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puzzle pieces

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Instead of textbooks....

....we tend to do things a little more "hands-on" for our subjects.

This weekend we went to my sister's place~
they've been studying England and wanted to present what they learned.

Of course we had to play the part.....
Queen (Dawn)Victoria and Princess (Molly)Anne

(I'm pretty sure I was yelling
 "Off with their heads!")
~~~~~~~
 My sister's place~ where she was part Owner of 
"Charlie's Fish and Chips".
Chef(s)
Homemade Fish and Chips

Eton Mess
~~~~
Guests started to arrive....

Queen Elizabeth and Charlie Chaplin

~~~~
English Schoolgirl and Oliver Twist
~~~~
~~~~~~~~~

After Guest Introductions and English fare.....we were presented with a Power Point presentation my niece and nephew put together on England.
~
Of course...no English party would be complete without an episode of MR.Bean....
and listening to music by English artists.
~~~~~~
{My kids and I are studying Thailand this month.
I'm hoping my sister realizes our presentation won't be quite so elaborate.
She's amazing.}
~~~~~~

Thanks for showing us all you learned about this country guys~
We had a jolly good time!


~~~~~


Recipe for 
ENGLISH BEER BATTERED FISH


2 cups flour
1 egg
1tsp. baking powder
salt/pepper
(mix the above together)


Add:
1 cup beer
1 cup soda water
(stir well and let sit for 20 minutes)


Dry fish with paper towel
and then dip the cod fillets into rice flour, 
followed by the above batter.
Drop into deep fryer until cooked.

Any time it's possible to learn without a textbook I'll take it.

Especially if it involves food.
:)


34 comments:

darlin said...

Oh my goodness, what a fantastic way to learn! This looks like so much fun and to get the whole family involved is such a splendid idea!

mysterymoor said...

I was talking to my mum about learning without textbooks the other day. Basically, I have lots of issues with education, despite working on it and staying on it for a lot longer than it's absolutely necessary. This looks SO MUCH FUN!

Leah J. Utas said...

What a great way to learn.

Nancy said...

Oh my gosh! Your sister really knows how to put on a party. And the costumes -- delightful! Sure beats the heck out of my parties... if I put on a clean t-shirt, it's formal. ;)

Great photos and fun post, Dawn!

Deb said...

that is great! my kids both loved projects like this...they learned so much more...you have a great family...

TexWisGirl said...

What a wonderful teacher (and participant) you are! And lets not forget, a beautiful Queen as well! The fish and chips look SO good. Dang that fried batter... :)

Love that everyone got involved! What a great family you have!!! Queen Elizabeth was smashing!

Out on the prairie said...

Wondered if your voice changed while you were queen. It sounds really fun to participate in this. When My kids were in grade school we used food units to get them into the mood and served the entire school. I made bannana fritters for an African party and Fry bread for a Native American study, calling myself Fry Daddy that year. The fish sounds glorious.Did you serve frit sauce(mayo)or malt vinegar with the fries?

Rambling said...

How fun! Glad Mr. Bean was involved.

Lynette Jacobs said...

Oh Queen Dawn...you looked wonderful. It looks like you all had so much fun....what a wonderful way to learn;-D

Carole Barkett said...

Best way to learn, your children are very lucky and I'm going to have to try that recipe

Shayne said...

What a fantastic idea. You guys really looked the part too.

And how yum was that fish & chips?

Makes me want to go and make some right now - but i'm not going to coz i'm too lazy!

I bet the kids remember everything so much more willingly!

Hope said...

Interesting post. Enjoyed it very much. Great way to learn and your photo's are perfect. Do you homeschool?

Pearl said...

That was so cute!

Pearl

Anonymous said...

Dawn that is so awesome!!!
Reminds me of the year I homeschool my...then...grade niner!!
So fun
Love how the whole family got into it
You look beautiful saying "off with their heads!"..scarey!! lol

love and light

~*~ saskia ~*~ said...

This looks like fun, real FUN. I like the idea of a party with this kind of theme. A g r e a t idea!! You looked beautiful as the queen mom, well you always look beautiful but in meant in this particular picture. Love for a sweet Thursday, Dawn, It's early evening and I have to run to the kitchen right now to get my kettles from the fire. xxxx

Melissa A said...

I'm not much into Halloween, but I would love to go to a party like that. Looks like you and your sister are alot alike. Who else would mix Halloween with a learning lesson. I love it!

laughwithusblog said...

I am such a boring homeschool mom! Do you teach lessons? :)

Scented Sweetpeas said...

Loved this post, being an English person myself it made me giggle (mind you I am not very English as I don't like tea or fish and chips or custard -lol). I think you should all look up Blackadder if you like the chap who plays Mr Bean, far more funny (or maybe it is an English thing).

Anonymous said...

Wow.. I feel like an unfit mother now.. If we had poster board presentations we thought we did something grand..
This is amazing.. Can I be in your family?

Diana Mieczan said...

That looks so fun and what a fantastic way to learn:)
Kisses my dear

Anonymous said...

Dawn, thanks so much for the comment you left me... you can write what is on your heart...whatever it is...even if you disagree. I am so okay with that.
If you have questions...reflections....confusions
I realize that some of the content is "heavy" but isn't life "heavy"..my belief is that when we deal with the "heavy" we actually become lighter..we actually drop unwanted baggage....
You voice is welcome

love and light

Alli said...

Love, love, love, love, LOVE. This is over-the-top cute! That is a serious party right there and I so want to throw one now! thanks for the best party idea ever!

Rick said...

Way to go - now THAT's education that will stick ! What a great way to learn by doing and seeing and listening (great music selection btw !).

You've shown the whole experience very well via your photos Dawn - nicely done !

Paula said...

Incredible!! Now pass the fish please :) Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving such kind words. I feel better now (((hugs))) I look forward to getting to know you better as we travel this road.

floweringmama said...

I wish our public education system realized that hands on is not just the way to learn, but is how most students actually do learn!

What a great post. It looks like ya'll had a blast!

Jimmy said...

I am so impressed with this, what an excellent way to learn history as the kids will retain a whole lot more with the hands on approach.

It does look like you had a great time, Thank You for sharing this and educating us about your education system.

koralee said...

Oh how I adore your blog...your post is so much fun!

My favourite thing to eat is fish and chips...I will be making your recipe...thank you. ..yummmmm...those bags of fish & chips are amazing.

Hugs my friend. xoxo

Jayne said...

How fun!!! That is the kind of learning kids will remember for a lifetime!

~Red Tin Heart~ said...

i especially loved, Queen of England & Charlie Chaplin :)
xoxo Nita

Farm Girl said...

Thanks for stopping by and the lovely recipe for fish and chips, My favorite! I love the school day what a great idea. Thank you for your kind comment.

heather said...

dawn, this is SOOO much fun! I bet they are excited about all the upcoming places! I'm excited about Thai food, that's for sure :)

Barbie said...

The more I read your posts the more I come to the conclusion that I need to come over and pay a visit. Especially if I am going to be treated to such a wonderful feast like this.

our little love nest said...

This week has been a super BIG homesick week for me. Not sure checking out your blog was my wisest choice today. Jodie and her man are so cool!! Your dad is tops with his Charlie Chaplin attire! Fish and Chips and mr. bean...this is so not fair! You and your family are full of fun, cuz! Love the idea! Happy week to you! xo

Kelly said...

...super fun!!! This reminds me a bit of my house when we were growing up. We did Christmas around the world....every year a different country, and we ate and dressed the part!