Halloween, Refining Parents with Children and Nursery Procedures.

Hi Friends,

The fall color is really starting to get pretty.

Get ready for Halloween on Wednesday. Here is a list of the times for you to expect Trick or Treaters. In Carmel the time is from 5:00-8:00PM.  In Marion County trick or treating is from 6:00-8:00 PM. Turn on your porch lights to show the kids that you are ready for them to come. Be sure to have plenty of candy on hand.

We continue to refine our Parents with Children offering. Please read the details and find the sign up link for our new Parents with Children. Your children stay with us either before or after your chosen Parents with Children 

International Bible Study: Tuesday, 9:00-10:00, room 100.
In the fourth chapter of John we learn that after Jesus spent time in Jerusalem, performing miraculous signs and teaching the people, he decided to go back to Galilee, the region in which he had grown up. The journey took him and his disciples through an area called Samaria, the home of a group of believers that had split away from the Jewish faith due to a quarrel about where they should worship God. Both Jewish and Samaritan religious leaders taught that it was wrong to have any contact with the opposite group, and neither was to enter each other's territories or even to speak to one another.
So it was surprising to read that when Jesus stopped to rest at Jacob’s well, and his disciples went off in search of a place to buy food, Jesus struck up a conversation with a Samaritan woman who had come at noon to fetch water from the well. Women in this area usually got water in the cool of the morning or in the evening. Why was this woman avoiding the crowds? 

Another surprise - Jesus asked her for a drink of water! Then he went on to tell her that he could supply her with “living water” and (most surprisingly) he told her he knew the secrets of her immoral life, that she had been married five times, and that she was currently living with a man who was not her husband. The woman quickly realized she was speaking to someone who had been sent from God. She told Jesus that she knew the Messiah (The Christ) was coming. Jesus said, “I, the one speaking to you - I am he.”

This was the first time Jesus had plainly claimed to be the Messiah, the one sent from God. The woman went back to her village and told everyone about Jesus. They hurried to see him and listened to him teach for two days. Because of her witness, many Samaritans believed in Jesus!
Jesus filled these people with the “living water” that filled their souls! What a gift! Faith that brings us to eternal life!

October 30: Join us as we continue reading and discussing John 4.

International Friends: Tuesdays, 10:00-11:30, room 100.
We had some general conversation talking about police stops and other miscellaneous topics and then rolled into our "swearing class". We talked about words in our home languages that sound like salty words to English ears. We also talked about words and gestures that are rude in America and compared them to gestures in our home countries. 

• October 30: Bring a big pumpkin to carve. Bring a sharp knife, a large spoon and newspapers. We will carve pumpkins into Jack o' Lanterns. To prepare, enjoy this great video about pumpkins.
• November 6: Let's Feast! Come and learn to prepare a traditional turkey and the fixings. Bring your favorite feasting dish to share.
• November 13: Let's go to Butler University Irwin Library an see the Indianapolis Historical Society "Who is a Hoosier?" Exhibit.

Conversation: Wednesdays, 4:30-6:00, room 100.
John brought a great sheet with Halloween. We popped pop corn on the cob in the microwave.  This tasty treat easy to prepare and healthy. John brought Indian corn which is a colorful

October 31: No class...Happy Halloween!

English Classes: Thursdays, 9:00-11:30, upstairs classrooms.
We continue our classes. Do you like our new curriculum? There are so many nice options on line. Did you enjoy the Easy English News? There is much to read and talk about.

Parents and Children: Thursdays.
We continue to refine our partnership with the Nursery at CLC.

The Nursery is now offering two sessions: 9:00-10:10 and 10:15-11:25. They can only have 15 children at a time. Either go for the early session, or be ready to "switch out" for the later session.

Your children are welcome to be with you in the classroom, or you can bring them to our Children's Classroom. Join them there to learn songs, stories and games that American children love and work on your English at the same time. Practice reading aloud to your children and work on your vocabulary and pronunciation. Your children stay with us either before or after your chosen Parents with Children. We are offering four Parent and Child classes.

1. 9:00-9:20
2. 9:50-10:10
3. 10:15-10:35
4. 11:10-11:30

Read, sing songs, and learn about American Culture with your children. You can go on to class if you choose 1 or 3 and leave your child(ren) with us to play and learn. Choose 2 or 4 and leave your children with us to play and learn and come back for our Parents and Childen class.

Here is our New and Improved Parent and Child Sign Up.
Please select your preferred times so we can plan ahead.

VOCABULARY

refine: improve

quarrel: an angry dispute; a disagreement marked by a break in friendly relations
immoral: violating the principles of personal and social ethics
witness: testimony or evidence

Indian: the race of people native to the Americas often referred to as Native Americans
vice versa: the other way around
partnership: two groups or people who have an agreement and work together

Getting ready for Halloween and Tap Water

Hello, Friends.

Halloween is almost upon us. There is so much you can to do to get into the spirit of this favorite holiday with your family:

• Friday, October 26 at 8:00 pm watch It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown on ABC. Read more about this 52 year old Halloween classic.
• Don't forget to enjoy the Headless Horseman at Conner Prairie over the weekends through October 28. This is just a little scary and a great way to enjoy the fall weather. 
• The Children's Museum has a "Grim-nasium" with a lights on option sponsored by IPL (Indianapolis Power and Light: a very funny joke!) with a "dare to be scared" option.

Bottled or Tap?
We had a very interesting conversation about water here in the Midwest. In this area the water is hard. When rain falls on the ground it doesn't contain minerals, but as the water percolates through the ground and into the aquifer here in the Indianapolis area it picks up minerals like lime, calcium and magnesium. These essential minerals are often preferred because they make water taste better and have health benefits. Unfortunately, these same minerals cause shower doors and other surfaces turn white and look dirty. Hard water spots can be reduced by using with water softeners that add salt to the water to "soften" it and adding Jet Wash to your dishwasher. Tap water is very safe to drink and is beneficial to your health.

Municipalities are responsible for maintaining the quality and safety of the water within their city. They often add chemicals to the water for the community's safety and health. These can include fluoride and chlorine. Fluoride is added to public water to prevent and reduce cavities by reducing the rate for tooth enamel to demineralize. How much is added (or removed) depends on how much occurs naturally in the water. The World Health Organization sets recommendations. The amount of fluorine in bottled water isn't known.

Chlorine is often added to public water to kill diseases like cholera, typhoid fever, dysentery, bacteria, viruses etc. that commonly grow in water supply reservoirs and grow in the walls of water mains and storage tanks. While there could be risks from exposure to this addition are much less risk than the potential disease from contamination. Chlorine boils out of water. Additionally, it will evaporate from water exposed to air. It can also be filtered out of water, but filters need to be changed regularly because they can become contaminated and grow the bacterial and diseases they were intended to remove.

One last concern in water is lead. Water from a city is regularly tested for lead. Pipes in older buildings and plumbing systems may contain lead either in the pipes or in the solder that holds the pipes together. This is mainly in older homes. You can reduce your exposure from lead in your home a good number of ways including using cold water or cooking and running the tap before using the water for drinking or bathing.

Ultimately, tap water in the greater Indianapolis area is very safe to drink. You may have difficulty cleaning lime scale off of shower doors and other surfaces that get a lot of water exposure. Vinegar is a great way to dissolve it. Spray surfaces with vinegar water with a drop or two of dish detergent (which helps the vinegary water stick to the surface). After a while, wipe the area clean. you may have to repeat this a few times. Adding vinegar to your washer helps also. Some people have water softeners to combat the effects of hard water and to maintain their household appliances.

International Friends: Tuesdays, 10:00-11:30, room 100.
Thank you to our Friends who taught us to make Takoyaki. I know that I want one of these makers in our home. I think these tasty treats could become a great tailgate snack! Sylvia told us about a Danish style of balls that are created in a similar way. These are called Aebleskiver. Here are three other recipes that are trendy with current cuisine. We were glad to celebrate a birthday with one of our Friends. It is always special and rare to have a meeting coincides with an actual birthday!

October 23: Join us for one of my favorite topics: Swearing Class. Come and learn words not to say. Talk about words in your home language that can be mistaken for salty language to English ears.

October 30: Let's carve pumpkins into Jack o' Lanterns. Bring a large pumpkin to carve, a sharp knife and old newspapers. We will carve our pumpkins and toast pumpkin seeds. You can find pumpkins at reasonable prices at most grocery stores. I was told that Meijer has carving pumpkins two for $5.99!

International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:00-10:00, room 100.
We talked about the court of public opinion which is when the due process is influenced by the news media or social outlets rather than through the judicial system. Even if someone isn't found guilty through due process, their reputation may be damaged even though they win the case.  We talked about these concepts  as a result of Jesus statements in John 3: 16-18. We talked about the English words for people who don't believe in any god or that haven't make a judgement or formed an opinion about their beliefs: atheists are people who believe there are no gods and agnostics are people who haven't made a decision. Both these words begin with "a" which means not

We finished the chapter where John the Baptist testifies about Jesus and John's role in the work that was being done through him and then through Jesus. We talked about succession management which is the formal plan for people to take roles and responsibilities to get a job finished or to maintain a community or business.

October 23: Join us as we read further in this great story.

Conversation: Wednesdays, 4:30-6:00, room 100.
We had a nice conversation on Wednesday including some topics in the Easy English newspaper. We asked our resident Doctor about whether we should get the flu vaccine. He said, "yes, if you are healthy." Getting the vaccine protects you from the disease and protects those around you from catching the flu.

October 24:  Join us as we talk about articles in the Easy English News and other topics.

English Classes: Thursdays, 9:00-11:30, upstairs classrooms
We continue to roll along with our classes. I hope you are enjoying our new text book series. 

We kicked off our Parents with Children. This month we are learning the song Five Little Pumpkins and reading stories and books about Halloween. We worked on pronouncing "clown" and "Clifford".

Sign up for Parents With Children: Please click to reserve your preferred spot in our sessions for these classes so we can be sure to have enough materials for our activities. Also, check our  

get into the spirit: join in the mood and fun

over the weekend: on Saturday and Sunday only

essential: something that is necessary or important

risk from exposure: danger from coming in contact with someting

contamination: poison or make dirty

regularly: often

percolates: filter slowly through a porous surface 

aquifer: rock that can transmit groundwater; as water seeps into limestone it can leave behind impurities and pick up healthy minerals

mainly: more than anything else

tap water: water from faucets and sinks

dissolve: turn something into a liquid form

carving pumpkins: large pumpkins that are used for decoration rather than eating; they are also edible, but the quality of the flesh isn't as good as other pumpkins and squashes.

due process: a system where citizens have rights that can not be taken away or deprived without legal procedures

judicial system: the branch of the government that interprets and applies the laws to situations 

reputation: a general belief or opinion about someone or something, good name, character

roll along: continue

kicked off: started, began

preferred spot: the session you want to attend

Fall Break and Parents with Children Kick Off

Happy Fall Break, Friends!

I hope that you are enjoying this crisp weather. The temperatures this weekend are dipping into the 30s. I wonder if you kicked your furnace on?

We are excited to kick off our Parents with Children classes. This is a new class offering during our regular classes that give your children a break from the nursery while offering you a chance to learn typical American stories, games, and skills for our children. This also let you get to know some of the other parents at International Friends and talk about parenting issues. Don't worry. Your classroom teachers are aware of this opportunity and fully support you in participating and growing with your children.

crisp: cool, refreshing temperatures dipping into: the temperature is lowering into the 30s; imagine dipping your toes into a swimming pool...
kicked your furnace on: turned on your heat; in the spring we kick on the AC (air conditioning)

Parents with Children: Thursdays, 9:00-9:40, 9:50-10:30, 10:40-11:20, classroom at the end of the hall.
We are asking all parents with children to sign up for and participate in one of our parent and child English classes. Sign up in the nursery as you check your children in or come to the room at the end of the hall by our classrooms.

These sessions take place during our class time and are designed to take the pressure off of the CLC Nursery (and let all of our children have the opportunity for free play) while still offering you and avenue to continue your English studies as well as answer many of your questions about how young children are raised in the United States. Practice with your children and learn along with them!

9:05-9:45: Begin your morning with us.
9:55-10:35: this is the perfect break from the hubbub of the nursery for many of our children
10:45-11:25: Wind up the morning with activities and learning together.

The curriculum includes activities that help our children grow with:

• Reading aloud to our children
• Fine motor skills
• Gross motor skills
• Question and Discussion time

...and helps us as parents have exposure to what is expected and valued in American parenting to grow independent and well prepared children. This also helps you to understand what other parents expect from our children.

take the pressure off: reduce the stress of or the volume of
kick off: begin
exposure: contact with something

International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:00-10:00, room 100.
The third chapter of the Gospel of John begins with the story of Nicodemus, a Jewish leader who was a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council. He came to see Jesus at night, seeking information about who Jesus was and what he was teaching. Evidently Nicodemus was very aware of the miraculous signs Jesus had already performed. He was sure that Jesus could not have done those miracles unless God was with him.

Jesus’s explanation about being “born again” seems to have confused Nicodemus. So Jesus makes it clear that it is the work of the Holy Spirit in the water of baptism that gives “new life” to the believer.
Jesus goes on to say that "God loved the world so much, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) And, just as important, "For God, did not send his Son into the world ot condemn the world, but to save the world through him" (John 3:17) ~ Jan Heimann

October 16: Join Carolyn as we read and discuss more of the third chapter of John.

Pharisee: a member of a Jewish sect that flourished during the 1st century b.c. and 1st century a.d. and that differed from the Sadducees chiefly in its strict observance of religious ceremonies and practices, adherence to oral laws and traditions, and belief in an afterlife and the coming of a Messiah.
evidently: obviously; apparently
perish: to die

International Friends: Tuesdays, 10:00-11:30, room 100.
We carved apples into heads to become shrunken heads. We dressed our witches and goblins and are watching them age and become wizened. We made somemores over a Sterno "bonfire" as a snack.

October 16: Join us for a Takoyaki Party!

wizened: become wrinkled with age
sterno: can of fuel used for cooking or keep food warm

Conversation: Wednesdays, 4:30-6:00, room 100.
We celebrated Kay's birthday American-style with cake and candles and singing. We tasted the cake from Market District and the Limited Edition, sparkling, caramel apple juice. It was great to welcome an old friend back. At the afterparty we learned more about features on our iPhones and on Facebook.

October 17: Join Carolyn and Kay for light or heavy conversation.

English Classes: Thursdays, 9:00-11:30, room 100
I hope you enjoyed a relaxing and rejuvenating fall break. You may have your break next week if you live in Fishers! 

October 18: Join us back in our classes. Parents with Children: come to our 40 minute session to learn with your children!

Fall Break. New Text Books. Apple Fun! Could it get any better than this?

Hello, Friends.

We had a great week at International Friends! We baked and fried apples. We got new text books (the link for your on-line resources are at below). Next week promises to be even better! 

...And the weather...for those of you new to Indiana, we had another taste of fall today. Don't worry. Summer hasn't left us behind, yet. Get ready for a few more hot and enjoyable summer days. Meanwhile, keep your eyes open: The leaves are turning.

Remember: Fall Break. No classes on Thursday. Enjoy the day off and practice your English!

English Tips and Observations (from our Friends):
Want to improve your listening? Watch children's TV programs (in English) with the Closed Captioning on so you can read along. Children's programs often use "characters" that have a wide and obvious voice style that makes listening interesting and tunes your ear to a variety of speaking styles.

Asian languages often END the sentence with the question marker...English BEGINS with the question marker (who, what, where, when) about the following information. This might make you miss that a question was even asked because you were listening for information! It doesn't help that most English questioning words begin with the same sound, but indicate completely different things. Listen carefully!

International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:00-10:00, room 100.
The Bible story in John 2:12-25 about Jesus clearing the Temple is surprising! Why? Because Jesus gets angry! Its “righteous anger,” but its anger. People struggle that how could God be loving and be angry. 

Jesus went to Jerusalem to observe the Passover, as was required of all Jewish men. As he entered the outer court of the Temple (the only section in which non-Jewish people were allowed to worship), he found animals for sale for sacrifice and salesmen were selling them to pilgrims who were required to bring sacrifices to God as part of their worship. There were also money-changers who were taking currencies from all over the world and exchanging them. All of this “temple business” had previously been done outside the Temple walls. God’s house was turned into a market. Jesus made a whip and drove the merchants and their animals out of the Temple. 

We observed:

• Jesus came to be the ultimate or final, perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people. Animals wouldn't be needed! Spoiler: because of his suffering and death on the cross, and his resurrection three days later, animals were no longer needed as sacrifices for sin. 
• Righteous anger is a display of love and compassion.
  

Jesus’ anger was focused on making things right. He was angry for a good reason.

October 9: Please join us as begin our study of the third chapter of the Gospel of John with the story about Jesus teaching Nicodemus.

Passover: Jewish holiday

righteous: morally right or justifiable

pilgrims: people traveling for religious purposes

currency: something that is used as a medium of exchange; money

exchanging: trading for something of equal value

defile: to make dirty, foul, or unclean

International Friends: Tuesdays, 10:00-11:30, room 100.
We cooked apple dishes. Maria hosted baking a Roman Apple Cake. Here’s a great site of recipes from many home cooks. This one is very similar to the recipe we used.

We baked apples using Werther’s Pumpkin Spice Carmels and sugar, butter and oatmeal. Heat the oven to 350°. Cut the top quarter of the apple. Scoop out the core with the seeds. Score the inside being careful not to cut through the skin. Put the Carmel in the hollow. Make a crumble by mixing the sugar, butter and oatmeal and top the apples. Bake the apples in a baking pan or muffin tin a for 35-40 minutes until soft. Serve hot from the oven with vanilla ice cream.

We fried apple fritters. Heat oil to 375°. Mix about a cup of flour with about a teaspoon of baking soda and a teaspoon of sugar and a good sprinkle of cinnamon. Stir these dry ingredients into two to three cups of chopped apples (I like the skin on). Stir in 2/3 cup of milk make a batter. Drop spoonfuls of batter in the oil. Fry them until they they float to the top and are golden brown. The trick to good frying is to keep the oil temperature up so that the food doesn’t absorb the oil. Having a good electric frier helps or use a thermometer to assure steady heat.

Other moms stopped by and shared quick, no bake snack recipes.
Emily’s Snacking Balls
1/2 cup oatmeal
1/4 cup peanut butter
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Honey to taste
Mix all together and roll into bite-sized balls.

Beth’s
1 teaspoon butter melted with 1 teaspoon honey
1/2 cup Cheerios cereal
1/4 cup peanut butter
Mix all together and roll into bite sized balls.

October 9: Let’s make Halloween Witches and Some Mores!
Bring a small apple, an empty toilet paper or empty soda or beer bottle or paper towel roll for the body, a small knife, scissors and a glue gun if you have one. Check out this description for making a witch head. There are a good number of other descriptions out there, too. Google apple witch or shrunken apple heads for more ideas.

Conversation: Wednesdays, 4:30-6:00, room 100.
John brought office supplies and we learned the names for many

October 10: Let’s have a birthday party! Let’s celebrate Kay’s birthday and talk about parties.

English Classes: Thursday’s, 9:00-11:30, upstairs classrooms.
Our Leveled classes got new text books this week! This is a new text for our school. This product was chosen because it integrates on-line technologies. 

Access all the audio files, flash cards and other support materials: World Link

October 11: No Class: Fall Break
October 18: Welcome back! We are launching our Parent and Child Classes. Watch for more information this coming week.