Maybe if the UN passed these cookies out, there could be World Peace?

March 2011 Auctionable Cookies



I first tried this recipe about 3 weeks ago, and I've made the recipe 3 times since then. They really are that fabulous. They've sustained me through Professor X's trial procedure (which ultimately went well and he's planning to have the electrodes permanently implanted!!), some incredibly rough times with students, and even rougher times with co-workers.

If I can get through my tearful days with these cookies, surely peace is possible?

World Peace Cookies (from Dorie Greenspan's book: Baking)

1 1/4 cups flour
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 stick plus 3 Tbs butter
2/3 cup light brown super
1/4 cup sugar
1/4. tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. vanilla extract
5 oz. bittersweet chocolate, chopped, or 3/4 cup mini chocolate chips

1. Sift flour, coca, and baking soda together.
2. Beat the butter on medium speed until creamy. Add both sugars, salt, vanilla and beat 2 minutes more.
3. Pour in the dry ingredients. Mix on low speed until the flour disappears into the dough. Tosss in chocolate pieces and mix only to incorporate.
4. Put dough on a work surface and divide in half. Shape each half into a log that is 1.5 inches in diameter. Wrap the logs in plastic wrap and regrigerate or freeze.
5. Heat oven to 325.
6. Slice the cookie logs into rounds that are 1/2 inch thick. Arrange on baking sheets.
7. Bake for 12 minutes and let cool.

This is the device

This is the device that may (or may not) help my husband's pain.

This is an electrode, inserted into his spine

part of the device, that may (or may not) help my husband's pain.

These are the 6 foot cords, sticking out of his body

hooked onto the electrodes, inserted into his spine

part of the device, that may (or may not) help my husband's pain.

This is the programming device, only partially working

plugged into the 6 foot cords, sticking out of his body

hooked onto the electrodes, inserted into his spine

part of the device, that may (or may not) help my husband's pain.

This is the patient, who endured 5 hours for a "25 minute" procedure

to work on the programming device, only partially working

plugged into the 6 foot cords, sticking out of his body

hooked onto the electrodes, inserted into his spine

part of the device, that may (or may not) help my husband's pain.

Plant AAC Bingo

Going with the theme idea I have recently incorporated into my therapy, I am switching around circle time with my Life Skills students. I am working on basic vocabulary (this month with a plant theme) while teaching them to play a group game, "bingo".

Most of these students are unable to find "3 in a row", so I've made their job easy. The first person to match 3 pictures, gets to push my "Bingo!" button.

A large percent of the class is non-verbal, or minimally verbal, so I've designed specific pages for the devices in the classroom: 2 Go Talk 9+, 1 Go Talk 20+, and a Tech Talk. There is also one (not pictured) Vantage Plus in the class. Here are all the materials I use to play Bingo each day....

The students practice saying the vocabulary words as well as "I do", "I want...", and "Bingo!".



After about 6 weeks of playing, I would estimate that 30% get the idea of the game (match 3 pictures to win), but even those who clearly do not understand the game are learning how to match the velcro dot to the picture and are less likely to throw or crumple their game board. Slow progress.

After 6 years of doing the exact same circle routine in this class, it is a relief to do something new. Now I am brainstorming other group games we can play in circle time. I thought of tic-tac-toe, but envision that almost no students would understand it. I need a game that you can win on sheer luck. Possibly, a simple Memory game with theme vocabulary?

Happy Dr. Seuss Day to me!

This week, schools across the United States are celebrating Dr. Seuss Day.

Even President Obama has officially declared it!

And even though I learned this week that not all of Theodore Geisel's artwork were child-friendly (cough cough), my co-worker and I treated ourselves to new Dr. Seuss teacher aprons. Which we have been happily wearing all week.

I adore the aprons that this woman makes. I figure that if I can get one new one per year, I'll have a wide assortment by the time I retire. ;) Hope she's still selling them by then!!