(Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not
required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way).
5 Exciting Ways to Travel to the Middle Ages
My son has always enjoyed hands-on activities. He continues to learn this way, and to have a much better attitude when I assign multi-sensory activities, despite that he is in 9th grade*. Though he likes history, he absolutely despises writing essays. Thus, the Home School in the Woods Project Passport World History Studies was a great match for us to study history.
This year we have dabbled in a few scattered activities for variety in our history studies. For example, we started out the school year reviewing the US Presidents. We also spent a couple of months studying Christian Martyrs from early AD years as well as a little bit of time focusing on geography. Despite these interesting projects, we were ready for something new and exciting. Especially since it was wintertime.
To give you a feel for what the theme is for the Project Passport World History Studies curriculum, I am inviting you to travel for a short time with me to get a taste of what you might get if you traveled to the Middle Ages. And if you and your children like the idea of traveling to another time and place, you can purchase the inexpensive curriculum yourself.
As you can see from the photos below, that's exactly what your kids will do when they begin “traveling” to the Middle Ages. They will first need to prepare by creating their passport and getting their luggage ready. This is a very challenging project, so be sure to read the directions very carefully as you go through these projects so you don't make a mistake. We went through 3 folders before we got it right. But it was worth it! What a cool project this was. The time spent flew by and I didn’t get any complaints which is pretty common occurrance normally.
2. Dress up like a Serf, King, Knight, or Commoner (and learn about costumes and Middle Ages fashion trends)
Or if you're short of time or resources, you can start with studies of some of the fashion trends. Your kids will have lots of opportunities to color. Interesting thing about coloring. When my son was younger, he hated coloring and would only scribble. Now he does an amazing job when I assign coloring projects. (Nathan colored the knight and horse below—he always has to add his take on everything)!
We are in the middle of a COVID-19 pandemic as I write this review. So, we're kind of stuck at home. As a result, we couldn't go out shopping at the local thrift store for cool fabrics and gadgets to use for dress up. However, my son dressed up his Knight (see below). Plus, we are currently working on puppets and will be doing a puppet show.
3. Create puppets and act out a skit
Not too many things can bring you to another time and place as quickly as acting out a play or skit such as a puppet show. All of the directions are included for this project. You simply have to plan ahead and make sure you have everything you need before you start, and I am sure that you and your kids will have a ton of fun with this project.
4. Cook a Middle Ages Feast (and Make Marzipan out of Clay)
No, but seriously! I know you are just dying to try out the Gruel and Blawmanger! Really, most of these foods are much tastier than they look. And you will definitely get a more authentic feel for the way dinnertime was experienced while working through this project.
5. Make an Old-Fashioned Middle Ages Newspaper and Write Stories Based on True History
Remember I mentioned that my son hates writing? Here’s the thing.
If I would have required him to write a summary of the history we studied, as opposed to allowing him to cut and paste the portions in the actual essay like you see in my example below, it would look like he didn’t have a clue.
But the fact is, this method that I use to help him get his ideas out on paper is a perfect example of how oftentimes our kids have a lot more knowledge in their head than what is showing up on paper. I find these kinds of projects amazingly encouraging and also I believe it encourages my son to know that he is smarter than he thinks.
If your child can pull sentences out of a two to three page essay, put them in the correct order, and create a summary, then you can be sure he or she understands what they have studied.
Lots of other activity choices are available in Home School in the Woods' multi-sensory Middle Ages history and social studies curriculum. For example:
Make a Tapistry
Build a Castle
Build a Catapult
Learn about Iconoclasts
Study the Geography of the Roman Empire before and after the fall of the West.
Learn about the Barbarians and Attila the Hun
Create a full Lap Book (see below two pictures for examples of the finished Lapbook. (This is only a sample, there's much more)!
*And with the 2020 Presidential election just a few months away, be sure to check out the super cool Lap-Pak: U.S. Elections! With the upcoming election in November 2020, this is the perfect time to provide your kids with a fun hands-on activity to help them understand and apply the facts of our political process.
There is a lot of hype these days over the idea of Superfoods. So, I thought it would be appropriate to discuss some of the foods. But first a definition. A Superfood is defined as “a nutrient-rich food especially beneficial for health and well-being.”
I created this recipe myself years ago when I had cottage cheese in the house and wanted to make it more interesting. This will make a complete meal with a few whole grain crackers or slice of bread on the side.
Prep Time10 minutesmins
Total Time10 minutesmins
Servings: 4
Calories: 204kcal
Author: Deborah Hanyon, MPH, RDN, ACE-CHC
Ingredients
2wholeAvocadoscut in half, pitted and sliced
2cupLow-fat cottage cheese
2 tbspSalsa
Instructions
Cut avocados in half; remove pit, peel and slice
place 1/2 cup cottage cheese on small plate or bowl
place 1/2 of avocado around the outside rim of cottage cheese
The vibrant color of beets is your first clue that these unique vegetables are highly nutritious. But what is the nutrient behind the color of beets? The nutrients are called “Betalains.”
Betalains are members of the carotenoid family. Carotenoids are rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants protect against damage from the sun and other environmental toxins.
To help you get a chance to try beets, below is a recipe my husband likes to make.
*NOTE: Beets are an excellent source of natural food colorings. Click here for an awesome website that teaches all about natural dyes, including beets.
Apple cider vinegar is the result of the fermentation of apple cider, which is made from fresh, crushed apples, including the cores, peels, and flesh.
Fermentation occurs when yeast is added to the apple cider mixture. This process produces acetic acid, also known as apple cider vinegar.
The healthiest form of apple cider vinegar is the unfiltered, unpasteurized form. This is because the enzymes remain active.
Regardless of whether it is pasteurized or not, however, studies show that the acidity in apple cider vinegar protects the stomach against pathogens.
The acid stimulates the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, which is essential for proper digestion.
In some studies, apple cider vinegar caused leukemia cell death and inhibited tumor growth.
Apple Cider vinegar is also a source of polyphenols, protective ingredients found in plants.
Interesting Folklore on Apple Cider Vinegar
1. Hippocrates used vinegar to manage wounds.
2. Hannibal of Carthage used vinegar to dissolve boulders that blocked his army's path.
3. Cleopatra dissolved precious pearls in vinegar and offered her love potion to Anthony.
4. Sung Tse advocated hand washing with sulfur and vinegar to avoid infection during autopsies.
Smoothie bowls… the delicious concoctions that have quickly become everybody's favorite breakfast-snack-dessert-treat. This Antioxidant-Rich Beet and Berry Smoothie Bowl is made with probiotic-rich yogurt, healthy avocados, and bright pink beets and berries. It's easy and full of protein whenever hunger strikes! Click here for the free recipe.
Do you have low magnesium? It is a common condition but shows up more readily in certain populations. Read on to see if you are at risk for low magnesium and what you can do about it.
What Can Cause Low Magnesium:
While this deficiency can happen to anyone. There are certain populations that are more at risk. Below, we look at 10 populations that are most likely to be deficient. We also explore why they have a higher risk, overall.
The Elderly
One reason the elderly are at risk is that older adults tend to consume less magnesium in their diet. Also, as people age, their body is less able to absorb the magnesium in the food they eat.
Another potential cause is high intake of medicines. As people age, the amount of prescription drugs tends to increase. Many of these medications interfere with absorption.
Magnesium deficiencies are associated with several diseases, including Alzheimer's. Unfortunately, multivitamins do not contain 100% of the US Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of magnesium. So, a supplement may be necessary to prevent deficiency in the elderly.
Children with Autism
Children with autism often have sensory processing and motor issues that affect their choice of food. The diet is often severely limited. What is known as the “white diet” is common. For example, macaroni and cheese, chicken nuggets, apple juice, crackers are common favorites. A diet limited to only white foods is going to be deficient in many nutrients, including magnesium.
If a child is severely limiting their food intake, a multivitamin with minerals is recommended. A magnesium supplement may be necessary as well. Check with your doctor before supplementing with magnesium. Every child's nutrition needs are unique, and too much of one nutrient can negatively affect the status of another nutrient in the body.
People who Restrict Carbohydrates
Many of the foods high in carbohydrates are also high in magnesium. For example, whole grain breads and cereals, beans and peas, and leafy green vegetables are high in magnesium. In contrast, foods that are low in carbohydrates also tend to be low in magnesium. For example, meat and cheese. Thus, if you are on a low carb or ketogenic diet, it may be necessary to supplement your diet with magnesium.
People who Consume Certain Types of Antacids
Two types of antacids, known as Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI) and H2 inhibitors, interfere with magnesium absorption. These are medications that reduce the amount of acid produced in the stomach. Reducing acid production increases the pH of the stomach. This in turn decreases the ability of stomach to break down magnesium into a form the body can use. As a result, people taking these types of antacids are at increased risk of deficiency.
People who are diabetic are at risk for magnesium deficiency. In diabetes, blood sugars run high. In an attempt to flush out the extra sugars, the kidneys increase urine production. As a result, there will be an increased loss of important nutrients including magnesium.
People with Crohn’s Disease
Crohn's disease causes many digestive issues including frequent bouts of diarrhea. As a result, magnesium is lost. Crohn's disease also interferes with absorption of magnesium.
People with Intestinal Removal
The intestines are where most of the nutrient absorption occurs. When part of the intestines are removed, or not functioning properly, magnesium absorption is decreased.
People Who are Alcohol Dependent
People who are alcohol dependent don't usually eat a diet sufficient in nutrients. Also, what they do eat gets excreted through the urine. Thus, people who are alcohol dependent are at risk for magnesium deficiency.
People Who Take Thiazide Diuretics
All diuretics cause increased urination to prevent water retention. Thiazide diuretics are used to treat blood pressure. Unfortunately, a side effect is increased loss of important nutrients including magnesium.
Below are the Most Common Generic Names of Thiazide Diuretics:
Chlorothiazide
Metolazone
Indapamide
Hydrochlorothiazide
Chlorthalidone
Methyclothiazide
People Eating the American Diet
The American diet is high in processed foods and refined breads and cereals. It is also high in meat and cheese, and low in whole grains, vegetables, and fruit. The result is inadequate intake of many nutrients, including magnesium.
The Effect of The Refining Process
When whole grain breads are refined to make white bread, the outer bran and germ are removed. The same thing happens when brown rice is refined to make white rice. Most vitamins, minerals and fiber are in the bran and the germ. Thus, most of the nutrients are removed during the refining process.
There is virtually no magnesium, vitamin E, vitamin B6, thiamin, niacin, or folate remaining in the refined product before fortification.
In 1941, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stated that all “fortified” or “enriched” labeled breads, cereals, and rice must include iron, riboflavin, thiamin, and niacin. The folate requirement was added later. Thus, all “fortified” and “enriched” breads are good sources of iron, riboflavin, thiamin, niacin, and folate.
They are NOT, however, good sources of magnesium, vitamin E, or vitamin B6. Thus, the American diet is severely lacking in many nutrients, including magnesium.
Below is a magnesium rich dish for you to try:
Note that you can go into the free myfitnesspal.com app on android or Apple and the QR code in the recipe will work for you.
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