Are you looking for new ideas for smooth transitions or brain boosters in your classroom?
- Playworks has online learning opportunities. Check out https://www.playworks.org/news/explore-online-learning-playworks
- Another idea to keep your classroom active may be a walking classroom. Check out this walkumentary! http://www.thewalkingclassroom.org/our-program/walking-classroom-walkumentary
- Yoga in the classroom is also a program that can provide brain boosts to you students. Check out the benefits. http://www.yoga4classrooms.com/yoga-4-classrooms-blog/scientific-evidence-for-yoga-and-mindfulness-in-schools-how-and-why-does-it-work
- BOKS Bursts of the Week are designed to help kids stay active throughout the school day. Check out www.bokskids.org for more information on how the receive a new set of Bursts every Sunday to use in your classroom for the following week.
Chocolate! Yes, it is a major food group in my opinion! Here are some chocolate facts that you probably did not know from Dr. Jacqueline Ivey-Brown, a physician at Christ Medical Center in Oaklawn, IL.
- Chocolate can control your cough! Chocolate contains theobromine which is known to reduce activity to the vagus nerve. Thus, reducing coughing fits triggered by that nerve.
- Chocolate can boost your heart health! Dark chocolate has properties that fight inflammation reducing your cardiovascular risk.
- Chocolate protects your skin! The antioxidants in dark chocolate protect the skin from UV damage from the sun.
- Chocolate improve the blood flow in the body! Chocolate has anti-clotting and blood -thinning properties that increase blood flow and improve circulation.
- Chocolate make you smarter! The boost in blood flow to the brain will make you more alert and awake.
I think I need to get some!
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Lightly coat a foil lined baking sheet with cooking spray. Slice off a thin strip of each potato so it lies flat. Place potatoes on the baking sheet and brush with a teaspoon of olive oil. Bake for 25-35 minutes, or until very tender when pierced with a fork.Remove from oven and set aside to cool enough to handle but still warm. Increase oven temp to 450 degrees.
With a small spoon, scoop out the potatoes' insides into a mixing bowl, leaving a 1/4 inch shell of the potato. Be careful not to break the skins. To the potato flesh, make mashed potatoes as you like with sour cream, parmesan cheese, chives and milk. Season with salt and pepper. Divide evenly among the potato skins.
Return the stuffed potatoes to the baking sheet. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until potatoes are heated and golden. You may add cheddar or another type of cheese to your potatoes. You may also mix in leftover cooked broccoli, bacon, sauteed mushrooms or spinach for a change of pace. Enjoy!
Wellness Activities Coming in December!
- Top Box and Someone's Treasured Closet at West Oak on Dec. 9th from 12 to 1:30 pm. Mr. Willeford and Mr. Preble are having a cook-off. It's Chop the Box time.
- Chef's Tasting Table at Diamond Lake School on Dec. 11th!
- Chef's Tasting Table at West Oak on Dec. 14th. Have a Very Berry Holiday!
- Winter Wellness Institute for Staff on Dec. 22nd.
Credits:
Created with images by Aaron Burden - "Two pine cones" • hoyasmeg - "Faith & Aaron running (front)_2702c" • woodleywonderworks - "insect convention classroom" • Janko Ferlič - "untitled image" • Stefano A - "Stuffed Baked Potato" • jill111 - "christmas xmas baby"