Happy Pi Day!

This is a Pi sweatshirt that I bought for my daughter when we visited a science museum.

Every year, teachers celebrate March 14th with their students as Pi (3.14) Day.  This year it is particularly special, because 3/14/15 contains the first five digits of Pi (3.1415)

To incorporate literacy into this math day you could read some of the following titles with your students, or challenge them to write a story about Pi that contains exactly 314 words.

And in honor of one of my favorite math whizzes, who always won the math-go-round in third grade, here is a Pi recipe:

Happy reading and eating,
Christine

Need Yet Another Cookbook?

My smart, beautiful and talented friend, Nicole taught me how to make chocolate-covered saltines.  Salty and sweet!  Yum!  This fast, easy recipe can be tweaked to add shredded coconut or sprinkles, (as one of her other friends did) or to make it allergy/vegan friendly (as I did).

The closest written recipe that I could find for this treat came from Trisha Yearwood, (As if we needed another reason to love her!)  And, as if I needed yet another cookbook on my kitchen shelf, I think I might order one of hers!

Happy reading and eating,

Christine

Mardis Gras Reading and Recipe

This beautiful trivet was a gift that my wonderful friend, Janet gave me after her trip to New Orleans.

Last night, while I was cooking my family's Fat Tuesday dinner and dessert, I thought of this previous post on Mardis Gras food and books.  Enjoy.

February 21, 2012

While planning my New Orleans-themed Fat Tuesday dinner -  pulled-pork Po' Boys, jambalaya, and bananas foster for dessert – I was trying to think of New Orleans-themed books.  I remembered Zeitoun, the true story of a Muslim-American family’s experience after Hurricane Katrina. 

Confession:  I didn’t finish reading this book, as I started reading something juicier.  However, it must be controversial, because my friend, a very quiet, reserved young woman, called me on the way home from book discussion to tell me she almost came to blows with a

70 year-old man over part of the book.  Obviously, now I have to reread the book. 

                                                                                                                                    

For your own Mardi Gras celebration, I’ve included a video recipe for king cake:

Happy reading,

Christine

The Teashop Girls

 Over the past few years, I've had some students choose The Teashop Girls by Laura Schaefer as their independent reading book.  I've always been impressed with the vocabulary as students read aloud to me and discuss the book during our weekly conferences.  With words like "blissful," "Zenlike," "amidst," "precariously," 'deranged," and "luxuriantly"  appearing in the first chapter, I figured I should give the book a try.  Besides, how could a book which touts the obvious superiority of tea over coffee, be bad?
After reading it, I think it is a fine choice for independent reading.  I'm not sure it is literary enough for a classroom text, as I don't see enough opportunities for the deep analysis called for by the Common Core, but there are definite teachable moments.  Aside from the challenging vocabulary in context, there are also epigraphs at the start of each chapter.  These epigraphs offer opportunities to discuss primary sources and what they reveal about the time period, as well as the chance to make connections between the epigraph and the central idea of the chapter.  There are also delightful recipes and tea-service tips, as well as copies of vintage ads for tea.
So... curl up with some scones and your favorite brew, and enjoy!

Happy reading,
Christine

Snowy Valentine's Day Activity

Kids stuck indoors?  Try this Valentine's Day activity that my daughter learned.  Make Rice Krispie  Treats using the traditional recipe found here.  Then shape them like Hershey's Kisses, wrap them in foil, and write your own  version of the trademark Hershey flags, with customized Valentine's Day messages.

 

 

 

Happy Valentine's Day,
Christine

Second-Sight Saturday: Halloween Treat

I first posted this last Halloween, but as my children and I decorate the house and plan our costumes, I thought this might be a timely treat:

October 31, 2012

 

Happy Halloween!  Since we've all been tricked enough by Hurricane Sandy, here is a recipe for a yummy, but ghoulish treat that  my friend, Tracey taught me.  Enjoy!

 

Happy Halloween,

Christine

Bastille Day, Book and Boeuf Borguignon!

Ooh la la.  Today is Bastille Day, or the French National Day.  If you're looking for a quick summer read that will evoke the city of light, why not try French Lessons, by Ellen Sussman?  Ms. Sussman lived in Paris for five years, and her novel about three tutors and their American students in a French language immersion program will put you in the mood for all things French.  For a little French Chef nostalgia, enjoy the video of Julia Child's famous Boeuf Bourguignon recipe below:

Happy reading and "Bon Appetit!"
Christine
Literacy Connections Blog