Tuesday 19 February 2013

Weaving for our Potlatch party

The children applied the weaving skills which they've practiced to make gift boxes for our Potlatch party. We observed the beautiful clothes on the Coast Salish doll, which Deb brought in for the children.We discussed about how first nation people make yarn and how to colour the yarn. The children shared their ideas about using sunflowers, berries or charcoal to make coloured yarn.

 
Deb and Mary also explained why Coast Salish people have the Potlatch party. Coast Salish people prepare feast and give gifts to their guests. As well, they dance and celebrate together. In addition, first nation people have a habit of giving the first fish they catch in a year to others, in order to wish for more fish and to show their thankfulness to Nature. 
 


 

Sunday 10 February 2013

Chinese Almond Cookies baking



For the Lunar New Year celebration, Anamaria and the children also baked Chinese almond cookies to share with everyone. The children enjoyed rolling and shaping the dough into little cookies.













We brought the cookies to the playground to enjoy them with the warm sunshine!









Recipe for Chinese almond cookies:

Ingredients:


  • 2 cups flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup shortening
  • 3/4 cup white sugar (can add up to 2 more tablespoons, if desired)
  • 1 egg
  • 2-1/2 teaspoons almond extract
  • 30 whole, blanched almonds (one for each cookie)
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit (162.5 degrees Celsius).
2. In a large bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a medium bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the butter or margarine, shortening, and sugar. Add the egg and almond extract and beat until well blended. Add to the flour mixture and mix well. Note: The dough will be crumbly at this point, but don't worry - that is what it's supposed to be like.
3. Use your fingers to form the mixture into dough, and then form the dough into 2 rolls or logs that are 10 to 12 inches long. Wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours (this will make it easier to shape the dough into circles).
4. Take a log and lightly score the dough at 3/4 inch intervals so that you have 15 pieces and cut the dough. Roll each piece into a ball and place on a lightly greased cookie tray, approximately 1 1/2 inches apart. Place an almond in the center of each cookie and press down lightly. Repeat with the remaining dough.
5. Brush each cookie lightly with beaten egg before baking. Bake for 15 minutes to 18 minutes, until golden brown. Cool and store in a sealed container.

Happy Lunar New Year

This weekend is time to celebrate the Lunar New Year!
We wave goodbye to the dragon year and welcome the snake year.


We were a long dragon moving to see the video.

Deb showed the children some videos of lion dance and dragon dance. Chinese people believe that lion dance and dragon dance can bring people good luck and fortune for the New Year. The children also lined up to pretend doing dragon dance.
Click to see the videos (Chinese New Year for Kids)



We talked about how people write down good words and wishes for the new year on red paper. Chinese people write spring scrolls and hang them at home for Chinese New Year. Ann show children how to write "新年快樂" (Happy New Year) on spring scrolls.



The children did the snake drawing for the coming-up snake year. 

Associating to our "generosity" unit, the children learned about the meaning of red envelopes and lucky money. Parents and elders give youth red envelopes to wish them grow up healthily and safely in the new year. The children took terms to give a red envelope to their friend and said "Xīnnián kuàilè" (Happy New Year in Mandarin).