Back to Basics Literacy
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Back to Basics
    • Contact Us
  • Reading Aloud
    • Research
    • Book Lists >
      • Ballet Books
      • Board Books
      • Alphabet Books
      • Number Books
      • Interactive & Sensory Books
      • Manners & Etiquette Books
      • Stories about Books, Reading & Libraries
      • Fables, Folktales & Fairy Tales
      • Nursery Rhymes & Poetry
      • Holiday Books
      • Graduation Books
      • Baking & Cooking Books
      • Gardening & Farm Books
      • Nature Books
      • Thankfulness & Gratitude Books
      • Pirate Books
      • Books Discussed in Our Handbook
    • Workshops
    • Literacy Events & Attractions
  • Bookworm Bakers
  • Blog
  • Shop
    • Toy Recommendations

 Back to Basics

Reading and cooking with kids

The End of Summer Countdown Begins...

7/26/2019

0 Comments

 

“Education is meaningless without manners.”
Benny Bellamacina

     Summer is winding down and the beginning of school is just around the corner for some children. My own daughter will be starting preschool later this month. Continue visiting the library, local bookstores and reading to your child daily. Now would also be an excellent time to teach and/or revisit etiquette and manners. One vexing task for teachers is classroom management, made more difficult by rude and unruly children. Help eliminate issues by making sure that your child knows the rules of etiquette and practices good manners. A fun way to teach etiquette and manners is through make-believe play (think tea party, store, restaurant etc.) where one needs to be polite and exhibit good manners and also through books. Titles to consider are Suppose You Meet a Dinosaur by Judy Sierra, Tea Rex by Molly Idle, Nobunny’s Perfect by Anna Dewdney, Manner’s Mash-up by Tedd Arnold, Usborne Books’ Miss Molly’s School of Manners by James Maclaine and the time-honored classics What Do You Do, Dear? and What Do You Say, Dear? by Sesyle Joslin. Another fun way to reinforce these ideas is with the Dover coloring book Mind Your Manners! A Kid’s Guide to Proper Etiquette.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
     Etiquette is a set of rules that a society follows that allows people to get along and avoid conflict. The rules of etiquette are the guiding codes that enable us to practice manners with common sense and a generosity of spirit. A polite child becomes a well-liked child who gets noticed in a positive way.   
To raise a polite, kind, well-liked child, teach them to:
  • Always say “please” when asking for something (also “yes please.”)
  • Say “thank you” when receiving something or after visiting another home (also “no thank you.”)
  • Say “bless you” after someone sneezes.
  • Don’t interrupt when others are speaking.
  • Don’t talk back or make excuses.
  • Say “excuse me” to gain someone’s attention, to leave a group, to get around someone in their way and after a burp or a sneeze.
  • Keep opinions to yourself. As the saying goes, “if you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all.”
  • Be respectful in word and deed. In other words, be kind to others through your actions and don’t use foul language.
  • Always show respect for others. You don’t have to like everyone but you do have to respect them.
  • No teasing or bullying EVER! Accept everyone for who they are, differences and all.
  • Be patient and attentive, especially when someone else is speaking (listening to a teacher, at church, during a performance, etc.) Though they may be bored, teach them it is polite to feign interest so that when they are performing or speaking, others will be polite in turn.
  • Hold the door for people behind you.
  • Offer to help others and understand that “a good deed is its own reward” and that others need not always reciprocate.
Picture
     August, considered the Sunday of summer. Enjoy the last hurrah by continuing to bond with your children visiting parks, museums, nature centers and the beach. Look for opportunities where you can broaden their horizon and build background knowledge and remember that when you can’t take a trip, read a book to bring another world to life.  
This final month of summer we celebrate...
2nd: National Coloring Book Day - Break out the crayons, markers, colored pencils, paints or whatever coloring tool you prefer on this day. Find coloring pages that feature favorite characters or in some way apply to the stories you have read aloud recently.
9th: Book Lovers Day - Turn your child into a book lover by reading daily and offering a variety of titles.
10th: National S’mores Day - Celebrate this auspicious day by not only enjoying s’mores but by reading as well. A fun title to consider is The Marshmallow Incident by Judi Barrett.
Picture
25th:  National Park Service created in 1916 - Enjoy a walk through a park and take the time to appreciate nature. Bring along a guide such as Backpack Explorer: On the Nature Trail or Backpack Explorer: Beach Walk if you decide to go the lake or ocean.
Picture
Picture
               Author/Illustrator Lane Smith’s Birthday - Read one of Lane Smith’s many great titles to your child. Perhaps start with It’s a Little Book and then It’s a Book.
Picture
Picture

“Breathe in that sweetness that hovers in August.”
Denise Levertov

Happy reading and playing!

-Kate @ BTBL

Author

We are three generations that seek a way to get back to basics. It’s not that we eschew technology, but sometimes simpler is better, especially in raising our children. Mom was a reading teacher, Amanda is an early childhood educator and Kate a children’s literature specialist and former school librarian along with the latest additions, a daughter (now 3) for Kate, a son (now 1) and another little boy expected this year for Amanda. We advocate reading aloud, the simple toys that use imagination and encourage creativity and learning in the kitchen, which can be a fun mess but also teaches life skills. Join us in raising healthy, happy, inquisitive and intelligent children.

0 Comments

How Does Your Garden Grow?

7/15/2019

0 Comments

 

Mary, Mary, quite contrary,
how does your garden grow?
With silver bells and cockle shells,
and pretty maids all in a row.

*Note: this post contains Amazon Affiliate links. Any purchases made via the links provided go to support our literacy efforts.
     Right about now your garden should be growing with gusto but if you didn’t plant one this year, now is the time to take advantage of those who did; namely your local farm stands and farmers markets. A farmers market is a great place to engage the senses and for children to learn about all the fruits and vegetables that grow in the area as well as other homemade goods. When you support local farmers, you also stimulate the local economy and build community pride. Check out local newspapers and magazines for special farm events where your child can visit a farm for a firsthand experience and perhaps even pick their own fruits or vegetables. It has been found that when children participate in the growing and/or harvesting of fruits and vegetables, they are more apt to eat those fresh fruits and vegetables and even try new ones. Remember, all of these firsthand experiences will also build background knowledge. For more tips for a successful visit check out the MSU Extension article Take Your Kids to Farmers Markets.
To find a farmers market near you, visit the National Farmers Market Directory.
     And to amp up the market experience, consider reading and discussing Food From Farms (World of Farming) by Nancy Dickmann, Before We Eat: From Farm to Table by Pat Brisson, A Farmer‘s Life for Me by Jan Dobbins or On the Farm, At the Market by G. Brian Karas.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Bookworm Bakers - Getting Kids in the Kitchen
     To make use of all those fresh ingredients from your garden or local farm stand, consider making some salsa with your children and pairing it with homemade tortilla chips made by cutting tortillas into wedges, baking and salting them.
Picture
Picture

Fresh Garden Salsa

Use a food processor or blender to mix together all ingredients, chill and enjoy!
 
3 cups chopped tomatoes
½ cup chopped onion
¼ cup chopped cilantro
2 cloves minced garlic
½ or whole jalapeno pepper diced
2 Tbsp. lime juice
Salt and pepper to taste

Picture
A Farm is More than Just Produce
Picture

     Also, perhaps consider taking a trip to a local dairy farm. My daughter always enjoys visiting Calder Dairy near us, especially when it means an ice cream cone or a shake. On our most recent visit we were able to see the actual milking process! Such an experience teaches children where some of their most familiar food products (milk, cheese, ice cream, etc) come from and what it takes to produce them.

     Take it one step further and make your own ice cream or butter from fresh ingredients obtained from a local dairy farm. To make butter: fill a small or medium size glass jar half-way with heavy cream. If you want salted butter, add a pinch of salt. Place the lid on and start shaking for about 5 to 7 minutes. The solid that forms is your churned butter and the liquid is buttermilk, which you can use in your baked goods. For a unique butter, add some herbs or honey.

     Of course, after visiting the dairy it was time to break out some of our favorite stories featuring cows. A few  are informative and others are just silly and fun!
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
     Time spent cooking with your children strengthens bonds and builds lasting memories.  Remember that recipes include reading, measuring ingredients is math and cooking is a science. So, allow your children to learn naturally through the joy of creating in the kitchen.

“Cooking with kids is not about ingredients, recipes and cooking. It’s about harnessing imagination, empowerment and creativity.”
Guy Fieri

Happy cooking and reading!

-Kate @ BTBL

Author

We are three generations that seek a way to get back to basics. It’s not that we eschew technology, but sometimes simpler is better, especially in raising our children. Mom was a reading teacher, Amanda is an early childhood educator and Kate a children’s literature specialist and former school librarian along with the latest additions, a daughter (now 3) for Kate, a son (now 1) and another little boy expected this year for Amanda. We advocate reading aloud, the simple toys that use imagination and encourage creativity and learning in the kitchen, which can be a fun mess but also teaches life skills. Join us in raising healthy, happy, inquisitive and intelligent children.

0 Comments

    Author

    We are mom Sandra and daughters Amanda and Kate, all with backgrounds in literacy and education, who want to share our philosophy of taking the basics of life; books, simple toys that encourage play, imagination and creativity, and using cooking and baking to teach math and real life skills to raise happy, inquisitive children. Join us in exploring the old and the new and sifting through the myriad of research to consider what is best for our children.

    Archives

    January 2022
    November 2021
    September 2021
    July 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    July 2017
    April 2017
    September 2016
    August 2016

    Categories

    All
    ABC Books
    Alphabet Books
    Arbor Day
    Autumn/Fall
    Background Knowledge
    Back To School
    Ballet Books
    Banned Books Week
    Board Books
    Book Advent Calendar
    Book Finds
    Book Quotes
    Books
    Book Sales
    Bookworm Bakers
    Boredom
    BTBL Rocks
    Bugs/Insects
    Calendars
    Censorship
    Children's Book Week
    Christmas
    Coloring
    Cooking
    Creativity
    Dewey Decimal System
    Dr. Seuss
    Early Literacy
    Earth Day
    Easter
    Environmental Print
    Extended Activities
    Fairy Gardens
    Fairy Tales
    Family Literacy Month
    Farmers Markets
    Flowers
    Gardening
    Get Caught Reading Month
    Gratefulness
    Halloween
    Hands-On
    Hanukkah
    Holidays
    Homeschooling
    Imaginative Play
    Inspiration
    Intellectual Freedom
    Kids In The Kitchen
    Kindergarten
    Kindness
    Kindness Rocks Project
    Language
    Learning
    Libraries
    Library Card Sign-up Month
    Magnets
    Manners & Etiquette
    Math
    Natural Playgrounds
    Natural Reader
    Nature
    New Year Resolutions
    Number Books
    Nursery Rhymes
    Outdoor Play
    Picture Books
    Play
    Poetry
    Puzzles
    Read Across America
    Reading
    Reading Aloud
    Reading Comprehension
    Reading Month
    Repetition
    School Libraries
    Screen Free Week
    Spring
    STEM
    Storytelling
    Storytime
    Summer
    Summer Slide
    Teaching
    Tell A Fairy Tale Day
    Thanksgiving
    Toys
    Unplug
    Used Books
    Valentine's Day
    Vocabulary
    Winter
    Winter Books
    Words & Word Play
    World Read Aloud Day

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Back to Basics
    • Contact Us
  • Reading Aloud
    • Research
    • Book Lists >
      • Ballet Books
      • Board Books
      • Alphabet Books
      • Number Books
      • Interactive & Sensory Books
      • Manners & Etiquette Books
      • Stories about Books, Reading & Libraries
      • Fables, Folktales & Fairy Tales
      • Nursery Rhymes & Poetry
      • Holiday Books
      • Graduation Books
      • Baking & Cooking Books
      • Gardening & Farm Books
      • Nature Books
      • Thankfulness & Gratitude Books
      • Pirate Books
      • Books Discussed in Our Handbook
    • Workshops
    • Literacy Events & Attractions
  • Bookworm Bakers
  • Blog
  • Shop
    • Toy Recommendations