Big Beetle

Homemade "Gatorade"

Staying hydrated is so important in the summer heat. But just plain water may not be enough. When sweating occurs, the body loses vital salts and minerals that need to be replenished. Our cells require an electrolytic solution to function properly. In chemistry, electrolytes are salts that allow an electrical current to pass through a solution. These solutes also play an important role in cellular activity, particularly in osmosis- the process that controls the passage of water in and out of cell membranes. When there is a high concentration of dissolved particles inside or outside each cell, water will move in or out to balance the concentration. Our bodies require the proper balance of salts and minerals to carry out the many functions of each cell, including the electric signals with which it communicates with the rest of the body.

Commercial electrolytic solutions can be expensive. And they wrongly advertise that you can't make them yourself because you don't know the proper ratio. Well, I'm about to tell you the proper ratio, so you can! In his book, "Your Body's Many Cries for Water", Dr Batmanghelidj instructs his readers in proper hydration. 1/4 tsp. sea salt for every quart of water will supply the balance your cells need. And you should drink at least half your body's weight in ounces each day. You don't have to drink salt water, though. You can just put the salt on your food.

Most processed food is loaded with equally processed sodium chloride, or table salt, so it is best to avoid these foods and eat pure sea salt on your other whole foods, which also contains trace minerals your body needs. Unprocessed sea salt will not look like tiny, perfect cubes as does it's manufactured counterpart. There are various types. Celtic sea salt is gray and damp, mined red salt is, well, red and dry, and Mediterranean is white, and less damp.

But in the heat we are currently experiencing in my neck of the woods, unless you want to sit around in a controlled climate, you are going to sweat. And sweating is good for you. It is God's gift of detox. Most of us don't sweat enough. And that's when you need that little bit of extra. So here is my recipe based on Dr. Batmanghelidj's ratio.

1 pint pure or filtered water
1/8 tsp. sea salt
2 spoonfuls frozen juice concentrate of choice.

Shake ingredients together in a mason jar. You may want to put less water and top it off with ice after mixing. Or make a whole bunch and place in the refrigerator for an instant chilled drink. Enjoy!


AHHHHHHHH! Now that's a tool for conviviality.

Happy Birthday Seth!

It's hard to believe it's been a whole year since Seth Warren joined the Harding family, but here he is- a big birthday boy!

Blackberries

I went out early this morning and picked about a quart of berries while it was still cool. I have about that much more in the freezer and there are LOTS more out there along the driveway and around the field, as well as a sizable patch in the garden. The kids are begging for another blackberry buckle and I'm looking forward to making sauce to top some pancakes. But they are also good right off the vine. Looks like a bumper crop this year. I love free food!

Happy Birthday Miriam!

Baby Blue Jay

Stories to Inhabit

Charlotte Mason spoke of "living books" as a better source for learning than the textbook approach. Her literature based method has experienced a popular resurgence in curricula for home educators as well as non traditional schools in the past decade or so.

One such curriculum I read about recently is the Five in a Row series, featured in the blog, Simple Homeschool. This method takes a children's classic, which is read over each day of the school week, and incorporates other activities along with it that relate to the story. In this way a large number of subjects can be covered in a way that allows children to relate them to their own experience with the story, rather than having to learn them in a more conventional, and disconnected, manner.

Eureka! A long smoldering passion burst into flame. My previous love as a post home schooled/ college stay-out, chasing new ideas for hands on learning and creating unit studies accordingly for my six younger siblings (and their home schooled friends) was instantly rekindled. The old, familar rush, the brainstorm, the pencil and notebook. It was all coming back.

So with a splash of Charlotte Mason here, and a swash of open-ended unschooling there, all mixed in a medium of incurable idealism for simple living, environmental conscience, social justice and outlandish back-to-the-landishness we begin our journey with Ox Cart Man.



Here is a preliminary sketch for my multi-experiential experiment with this book. The suggestions for teaching reading skills, although cumulatively progressive, can be mixed and matched depending on the skill level, interest and attention span of the child/ children. So can the discussion questions and accompanying activities.

Ox Cart Man by Donald Hall, pictures by Barbara Cooney

Day 1. First, let children look at, read and explore the book, listening to and encouraging their observations. Then read the story aloud and allow the children to invite you into their thoughts about the narrative and pictures. Later, set the book open on a stand at a page that strikes your fancy, and begin to copy/interpret the illustrations and text. Provide paper, pencils, etc. and invite the children to participate. This kind of interaction with the art encourages deeper observation and appreciation for the style and skill of the illustrator. When not in use, the book can remain on the stand with art supplies nearby to encourage this to take place during free time. (Integrated subjects: Art, Creative Thinking)

Day 2. Read the story again, this time choosing simple words and sentences to slow down at and point to as you read. Invite participation to read easy words or parts as their interest and skill
level allows. Next, discuss these questions and do the activity: How far did the man walk? How far could you walk? Go for a hike or walk for an hour or two. When you come home, look on a map to measure the distance. Try to figure out how far you could walk in a whole day. In 10 days? Write or draw about the things you passed on your little journey. (Integrated subjects: Math, Spelling, Physical Health)

Day 3. Read as above, but pause a few times and let children fill in the word from memory. Discuss these ideas. How does this family work together to meet their needs? How are things different or the same with our family and families we know? What are some ways we can all work together to provide for one another in our homes and communities? Try some ideas today and plan some for the future. (Integrated subjects: Social Studies, Economics)

Day 4. Read the story with more interaction. Let children take turns reading or telling about each page. Enjoy their interpretations and comments. For further exploration: How are food and goods grown and made, bought and sold, in this book? How are things different or the same for us? How are the changes good, bad? What do you think is the best way to get food? Plan a trip to a farm or farmer's market and ask people how they grow their produce. (Integrated subjects: Science, Social Studies)

Day 5. Let the children tell the story from memory. Then read the book, allowing much interaction, reading parts in unison, pausing for words to be filled in, pointing at words to be learned, etc. To conclude: What is one skill you would like to learn? Something to make? To grow? Something to sell? Give away? Start learning how today! (Integrated subjects: Memorization, Reading, Forget it, this is real life fun stuff, not school!)

This, as I said, is a preliminary outline. Next we'll actually do it, and I'll share how it goes as we progress. Anyone want to join in?