Jungle School - Snow Day

Normally, summer is approaching here in Panama.  However, this year we have had rain, rain, and more rain.  The canal actually closed for a day, and most of the city has been without water as the filtering systems can’t keep up with all the sediment that the flooding brings.  What does this mean for us?  

Well, with the darkness of the sky it actually feels a little like winter (okay, fall really).  Maybe it’s a stretch, but a momma can dream, right?  I guess it is because my children have never seen or touched snow, that I always get excited about some winter fun.  So, we decided to dedicate this last Friday of Jungle School as a snow day.  

Our activities were:

Snowball Math - This was one of my favorites teaching Kindergarten, but preschoolers seem to have much less self control with edible math manipulatives.  hehe  So they counted out 10 snowballs, then learned how to lick them to stick them together for snowmen.  Most ended up just making a line and going for the “snowworm.”

Animal Tracks - I just filled a couple of lids with paint, and dug through our animals.  (Confession time...a “good” teacher would have chosen arctic animals, but I went for any white animals in case the paint wasn’t washable. hehe)  Children got to make the animals walk through the paint, then make tracks down a black strip of paper.

Snow Scenes - Here they drew pictures with a white crayon on blue paper, then add snow “goop” for the finishing touches.  Goop is a winter favorite of mine, and so easy to make!  Just mix equal parts flour, salt, and water, then pour into a squeeze bottle.  It dries bumpy or puffy, and the salt makes it sparkle!

Mother's Day Makeover's

Mother’s Day in Panama is December 8.  It doesn’t matter what day of the week it falls on, it IS a national holiday.  Folks here are serious about their mamas!

We started our time by reading some fun books about mothers.  I thought it was a good time to review what it means to be servant hearted, and talk about being humble.  Not one child could confess to saying thank you every time their mom did laundry, fixed a meal, etc., so I gave them some ideas on how they could pamper mom today.  We had nail polish available, along with brushes, and lotion for massages.  The children were supposed to find out what their mothers prefer before the “makeover,” then we let the fun begin!

Next I snuck into the kitchen to whip up a little fondue treat for the mom’s, but my children always come running at the sound of the vitamix knowing something good’s coming out.  So, we had to share.  hehe  I didn’t get a photo, but we had a great fondue party with our favorites (apples, bananas, and marshmallows) along with a new found favorite...pretzels!  For those who like the sweet/salty combo (dare I say french fries dipped in a chocolate shake), you’ve got to try it.

Then as they were leaving the children surprised their mamitas with a little gift...A Portrait of Mom!  Who wouldn’t love a marker drawn, scrambled egg eyed picture of themselves?

Feliz Dia de la Madre!  Happy Mother’s Day!

We have a new Jungle Baby!

No, I didn't give up blogging...God just surprised us with an extra special something to be thankful for!  

Baby Judah was born on November 23, 2010 at 1:31 a.m. (two weeks before his due date, and one day before I had planned to make all the preparations...hehe)


He weighed 7 lbs. 5 oz. and was 21 in. long, and came into the world VERY quickly.  (My water broke at 10:30, we left for the hospital a little after midnight, called the doctors on the way, and they arrived just before Judah did.) 


Everyone is adjusting well, and loving this new addition to the family.  Here are some photos of their first meeting.

Judah means "praise" and we are all praising God for this precious gift!

Week 14 - Widow is Servant Hearted

Printables for this week:

Servant Hearted Bible page

Servant Hearted Chart from Hubbard’s Cupboard

Galatians 5:13b from Hubbard’s Cupboard

Zoo ABC - letter l

Zoo Math L - #12

This week we learned about Elijah and the widow who gave up her last meal for him.  Acting the story out is a favorite, and this week we practiced in English and Spanish!  It is so fun to hear Aryelle speak in Spanish these days, as she is like a little parrot copying whatever she hears (real words or not...hehe)

Bread Painting was also a big hit this week.  (Just mix a drop of food coloring with a couple tablespoons of milk, stir, and paint away!)  We used the little watercolor brushes for some good fine motor practice.  They were supposed to practice writing their names, but were enthralled by the colors and ended up painting every inch of their piece.  Then it was straight to the toaster, as soggy bread is not very appetizing no matter what color it is.  ;-)  There were squeals of delight over this activity!

We also practiced being servant hearted by serving each other snack this week.  They draped a towel over their arm (like the photo on the bible verse page) and in their best British accent said “Would you like...?”  Then they would bring the snack and drink, both using their best manners.  It was quite amusing, so much so, that I was laughing so hard I only snapped a couple of photos.

For our cooking day, we made Lizzy Lizard bread!  This is one of my favorite recipes called Tomato Basil Bread which makes a delicious Italian bread with an orange color that is perfect for Lizzy.  I made the dough in the bread machine, then gave each child a chunk of dough to create their lizard.  They ended up needing a little more guidance, so we talked about the different parts of a lizard’s body and made them together.  Everyone insisted on including the tongue, too.  hehe

Our Friday edition of Jungle School was Leaf Art.  Each student brought some leaves we dumped in a tub in the middle of the table.  Then I used one of my favorite fall books Look What I Did With a Leaf, by Morteza E. Sohi to provide some inspiration, and set them free to create!  Here we have cats and an elephant.  Aren’t they great?

Tomato Basil Bread

This recipe came from a Quick Cooking magazine years ago.  It goes great with any Italian meal, soup, or salad.  I also like to make it on the dough setting, then roll it into breadsticks for a fun variation.


Ingredients:

• 8 ounces tomato sauce
• ¼ cup water (70∞ to 80∞)
• 2 tablespoons nonfat dry milk powder
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• 1 ½ teaspoons dried minced onion
• 1 ½ teaspoons dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried marjoram
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 3 cups flour
• 1 ¾ teaspoons active dry yeast

Directions: 1. In bread machine pan, place all ingredients in the order suggested by manufacturer. Select basic bread setting. Choose crust color and loaf size according to bread machine directions (check dough after 5 minutes of mixing; add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water or flour if needed).

Yield: 1 loaf (about 1-1/2 pounds)