Homeschool Freebies – May 11, 2010

• Worms are Fun! Recycling with Worms
• Online Field Guides
• Earth Day Mini Lapbook Helper
• The Trellis and the Seed Lapbook
• The Tale of Three Trees Lapbook
• Botany Unit Study
• Earth Day Word Search
• Nature Words
• Reed Basket Craft
• Handprint Butterflies

Rejoice! For He is Risen!

As Easter or (as I prefer to call it) Resurrection Day approaches, I thought it would be fun to share some great resources with you that you can use this Spring to celebrate all that He has done for us.

Read the Easter Story

¹In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.

²And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

³His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:

⁴And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

⁵And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

⁶He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

⁷And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

⁸And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.

⁹And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.

¹⁰Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

¹¹Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.

¹²And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,

¹³Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.

¹⁴And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.

¹⁵So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.

¹⁶Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.

¹⁷And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.

¹⁸And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

¹⁹Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

²⁰Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28, King James Version)

A Year of Family Worship

• Memory Verse: “He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” Matthew 28:6
• Resurrection Cookies
• Resurrection Eggs

In the Kitchen

• Resurrection Rolls
• Parmesan  Popovers
• Lemon Pie Bars
• Lemon Snowball Cookies
• Lemon Chess Pie
• Easter Recipes
• Passover Recipes
• Bunny Cupcakes
• Jelly Bean Carrots
• Sheep Cake

In the Garden

• Free Milkweed Seeds – Help the Monarch Butterflies
• Free Seed Exchange
• How to Make a Newspaper Pot – video

Everyday Crafts

• Easter Handprint Lilies
• Easter Sheep Eggs
• Lamb Place Card Holder
• Lamb Pin

Home Education

• Easter Lapbook
• Clouds Art Show
• Watercolor Lilypads Lesson
• Easter Math Drills
• Make Your Own Easter Worksheets
• Easter Resources for Teachers

Nature Study

• Birdcall Memory Game
• Spring Nature Walk Worksheet
• Table Top Garden Worksheet
• Journey North

Lemon Chess Pie

1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust
4 eggs, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 tablespoon white cornmeal
1 tablespoon unbleached all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup (5 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted and cooled to room temperature
1/2 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice, at room temperature
1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Whipped cream

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a large mixing bowl, whisk the eggs briefly. One at a time, whisk in the following, blending until each ingredient has been incorporated before proceeding to the next: the sugar, cornmeal, flour, salt, melted butter, buttermilk, lemon juice, lemon zest and vanilla. Pour the filling into the unbaked pie crust, and bake in the middle of the oven for 30-40 minutes, until the pie is golden brown on top and almost set. The center should be slightly loose; it will set as it cools. Remove to a cooling rack. Serve at room temperature with lightly sweetened whipped cream.

Resurrection Rolls

1 can refrigerated crescent roll dough
8 large marshmallows
Melted butter
Cinnamon
Sugar

Give each child one triangle shaped section of crescent roll. This represents the tomb. Each child takes one marshmallow which represents the body of Christ. Dip the marshmallow in the butter and roll in cinnamon and sugar mixture. This represents the oils and spices the body was anointed with upon burial.  Lay the marshmallow on the dough and carefully wrap it around the marshmallow.  Make sure all seams are pinched together well. (Otherwise the marshmallow will “ooze” out of the seams) Bake according to package directions. Cool. Break open the tomb and the body of Christ is no longer there!! Rejoice for He is risen!

Lemon Pie Bars

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
1 cup butter, softened
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1/2 cup lemon juice
1 tablespoon lemon zest

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Mix 2 cups of flour and confectioner’s sugar together. Cut in the butter or  margarine. Mix well until the dough resembles pie dough consistency. Press the dough into a 9×13 inch baking pan. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Beat together eggs, sugar, 4 tablespoons flour, lemon juice and lemon rind for at least 1 minute. Pour the mixture over the baked crust. Bake the bars another 20 minutes, or until the lemon topping has set. Sprinkle with confectioner’s sugar when cooled.

Resurrection Cookies

We will be making this recipe on Saturday night. It has been a few years since we have made them and the children are excited!

Resurrection Cookies

You will need:

1 cup whole pecans
1 teaspoon vinegar
3 egg whites
a pinch salt
1 cup sugar
a zipper baggy
1 wooden spoon
scotch tape
Bible

Instructions:

These are to be made the evening before Easter. Preheat oven to 300F.

*** (this is very important — don’t wait until you are half done with the recipe).

Place pecans in zipper baggy and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested. He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read: John 19:1-3

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 teaspoon vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross He was given vinegar to drink. Read: John 19:28-30

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read: John 10:10&11

Sprinkle a little salt into each child’s hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus’ followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read: Luke 23:27

So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read: Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God’s eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read: Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoon onto waxed paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid. Read: Matthew 27:57-60

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus’ tomb was sealed. Read: Matthew 27:65-66

GO TO BED!

Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus’ followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read: John 16:20&22

On Resurrection Sunday (Easter) morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter Jesus’ followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read: Matthew 28:1-9

Homeschool Freebies – March 23, 2010

Here are some fun, free ideas, activities, and products you can download just in time for Spring!

• Easter Lapbook from Scripture Adventures
• Take Me Home – He Has Risen!
• Bird Nesting Bag
• Live Owl Nest Box WebCam – Perfect to go with this free Owl Lapbook Study
• 5-Day Easter Unit Study
• Maple Syrup Unit Study
• The Real Easter Story

Creating and Preserving Thanksgiving Memories

Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday. Families around the country gather to spend the day together, eat a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, and yet each famiily has its own traditions and its own unique ways of interacting with one another.

If you are like me, you enjoy setting a pretty table, creating delectable foods to enjoy, and making the day a real treat for your loved ones.

Why not take the time to take good photos of the table, or the food, and of the family gathered together around the table, in the kitchen, or piled on the couch around the football game? Once the photos are developed you can have lots of fun and create a memory book or layout of your Thanksgiving Day.

1. Recipe Memories. Does your grandma always bring the stuffing? Or maybe Aunt Martha has a legendary Chess Pie. Maybe a new recipe you tried has now become a hands down favorite. Make a Thanksgiving Recipes Scrapbook. Take a picture of the dish. Ask your Grandma to handwrite her recipe for the stuffing on a pretty Autumn recipe card. You will forever cherish her handwriting and the recipe can be passed down from generation to generation! You can print free recipe cards from www.alenkasprintables.com.

2. The Thanksgiving Table. After you have set the table ever so carefully, added your final touches, snap a photo at a couple of different angles. You might even want to focus on certain details like place cards or your Thanksgiving salt and pepper shakers. When doing your layout, add a list of your menu, a sample place card, and any other special mementos.

3. My Favorite Things. Create a list of all your favorite things about Thanksgiving. My Favorite Pie, My Favorite Smell, My Favorite Sound, My Favorite Activity, etc. You might even ask your husband and children to add their own lists.

4. I am Thankful For… You can create a layout of different  photos, i.e. photo of the family together, one of the table, one of the food, etc., and make a bullet style list of your blessings.

5. Scarp an Activity. Why no preserve the fun of the Thanksgiving football game, or maybe your family likes to play a particular game after the meal every year. Those are memories that will mean the most long after everyone has forgotten that the green bean casserole burned, or that the pumpkin pie was out of this world yummy.

6. Record the Past. Sometimes we don’t have photos of memorable family gatherings. But you don’t need a photo to create a great scrapbook page! Record a favorite story or stories of your Favorite Thanksgiving or Dad’s Thanksgiving Football Fumble. Whatever it is, you should record the memory for your children and future generations. People don’t tell stories the way they did years ago. Children learn a lot about where they come from when they hear stories of family members that perhaps are no longer around or won’t be when they are old enough to remember.

7. Mama, the Cook. Ask your husband to take candid photos of you whgile you prepare the Thanksgiving meal. Or sneak around the kitchen while your own mother/ family member cooks! Take lots of photos to ensure that you have plenty of usuable ones. Record the memories of your apron and about the bowl you always use to make cornbread stuffing and about where you got the recipes you use today. Photos of you covered in flour may not be your idea of a flattering shot, but just make sure that you dress neatly, do your hair and makeup and smile a lot! Your children will love photos of you in the kitchen the way they remember you.

8. The Day After. Why not scrapbook about the day after? Lots of families go on their mego shopping sprees each year on the day after Thanksgiving. Why not make it even more memorable by taking photos of the vent. You could even plan a party for the evening with Thanksgiving leftovers and some additional easy snack recipes.

9. Thanksgiving Titles and Quotes.

- Give Thanks

- Turkey Day

- Tom Turkey

- Pumpkin Pie and Me

- Count Your Blessings

- Thanksgiving Memories

- Thanksgiving and Football … Oh My!

- American Pie

- Gobble, Gobble

- Little Turkey’s

- My Favorite Thanksgiving

- From My Table

- Let’s Get Stuffed!

- Pass the Pie

- Thanksgiving Traditions

- Happy Harvest

10. Scrapbooking Freebies. You can visit the following sites for more ideas, printables, and freebies:

Creating Keepsakes

Alenkas Printables

Shabby Princess

Maple Pumpkin Pie

Who says you have to wait for Thanksgiving to enjoy a delicious pumpkin pie? I love pumpkin pie! Here is a recipe your family is sure to love!

2 large eggs

1 15 oz. can pumpkin puree

1 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup pure maple syrup

3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp. ground ginger

1/2 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. ground cloves

1 9 in. pie crust – either store bought or homemade

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, whisk together the first eight ingredients. Place the pie plate on a foil lined baking sheet (for easier clean up should the pie bubble over). Pour pumpkin mixture into the pie crust. Bake until center is set – about 60 – 70 minutes. Let cool at room temperature before serving. Serve with real whipped cream!

Note: You can make this pie up to two days in advance – just wrap and place in fridge and bring back to room temperature before serving!

Artichoke Cheese Dip

Last night we decorated the Christmas tree. We had been trying to get to it for two weeks now, but my husband seemed to always be gone! It is one of those things that just makes the whole season so magical for children. The children especially love hanging up their own ornaments that I have been collecting for them since they were first born.

What really made the party fun, though was the food! I served freshly baked chocolate fudge cookies, chips and salsa, crackers, fresh tabouli, and the following recipe:

Artichoke Cheese Dip

1 cup mayonaise

1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

1 cup Monterey Jack cheese

2 tsp. dill weed

1 (14 oz.) can artichoke hearts, drained

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients, breaking up artichoke hearts, and mix well. Pour into a small baking dish and bake about 30 minutes until bubbly and lightly golden brown. Serve with crackers or toasted bread.

Tip: I served this with a baguette that I thinly sliced and placed on a baking sheet. I lightly brushed the tops with melted butter and baked for several minutes until lightly crusty.

Absolutely delicious! I am making this again – in a triple batch when all the family gets here in a couple of weeks! It won’t last more than a few minutes I am sure!

Next Page »