Eat Your Science Homework {Ann McCallum Books Review}

Something good to eat is always a good way to help children solidify their learning.

Recently the Schoolhouse Review Crew were introduced to Ann McCallum Books.  Ann is the author of a nifty set of books in the Eat your ... series and Nathaniel and I have been working our way through Eat Your Science Homework.

There are currently three books in the Eat Your Homework series

1. Eat Your US History Homework  
2. Eat Your Science Homework
3. Eat Your Math Homework.

 Ann also has a blog where she shares recipes and encouragement on how to Eat your way through a variety of topics.

What we received

• ISBN: 978-1-57091-299-3
• Published by: Charlesbridge
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright Date: 2009, 2014
• Specifications: Teacher: 48 pages
• By: Ann McCallum
• Illustrated by: Leeza Hernandez
• Awarded: Junior Library Guild Selection 

The book is divided up into:

• Introduction - Here you will discover all about delicious chemistry in the kitchen.
• Safety instructions - We learned about safety in our lab. The tricks of the trade list was helpful for Nathaniel. It was good to read these.  I realized that some things I had not actively told him before and had assumed he knew.
• Six experiments - Each experiment covers a particular topic. We love the creative names for each one: Atomic Popcorn Balls,  Density Dressing and Veggie Sticks, Invisable Ink Snack Pockets, Loop, Whorl and Arch Cookies, Sedimentary Pizza Lasagna and Black Hole Swallow-Ups
  
  • The topic is introduced and explained carefully.  The jargon is introduced in context and fully explained.
  • Next the recipe is presented.  There is a before you begin section which covers time, oven temperature and difficulty. An ingredients list followed by the step by step method.  The author coaches the student carefully in what to do in each step. 
  • The next page is a conclusion to the topic page.  We enjoyed reading these as they give some relevant information, interesting historical note in relation to the topic and concluding words.
• Review - This is a summary of what you have learned as you've worked your way through the book.
• Glossary - A concise list of scientific terms used throughout the book with clear explanations of each word.
• Index -

How we used it

After reading the introduction page on Density, Dressing and Veggie Sticks chapter it was time to gather our supplies.

This lesson involved no heat so I left Nathaniel up to following the directions in the method.  He enjoyed watching what happened as he added each ingredient to the bottle and surmising what he thought might happen when he added the ingredients.

 We learned some new technical jargon: immiscible, miscible and density. We also did some follow up experiments to solidify the topic of density.  The results were edible and Daddy now has some new blue salad dressing to enjoy!

You can download a fabulous Teachers Guide for Eat Your Science HOMEWORK.


Recommended Age Range

• 7-10 years old

Over All I thought ...
We've enjoyed working our way through this beautiful book. Every single double page spread is beautifully illustrated and contains thoughtful information.  I appreciated how the author spoke directly to the child and did not assume that the student knew something.  Every concept was clearly explained and scientific terms were presented clearly and concisely.  Each experiment was followed up with a Science Sampler which ranged from finding elements present in our home to interesting information on famous scientists over the ages.

This is a fun book to add to your science routine at home and the best part is you can EAT your experiments!

Blessings
Chareen

Apple Rose Shortcake Muffins {THM E}

A few months ago all these beautiful images of Apple Roses were filling my news feed on Facebook and all I wanted was to eat one.  This year I've been pursuing healthy eating using the Trim Healthy Mama plan and non of the recipe's out there were going to allow me to enjoy an Apple Rose bake. I've finally found my solution! Enter the Apple Rose Shortcake Muffin!

Shortcake Muffin Mix

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup of sweetener
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2  1/2 cups old fashioned oats 
• 1  1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup 0% Greek Yogurt
• 1/2 cup egg white
• 1/2 cup sweetener blend
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Essence 

Method

• Mix sweetener and cinnamon in a small bowl.
• Take 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon sugar and sprinkle in the bottom of the silicon muffin trays.  Enough to make 12 medium muffins.
• Grind the oats and baking powder and set aside
• Blend remaining ingredients in a blender.  
• Combine wet and dry ingredients and mix well. 
• Pour 1/4 cup of the mix into prepared muffin molds.

Apple Rose inserted into muffin mix ready to bake.

Apple Roses

Ingredients

• 6 small apples
• 6 table spoons of water

Method

• Wash and core the apples.
• Cut them in half 
• Slice each half into 2 mm ( ⁵⁄₆₄in) half moon slices.
• Fill a glass bowl with warm water and a dash of lemon.
• Separate and lay the apple slices in the water.
• Cover and microwave for 3 min.  
• Set aside until cooked.  (You can steam them too) The apples need to be soft enough to roll without breaking but not mash! Once cooked remove and drain them.
• Once your apple slices are cool enough to handle it's time to make the rose.  Take the halves and create a straight line about 30 cm (12 in) long.  Lay the straight edges along the bottom.  The apples need to overlap by half.
  
  
  
  
   
• Lightly sprinkle the apples with the remaining cinnamon sweetener. This is the only tricky bit because the apples are not being held in place by pastry. Start on the left and roll them up to form a rose.
• Place them gently into the muffin tin and push them slightly into the Short Cake Muffin mix.
• Repeat until all apples are cooked and muffins prepared.
• Bake for 20 min  at 180 'C (350 'F)
• Remove and allow the muffins to rest in the mold for 5 min.
• Gently remove and cool on a cooling rack.

Serving Suggestion 

• 1 Tablespoon of sweetener blend.  
• Grind in a coffee grinder until you get a fine icing sugar consistency is reached. 
• Sprinkle over cooled muffins and enjoy!

These were a most delightful way to end our E dinner last night!

Blessings
Chareen

You can pin this post here:

*The recipes above are tweaked versions of original recipe's which are not THM but can be found here:

• Apple Roses Cooking with Manuela
•  Strawberry Shortcake Muffins to make this recipe THM friendly I substitute the 2 eggs with 1/2 cup of egg white. If you use whole eggs then it becomes a cross-over.  PS the Strawberry version is divine!

The Brinkman Adventures: Season 3 {Review}

There's been much excitement around here lately.  Last year we were introduced to the Brinkman Adventures and after listening to season two we have been stalking their website and Facebook page in anticipation of Season 3

The Brinkman Adventures are the result of a vision and idea the Lord gave to Ian Bultman when he was away on a prayer retreat.

The vision was to create radio quality dramatizations retelling actual modern day missionary stories using the day to day lives of his own family (there are 10 children in his family).   Each of the children's names have been changed in the production but they all play themselves.

The aim of the series is one of changing lives and encouraging young people to become missionaries.

What we received

• Episodes 25 to 36
• MP3 Album
• 24 files in a 599 MB zipped folder

How we used it
After downloading our MP3 file I extracted it and imported it into iTunes. We loaded it onto our iPod and enjoyed listening to the episodes on our family room sound system.
As before we were hooked and could not stop listening to the episodes!

Each episode has a follow up link on the website with more background information on the missionary story featured along with links to organizations and pictures of the actual people and events represented in the episode.

There are 12 episodes** in Season 3 and you can read more about the back-stories in the links below: 

• Ep. 25 - God's Mule
• Ep. 26 - Mountain Mover
• Ep. 27 - Silent Ambassador
• Ep. 28 - Translating Trouble
• Ep. 29 - Man-Up
• Ep. 30 - Acorns & Oaks
• Ep. 31 - A Saint's Story Pt 1
• Ep. 32 - A Saint Story pt 2
• Ep. 33 - Untouched
• Ep. 34 - Busy Bees and a Bullhorn
• Ep. 35 - Missionary Tourist Pt 1
• Ep. 36 - Missionary Tourist Pt 2

**Episodes 1-12 are in Season 1 and episodes 13 - 24 are in Season 2.

We have enjoyed each and every episode in this season. One of the highlights for us happened in episode 31 and 32.  Earlier this year we read the biography of Nate Saint and in these two episodes we hear what happened to his son Steve Saint.  It was one of the most moving stories I have ever heard so much so that I cried...Steve Saint performed himself in each episode too.

One of the most encouraging aspects of listening to The Brinkman Adventures is hearing a family work through real every day life with the Lord. The way they pray together about everyday issues, read the Word of the Lord together, learn grow and play together have greatly encouraged and impacted our families way of living and walking with Jesus.  

 Cost of the Brinkman Adventures
Suggested donation purchase price

• Set of 4 CD's $27.99
• MP3 Album $17.99

The Brinkman Adventures operates on a donation basis. You have the option of choosing your donation value.  ALL proceeds raised go towards funding new episodes and supporting missionaries around the world.

There are two sample episodes available for you to listen to online. Episode #1 is available to listen to at the bottom of the Fun Stuff page and episode #9  The Provider has it's own dedicated page.

You can watch behind the scenes recordings of the family recording the episodes on YouTube.

*All prices are quoted in US $ and are current at time of review. Please consult the Brinkman Adventures website for current prices

 Recommended Age Range
The stories are intended for family listening.

Over All I thought ...

If you are looking for the ultimate family Christmas gift look no further! The Brinkman Adventures is full of true to life drama, encouragement and inspiration for you and your family. Each episode has inspired us to find out more about the missions that are happening around the globe today.

Blessings
Chareen