Why Using Children's Art is Important

Ever see a classroom that is more about the teacher’s artistic ability then the students? Elobratetly decorated boards showcasing the teacher’s great ability?  This is not Best Practice. Read on to learn why it is important in the early learning environment to decorate the room with the children’s work.

In the early learning classroom showcasing the children’s work is very important.  We want to have the children’s work everywhere! Walls, boards, even from ceilings if able.  When we showcase the children’s work we are saying it is of value.  We are promoting social-emotional growth, we are instilling sense of self-worth and confidence. 

Children love to see their work displayed.  They take pride in their work. When we display children’s work we encourage meaningful interactions to take place in the classroom.  Imagine yourself for a moment, would you want to give 110% if no one ever acknowledged that you were doing that? Children are no different.  They need to see their hard work displayed and valued by other children and the adults around.

This is not to say there is no room for a teacher created board. They can be visually appealing and even be a teaching moment. However, in the early learning classroom, 95% at least of your room display should be child created.

Now, look at your classroom. Are you encouraging social-emotional growth, confidence, and self-worth? Are you encouraging pride in work and giving 110%?  If not, it may time to reevaluate your process and classroom display strategies.

FREEBIE!!!

Another great FREEBIE!  Fabulous addition to an All About Me Unit.


https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Face-Playdough-Mats-3341977

Halloween Math Center Printable

Cute little Math Center counting game. Simply print and laminate. Use black beans or candy corn for counters.

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Halloween-Math-Center-PreK-3324699

Peanut Chocolate Candy

Great for Winter time of year, wow your guest or give away as treats!

Combine peanuts , semi sweet morsels. German chocolate, white almond bark, and butter into crock. 

Cook on low, stir and spoon onto wax paper or small candy liners, let cool. Instant Holiday fun!

Conchinta Pibil

This is Yucatan dish full of flavor , a nice blend of hot and sour!

 Using orange juice, lime, lemon anchiote' chili paste, and seasonings you marinade the meat over night.

You layer your crock  layer bottom of crock with banana leafes, in Yucatan style.
Place marinade meat with red onions in crock, cover meat with banana leaf and cover .

Meat is used with corn or flour tortillas, or a torta for a sandwich and pickled red ions, sprinkled with queso fresco, and cilantro to taste.

Brocolli Cheese Soup in Bread Bowl

You will need:

Fresh Broccoli Onion, chopped
Butter
Flour
Water
Chicken Bouillon granules
Cream Mushroom soup
Cream of
Whole Milk
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Sharp Cheddar Cheese, shredded
Round Bread loaves (bowl size)

Place all items except for bread in crock pot.  Cook on low for 4 hours. Hollow out your bread loaves, setting aside pieces from inside to dip in soup later.  Fill your bread bowls with soup and serve with leftover bread chunks.

 

History of the crock pot

 I have affectionately been dubbed the Crock-Pot Queen from family and friends.  I must admit I love my crock pot especially when I am working or have obligations.  Pop the items in the crock in the morning and come home to a nice bubbling meal!

The Crock-pot... almost everyone has one, but do they use them? Often they just stay in the cupboard, completely unloved and underused. Slow cooking has been used for hundreds of years to get the most out of food, but it used to be a lot more work and time intensive than it is today.

Origins of Slow Cooking

Slow cooking has been around ever since people figured out how to make an iron pot. An iron pot  could be hung over a fire for many hours while food simmered in it, or a smaller one could be filled with ingredients and buried in the coals to cook. The obvious detriment to these methods was the attention it took tending the fire all day and stirring the contents of the pots.

Cooking on a low heat for many hours tenderizes tough meats and also melts, creating a tender, delicious meal that is full of nutrition. Long cooking times may also be beneficial to tough root crops, making them more digestible. Dried beans and lentils also benefit from a long cooking on low heat.

You Grandmother’s Crock Pot

In the 1950s, Naxon Utilities Corporation of Chicago created the first slow cooker. It was called the Beanery All Purpose Cooker, and it was created to assist people in cooking baked beans A ceramic pot that fit inside a metal pan with heating elements around the inside. Rival in 1970 bought Naxon. The Beanery was redesigned as the Crock Pot. During the 1970s, women were joining the workforce in rapidly increasing numbers.  The Crock Pot peaked at this time because it helped working mothers feed their families as well. It was easy to fill it before they left for work /Better yet, it was great to come to home to a hot meal.

The Crock Pot Evovled

Since the 1970’s, crock-pots have evolved. They now have ceramic pots that are removable, making cleaning much easier than the older models. With older pots, one had to be careful during cleaning that the electrical cord or outside of crock did not get wet. . The newer ceramic inserts are dishwasher safe, as well, making clean up e easier than ever. Some newer crock-pots have an additional setting and timers and a few are even computerized and will change automatically to warm when the food is done cooking.

Toady’s crock-pot is more versatile. Beans, stews, casseroles, roasts and even deserts and warm beverages can be made in the crock pot.  Foods like lasagna, barbecued pork, and hearty soups can be made with creativity and your crock.

 

A Crock Pot Chili Cook Off

A Crock Pot Chili Cook Off... LoL

Budget Wise Crock Pots

Need a crock pot or maybe a second crock pot?  Here are some economical options. I like to have two crock for larger dishes or one for entree one for dessert.

 $17 Walmart

$19  Walmart

$21 at Walmart

Ice Cream Sandwhich Cake

So easy, so good, and kids love it

12-14 Ice Cream Sandwich Bars unwrapped
2 Tub LG Cook Whip
I bottle chocolate sauce

Spread Cool Whip on bottom of dish. Layer horizontal row of bars then spread a layer cool whip and drizzle with sauce, continue process alternating vertical and horizontal rows for bars, Top of with layer cool whip and drizzle chocolate sauce on top.

Easy refried like beans

Easy simple refried beans

Want refried like beans but no time to cook, mash , and then fry.
This easy crock pot recipe give you creamy refried like beans with the fuss of frying.

Cook beans in crock pot for 6-8 hours.
I usually put in in morning before work.
 Fill water to the brim, you may need add more water as cooking continues, they soak up a lot of liquid.

When cooked till tender, pour from crock to large pot and mash with potato masher.
You won't mash all, don't worry this adds texture and
homemade beans are rarely completely smooth unless you puree.

After, you have mashed cooked beans, here is the secret , add mayonnaise.
 Yep, not to much you do not want a mayo flavor  , just the fat, creaminess, and color.
Cook on low for another 30 minutes be sure to mix all the mayo in.
How much mayo, well, that is the secret....
guess you have to get my book when it comes out....LOL

This easy fool proof technique will give you creamy and nicely colored beans.
No frying needed.
The mayo adds just enough fat and creaminess along with a nice color.
( be sure to use Best Food's mayo)