suzette roberts

// Number Sense Notes: Number of the Day

Number Sense and a good development of this dominant strand allow our elementary/ primary students to interact with numbers with greater fluidity and flexibility as they delve into other Mathematical Strands which involve mental calculations, estimation, critical thinking, and more refined problem solving strategies that shy away from the need to memorize methods, or rely on rigid number facts. This month's Webinar: Making Sense of Number Sense, explored in the classroom and at-home activities that help build a deeper understanding of Number Sense, the grand foundation of Mathematics, as they widen the view with seeing and making quick(er) connections, identifying unreasonable results and the rationale behind same, and being able to deconstruct the whole and reconstruct its many parts in a variety of ways, while quietly sharpening our mental skills. A simple (and fun!) independent or group activity is...

// Hair Days and The Shampoo That Surprized Me

In the adjacent bathroom closet is a shelf now totally dedicated to all the new sample hair care products (from shampoos and conditioners to leave-ins and deeper conditioning) from my sister, Gi, who has developed a real passion for trying new products for natural, as is, hair. I could literally open a sample shop right from my closet, and laughingly tell her this all the time. Just over a year ago, from her prodding and own experience, I decided to take the plunge and wean my hair of chemicals: mild relaxers, perms, etc... It's been a process to say the least with battling so many tangles and knots, major cuts and cut-outs (twice), frizz and fly-away fury, and having to spend more time brushing, especially in the a.m. after decades of smooth, easy-cheesy go... So many times I wanted to throw in the towel and head to my hair lady, and back to my usual. So. many. times. Fast-forward 12 months later, I couldn't be happier with sticking it out through all the growing-out pains and would do it all over again in a heartbeat. The breezy, lighter feels, and now natural wavy tresses (my ravens with a ton of gray) in a bun for work away from home (that will never change), and down wildchild out days when at home is a loved balance... 

// It's Monday, Have a Laugh

This is so hilarious. Have you seen it? Jimmy Fallon and the Backstreet Boys Cluck "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)". I caught it the morning after while getting dressed and listening to the news. Jimmy really got into it. :) And this week we say goodbye to January. Wow. Our days sure flew by. I hope you've had a good month, and here's to a great week.

 

 

// Everything And The Kitchen Sink

{what could happen when you show up later than planned for family dinner; almost missed out on our sample slices; my sister Jan's dead-on perfect holiday fruit and rum cake; she nails it(!) every year}

 

It's been a hazy week all-round with commuting (our deeper freeze and its after-effects, and then some), and when having your own helicopter sounds like a very good idea for those roof touchdown moments. And since we are forced to go at a slower pace whether we're in the mood for it or not, we will yield to it like good people with another weekend of light reading, movies, naps, and things ready-made. 'Love it! Have a warm and fluffy weekend. A few trending signs of the times after the jump...  ~xx

// Three For 2019 (Thus Far)...

(clumps of snowflakes on wild branches; #rustic-winter-days-toronto)

A few years ago, I retired myself from the New Year's Resolution Committee in favour of more spontaneous let-my-hair-down-after-work moments, and going with the flow of where it could lead with its own positive potential... In some ways it felt like 'resoluting to not resolute' which within the logics of could still be seen as a resolution of sorts-- the p's and q's of it all. Then as the year would progress, there were notables that took root during each season often becoming a natural part of each day, week, month, and/ or progressive year. The best part of taking this route has been the serendipity moments with their full of calm, comfort, and gentle appeal. Three notables for 2019 thus far...

// Ground Beef with Butter Lettuce

The winter whimsies are in high gear this side and all we want to do on our weekends is... watch movies, relax with cozy take-out and leftovers, take naps, and repeat. Last weekend we watched the thriller 'Married to a Murderer' (on Lifetime), and I loved every wild minute of it, next to my all-time favourite, so much so I'm adding it to the list of 'must-watch'. Sometimes we have to let the wolf out to roam free for a few... Maybe it's the beef, and that can be a good thing too. Our winter weather pulls on our muscles and reserves all while navigating what's in the air and elements, so including 1 - 2 servings each week help keep our energy levels up (good quality rest included of course). And for that weekend we may want to do something in the kitchen, we're keeping it light and sticking with the Sundays made simple plan...