Slides on earthquakes for middles school students that i made for my Science Station program. Science Station is a library offered program for homeschooled middle school students that meets once per month. science-station-earthquakes. The students made a personal seismoscope using the instructions from http://www.seed.slb.com/en/scictr/lab/seismograph/notes.htm they then created small earthquakes of their own by droping objects, jumping up and down on the floor beside the seismoscope, and by shakeing the table. The next activity focused on eathquake and structrues. I gave each group of students a pan of green jello which was to be their land. they students then had to build a structure on their “land” using index cards, paper clips, and tape. Their challenge was to build a structure that could withstand and “earthquake.” I decided to use jello instead of just having them build the structure directly on their table. The students were excited by the jello and really wanted to eat it.
Nosferatu August 20, 2008
Here at the library, i have been gearing up for the school year and have been spending the last couple of weeks completing my fall programing schedule and trying to nail down an author visit for spring. i haven’t really cooked, cleaned, or did anything even remotely creative in around two weeks. though i must say, i bought a Nintendo DS instead of going anywhere for vacation and I’m loving it.
One of the more intersting programs i have been working on is Nostferatu(1922). i’m currently trying to put together a movie night at my library for Halloween.The advantage to using the 1922 verison of the film is that it, and its original poster are in public domain. Also, this movie gives a good opertunity to talk about public domain materials and copy right. I have been doing a lot of research on this film so that when i presented the idea to the powers that be (powers that are usually not in favor of vampire related library programing) so that i would not get automatically turned down. This film has a facinating history of legal battles with the Bram Stoker family. The biggest hurdle I have incountered so far has be obtaining one of the copyright free versions of the film that can be shown on a large screen. This movie is avaliable on google films, but the resolution is horrid. it seems like my only option is going to be a peer to peer public domain site. When i began this program, i had hoped that there would be several websites dedicated to shairing public domain films, but thus far i havent had much luck. if you know of a good one, i would appreciate it. I have found the film on the Internet Archive which offers a good number of public domain materials and video clips.
This is the version avalible through goolge video. If you have seen this film before, you will probably notice right away in the opening credits that they names used are the mostly the names used in Stoker’s Dracula with the exception of Mina being Nina in this version. In the version of the film that is on DVD, all of the character’s names have been changed probably due to the copyright issues that this film encountered. Thus far, i have yet to find a truly reliable website that has relavent cited historic information on this film, but i’m still looking.
Chocolate Energy Bars August 5, 2008
Chocolate Energy Bars
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
2 cups rice crispys cereal
1/2 cup coconut flakes
1/2 cup sesame seeds
1 cup sunflower seeds
3/4 cup peanut butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup maple syrup
Combine chocolate chips, oats, rice crispys, coconut, sesame seeds, and sunflower seeds in large mixing bowl. mix thoroughly and set aside. Combine peanut butter, brown sugar, and maple syrup in a sauce pan over medium heat. stir continually until mixture is smoothly blended. and brown sugar is dissolved. Then remove from heat. Pour mixture from sauce pan into the previously set aside large mixing bowl. Stir until all ingredients are thoroughly blended. Pour mixture into a lightly greased baking pan and spread mixture evenly. Allow 3 hours in the refrigerator before cutting into blocks.
Do it yourself Salt Glow July 25, 2008
Salt Glow
2 cups coarse sea salt
1 cup oil (I prefer olive oil because of its shelf life, but any oil will do. Sweet almond oil is a good choice if your skin isn’t as dry as mine.)
3-5 drops essential oil.
Combine ingredients in a resealable container.
To use, apply to skin generously. Rub thoroughly over rough areas. Rinse in a hot shower or bath. Afterward, apply a thick lotion of skin to lock in moisture.
Basic Sugar Scrub July 22, 2008
Basic Sugar Scrub
2 cups coarse brown sugar
1 cup olive oil
1 tsp vitamin E or Mineral Oil
3-5 drops essential oil
Combine ingredientsin a small resealable container. Use in shower after bathing. Do not use on face or areas prone to breakout. Rinse thoroughly. Follow up with lotion after shower to seal in moisture.
Jane Austen Trivia Powerpoint July 17, 2008
75 Jane Austen Trivia Questions on PowerPoint slides that I created for my Afternoon with Jane program which was held at the Greenville County Library on 7/19/08. These questions vary in degrees of difficulty. fell free to use this presentation if you are doing a similar program. Besides reading all of her books, I used The Jane Austen Companion to create this PowerPoint. The Jane Austen Companion contains a dictionary of Jane Austen’s life and works which was really helpful.
Basic Bath Salts Recipie July 16, 2008
Basic Bath Salts
1 cup Salt (any non iodized salt will work)
1 cup Epsom Salt
1 teaspoon Vitamin E oil (or mineral oil)
5 drops essential oil
Optional: dye
Combine salts in glass bowl. Stir in oils. Add dye if wished. Makes about 16oz.
Tips:
- The finer the salt grains, the faster it dissolves.
- Kosher salt is much cheaper then sea salt and works just as well.
- You can use food coloring (the cheapest alternative) as dye, but i would recommend using only a drop or two or you may stain your tub, or possible yourself. Soap dyes are probably a little safer and can be found pretty cheaply at Michael’s or any other craft store.
- You can also substitute soap making fragrances. They are a nice cheap alternative to essential oils. You can all use some varieties of cooking extracts if they do not have overwhelming alcohol smell. For example, i have used orange extract before.
- You can easily make variations on this recipe by simply adding things like dried herbs to make an herbal bath, powdered milk for milk bath, and so on. I made some chocolate milk bath that smelled like cookies that turned out pretty well.
Craft Party use:
I did this as a craft program with teens during summer reading. I used baby food jars. You have to divide the amount of ingredients according to the jar size. But this program was very successful. I hope to eveuntally have enough cheap and simple bath and body crafts to hopefully have a spa program next summer. I have also used this as a Girls Night In activity with my friends.
Basic Lotion Bar July 16, 2008
Basic Lotion Bar
2 oz (1/4 cup) beeswax
1 oz (2 tbl) Shea butter
1 oz (2 tbl) Extra Virgin Olive Oil (or other carrier oil such as sweet almond oil or grapeseed oil)
Essential oil(s) usually around 3-5 drops
Optional: soap dye for color
Melt the beeswax and shea butter in a glass container in the microwave, or in a double boiler on the stove. When it is completely melted remove from heat and stir in olive oil. Then add your essential oils and/or coloring. Pour into your soap mold and let set up. Makes one 4oz bar.
Note: I chose to use olive oil on this post because it is cheap and great if you are really dry, but you can use a number of oils. if you prefer. Sweet almond oil leaves a less oily feel.
Jane Austen Quiz (Revised) July 15, 2008
Which Jane Austen Heroine Are You?
1. How important is your family to you?
A) My family comes first, even though some of them are a bit demanding.
B) My sister is my best friend, and I’m close to one parent, but I don’t have much in common with the rest of them.
C) I love my family, but I often get too caught up in my own life to worry about them.
D) I would do anything to keep my family going and take care of them.
E) Though they may not realize it, they depend on me for many things.
F) My family is large and close-knit
G) You love them, but you don’t have much in common with them.
2. When you are in a large group of people, what would you most likely be doing?
A) I would be the center of attention.
B) I would be making witty observations to a friend about the people around us.
C) I talk only to the people I like, why should I waste time and energy on those I don’t like.
D) I would be making polite conversations with everyone.
E) Organizing entertainment for the group.
F) Making up stories about them in my head.
G) Being overlooked.
3. How would you rather spend your morning?
A) Riding horseback across the countryside.
B) Reading a juicy novel.
C) Drawing and sketching.
D) Taking a long walk
E) Talking with a friend.
F) Doing volunteer work.
G) Watching light change as the sunrises.
4. Which would you say is your best personality trait?
A) Your passion for life.
B) Your endurance.
C) Your sensible nature.
D) Your compassion for others.
E) Your childlike sense of wonder.
F) Your dependability.
G) You are never intimidated.
5. When you love you love….
A) Steadfastly, loving when all hope seems to be gone.
B) Loudly with ever inward and outward fiber of your being.
C) Innocently and sweetly, like a budding rose.
D) Secretly and gratefully.
E) Slowly at first, but it builds to a great passion.
F) Without realizing it at first until jealousy makes it obvious.
G) Quietly in your heart.
6. When crisis occurs you….
A) are the first to take charge and organize those around you.
B) think about all the ways you could have prevented it.
C) are shocked and not sure what to do.
D) are often overlooked and not listened to.
E) are probably the one at the heart of it: you live for drama.
F) may have unknowingly caused it…oops.
G) look at the big picture and find practical solutions.
7. Your ideal man is….
A) A man that stands out in a crowd. He has a strong presence that makes others take notice, but he is reserved and feels uncomfortable with the attention that he draws.
B) Smart and well read, good nature, but a bit cynical sometimes; the kind of man that will lend a guiding hand should you ever need one.
C) A man who can be trusted to give you sound advice.
D) A man who appreciates your subtle nature and shares your values.
E) A patient man who shares your passions.
F) A strong man who’s secretly a romantic.
G) A gentle soul who needs your practical nature to root him.
8. How would you best describe your life?
A) Full of wonder and new experiences.
B) I’m kind of surprised by where I am now, I probably wouldn’t have believed you if you had told me earlier.
C) Late to get started, but it was worth the wait.
D) Not quite as I originally dreamed, but things turned out for the best.
E) It could have started off better, but I eventually got what I wanted.
F) I started out with all that I thought I could ever ask for, but then I found something more.
G) Since I didn’t think this would be possible, I’m perfectly happy with all that I have.
9. What is your greatest fault?
A) You tend to undervalue yourself sometimes.
B) You tend to be a bit spoiled at times.
C) You tend to let people sway your opinion.
D) You hide your feelings.
E) You often turn a blind eye to the faults of others.
F) You tend to judge people to harshly on short acquaintance.
G) You often get too caught up in your own problems to notice those of the people around you.
10. What do your friends say about you?
A) I have few real friends, except for the man I love.
B) My best friend is a family member.
C) My best friend can be a bit overbearing at time, but I know she has my best interest in mind.
D) I have many friends. I’m a highly social creature.
E) I’m deeply trusted by my friend, and I am the confidant of many.
F) I’m not often the best judge of character; some of my friends have turn out to be very different people then I originally thought.
G) I have few really close friends, but they appreciate me for my honest nature.
Answers—
1) A—3
B—5
C—7
D—4
E—2
F—1
G—6
2) A—6
B—5
C—7
D—4
E—3
F—1
G—2
3) A—2
B—1
C—4
D—5
E—3
F—6
G—7
4) A—7
B—2
C—4
D—6
E—1
F—3
G—5
5) A—3
B—7
C—1
D—2
E—5
F—6
G—4
6) A—3
B—5
C—1
D—2
E—7
F—6
G—4
7) A—5
B—1
C—6
D—2
E—7
F—3
G—4
8) A—1
B—5
C—3
D—7
E—2
F—6
G—4
9) A—2
B—6
C—3
D—4
E—1
F—5
G—7
10) A—2
B—5
C—3
D—6
E—4
F—1
G—7
Mostly 1′s Catherine Moreland (Northanger Abbey)
Mostly 2′s Fanny Price (Mansfield Park)
Mostly 3′s Anne Elliot (Persuasion)
Mostly 4′s Elinor Dashwood (Sense and Sensibility)
Mostly 5′s Elizabeth Bennet (Pride and Prejudice)
Mostly 6′s Emma Woodhouse (Emma)
Mostly 7′s Marianne Dashwood (Sense and Sensibility)
If you have an even split, then congratulations, you are a Jane Austen Hybrid.
This Quiz is free for anyone to use. I hope this saves you sometime if you are planning a Jane Austen program, I believe i worked on this for 2 weeks.
Jane Austen What Character are you quiz. July 8, 2008
In prep for my Jane Austen tea, i made this quiz. please let me know what you think. its still a work in progress.
Which Jane Austen Heroine Are You?
