Adventures in Learning

Who says learning is dull? Children like having fun, (who doesn’t?) So we need to incorporate more fun into our teachings. There are several ways to do that. Games: 20 questions: this is a great way to teach facts. You can find sites or books on any subject and then make a list of questions for each thing you want to teach about. For instance, say you are studying Art History. You want to teach your child about famous artists. You would go to sites or books about the artists and make a list of questions for your child to answer. Here is a site about Leonardo da Vinci: http://www.mos.org/sln/Leonardo/, visit here to find facts about this artist and make up your question and answer sheet. You could play one of several ways, have the child answer the questions knowing the subject is Leonardo da Vinci, make a list of facts from your questions and have the child guess who the facts are about or if your child is old enough, have him or her do the research and question sheet then test you! I like the last choice as I feel s/he would absorb more information this way. Here is a site to download a FREE sample of 25 questions and answers on a variety of subjects and difficulty including science, sport, history, geography, entertainment, literature, cinema, T.V. and others: http://tinyurl.com/3kgne.
Brain Teasers: make up brain teasers for math problems.
Spelling lessons: make up a word search, crossword puzzle or hangman game using words on your spelling lists. The possibilities are endless! Here is a great website for online education games: http://www.funbrain.com/
Field trips: Kids love field trips. Learning about the oceans? A trip to an aquarium is fun. Teaching agriculture? Perhaps there is a farm nearby. You could contact the person running the farm to see if you can arrange to bring your kids for a tour. A hike in the woods can serve as both gym class and a lesson in nature.
Music: We all love music. How about adding fun to music? You know that turning anything into a song will help with memorization. Look at the Alphabet Song, who has ever forgotten how to say the alphabet after learning that song? Dry Bones is a great song when learning about the bones in the body. Even better would be to make up a song of your own together. You could do the first line and your child does the next line. Take turns until you have a full song about your subject. The sillier the song, the better! Don’t forget to have a dance session using those songs. Dancing will raise your heartbeats and increase the blood flow to your brains. Studies show that the increase of oxygen to the brain generated by physical activity improves memory and learning. Plus it has the added benefit of being great for your body and your kids will have fun while getting some exercise. There are far too many children turning into couch potatoes these days. And what better way to have fun and bond with your family than singing and dancing together.
Crafts: If your child is old enough to read, you can make placemats together. It is relatively easy to do. All you need is some clear contact paper or laminating sheets, a magazine or newspaper, some clear drying glue and construction paper. Look through magazines and newspapers and cut out articles or snippets that are about things you want to teach your children. Glue them onto the construction paper and after they dry cover with the clear contact paper or laminating sheets.
If your child cannot yet read, you can do the same thing using letters you are teaching along with pictures of things that start with that letter, clocks with different times, animals with facts, or whatever else you want to work on. For more craft ideas, click here: http://tinyurl.com/5n3tg
Science projects: Science is so much easier to learn with hands on experiments. You can go with the tried and true experiments like the electric potato. You and your child can brainstorm together to come up with ways to experiment. There are a few e-books with different experiments you can do using household objects: http://tinyurl.com/4tvpj or http://tinyurl.com/6hhzz.
History: A great project to undertake for history would be to research your family’s genealogy. You should form a new lesson around each generation of the family. Learn about great grandparents and study the Depression era at the same time. Remember to save everything for future generations and also, don’t forget to add info on you and your children. For any older generations still living in your family, this would be a wonderful opportunity for them to bond with your children. And for your children to hear straight from their mouths what life was like “in their day,” would make it seem more real and perhaps make them more appreciative of all the luxuries we have now. If you don’t know where to begin, click here for an e-book that shows you how, http://tinyurl.com/3w9bl. Creating a scrapbook to go along with this project is a wonderful idea. Collect old photographs from family members. How neat to have a scrapbook that starts out with old black and white photographs and ends with color photos? Maybe you can get some old magazine clippings from certain eras to add to the older pages. Here is a great resource for learning about scrapbooking, http://tinyurl.com/49qqb.
Math: For older children or those that receive an allowance, I think setting up a checking account is a great idea. Keeping the checkbook balanced is a good way to learn math hands on. This also gives the added benefit of teaching the value of money and responsibility. Perhaps you could set up a chart for each week where a percentage of his or her allowance will go in the checkbook, a percentage to charity and a percentage for them to spend as they wish. Change the percentages for each from week to week. Now you are teaching percentages, fractions and teaching about charitable giving.
Grammar/Foreign Language: Look for websites that have a pen pal service. If you are teaching your child Spanish, you could look for a pen pal in Spain or any other Spanish speaking country. This will help with the learning of another language, grammar, letter writing etiquette and ability as well as learning about other cultures and countries. Plus your child may very well make a wonderful life-long friend.
There are countless other ways to incorporate fun into learning. We have only scratched the surface. I hope you have been inspired by these ideas. Have fun thinking up different plans!
Tracy Catarius may be contacted at http://www.greatestkidsbooks.com tracy@myubah.comTracy Catarius is the owner of Mattcmama’s, a resource site for parents and Greatest Kid’s books, a site devoted to children’s education. You can visit these sites here: http://www.mattcmamas.com and http://www.greatestkidsbooks.com. She is also the editor of Kid’s Education First newsletter. Be sure to sign up for this fr*ee newsletter at the site. She is lives in Massachusetts with her husband and is the stay at home mother of one son and one daughter. She also has a personal family library of approximately 1,000 books on various subjects. Article Source: ArticleWorld.net

5 Popular Kitchen Designs

If you are looking to install a new kitchen into your home then you will find that there is a bewildering choice of free kitchen design ideas you could choose from to feed your own design plans.
Together with the bathroom the kitchen is the most important room in the house to get right in design terms.
Aside from the hall the kitchen receives the highest amount of foot traffic in the home.
Most people spend a lot of time in the kitchen, especially families and if something is not right it will bug you every time you look at it.
I recommend you spend considerable time looking for free kitchen design ideas before you approach a kitchen design store.
That way you will have a much more focused idea of what you are looking for and are more likely to encourage the salesperson to offer you a special deal. They will see you as a serious prospect who has spent time creating a strong vision and knows what they require.
Design ideas can be found in many places such as house and home magazines, kitchen showrooms, diy stores, kitchen web sites and friends' houses.
You should be able to formulate at least two or three design ideas using these methods.
In the meantime here is a list of 5 popular kitchen styles that you can investigate to get you started:
Country Style
This style is also called early american or colonial and creates a lovely quaint farm kitchen look.
Typically the kitchen will feature open shelves, pot racks and a general feeling of being well lived in, accented by the various color schemes of the cabinetry.
Contemporary
This style has clean and simple lines. Cabinets are usually futuristic in look with no carvings or particularly ornate features.
The emphasis is on style and practical sophistication.
Shaker
This is a simple and utilitarian style that features flat panel doors, wooden countertops and brass hardware.
French Country
These are warm inviting kitchens full of wood and soft colors.
Natural materials feature strongly as do large furniture pieces with ornate carvings.
Arts and Crafts
This is becoming a popular style and features glass doors and natural wood tones that are finished in a matte sheen.
This style can be very artistic.
Finally, take into account the themes you have used in other rooms to ensure that the kitchen design you finally choose fits well into your overall scheme.
I hope that our free kitchen design ideas help you to get a good start in your project.
About the Author
Lorraine Smith runs an information web site that provides advice and examples of completed kitchens.
Visit her site and discover more free kitchen design ideas

Picture Frame Crafts For Your Kids Party

One of the most popular party favors is a framed picture of the party guest taken at your kids party. He or she could be showing off a silly hat or party costume, performing an outrageous party game stunt, or wearing a face full of frosting and ice cream. Having party guests create their own make-and-take frame to display this memorable photomakes it an even greater treasure for the memory box. Start with a plain square of cardboard with an opening the size of your picture. When thedecorating is done, simply glue picture to the back of the frame.Here's a brainstorm of frame ideas and decorating materials kids can use:*Cut your photo into a circle and glue to the center of a nice shiny CD. Decorate with star stickers. *Cut frames from different colored craft foam. Layer the foam squares for a unique effect. Decorative foam pieces in many unique shapes and themes are available at your craft store. *Make a simple craft stick frame and decorate it with faux gems, sequins, sparkles, or stickers. *Fashion a frame with craft clay. *Use faux craft fur to make a really "wild" looking frame. Great for a jungle themed party. *Tie one end of a long length of colorful yarn to your cardboard square. Wrap the yarn around and around the square until it is completely covered. *Glue tiny Barbie doll accessories such as combs, brushes, sunglasses, and purses. Ideal for a Barbie party or little girl's dress up party. *Brush a square of cardboard with white craft glue. Sprinkle craft sand onto the glue in different colors and patterns. Shake excess sand onto newspapers and let dry. *Use outdoor treasures such as tiny pine cones, leaves, and small stones to make a nature frame. Perfect for a garden party or bug party. *Colorful buttons in various sizes and shapes can be laid out in an interesting design. *Apply geometrical shapes of felt in a creative pattern. *Cover your frame with pretty fabric. *Apply colored clay shapes to your cardboard square. *Hard edible sugar decorations for cakes come in a variety of themes. These can be used to decorate your frame. *Different shapes of macaroni make interesting frame decorations. Try elbows, wheels, bowties, and fusilli. *Tiny colored pompoms make a cute soft frame. Apply complementary colors in rows. *Tear off one inch pieces of multi-colored tissue paper. Pinch between fingers, dip in glue and apply to your frame. *Small dried beans or peas laid out in intricate patterns make a unique frame. Kids will love the hands-on party activity and parents will enjoy their child's picture displayed in their own uniquely creative frame.Copyright 2005 Kids Party Paradise All Rights Reserved
About the AuthorPatricia B. Jensen is a mother of three and kids party enthusiast. She is the webmaster and owner of Kids-Party-Paradise.com - a complete resource for kids party ideas including invitations, cakes, decorations, games, costumes, favors, and food, For all the latest party news, read her Kids Party Blog. Source: ArticleTrader.com

Arts and Crafts Revival

The Arts and Crafts and Mission interior design styles are making a powerful comeback. Learn tips on creating an authentic look for your home or office.

The terms Arts and Crafts and Mission Style are often used synonymously today. They refer to a style of home design and furnishings emphasizing natural materials, especially wood, and showcasing a pronounced geometry in the design. Their tremendous revival in popularity stems largely from their association with hand-crafted elements (though many knock-offs are manufactured by machine), a rarity in this technologically advanced age. The pieces offer an heirloom quality and a patina that deepens with age. Arts and Crafts furnishings and interiors are also typically very durable and classic with a timeless appeal. They suit today’s desire to simplify and get back to basics. Arts and Crafts interiors are an ideal marriage of function and aesthetic; spaces are designed to work for those living there. To create your own Arts and Crafts interior, there are several elements to consider, both in materials and design.
The materials of an Arts and Crafts interior, while not limited to nature, emphasize wood, stone, glass (made from sand), ceramic tiles (made from minerals/earth), and textiles (using wool, cotton, or linen fibers, and, of course, leather). Much of the visual pattern comes from the grain of the wood selected. Traditionally oak was used, but currently natural cherry is frequently enjoyed. The oak tends to have a golden brown gleam, while the cherry is redder. Both darken naturally with age, which is to be expected.
Flooring, all architectural trim/molding, doors, stair rails and stiles, and exposed structural supports are all typically wood, oak being most prevalent. Waxed or oil finishes prevail. Joints are pegged, or hand-crafted metal hardware is used. Door knobs, cabinet pulls and the like are again hand-crafted wrought iron or bronze in black, umber, or verdigris. Many are square or rectangular shaped and are hand hammered. For a lighter look, some homeowners today are opting for a soft brushed pewter or nickel finish instead. Once you have the guidelines, you can bend them to suit. If an alternative to a wood floor is desired, tile or slate would be appropriate substitutes. The tile should be large and laid in a linear pattern, not on the diagonal.
To balance and complement the visual depth of the wood, walls are often treated with a textured paint or plastered. (The old bungalows have original plaster.
) A good bet is the river rock finish that Ralph Lauren paint provides. Paint schemes bear an influence from nature with goldenrod yellows, burnt sienna browns, cimmaron and Indian reds, sage and moss greens, and a neutral palette of earthy tans, toasts, and beiges. The overall feeling has a harmony, continuity, with all elements working together, none upstaging the other. It is about creating an organic home, one that works within its environment and makes the most of its surroundings both outside and inside.
Fireplaces have wood or stone mantels, with stone, ceramic or occasionally brick surrounds. The wood is again oak with a golden stain, usually waxed or rubbed, not polyurethaned. Satin or matte finishes rule. Stone is field stone-- stacked dry or with mortar, it presents a terrific textural visual. River rock may be used instead and the round smooth stones provide a counterpoint to the rectilinear geometry otherwise present. Ceramic tiles will typically have a motif from nature, perhaps a leaf or acorn, or be an iridescent finish. Today glass tiles are also used to great advantage. Brick, when employed, is smooth faced and laid in clean horizontal bands. Again, one of the clear features of an Arts and Crafts interior is the linear quality. The feeling that the house is part of a bigger view, part of the horizon, is all an effort to be from and of the earth.
Historically, many of the Arts and Crafts and Mission homes sported art glass windows, or at least many panes. This enabled windows to be left uncovered and still appear decorative. Today, art glass windows can be cost prohibitive except in select areas, so if treatment is desired for either privacy, light, or heat control, simpler is better. This translates to either plain Roman shades, silhouettes, wood blinds, or panels on either tabs or rings on a decorative rod (wood or wrought iron) with finials. If tiebacks are desired consider sisal tassels, simple and bold, or a band of the same fabric as the drapery. No trim or other decorative element is required. Fabric patterns may herald nature, such as a leaf print, or be based in geometry. There is a wide range on the market today including historical prints by William Morris and designs by Frank Lloyd Wright. The same may also be found in wall covering, though use it sparingly as it is often busy and distracting. Arts and Crafts and Mission Style today both represent a desire for a wholesome, hearty lifestyle, a return to yesterday’s values.
Furnishings in the Arts and Crafts home are again wood, occasionally with a wrought iron or ceramic tile accent. Glass is rarely used. Tables, being functional as well as good looking, often have at least a drawer and a shelf for storage. Shapes are squares, rectangles and octagons. Today more rounds are available. Again, the geometry created by edges is most apparent. Sofas and chairs are often wood backed with exposed wood arms and cushions that can be readily cleaned or changed out depending on the season. Flexibility and adaptability are prime features. Mission style goes a step further and often offers sofas or chairs with a deep wood shelf surrounding them acting as the arm and a table (Frank Lloyd Wright design), which gives the illusion of a built-in piece. Leather is frequently used or fabrics in natural fibers such as cotton, linen, or wool. Rich colors and geometric or patterns drawn from nature abound. The most significant interest comes from the combination of elements, again, no one piece dominating. Busy patterns are used sparingly, increasing longevity and flexibility of the furnishings. Resources for furnishings include Stickley, American Impressions by Ethan Allen, and Cotswald Furnishings, a superior resource for hand-crafted furnishings and more in Atlanta.
Lighting in an Arts and Crafts or Mission home is critical, especially with all the dark woods and depth of color schemes popular. While ceiling lights, including recessed, can give a good general light, it is far more effective and pleasing to adopt a wealth of luminaries. Torchieres (floor lamps that give uplight, and are best placed in corners) can provide valuable general lighting, while table lamps and floor lamps provide invitation and welcome. Accent lighting can be done with mantel lamps, sconces, and dresser lamps. The two most common types of lamps are the mica and metal designs (the body of the lamp being hammered bronze or copper, the shade a sheet of mica) and the art glass lamps with wood or art glass bases and shades of glass in geometric patterns and a squared coolie shape. Other lighting options include a wealth of reproduction lighting through several lighting sources such as Arroyo Craftsmen and Yamagiwa. (They are available through designers and have an outstanding line of Frank Lloyd Wright designs.
)Accents, accessories, and artwork should be kept to a minimum to allow for a fuller appreciation of the architecture of the home and materials of nature showcased. This is a good chance to provide balance to the predominance of wood with elements in glass, ceramics, and metal. Both bowls and vessels are readily available in all materials mentioned here. Iridescent ware in both ceramics and glass provides an airy complement to the weight and depth of the wood.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Melissa Galt is a Lifestyle Designer and Speaker based in Atlanta, GA. She hosts a series of blogs on design tips and trends and produces a monthly ezine dedicated to helping subscribers design their signature life. For the latest teleclasses, seminars, and ebooks on designing your life check out http://www.melissagalt.com .

Handcrafting Jewelry Boxes: What it Really Means to be Committed to Quality

by Russell Pool

There's so much hype in today's marketplace about quality, it has become an almost meaningless word. So rather than talk on and on about quality, it will be more instructive to talk you through the rigorous quality practices that define the kind of quality inherent in true hand crafting.

Let's start with the design process: Aesthetics and functionality are like the two wings of a bird; without the right balance between the two, the piece won't "fly". We have spent the past ten years in a continuous improvement process in both of these areas. What people immediately notice about our boxes are the pleasing, soft lines. Whatever design themes you choose to highlight must be applied consistently and consciously, leaving no detail to chance. Exceptional care must always be taken to make sure that the beauty of each individual piece of wood is displayed to its utmost advantage.

It is important to apply the same level of detail to the functionality of each piece. Years of experimentation and problem solving have yielded the most efficient and easy-to-use space use that we have seen anywhere. Design features like removable trays and customizable dividers are standard because no collection is exactly like anyone else's. Efficient space use can and should be beautiful, as well.

In order to show the designs properly, you must use the finest wood availablein the world. This is no overstatement. We work directly with sawyers at the source of where the wood grows at its finest. Our sawyers know we are fanatics about wood quality and choose from their prime stock. Once the wood arrives in Colorado, we allow it to acclimate for 1-6 months depending on the species. By adjusting to the arid climate of the southwest, the wood naturally reaches an optimal 5% moisture content without structural tensions. Needless to say, you should use only solid wood construction that is color matched naturally. That way, you don't have to use the numerous dyes or pigments that most manufacturers use to cover up inconsistencies or flaws in the wood. The other material required for true quality is genuine rayon velvet made by A. Wimpfheimer & Bro., the finest manufacturer of velvet for jewelry boxes in the country.

It's not enough to have extraordinary designs and materials - the approach to craftsmanship is where the magic really takes shape. You must care more about expressing the lost art of craft and sharing the beauty that results than about being the biggest or best known jewelry box maker. And how the wood feels when it is touched and about how many generations of use a box can provide. So we go to exceptional lengths in the crafting process and take care with things like: selecting each piece of wood for the box from the same piece of wood, so the wood "wraps" around each corner, and constructing each wooden box with floating panels so the wood can move as needed, depending on the climate you live, and reinforcing joints in several ways, providing a redundancy that mass manufacturers don't have time to do, sanding each piece up to 20 separate times, and using a finish that's durable, non-toxic to the environment, and maintenance-free. There's a lot more but, hopefully, this helps you understand why our jewelry boxes have been displayed in museums and described as "heirlooms".

In a book featuring our work, Objects for Use: Handmade by Design, Holly Hotchner, American Craft Museum Director, writes: "Art, craft, and design are ultimately about relationships established between the makers of things and the individuals who become the possessors, consumers, and users of those things. Through these objects we are invited into the artistic, emotional, and spiritual worlds of the creator; by selecting and using these objects, we complete a creative process begun by the maker. Objects designed and made for use underline humanistic values honored and shared by makers and consumers, values that give meaning and purpose to our lives at many levels." We invite you to share in our artistic, emotional, and spiritual world through the use of extraordinarily high quality containers for your most treasured objects.

About the Author

Russell Pool has been perfecting the art of quality wooden box creation for over two decades. Each piece he creates reflects his passion for quality and his love for the spiritual qualities of balance, beauty, and getting things "naturally right." To learn more about his work visit Russell Pool Fine Woodworking.

http://www.myguidetocrafts.com/handcrafts/