Pepperoni Bread - Sure to be a hit with your family!

Pepperoni Bread

 

Chock-full of pepperoni and cheese, this bread is rolled into a big log, baked, and then sliced into small rounds just right for dipping in marinara sauce.

Ingredients

• EASY PIZZA DOUGH
• 1 1/4 cups warm water (105° to 115°)
• 1 package active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 teaspoons olive oil or vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt

• 3 to 3 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• FILLING
• 2 to 3 teaspoons dried basil
• 1/4 pound thinly sliced pepperoni
• 1 1/2 to 2 cups grated mozzarella, or another cheese you like

Instructions

1. Prepare the dough by measuring the water (which should feel slightly warm to the touch) into a large mixing bowl and then sprinkling the yeast over it. Once the yeast starts to dissolve, have your child add the sugar and oil and whisk the mixture to blend it. Set the bowl aside for 5 minutes.
   
2. Stir the salt into the yeast mixture. Add 2 cups of the flour and beat it in well with a wooden spoon. About 25 vigorous strokes should do it. Add the rest of the flour 1/4 cup at a time, beating well each time, until the dough is firm and no longer sticky. Then scrape the dough from the bowl onto a flour-coated work surface.
   
3. Have your child rub flour on her hands and sprinkle some on the dough too. Then she should knead the dough for about 7 minutes, until it's springy and supple. TIP: To knead the dough, fold it over itself and push down with your palms, rolling the dough slightly forward as you do. Younger kids can stand on a step stool to get behind the push.
   
4. Place the dough in an oiled medium-size mixing bowl (it's fun to use a glass bowl so you can watch the dough as it grows), turning it over once to coat the top and bottom. Cover the bowl with oiled plastic wrap and set it in a warm spot until the dough has doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.
   
5. Punch down the dough several times with your fist, then turn it out onto a floured surface and knead it for 1 minute. Cover the dough lightly with oiled plastic wrap and let it rest for about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, your child can dust a large baking sheet with fine cornmeal. Explain that this will keep the dough from sticking, so there's no need to oil the pan.
   
6. With floured hands, start pressing the dough into a large square. Switch to a rolling pin and roll the dough into a 12- by 14-inch rectangle. If the dough springs back when you're rolling it, let it rest for an extra 2 or 3 minutes. Keep your rolling pin floured so the dough doesn't stick to it.
   
7. Have your child lightly brush the surface of the dough with water, then, with dry hands, sprinkle the basil over the dough. Arrange the pepperoni in long rows over the entire dough, except for a 1-inch border on all sides. Then sprinkle on the cheese. TIP: When choosing a cheese for Pepperoni Bread, you can't go wrong with mozzarella but provolone or a combination of other cheeses will taste great too.
   
8. Starting at the long edge closest to you, roll up the dough snugly like a carpet. Tightly pinch together the dough along the seam to seal it, then pinch the ends closed and tuck them under. Transfer the log onto the baking sheet seam down and loosely cover it with oiled plastic wrap. Let the dough rest for 15 minutes in a warm spot while you heat the oven to 400°.
   
9. Remove the plastic and bake the loaf for about 35 minutes, until it's dark and crusty on all sides. Slide the bread onto a wire rack and let it cool for at least 20 minutes before cutting it into thick slices. Serve warm, with marinara sauce on the side for dipping. Makes 6 to 8 servings.
   

Early Signs of Reading Trouble

Below is a great article explaining the early signs of reading trouble and what you can do now to help your child become a strong reader.

Early Signs of Reading Trouble | Scholastic.com

Fantasy Photos

by Lisa Stowe

Show off how zany your family really is by creating these altered portraits you can post on the refrigerator.

What You Need

• Family photographs (or printouts)
• Glue dots

• Ribbon, fabric, and yarn, and other decorative items

Instructions

1. Give each player a family photograph (or printout), glue dots, and a supply of decorative items, such as ribbon, fabric, and yarn. Then see who can come up with the most outrageous improvements. Our testers giggled as they made a funky fabric shirt for Dad, a glitter-glue collar for the dog, and blue tinsel hair for Grandma. One goofy group turned their clan into aliens with pom-pom antennae and googly eyes.

STEM Tools at Home

Many of the "tools" needed for science, math, and engineering exploration are right inside your home! Here are five ideas for putting everyday tools to work for some everyday fun:
STEM Tools at Home | Reading Topics A-Z | Reading Rockets

Bloomin' Buttons

If spring has yet to blossom, your kids can create a preview of the season's colors by livening up your houseplants with vibrant button flowers.

Materials

• 26-gauge green florists' wire

• Colorful buttons

Instructions

1. For each flower, thread an 8-inch length of florists' wire up through a stack of colorful buttons, then back down, as shown.

2. Twist the wire just below the stack to secure it, then insert the flower in your plant's soil.

Help Your Child Get Organized

http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/learning/child_organized.html#

Listen

Most kids generate a little chaos and disorganization. Yours might flit from one thing to the next — forgetting books at school, leaving towels on the floor, and failing to finish projects once started.

You'd like them to be more organized and to stay focused on tasks, such as homework. Is it possible?

Yes! A few kids seem naturally organized, but for the rest, organization is a skill learned over time. With help and some practice, kids can develop an effective approach to getting stuff done.

And you're the perfect person to teach your child, even if you don't feel all that organized yourself!

Easy as 1-2-3

For kids, all tasks can be broken down into a 1-2-3 process.

1. Getting organized means a kid gets where he or she needs to be and gathers the supplies needed to complete the task.

2. Staying focused means sticking with the task and learning to say "no" to distractions.

3. Getting it done means finishing up, checking your work, and putting on the finishing touches, like remembering to put a homework paper in the right folder and putting the folder inside the backpack so it's ready for the next day.

Once kids know these steps — and how to apply them — they can start tackling tasks more independently. That means homework, chores, and other tasks will get done with increasing consistency and efficiency. Of course, kids will still need parental help and guidance, but you probably won't have to nag as much.

Not only is it practical to teach these skills, but knowing how to get stuff done will help your child feel more competent and effective. Kids feel self-confident and proud when they're able to accomplish their tasks and responsibilities. They're also sure to be pleased when they find they have some extra free time to do what they'd like to do.

From Teeth Brushing to Book Reports

To get started, introduce the 1-2-3 method and help your child practice it in daily life. Even something as simple as brushing teeth requires this approach, so you might use this example when introducing the concept:

1. Getting organized: Go to the bathroom and get out your toothbrush and toothpaste. Turn on the water.
2. Staying focused: Dentists say to brush for 3 minutes, so that means keep brushing, even if you hear a really good song on the radio or you remember that you wanted to call your friend. Concentrate and remember what the dentist told you about brushing away from your gums.
3. Getting it done: If you do steps 1 and 2, step 3 almost takes care of itself. Hurray, your 3 minutes are up and your teeth are clean! Getting it done means finishing up and putting on the finishing touches. With teeth brushing, that would be stuff like turning off the water, putting away the toothbrush and paste, and making sure there's no toothpaste foam on your face!

Continue

1 • 2 • 3 • 4

Children's Fair - Save the Date!!!

Children's Fair
Saturday, April 28, 2012 9am-1pm
IRA Civic Center, Grand Rapids
Enjoy Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast 9-11am
Explore BIG Vehicles
Delight in the Carnival and Activities, Discover Opportunities for Youth and Families
Enjoy Storytellers and Music
Fun and Learning for all ages!

Be Positive!

Instead of telling your kids what not to do, try telling them what they should do. Negative messages such as "don't" and "no" tend to break down self-esteem. Try to ask your child to "Please do" instead. Don't forget YOUR manners!

Team up to Green up - Save the Date!!

Saturday April 21st 9:00am - 12:00pm Grand Rapids Middle School Grand Rapids High School’s GREEN TEAM and Grand Itasca Hospital are “TEAMING UP” to save the environment. Join us for 2 Special Presentations by the Science Museum and our Environmental Explosion!!! 9:30 am Three Rivers Presentation-Discover about the Mississippi, St. Croix and Minnesota Rivers and their important differences in water quality, land use, and river use. Understand that source pollution is a serious concern. 11:00 am Energy Connection-How to use energy wisely. Focus on the science of energy and energy conservation. Watch dynamic demonstrations and use one-of-a-kind equipment. There are also demonstrations and exhibits on the environment in the Commons Area from 9am-12pm. Funded in part by Blandin Foundation-Children First!, Grand Itasca Clinic and Hospital, Grand Itasca Clinic and Hospital Foundation, Lake Country Power Operation Round Up, and ISD 318 Community Education.

A Home for My Books

Starting a library at home shows your child how important books are.
A Home for My Books and other activities - FamilyEducation.com

Homemade Playdough Recipes

Kids LOVE playdough!!! Here's some fun recipes to make with your kids
Homemade Playdough Recipes and other activities - FamilyEducation.com

Spring Into Spring Cleaning

Make the household chores less of a chore for your family.

Springtime means the end of the snow and the beginning of the … cleaning. It's time to clear out the clutter from the holidays and look ahead (do you really need those pumpkins and reindeers that you've stuffed in the hallway closet?).

The task of cleaning the entire house can be daunting. There's only so much time you can devote to cleaning, and you have to keep the kids entertained at the same time. Wouldn't it be great to have the kids actually look forward to helping not only clean up their toys, but cleaning the garage, the den and, yes, even the bathroom

For the Younger Kids.

Kids love to help, but when the little ones so, things sometimes take twice as long. But, the sooner they learn basic skills, the sooner they'll become your little helpers at cleanup time. Here are a few tasks that even toddlers can do with just a little training.

Laundry, Laundry, and More Laundry

Matching socks is a good way to get started. Most adults don't like to do this anyway, and it can keep a toddler occupied for quite some time. Begin by asking him to separate the dark colors from the light ones, then see if he can match up the pairs.

Dishwasher Duty

Show your child that the wider rows on the top rack are for items such as glasses and small dishes, while the narrower rows on the bottom are for thin plates. While helping, they will also learn about shapes and sizes. If you can't stand the thought of a broken dish, consider buying a set of plastic plates and cups for everyday use.

Making the Bed

A toddler can bring up the corners, press down the wrinkles, and tuck in the unseemly overhangs with a fair amount of skill. Whatever you do, let her arrange the pillows (and resist the temptation to straighten them out).

For the Older Kids

Trash Dash (two or more)

Have your child or children put toys in different containers or large plastic bins. Have a race to put away the toys and see which child can do it faster — or if your child can do it faster than you can. The winner could get a special prize or treat for winning games related to cleaning.

Musical Chores (two or more)

Designate a project such as dusting, scrubbing the floor or picking up toys to each child and start the music. Every time the music turns off, the children switch chores.

Puppet Dusters (one or more)

Make sock puppets and have children slip them on their hands for dusting. Start a contest to see whose puppet gets the dirtiest. Puppet Shiners (two players)

You and your child each wear a sock puppet to clean the patio door window. You are on the outside and your child is on the inside. Make it a game to follow one another's hand movement as you clean the window.

Race on the Floor (two players)

Start two children on opposite walls in the same room. Give each child a sock or rag for dusting the top of baseboards. The child that gets to the end of their wall first wins a prize.

What does your family do to make cleaning fun? Share your pictures and ideas with us!

Grocery Shopping -In the eyes of a Child

Grocery Shopping

Question

One of the most common questions I hear from parents of young children is how to get through the grocery store without hassles. For all of you parents who have found yourself ready to tear your hair out in the frozen food section, let's take a look at this situation through the eyes of the child:

Answer

Dear Mommy and Daddy,

Well, here we go off to the grocery store, that wild and crazy place with all those tasty treats that seem to be just begging me to take them home. I know that sometimes grocery shopping seems to wear you out and make you grouchy. You know what? It wears me out too! There I am, stuck in that cart where I can't get out and can't even grab all those things that look so good. And when I point to something I want-or yes, I admit it, sometimes whine and fuss-you almost always say, "No, that's not what we're here for." (Of course, sometimes if I fuss long enough, you do give in. So, I'm a little confused about what you really mean!) Anyway, by the time we get to the checkout line, my stomach is churning and I'm ready to scream, "Get me outta here!" And you look like you feel the same way.

I've got some ideas though about how we might get through this adventure without getting so upset. First of all, it really helps when we go to the store after my nap instead of before. When I'm tired already, that trip to the store really does me in. It also helps if you give me a little snack so I'm not so hungry and tempted by all that good stuff to eat. Even better, it helps if the minute we get to the store, you let me choose one tasty treat that I can eat while we cruise the aisles. (Animal crackers are one of my favorites!) Then, maybe when I'm done with my snack, we could make a game out of shopping. Like, now that I know my colors, how about a contest to see how many green boxes we can spot on the shelves? Or maybe a race to see who's the first one to find a man in a red shirt? Also, I love to be helpful, so maybe you could give me some coupons and let me watch for those items as we roll down the aisles. One last thing, Mom and Dad, it helps to know before we even get to the store what's OK and what's not OK for me to get. It's great if you let me know that I can choose one kind of cereal (I know...NOT the chocolate kind!) and one kind of juice. And then, even if I fuss and beg, you calmly stick to your rules. Even though I might not like it right now, it's a lot less confusing for me. And you know, when we get this grocery shopping thing figured out, just think how much more time and energy we'll have to play when we're all done!

A question-and-answer column with Dr. Martha Farrell Erickson of the University of Minnesota

7 Games to Foster Your Child's Creativity

One of the best ways to nurture your child's creativity is involving yourself in her fantasy on a consistent basis. Happily, some of the most creative activities are the simplest. Here are some fun, old-fashioned games that your family can play together.

Shake, rattle, and roll your way into these fun activities.

By Emily Perlman Abedon

1. Make silly soup. Let your child choose "ingredients" from all over the house. Anything kid-friendly that will fit in a giant pot is fair game. Who should you invite to the banquet? Grandma? Marcel the stuffed pig? Let your child decide. An added bonus: Using ordinary objects in unusual ways encourages your child to think more openly about the world he lives in.

2. Go on a wacky walk. See your neighborhood with new eyes. Stroll down your street and ask open-ended questions: "What do you think that doggie is looking for?" And encourage your child to point things out to you. At half your size, small children have a different perspective. Perhaps the most wonderful aspect is that everything is fresh, new, and exciting to them.

3. Strike up the band. Get out pots, pans, kazoos, and spoons. Put on a wide variety of music and play along as you move according to your and your child's fancy. Show your openness to music and dance without any judgment on style or substance.

4. Tell tall tales. Change the endings to your child's favorite stories and poems. "There was an old lady who lived in a hat," or "Goldilocks and the three chickens." You'll encourage your child's language development and help her learn how to tell stories in her own way.

5. Cloud watch. The puffy ones look like sheep. That skinny one looks like a pencil. Lie on your backs together and ask your child what he sees. Daydreaming about the endless canvas of sky shows your child that even the most ordinary things are open to unusual interpretation.

6. Have a silly contest. Challenge your child to draw the strangest picture of a cat ever, or to create the wackiest dance in the world. These kinds of activities not only encourage creativity, but they also demonstrate that striving for perfection isn't necessarily a desirable goal.

7. Play dress-up. Can't believe you ever wore that multicolored muumuu? Dig it out of the closet, put it on, be the rainbow queen, and let your children join you as royalty in the crazy court. When you are willing to let your own guard down, children see that imagination is valued around your house -- and that you're a highly imaginative person yourself.

10 Things You Can Do to Raise a Reader

10 Things You Can Do to Raise a Reader | Reading Topics A-Z | Reading Rockets

Parent Involvement Checklist

One way to start improving your school's parent-school partnerships is by assessing present practices. The following questions can help you evaluate how well your school is reaching out to parents.
Parent Involvement Checklist | Reading Topics A-Z | Reading Rockets

Raising Readers: a Lileracy Guide for Parents

Tuesday ~ Feb 9th 2012
6:00pm-8:00pm
ISD 318 Administrative Building (820 NW 1st Ave Grand Rapids)

Are you a parent of a student who is struggling to read? Does your child dislike reading or do you have an infant or toddler and want to learn more about literacy now? If so, join us as we discuss why reading aloud to kids every day is important to their development and literacy skills later in life. Develop your expertise as a parent reading aloud to your children while increasing your knowledge of current trends in the literacy field. Explore activities and games meant to ignite your child's love of reading and create a lasting love of books and the written word. Take home literacy activities and games for every grade level from 0-3rd grade, strategies for working with a struggling reader, a list of great children's books and a knowledge of Internet resources written by parents and teachers.

SnowFolk Munchkin Build!

As part of the Great Itasca SnowFolk Festival, you are invited to a community build!

SnowFolk Munchkin Build and Bonfire
Sunday January 29th
1:00 - 4:00pm
Children's Discovery Museum

Come on out to the "Munchkin SnowFolk" build. Create an edible SnowFolk art project, roast marshmallows on a campfire and help us fill our garden with "Munchkin SnowFolk."
Register online at www.getlearning.org or by calling Step Ahead at 327-5753.

Fun Family Game

This game is sure to be fun for the whole family - what a great spin on an old game! Not to mention, an awesome way to learn things about your family members.

Ask Me Anything

by Amy Brown, Photograph by Joe Polillio

Just how well do you know that grandma of yours? This easygoing question game may yield some surprising discoveries.

Instructions

1. The Setup: Make a basic game board (we recommend dividing a piece of sturdy cardboard into about 30 spaces) or simply use a board from a game you have on hand, such as Candy Land. On index cards, write questions that will help uncover interesting facts about your family members.
   
   Place the question cards facedown in a pile and assign each player a game piece.

2. To Play: The first player draws a card and reads the question aloud to the player on his right. The player writes down his answer while the questioner writes down what he thinks the answer will be. Both players then read their answers aloud. If they match, the questioner rolls the dice and moves his piece that number of spaces, then draws another question to ask another player.
   
   If the answers don't match, the next player draws a question. The first player to reach the designated end space wins.

Parents 25 Best Healthy Snacks for 2011

Snacking isn't considered a "bad" things if were teaching our kids what healthy snacks are.
What are some healthy snacks you serve in your house that your kids LOVE?
Parents 25 Best Healthy Snacks for 2011: Kid-Tested, Mom-Approved Munchies