What a way to spend Thanksgiving!!! Want to read words instead of pictures? Click here (but you will need a password, so contact me first.)
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![]() I recently got an iPad. It's very exciting, featuring many time saving (and yes, also several time-wasting) apps. My newest endeavor is transferring all existing items from my paper daybook to the iPad's calendar, which features colour coding and other fancy options. I have tried electronic daytimers in the past, including a half-hearted attempt on my iPhone. But I often like to see a month at a glance, and the tiny screens of former times just don't cut it!This time might be different. The iPad is perfectly sized and weighted -- bigger than a palm pilot or cell phone screen, but not as cumbersome as a laptop computer. My Son, Simon has a collection of books on his desk, the "Who Would Win" series, which pits shark against whale, lion vs tiger, polar bear vs grizzly, etc. It reminds me of my new calendar situation: Although I am excited about the integration, portability and transferability of my newly adopted system, I must say that I miss the ease of use, somehow, of my old paper timer. Granted, the iPad offers a much more streamlined approach, without multiple sticky notes and assorted extraneous paper sraps hanging off various pages... on the other hand, there was something sort of, well, satisfying about getting out my coloured pens and making neatly-written, colour coded notes when time permitted. I find the reminders and notes on my iPad just don't call at me with the same urgency, somehow, that the handwritten remarks in my old daytimer did. That being said, the hastily scribbled entries I sometimes made on the fly using the old system were illegible, whereas every day in my iPad's calender is a neatly ordered list of notes. Who will win: Paper daybook or digital calendar? The jury is still out. ![]() In years past, we have sometimes had as many as 20 people around our Thanksgiving table. But even when we don't, I am often asked to bring my mashed sweet potatoes, wherever we happen to be invited. Today, we're headed to Trevor's parents for turkey- eating, and we're bringing the yams. The recipe, which has various incarnations, came to me from a former Matriarch, Ruth Reynolds, who has since passed away. It is fairly easy to make, and rather tasty. So, as a tribute to Ruth, here is the recipe for the yams, and Happy Thanksgiving to all! Boil up a giant pot of yams. Remove from heat when soft, and drain. Now peel the yams (it is hard on fingers when hot, but easier to peel then, and the heat will help with the next step, too). Add a few spoonfuls of butter to the peeled yam pot, along with some brown sugar and a bit of milk or cream. Depending on availability of ingredients, I also sometimes add any or all of the following: A touch of nutmeg, some cinnamon, or a bit of pure maple syrup. Now mash those suckers, or even better, use a blender on them, until sufficiently smooth. For a little added protein and texture, throw in some chopped walnuts. Serve hot or warmed up in oven or microwave, garnished (the yams, not the microwave, obviously) with a sprig of parsley, some walnuts and a few stalks of whole cinnamon. One of the most often searched terms that leads people to my blog is "Learning Skills Ontario Report Card". It seems many teachers are struggling with the same challenges in terms of how to accurately assess these each term. I have written several blog posts on this topic (look under "teaching and learning" thread), and have included various self- and teacher-assessment resources to use in the classroom. The PDF below comes from Ruth Ford, who teaches a Grade 2/3 class in Guelph this year. It is based on this document inspired by an LNS webcast on reflecting. Thanks, Ruth, for sharing!
Imagine our suprise yesterday as we returned from a community walk to find a tortoise wandering about in the school yard! The students had been mapping land use on their clipboards, and as it was nearly time to go home, we took a shortcut through a path leading from a nearby street into the school yard. Along the way, one of the students shouted, "Ms. Teschow, a turtle!"
Sure enough, there was a shelled critter, being very social, and with great speed, making the rounds to check out the circle of children that soon surrounded him! We soon found out that "Franklin", as the tortoise was aptly named, belonged to a neighbour who had decided to take him out for a walk in the afternoon sun. Franklin was rather enjoying the attention, it seemed, and I had to fairly pry the class away from him, so that we could return to the school before the end-of-day bell rang. What a delightful and unexpected experience! |
About Vera...After writing for several teacher and multiple birth publications, including ETFO's Voice Magazine, Multiple Moments, and the Bulletwin, Vera turned her written attention to prolific blogging for some years, including BiB, "Learn to Fly with Vera!" and SMARTbansho . In 2014, Homeschooling 4 was her travel blog in Argentina. She now spends more time on her Instagram (@schalgzeug_usw) than her blog (pictures are worth a thousand words?!) and moderates several Facebook groups in Canada and Mexico.
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The views expressed on this blog are the views of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the perspectives of her family members or the position of her employer on the the issues she blogs about. These posts are intended to share resources, document family life, and encourage critical thought on a variety of subjects. They are not intended to cause harm to any individual or member of any group. By reading this blog and viewing this site, you agree to not hold Vera liable for any harm done by views expressed in this blog. Categories
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