What is Common Core?

At issue is the Common Core State Standards Initiative, which seeks to set national criteria for instruction in English and math. The administration has tried to bribe states into adopting the national standards, using a pot of $4.35 billion in federal Race to the Top grants to sweeten the deal for those who go along. It also directly funded the national assessments that are aligned with the Common Core national standards, and it has tied No Child Left Behind waivers to adoption of the common standards.


http://washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/op-eds/2012/03/trust-us-were-not-nationalizing-curriculum/409046

To Learn More about Common Core please go to

www.keepeducationlocal.com

Cammie's Granola Recipe

1/3 cup oil-safflower

½ teaspoon salt

½ cup light brown sugar

2 Tbsp. honey

1 Tbsp. vanilla

¾ teaspoon cinnamon

3 cups  oats

2 cups pecans or other seeds- pumpkin, sunflower, almond

1/8 cup flax seed
1/2 cup coconut
golden raisens
dried fruit

Mix altogether. Put oatmeal, flax seed, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon,  pumpkin seed and sunflower seed together.  Then add the oil, honey, and vanilla.  Mix well. Spread on cookie sheet and bake at 300 degrees for 10 min. Stir.  If you want to add coconut then do so and bake for 10 more min.   After granola completely cools add golden raisins, dried fruit of whatever kind, my favorite is cranstrawberries. Etc.  When I tried to double this recipe it didn't work, the oil and sugar did not turn out right so it needs adjusting.

Susie's Spinach Salad


Bag of Spinach
1 head of lettuce
1/2 lb. of mushrooms, sliced
1/2 lb. swiss cheese, grated
1 red onion, chopped
1/2 lb. bacon, browned and crumbled
1/2 c. slivered almonds, cooked in 3 Tbsp.
    sugar until crispy brown (low heat)
1 bag craisins


Dressing
1/3 c. vinegar
1/4 c. oil 
1/8 c. yellow mustard
3/4 Tbsp. poppy seeds
3/4 Tbsp. minced onions
1/3 c. sugar
1 tsp. salt


Mix all ingredients together.  Just before serving, 
pour dressing over and toss lightly.  To prepare dressing, mix all ingredients together in blender or with a whisk.
May substitute feta cheese for swiss and may want to use less red onions.

S'more Brownies

1 boxed brownie mix

graham crackers

2 cups mini marshmallows

6 hershey bars

Bake brownies and directed in box.

Take out of oven 5 min early.  Sprinkle marshmallows,

 graham crackers broken 

in small pieces, hershey bars broken in small pieces.  Put back in oven and cook 5 more min until marshmallows are golden brown.

How to stop the "roar" of tattling

     Tattling is intended to do harm to someone. 
It is typically not a source of useful information.
First if a child comes to you tattling on someone, say simply, calmly, but directly, something like this:
 "I don't like it when you talk like that.  I expect you to never talk like that again.  Billy, the next time you feel like saying things like that, what are your going to do?"  Then wait for an answer.  The answer should be something like, "I'm not going to do it.  I'm just not going to say anything."  If necessary, continue the questioning until you get the answer you want.  When you do get the acceptable answer, say:
    "That's correct, Billy.  Thank you. Good answer.  That's exactly what I expect.
    You just aren't going to do it.  You aren't going to say anything.  I'm really 
     proud of you for that!"
Once the expectations are clearly established, and you are certain that everyone understands them, it is time to discuss consequences.  Say words to this effect:
     I'm really pleased that you understand what to expect, and I am sure that you will try really hard to control yourself.  however, if you make a mistake and say things like that, I will say to you, Do not tell me that.  I do not want to hear it.  Because you lost control of yourself, you have lost the privilege of riding your bike for one day."


When children tattle, parents need to put that behavior on extinction, then teach and reinforce appropriate behavior.


Dr Glenn I. Latham, The Power of Positive Parenting
     

How to hang a sweater to stop shoulder indention

1. Fold sweater in half with arms

together

2. Put hanger head between shoulder seam.

Drape the sweater around the hanger.

Shoulder pouch is gone!