Postcards Across America!

One of my most favorite projects that I did with my fourth grade class several years ago was a "Postcard Project" to learn about the regions of the United States.  It was so much fun!  My students got so excited when a new postcard would arrive in the school mail.  Our goal was to make sure we received a postcard from every single state.  As I discussed the project with students, we talked about the states that might be hard to get.  Really, there was no need to worry!  As we began brainstorming, one student mentioned he had an aunt who lived in Hawaii.  Someone else knew someone from Alaska.  Someone else had a Grandma and Grandpa that were on vacation in another state we needed.  The project became a game to my students.  As postcards poured into our classroom, we'd see which ones we had and which ones we still needed.

Here's one of the bulletin boards that I made to display some of the postcards we received.

When I launched the project, I sent home a note with students (see example below).  The note explained the project and gave the address of where to send the post cards.  In addition, I sent the note via email so parents could forward it to their relatives and friends who lived in other states.  To gain even further attention to our project, I posted a note on my Facebook page so my friends and relatives could participate.  The outpouring of support was amazing!

Every time we got a postcard in the mail, we read the postcard, looked at the pictures, and shared what we knew about that particular state.  We identified the region of the state and the state's capital city.  Then a student would locate the state on our class map and put a push pin to indicate that we had received a post card.  Below is our class map with push pins and more of our postcard collection!  My students were obsessed with checking this map!  They were determined to make sure we got all 50 states!

One day we got all of these post cards in the mail!

We got so many postcards that I added another bulletin board to display them all.  The support we received from relatives of our students and the community was incredible.  We ended up getting a postcard from every single state!  We tracked the number of postcards received from each state in a bar graph.  So, not only did we tie in Social Studies to our postcard project, but math too!

After the project was over, I gave the postcards to all of my students.  They got to pick out their favorites as keepsakes.  If the postcard was from someone they knew, then they got to keep that one.

With this fun project, they learned so much about the United States (and I did too!).

Roasted Baby Brussels with Garlic Aioli Dipping Sauce

I've had a bag of Brussels sprout in my fridge for the past week and have been contemplating how to prepare them.  Recently, I've had great success with roasting veggies.  It's easy to do and the veggies always come out delicious.  So,that's what I decided to do with these baby Brussels tonight.  I made a double batch so I'd have some Brussels sprout left over for snacking and as a side dish for a meal tomorrow night.  Oh, and here's a little FYI, did you know you're supposed to say Brussels sprout, not Brussel sprouts??  I learn something new every day!

Here's what you'll need:
1 bag of baby Brussels  (The bag I bought from Sprouts was 1.5 pounds)
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Sea Salt
Pepper
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon minced roasted garlic
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Here's what to do:
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.

Prepare your Brussels sprout by rinsing them with water. Remove the outer leaf and cut off the hard end. Then cut the Brussels sprout in half.

Place Brussels sprout evenly on a baking sheet.  I like to line my baking sheet with parchment paper.  It makes for easy clean up!  Drizzle extra virgin olive oil.  Then sprinkle with sea salt and pepper.

Bake in a 400 degree oven for 15 to 20 minutes.  While Brussels sprout are cooking, mix together mayonnaise, roasted garlic, and lemon juice to create the aioli.
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The next time I make this, I might add some crumbled bacon when roasting.  Everything tastes better with bacon, right?

If you have leftover aioli, just refrigerate it in a sealed container.  If you would prefer to drizzle the aioli, just add a little more lemon juice to thin it out.  It would look pretty too!

Enjoy!

Bill of Rights Made Easy!

Memorizing the Bill of Rights is hard!  In fifth grade, students must know all about them.  In searching for something to help my students, I stumbled upon this video, "Learn the Bill of Rights Finger Tricks" on YouTube.  Credit goes to Katie Loftin who uploaded the video.  It's a great visual and tactile way for students to remember all the important points of the Bill of Rights.  I  used it with my fifth graders and they loved it.  We practiced with it every day for a few weeks.  I started by showing the video so they could see the finger tricks.  Eventually, we'd practice without the video.  Sometimes I would tell them the amendment and they'd show me the finger trick.  Then I would switch it up and show them the finger trick and they'd tell me the amendment.  In just a few weeks, they had the Bill of Rights memorized!

Click on the link to watch the video:

Bill of Rights Finger Tricks Video

Here is the a short description of each amendment, along with a photo and description of each finger trick.

Amendment 1
The First Amendment protects the rights of every American.  It covers the freedom of religion, speech, and press. Basically, Congress can't make any law about your religion, or stop you from practicing your religion. The government can't keep you from saying whatever you want, or publishing whatever you want (like in a newspaper or a book). And finally, Congress can't stop you from meeting peacefully for a demonstration to ask the government to change something.   
The finger trick is to put your finger to your mouth like you are "shushing" someone.  It represents freedom of speech.   

Amendment 2

The Second Amendment guarantees the right to bear arms, or own guns.  Congress can't stop people from having or carrying weapons, because we need to be able to defend ourselves.

The finger trick is to form an imaginary weapon with your fingers.  I just make sure students understand this is to represent this particular Bill of Rights and not a symbol they should use otherwise.  I usually have them put their hand straight up in the air instead (like a pistol used at the beginning of a race), so it never points at anyone.

Amendment 3

The Third Amendment prevents the government from forcing citizens to shelter soldiers in their homes.  In other words, you don't have to let soldiers live in your house, except if there is a war, and even then only if Congress has passed a law to enforce it.

The finger trick is to put up three fingers to represent "three's a crowd".  

Amendment 4

The Fourth Amendment protects the privacy of American citizens.  It prohibits unnecessary or unreasonable searches of a person's property.  In other words, nobody can search your body, or your house, or your papers and things, unless they can prove to a judge that they have a good reason to think you have committed a crime. In this case, the government would need a search warrant. 

The finger trick is to put your hand into a fist like you are knocking on a door to go into someone's home to do a search.

Amendment 5

In Amendment Five, all Americans are guaranteed the right to a fair and legal trial.  This amendment also protects someone from testifying against him or her under oath in a courtroom.  In other words, you can't be tried for any serious crime without a Grand Jury meeting first to decide if there's enough evidence for a trial. If the jury decides you are innocent, the government can't try again with another jury.  This is called "Double Jeopardy". You don't have to say anything at your trial.  It's informally called, "pleading the fifth". You can't be killed, put in jail, or fined unless you were convicted of a crime by jury.  The government can't take your house, farm, or anything else unless they pay for it.

The finger trick is to cover your mouth to show that you aren't going to say anything.  This represents "pleading the fifth".  Plus,  you are using five fingers to cover your mouth.  

Amendment 6

The Sixth Amendment is the right to a speedy trial.  If you're arrested, you have the right to have a trial very quickly. The government can't keep you in jail without a trial.  The trial has to be public, so everyone knows what is happening.  The case has to be decided by a jury of citizens from the area in which you live. You have the right to know what you are accused of which are called the "Miranda Rights".  You have the right to see and hear the people who are witnesses against you and to have the government help you get witnesses on your side.  You also have the right to have a lawyer appointed to you if you cannot afford one.

The finger trick is to point to an "imaginary watch" to represent the right to a speedy trial.  

Amendment 7

The Seventh Amendment guarantees the right to a trial by jury in civil, or private legal cases where the damages are more than twenty dollars. A civil case is a law case between two citizens rather than between you and the government.  

The finger trick is to hold up two fingers on one hand and then hold up all the fingers on your other hand (which makes 7 to represent this amendment).  Then close the fingers in the hand where you are holding up all fingers into a fist.  It is supposed to loo like a 2 and a O which represents legal cases with damages more than 20 dollars.

Amendment 8

The Eight Amendment states that unreasonable bail or fines and cruel and unusual punishment are prohibited. In other words, the government can't make you pay more than is reasonable in bail or in fines, and the government can't order you to have cruel or unusual punishments (like torture) even if you are convicted of a crime.

The finger trick is to put your hands out like you are being handcuffed.  It represents cruel and unusual punishment.

Amendment 9

The Ninth Amendment recognizes that Americans have rights that are not listed in the Constitution.  Just because these Bill of Rights are listed in the Constitution doesn't mean that you don't have other rights too.

The finger trick is to hold up five fingers on one hand, and four fingers on the other hand.  This represents the Ninth Amendment.  

Amendment 10

The Tenth Amendment states that the powers not given to the United States government  by the Constitution belong to the states or the people.  In other words, anything the Constitution doesn't say that Congress can do should be left up to the states, or to the people.

The finger trick is to hold up all your hands and fingers like you're "raising the roof".  I always have my students say, "Power to the people" when they do this.

Do you have any special tricks for teaching / learning about the Bill of Rights?  Please share your ideas in the comments section. Thanks!

Cream of Broccoli Soup

Set your timer because you can have this Cream of Broccoli Soup ready in under 10 minutes!  It's so easy. It only has three ingredients- broccoli, heavy cream, and chicken stock.  Ready.  Set.  Go!

Here's what you'll need:
1 package broccoli florets (12 ounces)- I get the steamer bag which makes it super fast!
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 cup chicken stock
salt & pepper to taste

Makes about 3 servings.

Here' what to do:
Steam your broccoli in the microwave.  The bag of broccoli florets that I used instructed to pierce the bag, place on microwavable plate, and microwave for 4 minutes.

Put broccoli, heavy cream, chicken stock, salt and pepper in food processor or blender and puree until smooth.  This only takes a couple of minutes.

Transfer mixture to medium sauce pot and heat on medium  heat for 3-4 minutes.

How's that for fast and easy?  If you like broccoli and cheese soup, you can add in some cheese.  Enjoy!

Mozzarella Chicken

This Mozzarella Chicken is light and fresh.  The best part- it's easy and quick!  I made it tonight for dinner and after one bite I was instantly transported back to Italy!  It's got all the yummy Italian flavors of mozzarella cheese, ripe Roma tomatoes, and chicken with Italian seasonings.  I served it with broiled eggplant and a spinach salad tossed with balsamic vinaigrette.

Here's what you'll need:
grilled or baked chicken breasts
mozzarella cheese (I used one snack package for each chicken breast- see pic below)
1 roma tomato per chicken breast, diced

Here's what I did:
I drizzled my chicken breasts with olive oil and sprinkled Italian seasoning on both sides of the chicken breasts.  Then, I baked the chicken covered in foil in a 350 degree oven for about 20-25 minutes.  Bake until the juices run clear.  Chicken should have a minimum cooking temperature of 165 degrees, so invest in a cooking thermometer if need it to check the temperature. I usually bake quite a few chicken breasts in advance, then put them in food saver bags and freeze them for future use.  That's what I used tonight- a package that was pre-made from the freezer.  The food saver bag keeps the chicken fresh and moist. It makes the dinner come together in a snap.

Put the chicken breast on a microwave safe plate and top it with the mozzarella balls.  You could also use shredded mozzarella cheese.  Heat until cheese is melty- yes, I am declaring that "melty" is a word.

Top with diced tomatoes.

It's that easy and makes a boring chicken breast a little more interesting.

                               

Here's what one of the snack packages looks like.  They are only 70 calories and you get three mozzarella balls.

Here's a pic of me in the Tuscan countryside.  Italy is a beautiful country!

On vacation in Italy with a sampling of bruschetta. 

The fresh flavors of this dish reminded me of the wonderful food I sampled in Italy.  Delizioso!  Now, I just wish I could be transported back there for another great vacation! Some day....

Ciao!

Fake Out Mashed Potatoes

I love a vegetable in disguise.  Especially a sneaky bowl of cauliflower that transforms itself into a delicious creamy mixture that tastes just like mashed potatoes, except without all the carbs! Who would have ever thought that pureed cauliflower could ever taste like mashed potatoes?  Certainly not me!  BUT, it does! And, it's delicious!  Give these Fake Out Mashed Potatoes a try!

Here's what you'll need:
1 package of cauliflower florets (10 ounces)- get the kind that's in the microwave bag- it makes it fast and easy to prepare
1 tablespoon butter
3 tablespoons heaving whipping cream
salt & pepper

Makes 2 servings.

Here's what to do:
Microwave the cauliflower.  Follow the package directions.  For the package I bought, I just had to pierce the bag with a fork and cook on medium high for 4 minutes.

Put the cooked cauliflower in a food processor with butter, heavy cream, salt and pepper.  Puree until creamy and smooth.

Enjoy your vegetable in disguise!

Chicken Mushroom Soup

This soup is currently my husband's favorite.  Chicken & Mushroom Soup is packed with protein and can be ready in a matter of minutes.  It makes for a satisfying lunch or dinner.  Just add a salad for a complete meal!

Here's what you'll need:
1/2 cup chopped yellow onion
1/2 cup chopped celery
2 cups sliced mushrooms
2 cans cooked chicken breasts
1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
3 cups chicken broth
1 cup water
salt & pepper
2 green onions, chopped

Makes 4 servings.

Here's what to do:
Saute the onion and celery in a small stock pot until tender.  Add the chicken, mushrooms, chicken stock, water, garlic powder, salt and pepper to pot.  Stir ingredients together.  Simmer for about 20-30 minutes. Top with chopped green onions.

Here are a few time savers:

Mushrooms are great for you!  Hey, it says so right on the container!  They're a super food because they are packed with vitamin D and are a good source of antioxidants.  Plus, they're low in calorie. Save time by buying the pre-sliced mushrooms at the store. They're already clean, sliced and ready to go.  You can add them to soups, salads, sandwiches, pizzas, or your morning omelette.

Another great time saver is canned chicken breast.  It's convenient for making a quick chicken salad, or tossing into a soup.