bats in the library

...not real bats  : P

During the first half of 2007 I was substituting around Rochester, New York (in Penfield, Webster, and East Rochester). I subbed in all different classes and subjects... while subbing for a librarian one day, I did a lesson that I loved and have saved.

I recently used the basis of the lesson with 3rd graders... we read a non-fiction book about bats and shared some fun bat facts with each other. Then we read a fiction story about bats (Stellaluna) and discussed how it is different from the non-fiction books... yet we did still learn some things about bats.

Next class, we talked about facts versus opinions... and then the students blindly chose a slip of paper that had either a bat fact or a sentence that was an opinion about bats...

They cut the outline of a bat out of black construction paper, wrote their name in chalk on one side, glued their bat fact/opinion onto the other side, wrote an O for opinion or F for fact... all the while making sure that everything could be read when the bat was hanging upside down by its feet (since that was a fact that we learned!).

Below are a few pictures showing our bats hanging in the entrance to the library from the elementary wing. These are two out of three classes... the third was added after... (I love them!).

The 3rd graders seemed to enjoy it... although I think I should move it to 2nd grade for next year because I think it would be more relevant in their curriculum.

It's been fun to hear students of all grades comment on the bats when they walk into the library!

fall trees outside the library

The library at school is located in the middle of the school (between the elementary school and the upper school)... and directly above the cafeteria. While sitting at lunch, I noticed how gorgeous the line of trees out front is right now... each a different color... later in the afternoon I went out from the library to take a photo!

homemade hummus

Continuing my weekend cooking adventures of trying new recipes and making things homemade that I would normally buy.

This weekend's challenge: HUMMUS   : )

I used a can of garbanzo beans, lemon juice, garlic, salt, extra virgin olive oil, aaaand I found a jar of tahini at a small grocery store in the city! There's a teacher at school that makes her own hummus each week for lunches and she pointed me in the right direction for the tahini sauce.

OH! I also then added a 'roasted' pepper. I'm not sure that I really roasted it though... all I did was cut it into pieces, put it in a pan with a bit of oil, and heat it on the stovetop. Next time I'll look into that more...

Tahini is the ingredient I've been missing to try this recipe. It's the first time I've used tahini... and really all it is, is sesame seeds made into paste.

The hummus turned out alright. My mixer is not great... nor is it big! So the hummus is not very smooth... and I had to try mixing it half at a time and then switch. It tastes really good... but needs some work. I'll have to play with the recipe. I also want to buy and use paprika and/or cumin next time. These were in the recipe that I went off of, but I didn't have either spice, so just left them out.

I'm in love with... my shower curtain!

I splurged and bought a gorgeous shower curtain. I'm basically in love with it. The one thing I would change if I could, however, is the length. I wish it were a bit longer. BUT... nothing's perfect. This is close to perfect in my mind though  : P

My mom even went to buy this for me in the States (I was unable to get the online purchase to work here from Italy)... and then mailed it to me! She's a superstar. Truly.

I know it's a silly thing to get so excited over... but my little apartment is cozy... and this curtain adds so much to it. As soon as you walk into the apartment, you have a direct view into the bathroom - to the tub - down the little hallway... and, well, sometimes it's the little things, right?!

FAVORITES from Alba, Italy

Random favorites from my day in Alba, Italy.

cheese and truffles - Alba, Italy

I met up with my friend, Robert, for lunch in Alba... he had finished inside the tent for the truffle festival and I was just getting back from a walk. Robert has worked at ASM for about 10 years now! He is the one whose house I went to a few weeks back and there was a little jam session in the living room.   : )  Him and his wife also had me and a couple other new teachers over for dinner last weekend... and it was seriously one of my favorite meals since being here.

Robert and I went down a side street or two and came upon a little restaurant. It was really nice!

We shared a cheese plate and pasta with white truffle. Both were delicious!

After lunch and a bit more walking around, it was time to head back to the bus for the ride home to Milan. The trip each way was between 1.5 and 2 hours. Not bad! I finished my book during the ride.  : )

Some of the scenery during the ride:

a walk among the trees - Alba, Italy

While others were at the truffle festival, I had a nice time walking through the town of Alba and then found a sign for a walking / biking path... the path was among the trees and parts overlooked the hills in the distance with homes on them. Very pretty and peaceful.

It was the perfect time of year to go on such a walk! The temperature was great and the leaves on the trees are gorgeous colors...