December Surprises

Dear Parents,


First of all, thank you for sharing your wonderful and amazing children with us and each other. As a former home school mom myself, someone pointed out to me how this very thing spreads grace, and benevolence in so many ways from knowing our little ones. So again, thank you, thank you.


The next few weeks hold fun and surprises. December 16th, each class will put together one real gingerbread house (at least that is "the plan"!) There will be a drawing later in the day, and one child from each class will take home one of the houses. I am bringing the leftover candy from the one we did, and if you know of any fun ideas/additions, candy-wise, that-is, please send them with your children this week or next. Ideas and things we used: Cotton candy, jelly beans, fruit roll-ups,


If you want to start one yourself this Christmas, but don't want the Wal-Mart package deal for $9.99, below are some websites I found that helped us out on our first Gingerbread-House-from-scratch journey, as well as a wonderful Royal Icing recipe that does not require Meringue Powder (very hard to find sometimes). It uses 6 eggs whites to one 2 pound package of powdered sugar. GIVE YOURSELF A WEEK...we did it in three days.... :/


These websites give you recipes, but we decided to go with our family tradition gingerbread men recipe...they cook up as hard as doggie biscuits...but are so fun. (The dog will love them too!)
http://www.farmersmarketonline.com/howto24.htm
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=98340558
http://www.britta.com/gingerbread/index.html
http://www.ehow.com/print/how_11408_make-gingerbread-house.html


Our gingerbread man recipe:


BROWN MOLASSES COOKIES Double recipe for house...makes 6 dozen cookies.


Bake at 375 degrees for at least 12 minutes (Bake until heavily browned for gingerbread house.)


4 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 egg
2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup light molasses (or dark)
1/3 cup butter, softened
2 Tablesppons grated orange rind

Add plenty of flour when you roll them out...it will make them hard and wonderful!

1. Sift together flour, baking soda, and baking powder onto waxed paper.




2. Beat together butter & orange rind in a large bowl with an electric mixer until creamy. Add the sugar and egg. Beat until light and fluffy. Beat in the molasses. Add the flour mixture and beat on low speed just until well blended.




3. Divide the dough in half, wrap in waxed paper and refrigerate overnight. (I usually use the freezer for this, and make the time shorter.)




4. When ready, preheat over to 375 degrees. LIGHTLY (!!!!) grease cookie sheets.




5. Roll out dough on a lightly floured board to a 1/8 inch thickness. (FOR GINGERBREAD HOUSE, 1/3 OF AN INCH.) Arrange, 1 1/2 inches apart on cookie sheets. (LIGHTLY greases.)




6. Bake in a preheated over @ 375 for 10 to 12 minutes. AGAIN, FOR GINGERBREAD HOUSE, BAKE UNTIL MORE THAN LIGHTLY BROWNED. Remove the cookies onto wire racks. Cook completely.

After 24 hours, if house pieces are still a little floppy, just lob them in the oven a little longer. :)



Here is the Meringue Powder Substitute recipe. It also has other little tricks/advice:




http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20061218153150AAMOck5



Here are more pictures of our final product. :)

Dr. WHO fans will notice the Tardis (British police box) just to the left of the cotton candy snowman.

Have a wonderful Christmastime and Christmas, see you soon, and THANK YOU!

Michele Harder

Costumes

More Bubble Pictures

Science Fun

A few weeks ago we did a fun science experience with bubbles. The kids loved creating bubbles and testing the reaction of the bubble solution as they they made bubbles of all shapes and sizes!

Music Class!

This semester we have started to learn solfege. For those unsure of what that is ask your child! Also, if you have seen "The Sound of Music" and remember the song "Doe a Deer" you know solfege!

Do-Re-Mi-Fa-So-La-Ti-Do

We've been learning that we can sing any song with these odd syllables. There are even coordinating hand motions.

Recently we've begun learning songs by famous composers with silly words. Ask you child about "Beethoven's Wig." If your child attended Joyful Heart last year, they can tell you a few things about Beethoven because we studied him last year.

I am really enjoying all the students this year. During some musical games we've played in class I have been overjoyed with the energy of these children. It is beautiful to see some of the older children help the younger children both in class and other parts of our school day.

Allison Smith

Joyful Heart Schedule 2010-2011

9:00 - 9:30 - Morning fellowship
(STAR of the week, scripture memory, songs and bible story)

9:30 - 10:15 - Class 1 (Science/Geography, Music or Art)

10:15 – 10:20 – Bathroom break

10:20 – 11:30 - Class 2

11:05 – 11:30 - PE (upstairs)

11:30 -12:00 - Lunch

12:00 – 12:30 - Games (Chess, checkers, board games, etc)

12:30 – 1:15 – Class 3

1:15 - 1:20 – bathroom break

1:20 – 1:50 - Reading aloud, group songs,

1:50 – 2:10 – Memory work

2:10 – 2:20 – clean up / line up

2:20 – 2:50 – PE downstairs

Joyful Heart
Tuesday School for Homeschoolers

Meets every Thursday 9:00-3:00
at Broadway Church of Christ

1924 Broadway

K-5th grade may attend

Registration: Please send $45 per child

Cost: $60 per month (Reduced rate available

for multiple kids)

Sonshine Preschool is also a ministry

of the Broadway Church of Christ.

Your preschool children are welcome at Sonshine Preschool!

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Sample of our Curriculum:

Science - Delta Science Modules
AIMS hands on activities

Music – Classical Kids Composer Studies

and classical music recognition

Art – Drawing with children by Mona Brooks
Painting, drawing, and more!

Famous artists: life and technique

Scripture and Poetry memorization

P.E. – games and fun!


Email today to register your child for 2010-2011


a.cary@bwaychurch.org


Questions? Call Amy Cary at 806-796-8535 or 806-763-0464