Making Realistic Resolution

Let's be real, we are not going to never eat chocolate again or exercise everyday so why not make a realistic new year resolution.
If you don't plan or write out a plan is likely it won't get accomplished. Please join me in this realistic resolution.
Starting January think of four projects you will like to accomplish in January. Complete one project per week.  If you are dedicating yourself to this resolution, post to this posting and add your 4 items for January.  I will check back each week--I'll let you know how I am doing. Let me know how you are doing.

1. Sort art class materials into plastic bins
2. Refinish table
3. Organize 1 closet
4. Clean refrigerator

Week 1 - Decided to clean the closet first base on how badly it needed to be done.  I should have taken a before and after picture, however I have an image of the two bags of clothing that will be donated.  Sometimes it is hard to get rid of stuff. If it takes you more than a second or two to to decide if you should keep it--get rid of it. Happy Resolutions!

 

Week 2 - Miraculously my husband offered to clean the refrigerator without knowing it was on my list.  Ha! Does that count?  My next goal is to start organizing supplies in bins.  This will be a challenge because the door on my storage where the items are, is jammed.  No excuses--I will add that to my to do list.
I also added another goal of losing 20 lbs.  I am not putting a timeframe but just to meet that goal.  I am starting with drinking a glass of water before eating, swimming, watching portion size and cutting back sugar and fat. 

Week 3 -  I have shocked myself with getting motivated for this one, refinishing the table.  After I got the supplies I needed and started this project I really started to enjoy it and may take on wood projects in the future.  I hope I finish this week but if I don't I still have until the end of the month.  By the way ladies, using a power tool is a great stress reliever!

  

Why wait until the new year to make a resolution? 

Let's start now.  Adults need to realize every single action they take will be modeled by children.  Are you always patient?  Do you show praise often?  Do you problem solve instead of get frustrated over problems?  It is important to check in with yourself on what you are modeling.

So how do we do this in our overly busy lives?

Here are some tips:

1. Before every task, as small as it may be, take a deep breath and tell yourself this is going to be great and productive.

2. Allow yourself to make and bounce back from errors.  We know the expression...it is not the end of the world if...it really isn't the end of the world.  There is always another way and another day to resolve it.

3.  Remember that kids may be experiencing or learning something for the very first time and may not get it immediately.  Think about something you don't know how to do, perhaps sky diving or fixing a car.  You probably would appreciate someone having patience with you upon learning something new for the first time. 

4.  We all have areas where we know we need to improve.  Make sure you are not holding one's faults against them.  This will make them wear that label and feel that they are stuck there.  Example:  I have always been bad in math so I always will be bad in math.  Try...I struggle with math but plan to get one step better by studying a few more minutes.

5. Choose a positive attitude. Your attitude and mood are contagious.  This goes both ways with a negative and positive attitude.  If you know you are in a negative mood, change your mind's environment to a better place by showing gratitude for the positive things in your life.

 Greetings parents,

Thank you for your patience upon receiving our weekly snack menus.  Going forward I will be providing a general list of our snacks versus a daily posting of the menu.

We are now covering the food pyramid and will sample foods from each food group.  Our menus consist of scrambled eggs, fresh fruit and vegetables, cheese, whole grain crackers, pasta oatmeal.  We limit our fat and sweet intake but will occasionally have treats.

There will generally be a few choices if your child does not like or has an allergy to a particular food item.  Just let me know.

This week After School Arts will be open Mon and Tues and closed the rest of the week.  We will be having beef and noodles, plain noodles, chicken noodle soup and some holiday treats.

Happy Thanksgiving,
Julie Gahona
After School Arts

Message Mania

Message Mania
To respond or not respond....that is the question.
by Julie Gahona

Well actually I believe our question is how and when are we supposed to respond and when do we stop or start responding.

This has been a subject that has bothered me for some time.  How do we handle all of this social media, emails, texts and voicemail without offending or ignoring someone and manage our lives outside of all this technology.

Here is a list of confusion that has occurred due to electronic media etiquette mishaps:

*We missed an athletic registration by missing an email.

* An emoticon of thumbs up as a response for so many things.

Sometimes it means. yes, sometimes it means like, sometimes people use it for a response of yes.  So what does it really mean?

*Didn't you get my email? It seems there is an expectation that people read their email several times a day.  In reality some people don't check there email for a week or several weeks.

*I saw this one on the "Ellen" show.  I don't remember the actual conversation but she had a text messaging conversation with someone and posed a question and was left hanging.  Mmmm...what are they thinking...did the question insult them...did they have an emergency...did they win the lottery...did they decide they had something better to do while texting me?

The bottom line is that we forgot about the best form of a communication...in person, face to face!  Test it out.  How many miscommunications occur through electronic communication versus your conversations in person.  It requires you to have responsibility and respond and deal with issues that you can very easily ignore when you are behind electronic communication.

But no one has that kind of time to speak person to person all the time. How can I decide when and what form of communication to use?

1. Face to face. You are able to use several senses, seeing hearing or hand gestures to ensure better communication, Any time your request is important, personal, will take more than a short sentence to discuss, or you need a decision made quickly do it face to face if you can.  Make an appointment with that person with a schedule request via electronic media.  If you are not getting a response even to the schedule request it may be time to call them on the telephone.

2. Telephone. I grew up with rotary phones.  For the young folks, that is a phone with a dial with numbers to make phone calls.  This was once our only technological communication source.  You will at least both receive verbal and audio communication which doubles your chance of receiving the message accurately. Along with phone conversations came voicemail. Careful with expectations on voicemail.  Because voicemail is not instant in most cases you will likely not receive an instant response.

3.Email. With the amount of emails people receive they may not get back to you for a week or sometimes longer.  Don't send urgent information through email. If there is a fire in the building I am probably not going to check my email to find out!  Be patient with receiving email responses.  If you are emailing and you need to know if your audience is reading it set up a read receipt.  Email has become more of something people feel they have to "get through" versus enjoyment reading.

4. Social media messaging.  This communication is all over the place with " likes", instant everything and media.  It is like reading graffiti on a bathroom stall.  Some of it is poetic and informative but some of it is useless and distasteful. Use it for communication and expression.  Be careful not to be too personal and remember anyone can read it.  Do you remember every single one of your friends when you post?  Remember Grandma or your next employer may be reading your posts.  Use it for quick responses but take or leave it.  No one is connected to social media constantly--well at least I hope not.:)

5. Texting. Give and receive respect. If someone texts you, respond back. If you are busy let them know with a polite message and cute little emotion(or not).  Most of us put our phones in a charger at night so we are viewing our phones at least once a day. Could you imagine calling someone on the phone and during your conversation they just faded off saying nothing and never responded back to you. Not responding is not acceptable to anyone and can create concern if you were mid conversation.  Be courteous by ending the conversation so the other party knows you are no longer responding.

Remember people are working, driving or doing other things that they may not be able to respond immediately.  If you are not receiving a response back in 24 hours the recipient is practicing poor etiquette.  Do not send serious messages.  Text is great for making plans for meeting and quick yes or no responses.  Do not use this forth back and forth conversation...I thought we were having mash potatoes for Thanksgiving....no I said potato casserole.  See where that is going?

I hope this helped.  Remember important communications should not be done electronically if you can avoid it.  If you are saying to meet at the coffee shop in an hour, email or face to face may not be the best method of communication whereas text will likely work better. Be patient and don't take it personally if you don't always receive a response. Also remember not everyone uses our communications in the same way.

The more you think before you communicate the more likely your communications will be successful.

I'd love to hear any funny or disaster stories because of the wrong use of communication.  Feel free to add to the feed. 

Happy Communications!

Author Julie Gahona background:  Julie teaches email etiquette and technical training. She has Visual and Technical communication degrees and advocates proper intelligent communication for adults and children.  Our world is filled with miscommunications which can be a huge cost to the workplace or for businesses.

11-5-15 ASA Daily Agenda

We will be continuing with our Sculptutexture unit and painting our sculptures.  We will be working on a photo and gift ornament for Operation Christmas Child.

Learning how to cook. Kids will learn how to crack, scramble and make marvelous scrambled eggs together for our snack.

Snack: Scrambled eggs, fruit (milk, water or juice).

Weather permitting: Play at Jameson or Paquette park before drop off time.

11-12-15
Thursday's session will follow the same as above.

11-13-15
5PM-7PM
For our volunteer Operation Christmas child event we will be putting our shoeboxes for the kids, and making ornaments for the boxes. Your $7 donation for shipping with be matched by ASA with $7 of items to fill the boxes. Donations are greatly appreciated but not required. We will have minestrone soup, fruit, coffee, tea and punch. Weather permitting we will be making a fire at Jameson Park and roasting hot dogs and marshmallows.

11-2-15

Today's snack is macaroni and cheese and apples. 

Welcome new artist Whitney!

Activity: Finish painting clay sculptures,  open arts,  Volunteer week discussion on Operation Christmas Child.

Parent Connection

Great parenting article.  I cut just a portion of the article that I found very simple and  valuable.  If you are a parent please read this.

source: http://expatfamilyresiliencecoach.com/6-stages-attachment-unbreakable-connection-kids/


Here are some ways you can build attachment, based on these stages:

– Invite your child to do something with you – Any way in which you invite your child into your presence sends the message that you want to be close and connected – cuddle, read a book, play a game, build lego, prepare a meal or bake together, play badminton or go for a walk together, enjoy made up stories or a joke telling session.

– Let them see your delight in them. Smile at them. When they come into the room, let them see your face light up without a reminder or request. Look happy. Nod ‘yes’. Mouth the words “I love you” or a special phrase between the two of you. Make eye contact as you think “I adore you. You are so special.” At times of tension do these little things often and they will feel a difference.

– Be close while your child is busy – if your child doesn’t want to do something with you or is resisting connection, move close to them. Make sure it’s a distance they can handle.  Watch them play, participate in sports or after school activities, be present when they’re doing homework. This can be encouraging for them. You don’t have to hover, or say anything. If connection isn’t happening on a deeper level, being there often opens your teen (Sit in the same room as they play video games or do homework or play on their computers). 15 minutes a day can make a difference.

– Invite your child/teen to depend on you. This concept is poorly understood in our societies. Building independence is to be taught at all cost. We think we’ll spoil our child/teen by doing things for them. Gordon Neufeld says “to spoil meat is to leave it out of its proper environment, the refrigerator; likewise, we spoil kids by taking them out of their safe environment, ie, proximity with their parents”.  How can you invite your children to be dependent on you? I occasionally make lunch for my teen, even when he usually does it himself; or get her breakfast ready when she can do it. Give money for a special outing with friends. Make an unmade bed, pick up toys…

– Connect before you direct – If you want your child to do something, connect first. Find out how their day went, what’s happening in their lives that’s important, what feelings they have, or what they are struggling with. Nothing is so urgent request that it has to be done before connecting and they will be much more ready to be directed once they have felt the connection.

– Decide for your child – In those times when stress and chaos reign in your kids life, you can use phrases like, “I’m taking care of this” or “I’ll figure this out” or “Let me think about it” if you’re not sure what to do. Then take care of it. Or later take time to brainstorm with your child, so it becomes a shared responsibility. This is particularly helpful when you notice frustration and challenges building, or during transition and change.  It’s not a forced thing, yet a reliever of responsibility at a time when it’s needed.

– Be on their side –If they’re having challenges with friends or school, or have big or hard feelings around other areas of their lives, let them know you’re there to help them through rather than blaming, shaming or judging. When they start to share their truths, listen without interrupting. Show them you hear what they have to say. Let them know that nothing will ever happen to break the connection between you.

– Eat meals together often. This ritual is so much more about connection than food. Make meal time fun and happy. Stay away from heavy discussion, correction, and discipline. Connect by listening to what’s happened in each others day. As they get older, ask what their thoughts and feelings are around events that have happened nearby or in the world. Ask what they would do in a situation you’re facing. Reminisce together. Ask what the ‘high’ and ‘low’ is of each other’s day.

Do you use products? Clipping Box tops = $ for kids

Did you know that each box top is worth 10 cents towards your child's school?

This could mean new resources, supplies, books, technology, playgrounds, activities, etc. for your child's school.

Before you throw it check for a box top!

Feel free to drop off your clipped box tops at After School Arts Poynette and I will submit them to the Box top school coordinator.

List of participating products:

http://www.boxtops4education.com/participating-products

ASA NEWS...

By request After School Arts will allow children from ages 6-18. 


Friday Fun!

Keep Friday, Sept 18 7pm open for Learn S'more about After School Arts Poynette.  Meet at studio. W9257 County Trunk CS

Kids bored?  Join us for kids and family board game nights on Friday nights.  Stay tuned for upcoming dates.

Children build self confidence through free play

Video on play

How the Decline of Free Play May Have Caused a Decline in Sense of Control and in Intrinsic Goals, and a Rise in Anxiety and Depression
As I pointed out in my posts of July 22 and July 29, 2009--and as others have pointed out in recent popular books[5]--children's freedom to play and explore on their own, independent of direct adult guidance and direction, has declined greatly in recent decades. Free play and exploration are, historically, the means by which children learn to solve their own problems, control their own lives, develop their own interests, and become competent in pursuit of their own interests. This has been the theme of many of my previous posts (see, for example, the series of posts on "The Value of Play" beginning with Nov. 19, 2008). In fact, play, by definition, is activity controlled and directed by the players; and play, by definition, is directed toward intrinsic rather than extrinsic goals (see definition of play).

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/freedom-learn/201001/the-decline-play-and-rise-in-childrens-mental-disorders

18 Foods With a Bad rap that are actually good for you

Family organization tip

Family organization tip. I am starting a series of posts on tips to save time for family at home or work.

Today's tip is how to cut back on the monster piles of laundry that build up.  I picked up 3 laundry baskets from the dollar store, took a sharpie and put each family member's name on one basket. 

I cut the laundry workload into thirds.  It seems like a very simple tip but it saves a lot of time, teaches kids responsibility and makes your family rethink about changing their outfit 3 times a day!

Incentive for kids. Give an allowance amount for each load that is completed. When your child asks for that new game or toy they can save up for it.  They will look at laundry as dollar signs instead of a chore.

ASA Calendar September 2015

Learning to Share - Conflict Resolution for Parents and Child Care Providers

By Melissa Newby
If your child is in child care, it's likely that you'll eventually disagree with something your child care provider does or says. Recognizing when to say something, and how to approach the subject with your provider, will help maintain a positive relationship between you and your child care provider and a healthy environment for your child.
The best way to resolve a conflict is to never let it happen in the first place. Make sure you communicate with your child care provider, letting them know your expectations about the care you want your child to receive. If there are things that you absolutely want a certain way, like your child not watching any television or eating sweets, make sure you discuss them in the initial interview. It's also important to understand that parents and providers can have different views regarding appropriate ways to raise a child. Understanding that your provider may not do things exactly as you would, but that your child is still receiving quality care, is vital in preventing conflict.
Despite the best communication, you still may disagree with something your child care provider does while caring for your child. Try to say something as soon as you notice an issue. The longer you let an issue go, the more chance there is for it to grow into something bigger. Also, the sooner you address the issue, the sooner you can resolve it and clear the air in your relationship. Not addressing the problem right away could create enough stress with your provider that you are not able to repair the relationship and may need to find a new provider.
Ask your provider for a time to discuss the issue. If possible, choose a time when you and your provider can talk without distractions. Don't talk in the doorway with your child tugging at your leg or when your provider is trying to manage 6 toddlers. Allowing you both to focus on the conversation will help you hear what each other is saying and really understand each other.
Explain your concern in simple terms, but do not accuse or blame your provider. Use statements like, "I have a concern about how much television Mike is watching", instead of, "You are letting Mike watch too much television". Both statements give the same message, but the delivery style of the first one is less accusing and will help foster a better discussion. You are both invested in the care of your child, and being able to discuss any issues rationally and openly will help your child receive quality care. Discuss the behavior that concerned you, why it concerned you, and what you would like done to correct the situation. Listen carefully to your provider so she can explain her thoughts on the situation. There may be safety or logistics reasons why your provider is doing something a certain way.
Once you have discussed the issue, restate the solution that you both agreed on. That way, you can make sure you both understand what the next steps are and how the issue is going to be resolved. A question like, "Do you feel comfortable with the solution we decided on", is a good way to make sure you both are on the same page, and gives your provider the chance to say if something is still bothering her.
Source: Child Care Lounge

What Your Provider Wants You to Know: But is Afraid to Tell You

Here is an open letter to parents written from the perspective of a daycare provider or preschool teacher.

• I am a professional. I may have chosen this line of work because I love children and I enjoy my job, but this is still my job/business. I have received specialized education and/or training to be a caregiver and educator for young children. I am not a babysitter; I am a professional.
• I am not getting rich. In many places child care workers make less than public sanitation workers, secretaries and other jobs that require a lot less education and experience. I do get paid in smiles, hugs and recognition of appreciation from families.
• I need you to read all material and notices. I am counting on you to know the information I send to you in writing. This includes newsletters, notes and contract material.
• It is important that you communicate with me. Let me know in advance if there will be a change in your child’s schedule, or the services you will need.
• If I ask you to bring in supplies for your child, please do. And make sure supplies are replenished as needed. This may include extra clothes, art supplies, diapers etc.
• Remember your child is not the only child in my care. Although I do my best to provide individualized attention at times, I am often unable to change polices or disrupt plans to accommodate the needs of one family.
• Please do not send your child if they are ill. If they are too ill to participate in the day’s activities they are too ill to be in care. I need to protect the health of other children as well. If your child is or was ill, please notify me.
• I recognize that you are the most important person in the child’s life. I hope that we can work as a partnership for what is best for the child. Please share with me any concerns or questions about your child’s care and development. Work with me in helping your child learn, grow and develop.

Source: Childcare Lounge

Volunteer week

First I wanted to give gratitude to After School Artist children for being so helpful towards each other and others and how well they follow instruction. I am so proud.

Today we will be cleaning windows at a business for our volunteer work.  After we will plan on heading to some location that contains a water activity.  Parents contact me for specifics.

Our current art activities are finishing our hand-made, hand painted puppet show theater box and rehearsing for our puppet show.

We will also be working with clay!  The kids have been asking to work with clay for sometime now.

Academics: We took a trip to the library and will be reading some new books together and working on some Reggio inspired math.

Thank you for one my clients suggesting a quick online resource for the day to day activities for After School Arts.  There will be more online resources up ahead in the future. Stay tuned.

Parent Childcare Community Collaboration

As a past writer I wanted to speak about Reggio Emilia. 

I have read many articles on child care issues and parent issues and have come to the conclusion that Reggio is the solution.

When you choose a childcare you are also choosing the person who "cares" for your child when you are not "caring" for your child. 

This relationship should be as open and close as a family member.  This relationship does not always happen naturally and takes some time.  Both parents and child care providers need to work together to make that Reggio relationship work. 

This means it is not the parents job to make things convenient for the childcare provider and it is not the childcare provider's job to make things convenient for the parents.  It is both parties' jobs to make life convenient for each other.

When there is conflict with care providers or parents there is conflict for your children.  It is like kicking your self in the pants.  The point is is that it is in your best interest to get along or you are hurting your child.

This is a business of raising our children together.  I encourage both child care providers and parents to focusing on working together instead of battling over trivial things when our goal is the same...raising bright successful children. 

Providers should listen and ask about specifics about how parents want their children to be cared for.  Parents should listen to educated providers about new innovative ways of providing care.  Providers that are invested in their business participate in continued education and can offer some new and sometimes better ways of care for your child.

Children are not library books that you drop off and pick up at your convenience.  They are human beings and your child care provider is a human being developing a relationship with the most important asset of your life, your child. If you do not feel that way about your provider you should consider changing providers.

I see the battle of views between parent and child care provider very often.  The parent feels they are paying to have someone care for their child and are in a manager role of hiring the child care provider and often have little to no interaction with the provider. It is near impossible to build relationships with no interaction. In Reggio environments it is a partnership and a collaboration along with a common goal of working together and supporting our children.

After School Arts Madison Summer

Camp Schedule 2015

 

**Schedule subject to change due to weather, seasonal availability or other relevant reason for change** NOTE: Chicago art museum trip will remain as scheduled.  Parents can volunteer as chaperones but not required.  At least 2 ASA adult chaperones will be attending.

June 1-5 – Orientation. Welcome Artists

June 8-12 – Green Thumb

June 15-19 – Architecture and Art

June 22-26 – Wisconsin Art, Reminder… Thurs, June 25 6:30 PM is Reggio Family game night. Pick up your child’s activity journal a view a slideshow of summer camp photos.

June 28-July 3 – Painted glass

July 6-10 – Art History, Note: Field trip to Chicago Art museum scheduled for Wed, July 8, 7:30AM-5:30PM

July 13-17 – Creative Writing and Illustration

July 20-24 – Culinary Arts

July 27-31 – Flower Power

Aug 3- Aug 7 – Volunteer activity week

Aug 10 – August 14 – Art Business

Aug 17 – 21 – Hot fun in the summer time…Last blast of summer….Pools, beaches, parks, sports and more.

Aug 24 – 28 – Fruits of our Labor

Aug 31 – Sept 4 – Back to School Prep.  Math flash cards, reading, writing (age appropriate).

Sept 7 – 11 – Labor day and back to school.  Care available to children who start school after Labor Day.  Open Arts week.

Tues, June 9 4PM-6:30PM

After School Arts Poynette  
Open House

W9257 County Trunk CS, Poynette, WI 53955 (next to Subway) 608-516-9992

 

YOU are invited to After School Arts Open House!

You can watch or participate. No cost or R.S.V.P. required.

 

What is After School Arts?

*After school arts is an alternative child care program that is open for summer camp and after school care.

*The program is appropriate for children age 4-14.   

How is After School Arts unique?

*After School Arts uses the Reggio approach which is learning centered on art, family, child and community.

*Our focus is on individual and group skills and talent. Your child will learn real life skills like basic healthy cooking and how to be a positive community member. We invite your family in on how your child is learning and developing with open house family evenings.

*We have units to keep kids interested and we keep creating more new units!

We will have previews and information on of any of the following units:

Green Thumb       Culinary Arts       Flower Power  
    
Architecture and Art       The Art of Jewelry

Nature and Found Objects       Art History       Wisconsin Art      

Fruits of our Labor  Illustration and Creative Writing      

Recycled art       Painted glass

 

 

2015 After School Arts Summer Curriculum

Culinary Arts
This unit explores learning basic healthy cooking that tastes great, general cooking, and understanding food health and safety.

Kids will learn skills they can use for a lifetime on making smart food choices and become independent on creating food for themselves and others.

We make many of our healthy snacks together and learn about the food groups. We will include a field trip to understanding the food and restaurant business and get a daily taste of culinary arts…yum!


Green Thumb
We will participate in a daily group garden. Children will water and prune vegetables and flowers to be used for a Fruits of our Labor party. What we produce we will use in our snacks and other units.

Exploring the world we will take an adventure field trip to Oblrich gardens to learn more about plants and their existence in our ecosystem. This field trip is set to inspire for the floral design unit.

Found objects. Find outdoor items that inspire us to create including: gathering organic items like leaves, rocks or other items that inspire us.


Art History
This unit explores art history of famous artists from Picasso to Jackson Pollock to Mary Cassatt and more. Impress your friends when attending an art museum with art history knowledge after taking this class.

Jackson Pollock. Who is he? What is his story? We will go Pollock with paint! Look out…smocks needed for this day.

There will be an optional weekend trip to the Chicago art museum. Parents are welcome to attend. Field trip fee will apply and cost will be determined. Transportation provided by After School Arts—available space for 3. We will drive to a train station and take a train downtown to the museum.


Recycled Art
Use your creative mind to turn trash into treasures like milk carton outdoor games, items we make to help the outdoor wilderness or just silly or crazy art to let our minds relax and be free.

Let’s make Earth day any day. Giving back--we will be doing a volunteer activity. Learn life skills on feeling good when helping others.


Fruits of our Labor
In this unit we will harvest our Fruits of Our Labor and create fresh garden food and floral designs harvest party that parents can join.

We will also learn the "labor" side of collaborating as coworkers and create our own product or catering business.

Flower Power
Flowers are a dynamic part of our life. We use them for celebrations, love, general affection and even used for apologies.

Join us on our adventure of creating our own floral designs with fresh, dried flowers and objects to make an artistic expression that can be used at a dining table, a foyer, or even at a hospital bed to promote cheer and health.

Architecture and Art
Let’s tour the planet and find architecture that is not only functional but is beautiful art. This unit includes planning out blueprints and creating our own mini architectural pieces.


The Art of Jewelry
Jewelry is not just what you buy from the jewelry store. Come explore the many different cultures of jewelry and different textures and items used to make jewelry. We will make our own creation of items that you would never think of that could be jewelry. We will learn that jewelry is not gender specific.

Painted glass
Learn how painting on glass is easy, fun and elegant. The most forgiving art…if you don’t like it wipe it.

Creative Writing and Illustration
We will become authors and illustrators and understand what each is. Ms. Julie’s background with technical writing will help with grammar and writing lite. Introduction to basic graphic design, using type and graphics to create visual elements.

Wisconsin Art
This unit includes making and sampling items that attribute to our dairy economy. Dairy culinary games and Wisconsin art and history. We will take a museum trip to learn more about the badger state.


Classes begin June 15. Space is limited.  It is recommended to sign up for the entire summer curriculum.  Each unit builds upon each other.

This program is ideal for families who want to give their children(ages 4-14), a summer break with fun and learning without breaking the school routine or breaking the bank.

References and pricing available on Facebook site or call 608-516-9992, email afterschoolarts53719@gmail.com

Culinary cultures art night was fantastic!

Thank you to my chefs and friends who joined.

Here are the recipes for you to try at home.  Very simple and surprisingly flavorful food.

Jollof Rice 

Ingredients

1 large onion, chopped

2 Tablespoons vegetable oil

2 teaspoons tomato paste

1½ cups cooked rice

1 green chili, seeded and chopped (green pepper can be substituted)

1 cup meat or vegetable stock

 

Procedure

Cook the rice according to package directions.

Heat the oil in a frying pan and sauté the onion until soft, but not browned.

Add the tomato paste and chili and cook on medium heat while stirring, about 2 minutes.

Add the rice and continue stirring.

Add the stock and bring the mixture to a boil.

Reduce heat to medium and cook until almost all of the stock has evaporated. Serve.

Makes 4 servings.

 

Read more: http://www.foodbycountry.com/Kazakhstan-to-South-Africa/Nigeria.html#ixzz3UHzhdP8X

 

 

 

Korean Food – Kamja Guk Recipe  

Kamja Guk (Potato Soup)

Ingredients

·         2 cans beef or chicken broth

·         2 large potatoes, peeled and cut into bitesized pieces

·         2 medium carrots, peeled and cut into bitesized pieces

·         ½ cup mushrooms, chopped

·         1 green onion, chopped

·         Pinch black pepper

Procedure

1.     In a large saucepan, combine broth, potatoes, and carrots.

2.     Bring to a boil over high heat, and cover.

3.     Reduce heat to low and cook for 10 minutes, or until vegetables are tender.

4.     Add mushrooms, green onions, and black pepper.

5.     Stir well and cook for 2 minutes more.

6.     Serve hot.

 

South American Fried Plantains

Ingredients

• 4 ripe plantains
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• Salt

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes

• Total Time: 15 minutes

Preparation

1. Cut the pointy tips off of each end of the plantains. Use a sharp knife to score cuts through the skin down the length of the plantain in several places.
2. Peel the skin off the plantains, then slice each one in half lengthwise. Slice each of those pieces in half lengthwise as well, so that you have four long slices from each plantain.
3. Heat the oil in a heavy skillet over medium heat and fry the plantain slices until dark golden brown on each side.
4. Drain slices on a paper towel and sprinkle with salt. Serve warm.

 

 

 

Spargelgemuse (Fresh Asparagus)

Ingredients

• 2 pounds of asparagus
• ¼ cup butter
• 3 Tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 large egg, hard-boiled

Procedure

1. Wash the asparagus and snap off the hard ends.
2. Cook the asparagus in boiling, salted water for 7 to 10 minutes (until tender) and drain.
3. Melt the butter in a saucepan.
4. Add cheese to butter and cook until melted and lightly browned.
5. Serve asparagus topped with cheese sauce.
6. Garnish with a sliced, hard-boiled egg.

Serves 8 to 10.

Read more: http://www.foodbycountry.com/Germany-to-Japan/Germany.html#ixzz3UMjJ9JiF

   

Kheer (Sweet Rice Pudding)

Ingredients

• ½ cup basmati or long-grain rice
• 4 cups milk
• ¼ cup raisins
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon cardamom seeds
• ¼ cup almonds, slivered

Procedure

1. Wash the rice and soak in water for 30 minutes. Drain well.
2. Boil the milk in a large pan. Lower the heat and add the rice and cardamom seeds.
3. Simmer on low heat until mixture thickens to a pudding-like consistency, about 1½ to 2 hours.
4. Stir every 5 to 10 minutes to prevent mixture from sticking to sides and bottom.
5. When the mixture has thickened, remove from the heat. Let cool about 25 minutes, and then add the sugar and stir well.
6. Add the raisins and almonds. Serve hot or cold.

Serves 4 to 6.

Read more: http://www.foodbycountry.com/Germany-to-Japan/India.html#ixzz3UMlYURL2