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Friday, January 8
Recognizing Privileges and
How that Strengthens Compassion
Peggy McIntosh is a feminist, anti-racism activist, scholar, speaker, and Senior Research Scientist of the Wellesley Centers for Women. In 2012 she gave this talk upon the TEDx stage where she addressed how she first came to discover the ways some people receive better treatment and recognition over others just because of things like gender or race. Peggy talks about how recognizing this inequality can become a tool that can be used in the betterment of these disenfranchised groups.
Can you think of some ways which you might have an advantage in life that you can use to help another person?
• For example, if your refrigerator and pantry cupboards are stocked with food then you might be able to donate some of that food to others who have less or none.
• If you see a homeless person on the street and you have money to spare you can offer them some of yours.
• If you see someone being picked on for the way they dress, their race, religion, or a disability and you are in a safe position to defend them you can come to their aid.
Arashi says: "Once you start seeing the ways you can help others it's easy to do.
Yesterday I saw my mom couldn't get up on time to feed me so I gave her a helping paw!"
Next Art Club Project
Next Tuesday for Art Club we will be making paper penguins!
Participants will need black, white, and orange paper, a glue stick or tape, scissors, and the templates for the penguin's body and details that are linked below!
Templates: HERE
We kick off the new year with a movie recommendation from Matty with the 2019 Romantic/Comedy Tall Girl! It is a movie about acceptance and pushing past your insecurities. It is also a Netflix original film.
"Our entire family liked this movie very much. It is about high school students learning to accept and be proud of who they are, not what society thinks they should be. All the characters are interesting. There is no violence in the movie. There is romance, which makes it sweet. Our family also likes happy endings, so you have that to look forward to in this movie." - Matty
Friday Movie Recommendation!
Thursday, January 7
The History of Dogs
Mankind's Best Friend (For over 200,000 Years!)
The bond between man and dog dates back centuries upon centuries into the past. They are our best friends, so having a long history makes sense! But how exactly did humans come to live (and love) these canine companions and, more importantly, where did they come from?
So now we know exactly how this -
Turned into this!
Wednesday, January 6
Art Club: Gallery Showcase
Art Club welcomed in the new year with New Year Resolution pouches! It's a place where people can store all their goals, wishes, and gratitudes for 2021. Everyone decorated their pouches in a unique, customized way!
Snowy Smorgasbord!
We could all use a little R&R, even after we just had a big holiday break, and nothing can be more relaxing than watching nature. If you need a little Winter time pick me up then grab yourself a nice hot drink, kick back, and just hang out for a bit with a few woodland critters enjoying a huge feast!
One of the best ways to experience the majesty of Winter is warm inside with absolutely nothing to have to shovel! This relaxing video of heavy snowfall in a windy forest can definitely soothe your soul. If you're feeling it's a bit too green outside right now for your liking then you'll love this.
If you're looking for something a little cozier (and warmer) then you may prefer one of these relaxing ambient sound videos from inside a cozy Winter hut. They're a great way to wind down after you've finished digging out your driveway after the latest Nor'easter.
Winter Word Search
Not ready to come inside yet? Then check out this Winter Word Search that you can print out or play online!
https://thewordsearch.com/puzzle/998/winter/
Tuesday, January 5
Weekly A-SIGN-ment!
Tomorrow during our Wednesday 1 PM Zoom meeting we will be sharing another word we've learned in sign language. This week's word theme is The New Year! Share with us the sign for anything to do with the new year or New Year's Day!
As usual, feel free to refer to HandSpeak for reference and guidance in finding your word!
The Winter Solstice
What it is and how does it affect us?
December 21st was the date of 2020's Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. During the Winter Solstice our Northern hemisphere receives the least amount of sunlight out of any other day while in the Southern hemisphere they celebrate the longest day of sunlight. This is why it is actually Summer right now in places like Australia or Brazil!
But fret not! Just like this short video explains, now that the shortest day of the year has past we are now on the path to returning to longer and warmer days ahead.
What If?...
Now we see how the sun is not only vital for sustaining life on our planet but for determining our seasons too. So what would happen if, all of a sudden, the sun were to vanish? How would that affect Earth and everything on it?
Surprises from Santa
Last LES Thursday was our big holiday Zoom party before our break. We broke the ice with some dreidel games and completed a holiday Jeopardy board before moving on to our main event. And what an event it was! Santa surprised us all by Zooming in from the North Pole to sing songs with us and ask each person what they'd like for Christmas.
We had incredible performances from Matty the steel drum master, Kirsti the pianist extraordinaire, and Happy Hands Club with their visual rendition of Jingle Bells!
Monday, January 4
Newsletter Prompt!
Our December/January Newsletter will soon be in the works! The theme of this newsletter is Transition. Each individual will receive the prompt: "What do you most look forward to in the new year?" which will be featured on a page in the newsletter. We will be reaching out to you to gather your answers, but if you would like to send in your response directly then feel free to e-mail it to Lauren (LrRafal@gmail.com)!
For those who have articles or segments to submit, we would like to have everything done and in by no later than Friday, January 22nd.
Welcome 2021!
Let us take a moment as we return to our normal routine in this New Year to think about all we have accomplished in the previous year and what we look forward to doing in this one.
We are all so incredibly impressed with each and every member of our LES family and how we have all adapted and evolved in this new climate. Here's to a fresh new year!
"Motivation is a skill, and it can be taught and it can be learned." This is what Adithya Chakravarthy explains to TED Talkers during his presentation about how to keep your new year's resolutions. So how does one learn these skills and are there any tricks to learning them? Check out this short video to find out.
Do you have a New Year's Resolution?
Take a moment to really think about what you would like to accomplish this year.
What are 3 things you are grateful for and 3 goals you have for this year?
Arashi says: "My New Year's Resolution is to eat more crinkly plastic."
Friday, December 18
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PHYLLIS and ERIC!!
December 24th is Phyllis' big day and December 26th is Eric's! Let's wish them both a very happy birthday!
Today is our last day together before the Holiday Break!
There will be no LES Zooms or website updates from now until January 4, 2021!
We all at LES wish everyone a very special and safe holiday and cannot wait to see you all back in the New Year! Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and season's greetings!
Hey, everybody. It's almost Christmas! Go grab yourself a big glass of Emily's Almond Nog and let's dive into some more Wintertime festivities.
Pudding has a very different connotation in Victorian England which is why when children sing about eating a "figgy pudding" they don't actually mean a bowl full of fruity Jell-O brand porridge.
So then what exactly is a figgy pudding? Join Tasting History once again as he shares with us an authentic 19th century recipe all while diving into the fascinating history of this boiled (and flaming!) holiday treat.
If there's one thing we can all agree on it's that tastes in music change drastically over the years. Your grandma's idea of a toe-tapper might vary wildly from your own. Let's all take a journey through time as we see the evolution of Christmas songs all the way back from 1744 to the present performed by Peter Hollens!
Nobody celebrates a holiday in the very same way, and with Christmas being so old and widespread it's bound to have drummed up a bunch of unique and interesting cultural traditions. This video talks about 10 different Christmas traditions from all over the world. Everything from the Yule Lads of Iceland to Sweden's enormous straw goat!
That wasn't in the recipe...
Uh oh... It looks like we had a mishap on baking day at the school and accidentally added a few extra ingredients into the fruitcake batter before baking.
There are 7 LES-ers hidden somewhere in this picture. Can you find them and identify who they are?
(The source of the original image and its accompanying recipe can be found here!)
The Nutcracker
A Free Virtual Event!
The New Paltz Ballet Theatre presents an online premiere of their 2019 performance of The Nutcracker on December 24 at 7 PM.
It will then be available to watch for free on their Youtube page until January 2!
Learn more about the event here!
https://www.facebook.com/events/677520186243307/
Watch this one and other recorded performances (such as A Christmas Carol) on their Youtube page here!
https://www.youtube.com/c/BardavonPresents/videos
Purple Cup Poll
What is your favorite Christmas movie?
Next Art Club Project
Our first Art Club of the new year will be making New Year Resolution pouches!
Participants will only require one piece of yellow construction paper, tape or a stapler, and markers or other things to use to decorate with!
Friday Movie Recommendation!
This week's movie recommendation comes from Lauren with the 2019 animated Christmas film Klaus! Jesper, a slacker postman-in-training, is sent away to the frozen North in an attempt to bring the postal service to its equally cold-hearted townsfolk. But everything changes when he meets a lone woodsman living just out of town. Klaus can be streamed for free exclusively on Netflix.
"A Santa origin Story with a unique twist! It has absolutely gorgeous artwork, a great cast of characters, and a heartwarming ending. " - Lauren
Thursday, December 17
Purple Cup Poll!
You still have until TOMORROW to take the Purple Cup Poll!
*~*
What is your favorite Christmas Movie?
You can answer the survey HERE.
Holiday Party Schedule!
Today will be full of various holiday festivities! Zoom invitations will be sent out to everyone to join at their leisure. Here is the schedule of events:
10:30 AM - Learn to play Dreidel: Lauren will be giving the rundown on this simple Chanukah gambling game. No clay necessary!
11:00 AM - Holiday Jeopardy: Eric co-hosts during this very special custom made game of Jeopardy: Holiday Edition!
1:00 PM - : Our Big Holiday Bash!: Music, gift-giving, and other fun shenanigans at our big LES Holiday Bash!
It's almost time for KWANZAA!
A Cultural Celebration
"Habari Gani?" This is Kiswahili and means "How are you?" This is the greeting for each new day of the celebration of Kwanzaa, a cultural holiday celebrated every December 26 until it ends 7 days later on January 1. The word Kwanzaa itself is actually derived from a Swahili word meaning "first harvest." What people might not be aware of is that Kwanzaa is a holiday strongly rooted in the Civil Rights movement and cultural identity.
So what actually is Kwanzaa, how is it celebrated, and who celebrates it? There is a very special meaning behind the holiday which this video explores and explains!
Kwanzaa was born out of the fight for equality during the Civil Rights movement in 1966 by Maulana Karenga. He sought to foster unity between black communities and tradition.
The 7 Principles: Nguzo Saba
Just like we learned from the Mystery Object day, the name of the candleholder used for Kwanzaa is called a Kinara. The colors of the candles have a special meaning and every candle lit each night corresponds to one of the 7 Principles, or the Nguzo Saba.
Other symbols of Kwanzaa involve crops (mazao) "which represents the historical roots of African-Americans in agriculture and also the reward for collective labor" and the special mat (mkeka) which lays beneath the kinara and crops which symbolically "lays the foundation for self- actualization."
"Corn/maize (muhindi) signifies children and the hope associated in the younger generation. Gifts (Zawadi) represent commitments of the parents for the children. The unity cup (Kkimbe cha Umoja) is used to pour libations to the ancestors. On December 31, participants celebrate with a banquet of food (karamu) which often entails cuisine from various African countries. Gifts are also exchanged."
The proper response to the Kwanzaa greeting "Habari gani?" ("how are you?") is "Umoja, habari gani."
You can learn even more about Kwanzaa from this link here!
https://www.bkreader.com/2019/12/24/celebrating-the-seven-principles-of-kwanzaa/
Music is a big part of the Kwanzaa celebration too, so you better believe there are songs! Here are just a couple to help get you in the holiday spirit.
Wednesday, December 16
Art Club: Gallery Showcase
Art Club took a relaxing breather before the holidays with some Christmas coloring sheets. So much variety!
The answers may be more surprising than you think...
Here are the answers to yesterday's Mystery Objects Game. See how many you got correct!
Object #1
The recipe for this modern day interpretation of Sugar Plums can be found here!
It uses nuts, dried fruits, and spices.
These Objects Are...
SUGAR PLUMS!
Have visions of sugar plums ever danced through your head? If so, what did they look like? The sugary treats depicted here are actually a modern interpretation of the sugar plum. Traditionally sugar plums weren't actually plums at all but a type of hard candy called a "comfit." Comfits are "a seed, nut, or scrap of spice coated with a layer of hard sugar, like the crunchy outer case of an M&M. In the 17th century, popular innards for comfits included caraway, fennel, coriander, and cardamom seeds, almonds, walnuts, ginger, cinnamon, and aniseed."
"Comfits, since they were massively labor-intensive, were pricey. Sugar plums were originally snacks for aristocrats." “"Sugar plum,” these days, is an obsolete word. In the 17th century, to have a “mouth full of sugar plums” meant that you spoke sweetly, but might have a deceitful hidden agenda; in the 18th century, “to sugar plum” was a verb, meaning to pet, fawn over, or make up to. In the 19th century, “plum,” all on its own, came to mean anything delightful and desirable—hence Tchaikovsky’s Sugarplum Fairy in the Nutcracker ballet."
- To learn even more about the history of Sugar Plums click here!
Object #2
This Object Is...
A KINARA!
The kinara is the special candleholder for use in the week long holiday of Kwanzaa. Each candle represents one of the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa. "During the week of Kwanzaa, a new candle is lit on the kinara each day. The center black candle is lit first, and the lighting then proceeds from left to right, the new candle being lit corresponding to the principle of that day. In this way, each day of Kwanzaa is dedicated to the contemplation of one of the Seven Principles." "Each of the candles also has a meaning. The black one symbolizes the African people, the red their struggle, and the green the future and hope that comes from their struggle."
The word "kinara" is actually Swahili for "candleholder."
This particular kinara is actually available to purchase from Etsy here.
Want to learn about the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa? Watch this short video to learn what they are!
Object #3
This log and the modern day ritual for it can be found here!
This Object Is...
A YULE LOG!
You probably see yule logs these days as tasty rolled cakes with all sorts of intricate decorations, but why is it that some celebrate Christmas by essentially eating a lump of wood? There is a history behind this and it begins with actual, real logs. Like many modern day Christmas traditions this one is Pagan in origin. Yule is the name for the Pagan celebration of the Winter Solstice.
For the ancient Celts, Yule was known as the festival of Alban Arthuan and was celebrated by the Druids, the priestly class of their society. "The Druids would cut the mistletoe that grew on the oak tree and give it as a blessing. Oaks were seen as sacred and the winter fruit of the mistletoe was a symbol of life in the dark winter months. The Celts thought that the sun stood still for twelve days in the middle of winter and during this time a log was lit to conquer the darkness, banish evil spirits and bring luck for the coming year. The Holly and Ivy [were] evergreens that Celts saw as important to keep evil spirits at bay."
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Transceltic
Nollick Ghennal as Blein Vie Noa (Manx Gaelic)
Nollaig Chridheil agus Bliadhna Mhath ùr (Scottish Gaelic)
Nollaig Shona Dhuit agus Bliain Nua Fe Mhaise (Irish Gaelic)
Nedeleg Laouen na Bloavezh Mat (Breton)
Nadolig Llawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda (Welsh)
Nadelik Lowen ha Bledhen Nowyth Da (Cornish)
Info sourced from: https://www.transceltic.com/pan-celtic/celtic-roots-of-christmas-traditions
and
https://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/paganism/holydays/wintersolstice.shtml
Purple Cup Poll!
You still have until FRIDAY to take the Purple Cup Poll!
*~*
What is your favorite Christmas Movie?
You can answer the survey HERE.
Tuesday, December 15
Weekly A-SIGN-ment!
Tomorrow during our Wednesday 1 PM Zoom meeting we will be sharing another word we've learned in sign language. This week's word theme is Winter Holidays! Share with us the sign for anything to do with a Winter holiday!
As usual, feel free to refer to HandSpeak for reference and guidance in finding your word!
Purple Cup Poll!
You still have until FRIDAY to take the Purple Cup Poll!
*~*
What is your favorite Christmas Movie?
You can answer the survey HERE.
A New Normal
Our dear friend and one of the founding members of LES' Board of Directors, Karen Littman, performs her song The New Normal. The song touches on the state of our current world among the ongoing Covid crisis and how we have adapted into a "new normal." Karen notes in the video's description, "The Recording Academy and MusiCares established the COVID-19 Relief Fund to help people in the music industry affected by the coronavirus disease outbreak and subsequent cancellation of multiple music events. From hotel and bar gigs to major music festivals, COVID-19 is deeply impacting live music events, and the creative community behind it all."
"Karen Littman wrote and recorded the vocals for “A New Normal” while sheltering in place in St. Augustine, Florida." Other people provided additional time and talents to the track safely and remotely from their homes. "All royalties from A New Normal will benefit MusiCares, a charity founded by the Recording Academy."
You can donate directly to MusiCares here.
Eric and his family submitted this picture of a local home in Walpole that takes lawn gnomes to a whole other level! Check out this cute Christmas gnome display.
GUESS THIS:
Can you identify these strange objects?
All of these objects have some connection to a Winter holiday. Do you know what each object is and how it relates to the holiday?
The answers will be revealed on tomorrow's website posting, so don't give it away to people who are still guessing!
Object #1
Object #2
Object #3
Check back tomorrow for the answers!
Monday, December 14
3 Cheers for EGGNOG!
Do you nog? This creamy, spiced drink always makes an appearance around the Winter holidays, but have you ever wondered why that is? Come January it's all but a memory of Christmas past. So why is it that once a year we drink eggnog, where did it come from, and where did it get such a ridiculous name? Watch the video and you'll find out!
Christmas Memories
Back in '84, the Life Experience School had been asked to decorate the Sherborn Library's Christmas tree and in typical LES fashion couldn't help but stir up a bit of news coverage along with it.
The students and staff decorated the tree with anti-nuclear pamphlets carrying messages such as "Teach peace" and "Let's prevent nuclear war." This however did not sit right with the library. In an effort not to offend they began moving the pamphlets to the rear of the tree.
"If the tree enabled people to think about Christmas a little bit more, then it served a purpose," Lewis had said in response to the controversy before noting, "The peace movement got to raise its head one more time in 1984."
Depicted to the Right: Bobby Niro and Mary McQueeney at the scene of the crime, decorating the Sherborn Library Christmas tree!
On November 14, 1995 3-year-old Emily the cow escaped her slaughter facility in Hopkinton by jumping over a five-foot tall gate and running for her life. The facility was unable to recapture her, and Emily was aided by some good minded folks who helped hide her and feed her for 40 days.
"The story of Emily the Cow soon reached the Randa family. When Meg Randa read the story in a local newspaper, she decided to save the cow’s life. The Randa family somehow managed to purchase her from the slaughter facility for one dollar and brought her to live in a sanctuary at Peace Abbey on Christmas Eve.
Soon the news of Emily the Cow spread across the country and the globe. She became a national celebrity and folk hero, and visitors from all over the world who admired her bravery came to see Emily. Emily inspired many to embark on the road to vegetarianism and soon became a representative of animal rights and vegetarianism."
You can read the complete article HERE!
Remember in 2018 when LES adopted this Charlie Brown Christmas tree?
All trees are beautiful. Be sure to hug a tree today! (But maybe not your Christmas tree...)
Purple Cup Poll
What is your favorite Christmas Movie?
Friday, December 11
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NANCY!!
This Saturday is Nancy's birthday! Namaste, Nancy!
Get Christmas Crafty
Easy and fun Gifts and Decor to make your holiday shine!
Christmas is coming around the corner! Looking for an activity to do, a way to make your living space a little more festive, or have an empty space on your tree? Why not check out these two links for some simple crafts you can easily make at home. These would make perfect little gifts for loved ones as well.
17 Easy Christmas Craft Ideas
15 Natural Christmas Tree Decoration Ideas
Still not satisfied? Here's a video of 20 more!
Happy Crafting!
On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
Everyone at LES is familiar with our annual tradition of singing our own variation on the classic Christmas carol The 12 Days of Christmas, but how did this song come about? Are there any meaning behind those increasingly absurd gifts, why are there 12 days of celebration, and is there some hidden agenda behind the lyrics? Simon Whistler of Today I Found Out takes us on a journey into the past to figure it out!
Curious to learn even more about the history of Christmas carols? Then check out this short video submitted by Cindy about where the songs we call Christmas carols today originated from!
Purple Cup Poll Responses!
You spoke and we listened. This is what everybody had to say.
What is your favorite kind of Music?
Next Art Club Project
Next Tuesday for Art Club we will be coloring in Christmas coloring pages!
Participants will only require one or two printed holiday pictures of their choosing and something to color them in with! A link to the folder of the pictures are below and will be e-mailed to everyone too.
Christmas Coloring Pages
Friday Movie Recommendation!
This week's recommendation is actually a book! Kirsti recommends that people read the 1956 novel Old Yeller. It was turned into a film in 1957 by Disney.
"I read Old Yeller by Fred Gibson. It is a very good book. Old Yeller was a golden retriever who saved Travis and little Arliss, his brother, and his mother’s lives. The story took place on a ranch in Kansas in the 1800s. I enjoyed the book. I highly recommend it to everyone at the Life Experience School." - Kirsti
Thursday, December 10
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MATTY!!
Today's is Matty's birthday so let's all wish him a great one!
Purple Cup Poll!
TOMORROW is the final day to take the Purple Cup Poll!
*~*
What is your favorite kind of music?
You can answer the survey HERE.
Happy First Night of Chanukah!
The other Festival of Lights!
Chag sameach ("happy holiday"), it's almost Chanukah! Tonight marks the first night of the 8 day Jewish festival of Chanukah, also known as the Festival of Lights. You're sure to have heard of it before, but how much do you really know about it? What is the history behind the holiday, why do the Jewish people light a special candelabra (called a Chanukkiah), and pig out on oily foods? All of this and more is explained in the video above.
Think you're already a Chanukah hotshot or want to learn even more? Actress Mayim Bialik gives the Chanukah rundown along with a little true or false quiz.
Why not see how much you already knew?
It's no secret that the crispy, oily, fried potato discs we know and love called latkes are a quintessential Chanukah food! If you've been on the internet and watched cooking videos in the last couple years you've bound to have stumbled across a little show known as Binging with Babish. Here Babish tackles the latke in his Basics with Babish side series.
His recipe foregoes adding salt or pepper into his batter mix in favor of unique and fun toppings (the traditional of which are typically applesauce or sour cream). Why not give this recipe a try some time?
https://basicswithbabish.co/basicsepisodes/latkes
Did You Know?
(Although not kosher, shrimp tempura
are definitely a fried feast!)
"Some version of latkes goes back to at least the Middle Ages. They were probably made of cheese (probably either ricotta or curd cheese), fried in poppyseed oil or butter, and served with fruit preserves. These cheese latkes were the most common kind of latke in Ashkenazi communities until the 19th century, when the potato arrived in eastern Europe." - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latke
You heard it here first, folks. Mozzarella sticks are now Chanukah approved!
There are no two greater things about Chanukah (besides the food!) than playing the game of dreidel and the music. There are actually a lot of Chanukah songs, so it's unfortunate that not many people know any beyond "I Had a Little Dreidel." Shir Soul is a Jewish a capella group. Watch as they sit themselves down to a nice little game of dreidel starting off to the tune of a familiar song before incorporating a couple more.
Are you interested in learning how to play dreidel? - Lauren will be teaching a class on how to play the game at our upcoming holiday party on December 17th! Stay tuned for a look at the full schedule of events.
Arashi says: "We light the candles on the Chanukkiah (the special menorah) from right to left. The middle candle called the Shamash is used to light all of the others. A new light is added every evening until the festival is complete.
I hope I get a new crumpled piece of plastic this year!"
Wednesday, December 9
Art Club: Gallery Showcase
Art Club got ready for the holiday season with their own custom Christmas tree cards! Everyone was able to decorate the tree however they chose to.
Do you have a Twin Stranger?
The search for the most identical strangers
What would you do if you found your secret identical twin? Maybe you'd play pranks on some people or pull a Parent Trap and try switching lives for a day. As strange as it sounds there might just exist somebody out in the world today that looks so similar to you they could fool a member of your own family, but even weirder than that is they could be a complete stranger living in another part of the world.
Turns out finding your look-alike is more likely than it seems. "The doppelgänger phenomenon has caught the attention of leading twin-experts at the Department of Twin Research in St Thomas' Hospital in London. They have been studying similarities between identical twins for years and want to see just how similar these doppelgängers are." This short segment highlights some of the individuals involved in this research study of identical strangers.
Funny enough the similarities didn't just end with how they looked. Give this short video a watch and see how!
"Statistically, it is estimated that for every face there are 7 doppelganger matches around the world."
Did You Know?
Massachusetts has the most twin births of any state in America.
At nearly 4.5 for every 100 live births, Massachusetts has the highest rate of twin births. Connecticut and New Jersey follow with 4.2 twins per every 100 births. The state with the lowest rate of twin births is New Mexico.
For even more incredible twin facts check out the link below!
"These twin babies are speaking their own special "language."
These languages are called autonomous languages."
"Researchers suspect that twin babies use each other as models in developing language when an adult model language is frequently absent. The "language" consists of inverted words and onomatopoeic expressions. These autonomous languages are formed when two very close babies are learning how to speak a real language alongside one another and naturally often play and communicate with each other."
Tuesday, December 8
Weekly A-SIGN-ment!
Tomorrow during our Wednesday 1 PM Zoom meeting we will be sharing another word we've learned in sign language. This week's word theme is Lunch! Share with us the sign for something you would eat for lunch!
As usual, feel free to refer to HandSpeak for reference and guidance in finding your word!
Purple Cup Poll!
You still have until FRIDAY to take the Purple Cup Poll!
*~*
What is your favorite kind of music?
You can answer the survey HERE.
It's no secret that the Winter holidays will be looking very different this year. For your safety and others' it's strongly urged that we still remain inside and avoid those busy shopping centers and malls. So where does that leave us when it comes to our holiday shopping?
Ordering online is quite possibly the easiest way to shop, even without a pandemic. You can do it from the comfort of your own home and have it directly shipped to you or your friends and family. It's tempting to turn to mega-corporations and big box stores like Amazon or Walmart to do this, but this year let's consider the people who are struggling and would benefit the most: Your local, neighborhood little guy!
Buy Local!
Our small businesses and local stores
Holiday Shopping Guide!
(online!)
Why Buy Small or Local?
When you buy from a small shop or a shop in your town then you are not only directly supporting the people at the store but drastically increasing the money going into our economy.
Instead of having money trickling out of our community, local shops keep it circulating around our cities and towns which in turn helps to support all of us in the long run.
Small businesses are struggling the most right now - it's time to show them support.
What's even better than shopping small? Making your own gift.
When you make something to give to another person its value increases 12 fold.
Never worry if you do not have money to spend or can't afford or have access the hottest gift. Make something with your hands and with your heart. It will be a smash hit each and every time.
Restaurants and Food Services -
The food service industry is struggling hard. If you know somebody with a favorite small coffee shop, bakery, or local restaurant then it's worth checking out if they provide gift cards or gift certificates online!
Gift Shops -
Butterfly Tree Boutique: Medfield, MA: Gift shop full of a wonderful arrangement of all sorts of goodies. https://butterflytreeboutique.com/
Be Charmed: Medfield, MA: Gift shop full of a wonderful arrangement of all sorts of goodies. https://www.becharmedgifts.com/
Uni-T: Natick, MA: Unique eco-friendly shirts, jewelry, keychains, buttons, and much more by local artists. https://shopuni-t.com/
The Bird & Bear Collective: Medway & Holliston, MA: Clothing and other gifts are avilable on their website. https://www.birdandbearcollective.com/
Body and Health -
Hop Hollow: Fiskdale, MA: Eco-conscious soap maker that uses real beer from local breweries in their soap bars. https://www.hophollow.com/
Molly's Apothecary: Medway, MA: Dazzling soaps, lotions, body products, and more. https://mollysapothecary.com/
Sisters Sage: Vancouver, Canada: Indigenous owned business specializing in sustainable, eco-friendly, and cruelty-free soaps, smudges, and other personal care items using traditional ingredients. https://sisterssage.com/
Jewelry and Fun Accessories -
Borgstein Alpaca Farm: Medfield, MA: Soft and warm knitted products made from real alpaca wool and owned by Evelyn's old riding instructor! http://www.borgsteinalpacafarm.com/
John's Crazy Socks: Melville, NY: Diversity inclusive shop with an incredible variety of socks of all shapes, colors, and sizes owned by entrepreneur John Cronin, a young man with Down Syndrome. https://johnscrazysocks.com/
Mallory Paige Designs: Kernsersville, KY: Diversity inclusive 100% hand-crafted jewelry by entrepreneur Mallory Paige, a young woman with Down Syndrome. https://www.mallorypaigedesigns.com/
Books and Children -
Park Street Books: Medfield, MA: Children's books, games, and toys as well as books for young and old alike! https://parkstreetbooks.com/
Friendly Neighborhood Comics: Bellingham, MA: Comic books, games, and other collectables. https://www.friendlycomics.com/
Flowers -
Paul's Flowers: Millis, MA: Order your arrangements online or go in person and use their 24-hour contactless flower vending machine! https://www.pauls-flowers.com/
Pets, Animals, & Nature -
The Fish & Bone: Boston, MA & Portland, ME: Independent pet shop specializing in goodies for dogs, cats, and even humans too. https://www.thefishandbone.com/
Sweets and Treats -
Pandolfi's: Bellingham, MA: Assortments of fine chocolates and other sweet treats. https://pandolfischocolates.com/
Cultural -
Shuki's: Framingham, MA: Judaica shop brimming with an assortment of Jewish holiday and cultural items. https://www.shukisjudaica.com/
Monday, December 7
Swing yer partner round and round!
Yee-HAW! Time to headbang and do-si-do because you've been Thunderstruck! The Finnish band Steve'n'Seagulls play their very unique Southern Americana take on the AC/DC hit song that'll have you reaching for your electric banjo and a bottle of moonshine.
You can check out their YouTube channel for even more crazy covers of songs like Carry On Wayward Son as well as original songs too!
https://www.youtube.com/c/SteveSeagulls
Purple Cup Poll
What is your favorite kind of Music?
(You can select multiple!)
Friday, December 4
Join Medfield TV as they go virtual with their 6th Annual Holiday Concert!
Saturday, Dec. 5 at 7 PM
http://www.medfield.tv/watch/
In lieu of concert tickets attendees may make a donation to the nonprofit Lowell Mason House, a historical Medfield landmark.
For more information and a list of the performers check out the Facebook event page HERE.
Also Medfield's Virtual Holiday Stroll and Marketplace will be doing a live broadcast TONIGHT from 6 - 8 PM! Watch for behind-the-scenes with artists to see their methods and studios in exclusive interviews.
https://www.medfield.tv/watch/
You can also check out and support all of the small, local businesses participating in the event here!
https://medfieldculture.org/
How to
Boost Your Immune System
It's the most wonderful time of the year, but unfortunately it's also the most sickly. Every Winter people all over suddenly come down with colds and flus, and with our current environment now including Covid it's not a bad idea to consider one of our body's own best front line defense against these meddlesome bugs: your immune system!
So what is the immune system and how can you strengthen yours?
1: Protect and Nourish Your Skin -
Believe it or not, your skin is one of the first lines of defense against infections. It's the biggest organ in the human body. If you get a cut or a scrape, or your skin is so dry it cracks, you are opening your body up to little critters that might mean you harm. How can you prevent this? Make sure to keep your skin moisturized in the Winter time. Hand lotions, chapstick, body creams, the works! Definitely comes in handy now with all the hand washing!
Similarly, your body has other forms of protection where your skin just does not cut it. You know those annoying boogers you get in your nose? That mucus inside your nostril walls is just another example of external protection used to help prevent nasties from getting inside your body.
We've learned in the past what the immune system is and its basic function, but did you realize that much of those awful sensations you experience while ill are actually the immune system fighting off your sickness and not the sickness itself?
Best to nip it in the bud before you even get sick at all. Here are a few ways to help do that.
2: Sleep -
Sounds almost too simple, but getting enough sleep is vital to a healthy immune system response. When you sleep you are essentially resetting your body and mind but also helping rebuild the cells required to keep your health in check. Watch this short video to learn more.
3: Eat a Healthy and Varied Diet -
Food is more than just fuel, it's reinforcements! It is building the structures of your body from the inside out. What you put in is what you become, so it is safe to say you want to put in good things. Nourishing foods full of vitamins, minerals, proteins, fiber, healthy fats, and antioxidants do your body and immune system good. If you are struggling to incorporate enough of this food into your diet then supplements can do the trick.
And don't forget about keeping hydrated! Your body is about 60% water and requires it to function properly. Water, herbal teas, and other hydrating beverages are a must for an immune boosting diet.
4: Limit Stress -
This one is probably the hardest because it is the least in our control, but finding a way to help manage the stress in your life will do wonders on improving your immune system. Stress can actually be harmful to the body. Consider what chills you out. Deep breathing, yoga, reading, exercise, playing a game, or a chat with family or friends. These are just some examples of ways to help de-stress.
Next Art Club Project
Next Tuesday for Art Club we will be making Christmas Tree Cards!
Participants will need a blank or light-colored sheet of paper, a green sheet of paper, any other colored papers they would like (yellow strongly encouraged!), scissors, markers, and a glue stick or tape!
• Additionally it's suggested you print out this template to help with the tree: Christmas Tree Card Template
Friday Movie Recommendation!
This week's movie recommendation comes from Allison with the 2013 Disney musical/fantasy adventure Frozen! The film is an adaptation of the classic tale of the Snow Queen. Queen Elsa accidentally sends her kingdom into an eternal Winter and it is up to her sister Anna along with a few other friends to help break the icy curse. It is available to watch for free on Disney+ and to rent from most major streaming services.
"I like the music and the characters. My favorite song is 'Do You Want to Build a Snowman?'" - Allison
Thursday, December 3
The Insane Biology of the Octopus
Can you smell and taste with your arms? Do you have three hearts, blue blood, and no bones at all? If you do then you might just be an octopus!
Octopi are one of the most astounding creatures of the big blue deep. They are a type of animal called a Cephalopod. Cephalopods are part of the Mollusk phylum which is a group that includes soft-bodied animals with shells such as snails, clams, and oysters. Around 140 million years ago the lineage that produced the octopus lost their own protective shell. How have these soft, shell-less creatures survived for all of this time?
Give this little documentary a watch and you will find out just how insane the anatomy of one of these creatures really is!
Did You Know?
The legendary sea monster the Kraken is a creature "of gigantic size and cephalopod-like appearance in Scandinavian folklore. According to the Norse sagas, the Kraken dwells off the coasts of Norway and Greenland and terrorizes nearby sailors. Authors over the years have postulated that the legend may have originated from sightings of giant squids that may grow to 13–15 meters (40–50 feet) in length."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kraken
Sea Animals Word Search
Interested in more marine life? Then check out this Sea Animals Word Search that you can print out or play online!
https://thewordsearch.com/puzzle/37133/sea-animals/
Wednesday, December 2
Art Club: Gallery Showcase
Art Club made some pretty paper Poinsettias during yesterday's Zoom! Perfect decoration or gift for the upcoming holidays.
Big News for Book Club!
On Friday, November 20, Book Club held its most exciting meeting yet. After many months of reading the book they completed all 200 pages of Darien the Librarian! Even more incredible than that is one of the authors of the book joined us on Zoom that very same day! Patrick Bonner is Phil's cousin and co-wrote the book with his daughter Stella. He did us all the great honor of reading the last couple pages of the book and joined us for a little Q&A session following its conclusion.
Darien the Librarian is the exciting and fantastical tale of fourth-grader Darien Masse. She has just moved to Ocean Point, Massachusetts and just wants to fit in. A few chance encounters winds up with her making a miraculous discovery: she has the ability to jump into books (and even take people along with her)!
How did she receive this power, what mysteries lie in Ocean Point's past, and what has it to do with three little girls named Inky, Blinky, and Ro? You just have to read the book to find out.
Here is what Book Club has to say about Darien the Librarian!
MATTY: The plot is amazing. I would like to read the second one when it comes out.
PHIL: The book is amazing, and I love the story line. I love the way it takes place in Ocean Point that’s really Scituate, MA. I really like how it has aspects of Milton, MA in it too.
KIRSTI: It's an exciting book even though I haven’t read the whole thing.
BOBBY: I liked it.
PHYLLIS: I thought the story line was very exciting and couldn’t wait to find out what happened to each and every one of the characters as we went along. I enjoyed that it took place in many places in MA.
CINDY: I love the connection to Phil and his family, and I love that Patrick and Stella orally told stories to each other and that they followed a passion and turned it into a book. I’m super excited for book two!
ELISABETH: I like when she goes into the book.
LAUREN: A real edge-of-your-seater! The way it combines fantasy with reality makes it feel believable and grounded even when you're chasing magic stones or jumping into a dusty old copy of Treasure Island. It really gets your imagination going.
The idea for the book came from a story Patrick told his daughter Stella before bed. Stella mentioned that it would make a great book, and the two began working together to outline his bedtime tale into a full-fledged and published story!
They took the story to Kickstarter where donators not only received a digital copy of the book but also had all their proceeds given to food banks such as Feeding America. They raised more than $22,000.
Darien the Librarien is now officially in print and is available for purchase from places such as Amazon!
But here's the kicker: Darien the Librarian is only intended to be Book One in the Ocean Point book series! Another fundraiser is currently underway to raise money for the Waltham Boys & Girls Club! Anyone who donates will be entered into a lottery to have their name featured (or a name of their choosing) in the next Ocean Point Series book, Bobby the Beacon! Two additional winners will received signed copies of Darien the Librarian!
https://www.facebook.com/donate/671408556901415/10157252493446058/
What's next for Book Club?
Book Club will begin reading Eleven Seconds: A Story of Tragedy, Courage & Triumph by Travis Roy at this upcoming Book Club on Friday at 11 AM. Come join us start a new tale together.
Tuesday, December 1
Weekly A-SIGN-ment!
Tomorrow during our Wednesday 1 PM Zoom meeting we will be sharing another word we've learned in sign language. This week's word theme is Places to Go! Share with us the sign for someplace you might go to!
As usual, feel free to refer to HandSpeak for reference and guidance in finding your word!
Food for More Than Just Thought
With Thanksgiving behind us we're all probably reminiscing about potatoes, stuffing, and pies (unless you're still enjoying leftovers!). Did you eat a moderate amount or did you stuff yourself until you felt like the Tofurky on the platter in front of you? There's a whole science behind feeling full, and this quick little TED-ED video explains just that.
We've learned in the past how different foods affect our brain, and now we know its relationship to the stomach itself. But what sort of long term affects do certain foods have on our brains? Could what we eat now affect how we age in the future? Dr. Neal Barnard references certain studies that show how different foods can both positively and negatively affect the health of a person's memory over time.
Arashi says: "Urgghh... I ate way too much corn bread."
Monday, November 30
Extra! Extra!
Read all about it!
It's finally out, folks! The latest edition of the Life Experience School Newsletter is hot off the presses. Come and get it!
Next Art Club Project
Tomorrow for Art Club we will be making paper poinsettias!
Participants will need sheets of red and green construction paper, yellow construction paper, a glue stick or tape, scissors, and the two templates I will link below!
• Leaf Template
• Circle Template
(You will only need one of these circles for one poinsettia)
Enough Talking Turkey:
It's time to Chat Chicken!
Welcome back, everybody! We hope you all enjoyed the time off. To ease our way back into things let's start off with something fun. Perhaps something a little... chicken?
Though I'm not entirely certain these are actually chickens at all. I've never seen a bird in a flying saucer before.
Have you ever seen a chicken play a piano? Jokgu the chicken astounds judges and audience members on the hit television show America's Got Talent by pecking out a little ditty to the tune of America the Beautiful!
Did You Know?
"The domesticated chicken (Gallus domesticus) is thought to be a subspecies of the red junglefowl, a member of the pheasant family that’s native to Asia. Genetic studies have also found that the grey junglefowl contributed to the chicken’s evolution.
More surprisingly, a comparison of the chemical structure of preserved proteins found in the soft tissue of a Tyrannosaurus rex’s leg bone showed an evolutionary link between T. rex and the domesticated chicken. This gives more credence to the theory that birds evolved from dinosaurs."
For even more incredible chicken facts (did you know they can dream?) then click here!
https://www.thepoultrysite.com/news/2016/12/poultry-particulars-8-amazing-chicken-facts
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