

My next show is tonight. Thank goodness it's indoors because, believe it or not, it's raining here in southern California! I'll show you more sneak peaks from the other shows next week.

-Ash

Al Jerreau, Live. 1976

Tonight I leave you with a most magnificent performance by Al Jerreau. I couldn't look away. Sweet dreams, my friends...

-Ash

(P.S. Doesn't he look like he could be my Pop?)