This Sunday, November 14, 2010, make festive block-printed table runners at Fowler Museum after Hammer Museum's family movie, The Black Stallion

UCLA Fowler Museum hosts a free family art event in its courtyard each month.  Last month, we made glow-in-the-dark paintings about the moon and moonbeams based on a Indonesian weaver's legend.  From the same informative exhibit about Indonesian weavers, this Sunday, you can block-print a table runner in time for November's Thanksgiving festive feast.

If this is your first visit to UCLA's Fowler Museum, please note admission is free and check out campus parking and public transportation options here:  http://www.fowler.ucla.edu/visit

Fowler Museum's permanent anthropological and silver exhibits and the frequently changing exhibits make a monthly visit to coincide with its family art workshops on a Sunday worthwhile.  Next month, on Dec 12, the family gets to make Korean kimchi and decorate a jar in conjunction with its Korean food exhibit which opens this Sunday.

We plan to go to this event after seeing Hammer Museum's free monthly family movie starting at 11am - this Sunday, it is the Black Stallion - see details below. While there, don't miss entering Hulian Hoeber's gravity-defying house installation on its upper floor terrace. It reminds us of Confusion Hill in Huell Howser's roadside attraction show.  Pretend to be superman or see a ball roll upwards .  http://hammer.ucla.edu/exhibitions/detail/exhibition_id/189

To enjoy Hammer Museum free, go on Thursday and it is open from 11am to evening.

11:00am November 14, 2010

Hammer Kids

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Family Flicks: The Black Stallion

The Black Stallion

Family Flicks: The Black Stallion

Carroll Ballard (Duma) made his feature debut with this gorgeous adaptation of Walter Farley’s classic novel about a boy and a majestic stallion who meet during an ocean voyage and bond while stranded on a picturesque desert island. Ballard balances action with subtle characterization, convincingly detailed art direction, and breathtaking cinematography by Caleb Deschanel. (1979, 117 min. Dir: Carroll Ballard 35mm, color)

ALL HAMMER PUBLIC PROGRAMS ARE FREE. Seating is on a first come, first served basis. Hammer members receive priority seating, subject to availability. Reservations not accepted, RSVPs not required.

Parking is available under the museum for $3 for 3 hours.

Kids in the Courtyard: Textiles for the Table

Kids in the Courtyard: Textiles for the Table
Get ready for Thanksgiving by making festive block-printed table runners for your feast, inspired by the textiles in Weavers’ Stories from Island Southeast Asia.

EVENT DETAILS

Kids in the Courtyard: Textiles for the Table
Sunday, November 14, 2010
1:00 - 4:00 pm
Fowler Museum Courtyard
http://www.fowler.ucla.edu/events/101114KidsinCourtyard

Exploring Your Universe - this Saturday, November 13 from 12noon to 7pm at UCLA

This weekend on Saturday, bring your family to a great FREE science event at UCLA!  It is never too early to start bringing your younger children to experience the wonder of science.  We have been going every year to JPL Open House and El Camino College's Space Day and the children have lots of hands-on fun and learn more than one might expect .. more of that in April and May 2011.  But this Saturday, don't miss this opportunity and consider public transportation choices.

 "Exploring Your Universe 2010" events will take place on Saturday, November 13, 2010 from 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm at UCLA's campus (see Visitor Info link above for general directions and scroll down on this page for a detailed campus map specific to this event). This event is FREE of charge to the public and FAMILY-FRIENDLY! We will feature many outreach events open to the general public (including students), and we plan to have more events than last year! Events include demos and activities for kids, workshops, faculty and graduate student talks, planetarium shows, and solar telescope viewing.

Event Schedule

Events will be held at the Mathematical Sciences Building, Geology Building, and near Kinsey Pavilion (see link to campus map below).
You are welcome to come for any or all of the festivities! Feel free to pick workshops and activities you are interested in attending.

ACTIVITIES:

Astronomy (12:00 - 5:00 pm) (Court of Sciences unless otherwise noted):
- How the Sun works and solar telescope viewing
- The Phases of the Moon and Cratering History (Physics and Astronomy 2-748)
- Comet Making Demo
- Pocket Solar System and Asteroids
- Planetarium Shows (Mathematical Sciences 8th floor): Every half hour starting 12:30 pm! Pick up tickets at the table near the ground level of Math Sciences.
Spanish language shows at 4:30 pm and 5:00 pm!
- Galaxy Workshops: 1:00-2:00 pm, 2:30-3:30 pm
- Constellation Detectives
- History and Fact Booth - Galileo to Space Missions
- Discovery methods for finding new worlds beyond our solar system

Astronomy (5:00 - 7:30 pm) (Mathematical Sciences 8/9th floor):
- Planetarium Shows (continued)
- Telescopes Viewing (with extra participation from the LA Astronomical Society)
- Shadow Wall

Physics (12:00 - 5:00 pm) (Physics and Astronomy Building - PAB):
- Make a Laser Hologram: 12:00-2:00 pm
Must pre-register here and attend the complete session. - Hands-on demonstrations of the Four Fundamental Forces
- See radiation in a Cloud Chamber
- Dark Matter Lab Open House (PAB A-719): 12:00pm - 4:00pm
- Physics Demo Shows: Fun and Physics with Liquid Gases (PAB 1-425): 2:30 pm and 4:00 pm
- "Embracing the Future: Emerging Trends in Physics and Astronomy,” Dr. James Rosenzweig (Chair, Department of Physics and Astronomy) (PAB 2-434): 3:00-3:45 pm

Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (meet in lobby of Mathematical Sciences):
- Inside Look at Weather Observations and Forecasting Tour (requires walking up some stairs): 1:00-2:00 pm, 2:30-3:30 pm

Earth and Space Sciences (12:00 - 5:00 pm) (Geology Building):
- Spectacular Rock and Mineral Displays
- Fossil and Fossil Cast Displays
- Earthquake Education Demonstrations
- Stalactite Collection on Display
- Petrified Wood Collection on Display
- Understanding Fluid Dynamic Systems
- Understanding Meteorites and MeteorWrongs
- Making Fossil Casts

NASA Mission Representation (12:00-5:00 pm) (Geology Building/ Court of Sciences):
Dawn - Investigating the conditions and processes of the solar system's earliest epoch- http://dawn.jpl.nasa.gov
THEMIS: Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms - http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/themis/main/index.html
DIVINER Lunar Radiometer Experiment - http://diviner.ucla.edu
STEREO: Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory - http://stereo.gsfc.nasa.gov

CEIN - Center for Environmental Impacts of NanoTechnology (12:00-5:00 pm) (Court of Sciences):
- Learn about the impact of nanoscale technology on our environment with interactive hands-on tabletop activities
- Visitors to this area will also have a chance to engage in Q&A with faculty researchers.

CNSI High School NanoScience Program (12:00-5:00 pm) (Court of Sciences):
- Learn about nanoscience and nanotechnology.
- Hands-on activities about Self-Assembly, Superhydrophobic Surfaces, and Magnetic Fluids!

SCIENTIFIC TALKS (located in Mathematical Sciences Room 5200):

1:30-2:00 pm:
Dr. David Jewitt (Earth & Space Sciences) “When is a Comet Not a Comet?”

2:30-3:00 pm:
Dr. Mike Jura (Astronomy) “The Composition of Extrasolar Minor Planets”

3:30-4:00 pm:
Dr. David Law (Astronomy) “Our Corner of the Cosmos: The Local Group of Galaxies”

4:30-5:00 pm:
Dr. David Saltzberg (Physics) “Science in Antarctica”

5:30-6:00 pm:
Dr. Matt Malkan (Astronomy) “Lookback Time: What's New in the Universe 12 Billion Years Ago?”

Information for Visitors

Parking Maps:


View Exploring Your Universe 2010 in a larger map

(click here for an enlarged view)
Bus Information:

Metro: http://www.metro.net/
       Recommended Routes: # 761, 2/302, 305

Big Blue Bus (Santa Monica): http://www.bigbluebus.com/
       Recommended Routes: # 1, 2, 3, 8, 12

Culver City Bus: http://www.culvercity.org/bus/
       Recommended Routes: # 6

Parking for Non-City Buses:

There is free bus parking available near the Fowler Museum. To reach this designated bus zone, enter campus from Sunset Blvd. at Westwood Plaza. Take the first right onto Charles Young Drive and park along the right side of the street, across from the athletic fields.

Check out our posters:

Spanish language poster [view it, download it]

(Download above poster)

(Download above poster)

http://www.astro.ucla.edu/~outreach/eyu2010.html
http://www.astro.ucla.edu/

Bring your family to one of LA's best free music and art cultural offerings - WORLD CITY concerts at Walt Disney Hall's amphitheater

World City concerts are of really high quality performances for your educational and family enjoyment and are frequently interactive.  Over the years, we have rarely ever seen a repeat performance.  Seats are obtained by queuing up at the bottom of the grand staircase at Grand Ave/2nd Street intersection.  The three hundred tickets per show go quickly, so I suggest coming a good 60-90 minutes before 10am since the free tickets are distributed at 10am for the first show at 11am, and at 11am for the 12.30pm show.  Each individual can ask for 10 tickets, so share your tickets with another family so the other adult can supervise the children play at the garden level while their other adults stay in line.  Bring hats/sunscreen, snacks or lunch (clean up after yourself of course) as this is an outdoor amphitheater performance on the 3rd level where the beautiful urban garden is.  Plan to stay for at least 3 amazing art projects work on cultural themes featured during that day's concert.  For those enjoying the second concert, do the art projects first!   Plan a playdate and go as a group of families to have fun!  Walk to the LA Cathedral for its animal sculptural garden or tour its underground vaults.  Enjoy the shooting water fountains at California Water Plaza and MOCA on Grand Ave.									World City - Red Thunder November 20th, 2010 Starts at 11:00 AM	Download This Event Email To A Friend
(Dance, Native American) With authentic regalia, consisting of vibrant feathers, intricate beadwork, and handmade jewelry and headdresses, Red Thunder celebrates the unique heritage of the Plains Indians. Showcasing music, song, and traditional dance while re-telling the stories that have been passed through generations, Red Thunder entertains and educates audiences of all ages. Free Tickets: All tickets are free and are distributed on Grand Avenue at 2nd Street. Tickets for 11:00am performance distributed beginning at 10:00am. Tickets for 12:30pm performance distributed beginning at 11:00am. All performances subject to change. For more information, please visit World City. For more details, directions and parking information, please click here: http://www.musiccenter.org/cal/events/index.php?com=detail&eID=4716&year=2010&month=11 Here is the 2010-2011 season of free World City concerts: World City features internationally renowned artists in admission-free performances on select Saturdays at the W.M. Keck Foundation Children's Amphitheatre at Walt Disney Concert Hall. Performance Times: 11:00am and 12:30pm Free Tickets: All tickets are free and are distributed on Grand Avenue at 2nd Street. Tickets for 11:00am performance distributed beginning at 10:00am. Tickets for 12:30pm performance distributed beginning at 11:00am. All performances subject to change. Venue: The W.M. Keck Children's Amphitheatre is an intimate outdoor performance space. Sunscreen and appropriate seasonal attire are strongly encouraged. In the event of rain, event will be moved to a nearby indoor location.  Program Dates Performances take place on select Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.* October 16, 2010 Oyu Oro Afro-Cuban Dance Ensemble (Music & Dance, Cuba) November 20, 2010 Red Thunder (Dance, Native American) January 22, 2011 Chen Kuai Le Puppet Theater (Puppetry, Taiwan) February 12, 2011 Hot 8 Brass Band (Music, New Orleans) March 19, 2011 World City - A Gaelic Gathering and The Tinkers (Music & Dance, Ireland, Scotland) April 17, 2011 Sakai Flamenco and Les Yeux Noirs* (Gypsy Dance & Music, Spain) * Special date and time - Sunday, April 17, 2011 at 12:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.
Location Family Programming Walt Disney Concert Hall- W.M. Keck Amphitheatre 111 S. Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA USA 90012 Email: education@musiccenter.org Phone: (213) 972-8000 Website: Click to Visit Directions & Parking Public Transportation Accessibility Dining

What an eye-opening Parenting Seminar! More parenting with emotional connection resources here

Monday, November 1st, 2010, from 8.30am to about 10am, was our first parenting seminar by Kathy Gordon titled "Communicating Peacefully with your Child and Develop your Child's Emotional Intelligence."  I have posted her handouts at our school entrance and additional handouts will be available in the Parent Center.  (Her parenting seminars outside the school are also posted.)

In addition to coffee and tea provided by our school's cafeteria manager, Robert Hall, I served pumpkin bread and some fruit.  Much thanks to Edith for helping with cutting the fruit.  Thanks always to our principal, Karen Brown, our Title 1 coordinator, Karen Castro, and our Booster Club for supporting the Parent Center's endeavors.  A flyer went home today asking what parents would like to see more of at our Parent Center.  Please let us know.

Kathy Gordon is an engaging speaker with a big heart who was able to turn our seminar into an interactive workshop experience.  It was radical in that the dominant authoritarian parenting paradigm was challenged and its premises examined before she presented an alternative paradigm of parenting with greater emotional and empathic connection with your child.  She discussed the emotion-relevant aspects of our brains and normal emotional brain development and what brain scientists know about stress.   I learned that children who are shamed in disciplining recover less easily (as far as brain tissues are concerned) than when physically punished ... not that physical punishment is ever advocated by Kathy.  Indeed, she advocated quite the opposite.   While many or most of us are parented in an authoritarian parenting style (and sometimes in combination with a permissive parent at the other end of the spectrum on parenting styles), parenting with greater emotional connection helps a child develop emotional intelligence that is the core or prerequisite to learning.  We role-played, we discussed concepts and ideas, and we asked questions.  Chantel gave us an Oscar-worthy role-playing performance we will never forget and also raised interesting issues about cultural factors.  Kathy had us taking turns standing on chairs when playing the parent!  Carlos further role-played with Kathy when discussing the regularly occurring challenges of leaving the playground with his daughter.  It was challenging work to do in a 90-minute seminar/workshop.

Kathy also brought many books to share and here is a link to many of these books:

http://www.cnvep.org/new/english/readings.html

For those of you who missed the seminar due to short notice for this first event, please come for the next one in a series of continuing parenting seminars by Kathy Gordon.  I will calendar the entire series and a flyer will go home in your child's bag.  Kathy will soon have her own blogspot and facebook page sand her website is currently under construction.  We thank Kathy for her big heart and generosity in sharing her insights with our parents.

I first learned of this parenting paradigm from the non-profit organization in Northern California called Hand-in-Hand Parenting.   Here is their most informative website:   http://www.handinhandparenting.org/

To view or download articles in this paradigm of parenting both in English and Spanish, please go to this link:
http://www.handinhandparenting.org/articles

There is a booklet set by the founder, Patty Wipfler, that "warmly and sensibly walks you through the challenges of parenting and explains how children’s emotions work. The booklets cover the tools and opportunities for each of us to do the best possible job of raising children. How Children's Emotions Work, Special Time, Playlistening, Crying, Tantrums and Indignation, Healing Children's Fears, and Reaching For Your Angry Child."

http://www.handinhandparenting.org/store

Sign up for their newsletter and check their archived newsletters here:
http://www.handinhandparenting.org/parent-support/newsletter

Or follow their blog with excellent and instructive stories of what parenting with emotional connection is all about in action and practice:  http://superprotectivefactor.wordpress.com/

Our local equivalent training organization is the Center for Nonviolent Education and Parenting at Echo Park, where Kathy was trained.  She informs us that there are parenting classes in Spanish and in English on a sliding scale and not one is ever turned away.  There is also an archive of their newsletters.

http://www.cnvep.org/new/english/whoweare.html
http://www.cnvep.org/new/english/parenting.html
http://www.cnvep.org/new/english/news-archive.html

From another website, here is a ongoing series of free Tuesdays tele-seminars that you can sign for or hear recordings later and there is also a free parenting video using the same parenting paradigm.

http://peaceofmindparenting.com/teleseminar/

Happy parenting with fun strategies and greater emotional connection,

KF

After Halloween, what to do with candies that you don't wish your child to eat? Do candy science experiments!

After Halloween's treat-or-tricking, you must be wondering what you can do with the excess candy treats.  Playful parenting is often advocated to relieve parenting stress.  How about engaging your child in some candy science experiments?  Have fun with your child doing some of these candy experiments suggested here from the article linked below.

The Candy Experiments

"Listed below are just a few ideas to get started. Have fun, and let curiosity be your guide!

•     Acid Test: This experiment tests for the acid often found in sour candy.
•     Chocolate Bloom: 
Chocolate is made of cocoa butter, cocoa solids, and other ingredients that have been mixed together. Can you take them apart?
•     Color Separation (Chromatography): 
You know candy is colored with artificial dye. To see the different dyes for yourself, try this.
•     Density Rainbow
: Sugar water is denser than water—the more sugar, the denser. This experiment shows you how to layer different densities into a rainbow.
•     Dissolving Hot/Cold: 
See if candy dissolves faster in hot or cold water.
•     Hidden Candy
: Most candy is made from sugar, corn syrup, and flavorings. These ingredients are used to sweeten lots of different foods. Can you find the “hidden candy” in other varieties of food you eat?
•     Lifesaver Lights
: Do wintergreen Lifesavers really make a spark in the dark?
•     Sink/Float
Most: candy sinks in water, because sugar is denser than water.  But some will float. Why?
•     Oil Test
: If you thought your candy was all sugar, think again. Many chewy candies also contain oil. This experiment uses heat to let you see the oil for yourself.
•     Pop Rocks
: What’s the secret ingredient in the candy that crackles?
•     Sticky
You: know candy can cling to your fingers—but how sticky can you make it?

For step-by-step instructions and more information about these experiments, visit 
www.candyexperiments.com. "

For the article I excerpted this portion, please see:

http://mothering.com/parenting/candy-experiments