Educating Leaders - No Conveyor Belt Education Here!

September 16, 2008 - Ice Cream Cone - Sept 22

Ice Cream Cone Invented In 1903.
So, what should you do???

Make homemade ice cream. Decide if a physical or chemical change is taking place. Watch the change from a liquid to a solid.

Materials Needed:

    * 1 Tbsp Sugar
    * 1/2 Cup Half-n-Half
    * 1/4 tsp Vanilla
    * 1/2 Cup Rock Salt
    * Ice
    * 1 Pint Size Ziploc Bag
    * 1 Gallon Size Ziploc Bag

Instructions:
Combine the sugar, half-n-half, and vanilla in the pint size ziploc bag and seal tightly. Combine the ice and rock salt in the large ziploc bag. Place the small bag inside of the larger bag and seal. Shake the bag until the mixture turns into ice cream! This will take about 5 minutes. (You may want to wear gloves.) Add sprinkles, candy, nuts, or fruit and enjoy!

Other Things to do:

    * What is your favorite ice cream flavor.
    * Visit a dairy or ice cream shop.
    * Visit this web site to find out everything you wanted to know about ice cream and more!
    * Taste test some different ice cream flavors and different cone types.
    * Try this recipe for homemade ice cream.
    * Check out this page with many ice cream related theme ideas.

category:

Character and Love of Learning
� 0 Comments � Post A Comment! � Permanent Link

September 11, 2008 - Constitution Day - Sept 17

In 1787, the U.S. Constitution was signed. There are so many things you can do to celebrate our US Constitution. Here are a few.

INTERVIEW SIGNERS OF CONSTITUTION

# Introduction: Ask students to name some of signers of the Constitution.
# Divide the class into four groups. Assign each group one of the following signers: George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, or Alexander Hamilton.
# Challenge students to imagine that they are newspaper reporters in 1787 covering the signing of the Constitution. They meet with each of the four signers noted above and ask three questions. Have each group brainstorm the questions they would ask each signer.
# Tell students that before they can ask the questions, they must research information about each person and about the Constitution. Have students use various library sources or use the following sites as starting points for their research.
The Signers of the Constitution
The Founding Fathers
Creating a Constitution
A More Perfect Union: The Creation of the U.S. Constitution
The United States Constitution
source: http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/00-2/lp2047.shtml

3 BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT CHART

    * Review the three branches of government. Ask students to define the terms legislative branch , judicial branch, executive branch.
    * Depending on class size, divide the class into pairs or groups of three students. Assign one article to each group.
    * Tell each group to choose one part of the article that describes a structure or function of a branch of government. Have each group create a chart to showing how that structure or function works.
Specifics of lesson plan are found here: http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/00-2/lp2051.shtml
Have students present and explain their charts to the class. Have students ask questions of the presenters.

CREATE A NEW AMENDMENT

Note: This lesson might work as a culminating activity for a unit of study on the amendments to the Constitution.

    * Review and discuss with students the important points of the amendments to the Constitution. Discuss the guidelines for adding a new amendment to the Constitution.
    * Tell students to imagine that they have been appointed to committees to create a new amendment. Have students brainstorm ideas for the new the amendment. (If students have difficulty thinking of ideas, start the discussion with a suggestion; for example, an amendment for children.) Write their ideas on the board.
    * Divide the class into small groups. Have each group choose one of the ideas. Students work together to create a proposal for their idea and present it to the class. Variation: If you have access to PowerPoint, have students create their proposals as PowerPoint presentations.
After listening to the presentations, have each student write down the one amendment he or she thinks should be added to the Constitution. Tally the choices and note the top choice on the board.

To get more specific details click here: http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/00-2/lp2052.shtml

More on the Constitution: http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson/lesson347.shtml

Constitution Worksheets You Can Print
http://www.theteacherscorner.net/printable-worksheets/make-your-own/word-scramble/index.php

category:

History
� 0 Comments � Post A Comment! � Permanent Link

September 4, 2008 - Research, Writing & Computer Lessons This Year..

I'm going to make this short and sweet...

On Tuesday night, Steve & I shared a way you can teach your kids research skills, writing skills, computer skills and entrepreneurial skills. We also told you about our course that integrates all of these skills into 8 weeks.

It's called "8 Weeks To Profits" and is available TODAY, September 4, at 12:00 NOON (Central Time). If you visit the website BEFORE 12:00 NOON (Central Time), you will see a countdown clock.

But at EXACTLY 12:00 Noon TODAY, REFRESH your browser and you
will see the live sales page where you can read all about the
course (and purchase it!)

What is "8 Weeks To Profits"? It's a step by step video course
that will help you create your very own online business.
Some of the homeschool skills you can teach your kids are
    Research on the internet
    Writing Process to write a book
    Writing articles to publish
    Writing press releases
    Business skills to market and sell your book
    Computer skills to create a website
    ...and much more

You can work through these skills in 8 weeks. Of course, you can take longer with your own kids.

---------------------------------------------------------
To watch our "8 Weeks To Profits" Launch & Get Tuesday's Free Webinar,sign up here:
http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/?af=750575

After you sign up, you'll be taken directly to our Launch Page
that has our webinar replay button.
---------------------------------------------------------

And you will WANT to be at the web site at NOON because of the
great Fast Mover Bonuses we have for you. Those who act quickly will receive several goodies we've pulled together for you. Here they are:

FIRST 3 FAST MOVERS! Secrets To Building Sites That Sell -
Discover how to overcome all the technical hurdles of developing
a website for physical products (Value $447)

FIRST 4 FAST MOVERS! Midwest Super Conference - A ticket to one
of the best internet marketing conferences of the year. And Kerry
and I will be speaking there! Put your Internet business on the
fast track and learn from 14 pros! (Value $697)

FIRST 11 FAST MOVERS! Free One-on-One Strategy Consultation with
Stephen Beck - You receive a total of 60 minutes consultation
about your information product or any aspect of your online
business. (Value $500)

FIRST 34 FAST MOVERS! Private Label Rights Package - 4 Private
Label Rights Products in popular niches that you can start
selling immediately. Some even come with a website template!
(Value $97)

FIRST 59 FAST MOVERS! 17 Simple But Deadly Effective Email
Marketing Tweaks - Want emails that get your visitors to whip out
their wallets and buy your products? Then this is the ebook you
need to read! (Value $47)

FIRST 73 FAST MOVERS! Google Adwords For Newbies - Google Adwords
is one of the most effective ways of getting traffic to your
site. And it is also one of the most confusing tools to learn.
This ebook takes the mystery out of Google Adwords! (Value $37)

FIRST 99 FAST MOVERS! Secrets of Monthly Continuity Webinar -
Stephen will host a webinar & share his secrets to successful
monthly continuity - how to set it up, where to find content, and
much more. (Value $97)

Special Bonus - Everyone Who Purchases BEFORE Sunday at MIDNIGHT
(Eastern) How To Start Your Own Business...for Families and Teens
- Our popular DVD series to give you an overview of starting your
own business. (Value $97)

***To recap, visit the launch page at launch time and REFRESH
your browser. You will see the sales page and be able to purchase
the course at that time.

---------------------------------------------------------
To watch our "8 Weeks To Profits" Launch & Get our Free Webinar,sign up here:
http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/?af=750575

After you sign up, you'll be taken directly to our Launch Page
that has our webinar replay button.
---------------------------------------------------------

Alternatively, you can call our office TODAY, September 4, at
12:00 NOON (Central Time) and we will take your order then. Here
are the phone numbers: 979-703-5724 or 979-703-5343.

Please only call to make a purchase as there will be lots of
people going after the Fast Mover Bonuses!

See you in a couple of hours!

Kerry Beck

ps. If you already signed up for Tuesday's webinar...you received an email with the DIRECT LINK to the launch page. Be there at 12 noon.

� 0 Comments � Post A Comment! � Permanent Link

September 3, 2008 - Activities for September

Hi,

Here's my other email for this week.

School has begun for most of us so I thought I'd pull together some activities specifically for September. When my kids were younger, I liked to tie together someone's birthday or special day with school. We've often made a french style dinner to celebrate Monet's birthday. The first time I made french onion soup, I was surprised how easy and tasty it was. I also had a chance at dinner to see what the kids remembered about Monet.

BTW...when we have a meal that's a little out of the ordinary, my family quickly asks what the meaning of the meal is :-)

To get the activities I found for September, all you have to do is go to my blog. Here's the link: http://www.CurriculumConnection.net/blog

When you get there, you'll see a separate entry for each activity. Just scroll down and read the ones your family would enjoy.'

Blessings,
Kerry

ps. PLEASE leave a comment on the activities and let me know if they are helpful. I'd like to do this a little more often, ONLY IF it is helpful to you!
http://www.CurriculumConnection.net/blog

pps. Check back during the month, I'll have more activities posted.

� 0 Comments � Post A Comment! � Permanent Link

September 3, 2008 - Remembering September 11

I ran across some good ideas to remember September 11. Instead of trying to reprint all of them, just go here :

http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson/lesson277.shtml

category:

History
� 0 Comments � Post A Comment! � Permanent Link

September 2, 2008 - Read a Book Day - Sept 6

I'm sure you can think of something to celebrate Read A Book Day.

In case you get stumped, here's some lists of good children books.
http://www.ala.org/ala/alsc/awardsscholarships/literaryawds/newberymedal/newberymedal.cfm

category:

Inspire Your Kids
� 0 Comments � Post A Comment! � Permanent Link

September 2, 2008 - National Cheese Pizza Day - Sept 5

Yeah..you read that right so here's what you can do.
1. Make homemade cheese pizza.
2. Discuss all the food groups in a pizza.
3. Find some pizza coupons and figure out how much money you save on each coupon.

category:

Character and Love of Learning
� 0 Comments � Post A Comment! � Permanent Link

August 26, 2008 - Practical Skills for Your Kids

Are you gearing up for a new school year? We just finished our vacation last week, so I'm trying to get back into a routine. Hey, I posted some pictures of our trip with my middle daughter, Gentry. She graduated from high school this year so we took her on a senior trip to Boston & New York. You can see pics here:
http://www.CurriculumConnection.net/blog

>>> The real reason I'm writing you is to tell you about a few freebies this week.

The past few years I've been asked to speak at summer conferences about helping your kids with practical skills, specifically how to start an eBay business. Tonight a good friend of mine, Jeff Mills, will be interviewing me about my eBay business. There is no fee to listen to his interview. You can read all about how to sign up to listen on Jeff's site right here:
http://www.shopgoldmills.com/cmd.php?Clk=2549853

When you get to that website, you'll see info about Jeff's Midwest Conference where I'll be a speaker. (That's why he's interviewing me) Go ahead and sign up in the right-hand box. You'll get all the call info for tonight (Tuesday, August 26).

If you live in the mid-west, you'll also be interested to know about his Midwest Conference. Even if you don't live in the mid-west, you'll want to come and learn from some top-notch speakers how to get started online.

====================================================================
Remember there's no cost to listen tonight...Tuesday, August 26
====================================================================

I look forward to talking to you!

Blessings,
Kerry Beck

ps. The other workshop we are often asked to give at homeschool conferences is "How To Teach Your Kids To Start Their Own Business". Jeff will be asking Steve how he got started with his own business this Thursday, August 28. Sign up now to hear both calls.
http://www.shopgoldmills.com/cmd.php?Clk=2549853

pps. If you still homeschool, Steve will be sharing how your students can make their own information product. It's a perfect tie-in with Writing, Business, Research Skills and Math.

Well, that goes for eBay too! Talk to you tonight!
http://www.shopgoldmills.com/cmd.php?Clk=2549853

� 0 Comments � Post A Comment! � Permanent Link

August 18, 2008 - Breakfast By The Bluff

I woke up and read the clock wrong. I thought it said 8:30 so I got out of bed and took a shower since breakfast is served from 8:30 to 9:30. When I got out of the shower I realized I had read the clock wrong. It was really 7:30am. And, I could have slept another hour. Oh well, I had some time to write!

Breakfast was delicious! French Toast with Cooked Apples, Quiche, Fresh Berries...yummy!

After breakfast, Patricia showed us the Main Suite they just opened this year. The room is named after her aunt, Auntie Kate, and is a gorgeous suite with a claw foot tub. I love the colors Patricia uses in the entire house. Truly classy!

We're off to visit some wineries, cheese shops and whatever else comes our way!

category:

Family
� 0 Comments � Post A Comment! � Permanent Link

August 17, 2008 - Off to Sagamore Hill

After a series of crazy events, we finally got Gentry off to Philadelphia to meet Grandma. She'll spend the rest of her senior trip with my mom. My mom takes each granddaughter to Pennsylvania after they graduate.

It was quite interesting getting her off as our plans changed frequently. The rental car place did not have any cars in Manhattan so we took a cab to La Guardia because they were suppose to have cars at the airport. Wrong! But we only waited about 15 minutes and received an upgrade to a Jeep Cherokee. (Note to self: Cars are probably not available in NYC when you make reservation.)

Finally, we were on our way down Long Island. Our first stop was Sagamore Hill, Theodore Roosevelt's home. Before he married, TR bought 155 acres atop the hill overlooking Oyster Bay. After he & Edith were married, they moved into the huge house. TR's requirements for the house was it be big enough for a large family...lots of kids.

We toured the grounds and saw their pet cementery where several dogs and horses were buried. As we visited rooms in his home, I was pleasantly surprised to see books in almost every room. From my readings, TR read about 5 books a week. There is even an article he wrote calleld, "The Books That I Read And When and How I Do My Reading, by Theodore Roosevelt". He sounds like my kind of person. We discovered that his Gun Room has more books than any other room in the house.

category:

Family
� 0 Comments � Post A Comment! � Permanent Link

August 16, 2008 - Michael Phelps' 8 Gold Medals

Gentry rushed back to the room in hopes of watching Michael Phelps compete for his 8th gold medal in this Olympics. We arrived around 11pm - race time! The team was walking on to the platform and we got to watch history being made.

category:

Family
� 0 Comments � Post A Comment! � Permanent Link

August 16, 2008 - The Lion King

We rushed to the Minske Theater on Broadway for our show since we didn't realize how late it was after dinner. We sat down less than 5 minutes before the curtain rose. All of us wondered how they would perform this animal play with people. It was amazing! Actually, Gentry told me later she wasn't sure if she would really like it since people were acting as animals. Afterward, she said it was one of the coolest shows she has ever seen. We all agreed!

During intermission we could look down on Broadway and see all the people on Times Square. Minske Theater was a great location as you were right in the middle of things, but you didn't have to be on the street.

Another great event for our last night.

category:

Family
� 0 Comments � Post A Comment! � Permanent Link

August 16, 2008 - Bar Americain

Steve suggested eating at one of Bobby Flay's restaurants. We discovered one a half block from our hotel. It was so cool. Upscale, classy and an absolutely wonderful experience. The waiter suggested a cabernet blend which was robust and full of flavor that lingers. I need to find the name of it so we can enjoy it later.

The basket of bread includes a corn fritter, roll and baguet - all warm from the oven! Yummy!

Gentry said her chicken was the most tender chicken she has ever eaten. We all enjoyed some of her potato chips with bleu cheese dip. Steve had duck with wild rice. Again, it was tender and moist. I had cheese grits with shrimp, bacon and green onions which was great!

We splurged and had dessert. Gentry ordered a Praline Chocolate Cake which was super, super rich! Steve ordered Bourbon Filled Cream Eclairs. I enjoyed both of them. What a fantastic meal to end our trip

category:

Family
� 0 Comments � Post A Comment! � Permanent Link

August 16, 2008 - Enjoying the City...New York City

We slept late this morning. It sure felt good since we didn't get back to our room until 1am. Off we went to SOHO to eat and shop. This is the type of shopping Steve & I both enjoy. Quaint shops and open-air cafes. Gentry & I had fun going into the boutiques. We got over our sticker price fairly quickly and a little summer dress for $300 wasn't so bad :-) I found a super looking leather jacket, but it was $675. We're not used to paying those prices so we just "looked". What can you expect from DKNY, Armani or Hilfiger.

From a business perspective, it's interesting to see how they greet (or don't greet) you when you walk into their store. After visiting several shops, Armani sales people were the first ones to welcome us into their store. They weren't on our backs to make a sale, but they were friendly. Hilfiger also directed us upstairs to the ladies floor when we walked in. They could tell we weren't looking for mens wear. :-)

We ate lunch at a sidewalk cafe which had wonderful pizza. Gentry chose chicken, goat cheese and pesto. The crust was thin and the taste absolutely delicious. Across the street was a playground with a huge fence around it where kids could play on equipment and adults could play handball. It was so foreign to what we are used to in the suburbs where we have trees & grass in our parks.

We wanted to go back to 5th Avenue shopping area, so we took the subway. Or, so we thought. We took the downtown one and had to turn around to get uptown to the shopping district. Tiffany's was a real experience. Now, I'd like to watch Breakfast at Tiffany's and Sweet Home Alabama again to compare it to the real store. What beautiful jewelry they have!

Coach was down the street and Gentry has been begging her friends to help pay for a Coach bag for her. Next we found Bloomingdale's then headed back towards our hotel. The NBA store was amazing. Gentry kept saying how much Hunter would love this store. NBA products and...tv screens of basketball, basketball hoops, basketball video games, basketball players in life size. You name it, they had it!

category:

Family
� 0 Comments � Post A Comment! � Permanent Link

August 15, 2008 - New York Yankees vs. Kansas City Royals

When we arrived at Yankee Stadium, it was pouring down rain. Lucky for us, our seats were under cover right behind home plate. So we could sit and watch what was happening. After a 1 1/2 hour delay, the ground crew started clearing the tarp over the infield.

Finally, we saw Derek Jeter and Andy Pettite walk on the field to warm up. Again, that was lots of fun to see these guys in person. The other cool aspect of this entire night was sitting in a ball park, watching a Yankees game, and realizing how much baseball history has taken place here. One of the pictures in the program showed the field in the early days...from the same perspective of our seats!

Back to the game. When Alex Rodriguez didn't scramble to get a ball and the out at first, the fans boooed...just like on tv. When he didn't get a hit with runners on base, it was another booing time. In the final inning, the Yankees have a chance to win the game. Jeter on 2nd, Abreu on 1st and A Rod actually hits a dinker to get on base. Bases are loaded and Giambi hits a pop fly. Yep, they lost the game . . . and to Kansas City of all teams!

My favorite part of the game was watching the consistency of Derek Jeter. Hunter and I read his bio a few years ago. He really does live up to a leader and go-getter. We saw a great catch and throw to first. He also knows how to get on base. He may not be a slugger but he consistently got on base. Too bad the rest of the team can't follow his lead these days.

category:

Family
� 0 Comments � Post A Comment! � Permanent Link

August 15, 2008 - Shopping on 34th Street

We made it to Macy's, the largest store in the world. Or, so they claim. Actually, it was huge and they were having a one-day sale! Gentry had a blast shopping in the junior department which took up an entire floor (& city block). We then walked by the Empire State Building and enjoyed some other shops.

category:

Family
� 0 Comments � Post A Comment! � Permanent Link

August 15, 2008 - New York Yankees

Steve & I got up around 7am and headed up the subway to Yankee Stadium. Since there are no advanced tickets for Yankee Stadium tours, you have to stand in line. We arrived at 8am and they sell 40 tickets around 9am. Our chances looked "slim to none". But, we stayed in line anyway. Somehow, we got tickets to the 12 noon tour...yea!

Back to the room to pick up Gentry and then ride the subway back to Yankee Stadium.

We arrived at 11:30am and they started 9 minutes later - WOW! They actually had 3-4 tours in each time slot.

On the tour, we visited Monument Park where you see monuments to the greatest Yankees, as well as all the numbers retired by the Yankees.

Next, we walked around the field to the dugout, pretty cool being down on the field where great plays are made. Did you know the seats in the dugout are heated?

Next, we walked up to the press boxes and sat where the print media sits. What a great view they have.

Our guide shared lots of intersting history about the team and the ball park. I felt like I was in a baseball history lesson. All in all the tour was much better than the Fenway Park tour. They are even smarter with marketing because you conclude your tour by walking though the Team Store.

category:

Family
� 0 Comments � Post A Comment! � Permanent Link

August 14, 2008 - Gallagher's Steak House

After resting in our hotel and waiting for the rain to quit, we walked down the street to Gallaghers Steak House.

Gallagher's was the creation of Helen Gallagher, a former Ziegfeld Follies dancer who billed Gallagher's as "the speakeasy that served steaks," when she opened it in 1927. Then when Prohibition came to an end six years later, the resourceful Mrs. Gallagher repositioned Gallagher's as "the steakhouse that served drinks."

Now in its 71st year, Gallagher's is truly a steakhouse to be reckoned with. Step inside and see the rows of U.S.D.A. prime beef dry-aging in the windowed 36F cooler. The grand circular bar will catch your eye along with the dark, wood-paneled walls lined with portraits of sport and movie stars.

The steaks were "to die for". Plus, the portions were huge so we took our leftovers so Steve could enjoy them for breakfast or lunch tomorrow. I had Lobster & Shrimp Bisque that had an interesting spice of nutmeg or pumpkin. I couldn't quite tell, but it was delicious.

category:

Family
� 0 Comments � Post A Comment! � Permanent Link

August 14, 2008 - New York Times Square

After a quick lunch at a deli, we walked down to Times Square. Our hotel, Sheraton Manhattan (that I would NOT recommend to anyone), was a few blocks up from the Square. I am always amazed with how many people can walk in such a small square footage of land.

We enjoyed looking at some shops, especially the M&M store. The store was like a M&M museum and you could buy almost anything with M&M on it. Or, you could choose which colors of M&M you wanted to eat.

category:

Family
� 0 Comments � Post A Comment! � Permanent Link

August 14, 2008 - New York Train

We had to awake early to catch the train from Boston to New York. We really liked the train ride . . . better than flying. More comfortable seats. More space to relax. Cool sites out the window. Electrical outlets at your seat and Bigger bathrooms! What more could you ask for?

We are looking forward to a fun-filled day walking through Times Square and Fifth Avenue. Tomorrow is baseball day . . . Gentry loves the Yankees!

category:

Family
� 1 Comments � Post A Comment! � Permanent Link

<- Last Page � Next Page ->

About Me

A place to interact about teaching our kids without following the conveyor belt model of the government schools. Think outside the box and provide a leadership education for your children. Other musings are included on a regular basis :-)