Summer Homework - Again!

This is the 5th year of summer homework for us and the 3rd year of elementary school summer homework.

Beach Days with Kids

One of the things we love to do the most in summer is visit the beach.
A successful beach trip, especially when traveling by train, is partially the result of careful planning.

I saw this video on Facebook this week and it reminded me of some of my favorite tips that I've received.  Here's our Top 5!
- Keep a bottle of clean water for washing sand out of eyes.
- Use baby powder to help dry/wipe sandy feet.
- Store sand and beach toys in a mesh laundry bag
- Pack quick-dry towels so they will dry between uses
- Pack healthy food - fruits and veggies - with bottles of frozen drinking water


Our beach packing list usually includes:

Wet/sandy bag (big Ikea plastic bag)
 - Inflatable inner tubes for the kids
 - Kid's lifejackets
 - Sand toys in mesh bag
 - Small sun shade tent
 - Bottle of water for washing sand from eyes

In the Cooler
 - Frozen Nalgene bottles of water
 - Fresh fruit and veggies cut and in baggies or empty milk cartons
 - wet washcloth for wiping hands

Backpack
 - Suntan lotion
 - Phone (in a water/sand proof bag)
 - Change of clothes for end of day (in a plastic bag that will hold wet clothes when done)
 - More snacks
 - Towels

Looking for a beach? Here are some links to information & even some example itineraries from moms!
Atami Sun Beach, Shizuoka
Onjuku in Chiba
Okinawa
Inn By The Sea - Kamakura
Chiba - Splash Guest House

What are they reading?

Zilla is 8 years old

Mega is 5 years old 

Reading is so important yet it can be hard to know where to start, when to start and which books to move on the next. Here's an update on how the reading is going at our house.

Mega is confident in reading hiragana (one of the Japanese phonetic alphabets) so she reads books and magazines at school as well as the few Japanese books that we have at home.  Recently she's been growing in confidence with her English books as she works her way through the BOB Books series and the Early Reader books that we have. She is enjoying reading to the stuffed animals and preparing to read to her younger cousins when she sees them this summer.

At bedtime Zilla and Mega each get to choose a book or a chapter to listen to.  Mega enjoys the Star Wars parody style picture books or a fairly tale.  Reading the "real" fairy tales has been eye-opening for her as she is familiar with the Disney versions and some of the Japanese versions.
Both kids enjoy the "Who was..." series. We are currently reading about Harry Houdini. I've enjoyed this series as well. It is a great one to use to review before a trip to an art museum or to learn about a famous composer before learning to play one of his songs.

Zilla is required to have a "regular books" with him to be read at school He's working on a series of Start Wars books for kids.

SaveSave

What are they reading?

Zilla is 8 years old

Mega is 5 years old 

Reading is so important yet it can be hard to know where to start, when to start and which books to move on the next. Here's an update on how the reading is going at our house.

Mega is confident in reading hiragana (one of the Japanese phonetic alphabets) so she reads books and magazines at school as well as the few Japanese books that we have at home.  Recently she's been growing in confidence with her English books as she works her way through the BOB Book series and the Early Reader books that we have. She is enjoying reading to the stuffed animals and preparing to read to her younger cousins when she sees them this summer.

At bedtime Zilla and Mega each get to choose a book or a chapter to listen to.  Mega enjoys the Star Wars parody style picture books or a fairly tale.  Reading the "real" fairy tales has been eye-opening for her as she is familiar with the Disney versions and some of the Japanese versions.

Dino Night

Zilla is 8 years old

Mega is 5 years old 

Often children have a time of strong interest in a topic. Then, a short time later, they've moved on to another topic.  For Zilla and Mega there are some topics they repeatedly return to. One of those is dinosaurs. It seems like 2-3 times a year they have a "dinosaur era".  Sometimes it is organic (the interest pops into their own minds) and sometimes it is something we present.  

Currently there is a special dinosaur exhibit at one of the science museums in Tokyo. We've visited similar exhibits in the past and really enjoyed them so we hoped to visit this one as well. Plans came together in such a way that we were able to join an English tour lead by Dr. Manabe, the chief paleontologist at the museum. It was a wonderful chance to see a bit bit behind and scenes as well as talk about all things dinosaur with someone who gets really excited about the topic. They kids enjoyed asking their questions and comparing favorite dinosaurs.

The kids found out about the tour plan a couple of days before we went.  To get ready the got out some of their dinosaur toys as well as the flashcards so they could do some review. 

 Recently the kids have enjoyed a TV show on Japanese Netflix call Dinosaur King. While not highly educational, it is entertaining and sparks a want to learn more.

One of the really cool things from this museum visit was the chance to hear from Dr. Coy about his work on a dinosaur skeleton fossil that he discovered. While we've seen fossils before (up close in the Badlands), this was the first "new" dinosaur we've seen up close. He has enjoyed being able to concentrate on this project for hours on end as well as being able to use some of the research tools such as a special MRI for artifacts. He explained how technology is allowing them to see the inside more accurately and without having to fully open up the dinosaur. Also, with computers, comparisons can be made to other fossils and to known animals, allowing them to have a better idea of how the dinosaurs might have fnctioned.

I know it probably seems strange that a family of creationists would be so into a evolution-based museum exhibit... but in the end we're admiring the same thing. The fact is that dinosaurs existed. The fact is that there is still much to learn about them. We can learn much from the fossils and the research that is being done even if we have different ideas of how the dinosaurs came into being or about how they become extinct.  

Before I forget, here are some links to dinosaur things the kids have particularly enjoyed. Hope you enjoy them too!

Kid's Answers

Dinosaur Fandex

Dinosaur Train Printables
Answers in Genesis Youtube site

Dinosaur Book Pack

Buddy Davis's Amazing Adventures

Organizing School Papers

As the new school year approaches many of us are trying to figure out what to do with the 100s of papers that our kids bring home from school.

Whether you are just starting the school journey, or looking to rework your current organization system, it can't hurt to get a few more ideas!

Over the past few years we have developed a filing system that works well, most of the time. There have only been a few misplaced papers this year so I feel like we've finally figured it out.

Curious?

Take a look.

1. When the kids come home the first thing they do is empty their bags - bentos to the sink, papers to a parent, dirty things to the laundry, etc. The parent's job is to read the notices right away, highlighting important information, and then pin up the papers on the wall. If there isn't time to read them the papers go straight to the wall. Each child has a separate clip. The monthly class calendar stays at the top of the pile for quick reference. The school year calendar is at the back of the pile, also for quick reference. The papers are kept in a high traffic area so they are within easy reach.
The kids each have a zipped file folder for complete homework, worksheets, art projects etc. so those papers go straight to their "completed work" folder and onto the files shelf.

2. About once a month we go through the hanging papers and move the old ones to a zipped file folder - again, one for each child.  If you have more than one kid color coding the clip and file is helpful.  As a general guide when we get a new monthly calendar it is time to move the notices from the past month into storage.

3. Family calendar - having a printed out calendar where the kids can see it will help them to know what is going on. Use it for keeping track of everything, even small things like when a survey needs to go back to school. As the kids learn to read & write they can help by checking it or adding to it on their own.  We also keep a shareddigital family calendar with information the parents need.  Another helpful thing is to have a shared photo album for the parents which is specifically for photos of important notices. This serves both as a back-up and easy reference when we aren't at home.

These are the three main things that have made a big difference over the past couple of years.
One other thing we do if have a file box with school handbooks, class lists and other essential info. This box is near the other files so it is handy but separate so it is easy to find the handbook in a rush. During the first year in particular we refer to it often to answer questions that come up.

At the end of a year I sit down and go through both the school notices file and the homework file, taking out anything that is obviously not needed any longer. Questionable things go into a regular clear file for the following year. Sometimes having the past year's program for a school event can come in handy when making plans for the current year. Also, old kanji review tests can be helpful when studying for kanji tests.

If you have an organization system for school papers that works for your family please share it in the comments section!

Snow Day Links

Stuck at home on a snowy day?
Here are some things to enjoy:

Vivaldi's Four Seasons - Winter


Ezra Jack Keats - Snowy Day - in English & ASL

Reading Rainbow Snowy Day Stories and Poems


Treeschoolers - Weather

Snow Day!

Zilla is 8 years old

Mega is 5 years old 

Lesson:  You snooze, you loose!

Since we live in an area that boarders on tropical in summer our winters are pretty mild If we are lucky we'll get 1-2  good snowfalls in winter. The snows may not stay for a full day so if we wake up to the silence and erie glow of a snowy morning we know we need to move quickly so we can enjoy it while it lasts!

Lesson:  Snow Days are a Blessing

Yes, I'm aware that not everyone sees snow days as a blessing. Yes, they mess with the work and school schedules. They make going anywhere a challenge. 

At the same time, snow days force us to slow down. To take a break for the normal daily craziness. To spend time doing things we don't always get to do.  

As annoying as it can be to have upheaval it is also good for us. It helps us not to take things for granted. 

Snow days are fleeting (here at least) and the kids will be grown and gone before we know it so a snow days is a great family bonding and memory making day!

Before getting into the snow day ideas I have some Dos and Don'ts I'd love to share with the neighbors! 

 - Don't ride your bike while holding an umbrella in one hand on a snowy/slushy/icy road.

     - Do wear proper shoes on a snowy day.

 - Don't try to shovel with a broom and dust pan, especially when it isn't powder snow.

     - Do get a small shovel so you can make a safe walking space in front of your house.

 - Don't leave home without checking to see if you can get to where you want to go.

     - Do make the most of the extra time at home if you can't get out.

So, here is how we spend a snow day.

Wake up - Listen to the silence. Stay in bed and just be. Have the kids listen and identify what sounds different.

Check e-mail - Our schools e-mail delay and cancellation notices

"Home Snow School" starts at from 7 am, earlier if there has been a lot of snow. I hope my neighbors appreciate the restraint I show by keeping the kids in till 7AM! ;-)

Home Snow School Lesson 1 :Preparation is Key

I must admit that I sometimes rush this step and usually end up regretting that. With the impending change from snow to rain we're rather anxious to get outside as quickly as possible.   

One thing we do is prepare something warm to eat & drink when we come in. Blueberry muffins are easy to throw together & pop in the oven.  I also prepare a thermos of hot cocoa for the kids at a drinkable temperature.

Another thing to do is have a warm bath waiting.  The wet/rainy/slushy/sloppy snow will chill a body faster than lovely fluffy snow. Kids are especially susceptible to hypothermia and frostbite as they can tolerate a lot when they are too busy having fun to notice!

One other essential preparation is to have the genkan (entry area) ready for wetness.  We put away all the extra shoes, have hangers ready for wet snow gear and towels for wiping off so we don't drip all the way to the bathroom.

If I remember we'll also have extra gloves sitting in the genkan so it is easy to put on a dry pair when the current pair gets soaked (<-- completely="" font="" forgot="" that="" today="">

Home Snow School Lesson 2 : Shoveling Basics - Safety Before Fun

      Since we live on a key intersection where many people turn to go to the station the first thing we do is make a path on the road for the commuters to use.  The snow here tends to be very wet and heavy. It is not unusual to have a layer of ice below or above the snow. Combine that with people who aren't used to snow and it is a recipe for disaster.  While shoveling this morning we noticed that most people didn't have on proper snow boots. That was a teachable moment about how to dress in snowy/slushy weather. The kids also discovered how quickly a wet pair of gloves can become too cold to wear and that it is rather slippery to walk where the road has not been cleared.

       The 2nd shoveling task is to clear the drainage areas. When the snow starts to melt it will make little floods and possibly freeze, covering the road with slick ice, if the water can't get into the drains. Often we have a day like today where the snow quickly turns to rain and makes a slushy mess since the water can't drain.

Home Snow School Lesson 3 : You know you come from a snowy area when you are the only family on the street with snow shovels or snow toys.

The past couple of years our shoveling or the road has been rewarded with snacks from the neighbors. While I appreciate their token of appreciation I really want to kids to get the idea that we shovel because we can, not because we get snacks.  We have shovels, able bodies and time therefore it is something we can do to be of service to our neighbors. 

Of course there is the added benefit in that we love to shovel and that shoveling makes bigger snow piles to play in.

We all love playing in the snow. The quest for the perfect snow angel is like the quest for a prefect wave when surfing. The competition to build the greatest snow man is one that can lead to hours of hard work. Snowball target practice can't be beat, unless you are the target!

After a warm lunch and a some time to dry off we'll curl up for a nice movie & some popcorn in the afternoon as it is usually rainy by then. If it isn't raining we'll head out again to enjoy the last bit of snow on our snow day. In the evening we'll have a round out touch-up shoveling if needed and an early bedtime as the kids are exhausted! (parents too...)

Salad Success!

Zilla is 8 years old

Mega is 5 years old 

Lesson:  Watch shows with healthy recipes for inspiration!

During Winter Break we've had some time for channel surfing and relaxing. The kids have seen recipes they would like to try on a few cooking shows. However, we often are missing key ingredients.  Zilla latched onto the idea of a spinach strawberry chicken wrap but as our local stores don't sell tortilla shells (and I don't have time today to make them) we had to find an alternative way to serve it.
If I had suggested to the kids that they should eat a spinach salad they would have said "no". However, since it is their idea, they were willing to give it a try!

So, we have a new Zilla approved recipe!

Before I forget how I made it I'm going to write it down.
If you make this with your own twist please share that in the comments.  We'd love to try some other variations!

Ingredients:
Fresh Spinach - 1 bunch (250-500g maybe?)
Skinless Chicken breast - 6oz. (200g)
Strawberries - 1/2-1cup
Homemade Granola - 1/4 cup
Honey Mustard Vinaigrette dressing

Directions:
1. Wash, dry and cut/rip the spinach into bite size pieces.
2. Cut the chicken breast into 3 oz sections (about the size & thickness of a deck of cards). Fry it in a frying pan, seasoned lightly with salt & pepper.
3. Wash and slice the strawberries
4. Toss the spinach and strawberries with 1-2 tbsp of dressing.
5. Cut the chicken into bite size pieces.
6. Add chicken and granola to the top of the salad. Sprinkle with a little more dressing.
7. Eat & Enjoy!

A few things to consider...
 - The granola I made this time had a cup of chopped almonds and a 1/2 cup of flax seed so it had a nice nutty flavor.
 - Other vinaigrette dressings would probably work well.
 -  This could work well as a mason jar salad or make-ahead salad where you add the dressing, and maybe the berries, just before eating.
 - Next time we have tortillas we'll surely try this as a wrap!