Cookie Swap

This semester the theme for Kindermusik Our Time was Milk and Cookies.  I love to bake and share cookies with my Kindermusik families during the holidays, so this year one of my classes had a cookie swap.  I had everyone bring 3 dozen cookies.  At the end of class we sampled and swapped cookies to take home.  Several of the moms shared their recipes, and I wanted to post them for everyone to enjoy.  You can find more cookie recipes on my personal blog.

Snickerdoodles - Crystal Langella, Lucas' mom.

1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/3 cup sugar + 3 tablespoons
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cream of tartar
2 eggs
Fun Sprinkles for kids (optional)

Blend 2 teaspoons of cinnamon and 3 tablespoons of sugar together and set aside.  Sift flour, baking soda, salt and cream of tartar together.  Blend butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla together and mix until smooth.  Add flour mixture to butter mixture gradually, mixing well to form dough.  Use a tablespoon, scoop out pieces of dough and roll in a ball; toss in cinnamon sugar mixture and place on a cookie sheet; repeat with remainder of dough, placing cookies 1 inch apart on the cookie sheet. These cookies will spread!  Bake at 375 for 10 -12 minutes or until golden brown, remove from oven and cool before serving.

Peggy's Print Cookies - Alice Suroviec, Peggy's mom

1 3/4 cup of all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. fine salt
3/4 c. unsalted butter, softened
2/3 c of sugar, plus more for rolling
1 large egg
1 tsp. vanilla
strawberry jelly

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.  Combine the flour, baking powder and salt together and set aside.  In another bowl, cream the butter and sugar with a mixer.  Beat in the egg and vanilla until just mixed.  Slowly add the flour mixture until a dough forms.  Scoop the dough into 1 inch balls and roll in the sugar.  Place on the cookie sheet about 2 inches apart.  Press a thumbprint into each ball and fill each indentation with jelly.  Bake until the edges of cookie are golden, about 15 minutes.  Makes approximately 30 cookies.

Mint Chocolate Cookies - Alice Suroviec

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup baking cocoa
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 cup of butter
2/3 cup sugar
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 large eggs
10 oz package chocolate and mint morsels

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt in a small bowl.  Beat butter, sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl until creamy.  Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Gradually beat in flour mixture.  Stir in morsels. Drop by well rounded tablespoon onto un-greased baking sheets.  Bake for 11-13 minutes or until cookies are puffed and centers are set.  Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes, remove to wire racks to cool completely.  Makes approximately 4 dozen cookies

Gingerbread Cookies - Kathryn Nobles, mom to many!

1/2 c. sugar

1/2 c. shortening

1/2 c. dark molasses

1/4 c. water

3/4 tsp. salt

3/4 tsp. ground ginger

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. ground allspice (I admit to not using this)

2 1/2 c. all-purpose flour

mini-chocolate chips

writing icing

Beat sugar, shortening, molasses and water in a large bowl on low speed until blended. Stir in remaining ingredients except chocolate chips/icing. Cover and refrigerate until chilled, 1 to 2 hours. Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Sprinkle wax paper with flour and roll the dough with a rolling pin until 1/4 inch think. Cut with gingerbread man cutter or any favorite cut-out, sometimes I use a Christmas stocking. Using a spatula, lift the gingerbread shape onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Decorate with mini chocolate chips...eyes, buttons. Bake approximately 5 minutes. Let cookies cool and then finish decorating with icing.

Some of my gingerbread men have only chocolate chips, others have a combination of chips/icing. This recipe makes about 3 dozen cookies.

Chocolate Oat Bars (no bake) - Kathryn Nobles

2 sticks of butter, melted

3/4 c. brown sugar

1/2 tsp. vanilla

2 1/2 c. oats

3/4 c. peanut butter

8 oz. chocolate chips

In a saucepan on the stove, melt butter and add brown sugar and vanilla and mix well. When well blended, add oats and let cook for 5 - 10 minutes on low. In another saucepan melt peanut butter and chocolate chips together until smooth and creamy. In a 8 X 8 glass dish, layer oats on the bottom with peanut butter mixture in middle and oats on top. Refrigerate for at 2 - 3 hours. Remove from the refrigerator and allow bars to sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before cutting.


Happy Baking!

Tis the Season - Registration in progress

There are many fabulous activities for you and your child, but we believe Kindermusik is the best choice!  Quality music, new friends, age appropriate activities, and learning is at the forefront of all we do.  Are you thinking, let's try something new because we have already done Kindermusik, remember that children need familiar, and they need repetition.  For children in Imagine That and Young Child classes they are just beginning to respond appropriately and learn key concepts in the music making process.  Do you have questions, ask your teacher or email Kathryn and she can help you choose the right class for your child.

Spring semester will bring new songs, activities and friends to Kindermusik. Don't miss out, register today.  Registration is online, and you can choose to pay with credit card, check or make payments.

You can save $15 if you pay in full by December 1. This can be confusing, so here's the explanation. The fee listed in the brochure is the amount after December 1.  For example - if you are registering for Kindermusik Our Time, the fee listed in the brochure is $205. Pay in full by December 1 and it is $190.  When you pull up the online registration $190 is the amount you see before December 1, after that date the amount listed will be $205.

The fall semester is coming to a close and here are some dates to remember:

• Monday classes will meet on November 24.
• Kathryn's Tuesday afternoon classes (Beyond and Young Child) will meet on November 25 which is Thanksgiving week.  Beyond class will meet on December 2, but not Young Child due to the Christmas parade.
• No classes the week of Thanksgiving except those mentioned above.
• The last day of class will vary depending on the teacher.  Monday classes will end on December 1.  Most classes will not end until the week of December 8, but ask your teacher to be certain.  Kathryn: knobles@berry.edu  Kay: brattonk@bellsouth.net  Wendy: hamilton80@aol.com

The holidays are busy.  Here are some local activities to enjoy:

• Tell-a-bration storytelling at the Rome Civic Center.  Saturday November 22 at 7 pm
• Rome Christmas parade is Tuesday December 2 at 630 on Broad Street in downtown Rome.  It's' a great family outing.
• Beauty and The Beast is a great show to enjoy this holiday season.  Check out Rome Little Theater for details.  Show opens on December 5.
• Oak Hill and the Martha Berry Museum host their annual Carols and Candles tour on December 5 and 6. 

Upcoming Campus Events

Get a sitter and make a date to enjoy an event at Berry College!

ARTWORK

Rick Berman Clayworker will be on display in the Moon Gallery from September 22nd - October 17th, 2014.  The Gallery Talk will be on Monday, September 22nd at 7 pm.

FREE CONCERT - Thursday September 25 

The Atlanta Percussion Trio has been performing for audiences for the past 27 years. The group is comprised of three of Atlanta’s finest professional musicians with a total of more than eight decades of music-making between them. Scott Douglas, Karen Hunt and John Lawless provide upbeat, high-energy programs to entertain and educate audiences about the world of percussion sounds. We are delighted to have the Atlanta Percussion Trio open this year’s Concert Series! Ford Auditorium, 730 pm

LECTURE - Thursday September 25 

Gary Cross is Distinguished Professor of Modern History at Pennsylvania State University. He is a 20th century US cultural historian and author of several books that include "Men to Boys: The Making of Modern Immaturity" and "The Playful Crowd: Pleasure Places in the 20th Century."  Krannert Ballroom E, 730 pm

THEATER

Hailed as the “gem” of Broadway musicals by the Wall Street Journal, The Fantasticks remains the longest running musical on the Great White Way and includes timeless classic songs like Try to Remember, and Soon It’s Gonna Rain. It is a bittersweet coming-of-age story about family, friendship, and first love. It reminds us that “without a hurt, the heart is hollow.”  

Thurs., Fri., Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m., E.H. Young Theatre  

September 26 - 28 and October 2 - 5.  

Tickets are $10. 706-236-2263

FREE CONCERT - Thursday October 16

Based in New York City, Christian Sineath joins us for a spectacular evening of musicmaking. 
Ms. Sineath has performed professionally in oratorio, musical theatre 
andtheatre productions. She is a Resident Artist with Dicapo Opera and has been a featured soloist with The National Lyric Opera and Opera Slavica in New York City. 

Ford Auditorium, 730 pm

Opportunities Abound

Rome Georgia is family friendly.  It doesn't have all the perks of the big city, but fortunately Atlanta is just down the road!  But while in Rome, do as the Romans.  To keep current on all the happenings in our city I would suggest that you check Venue Dog.  Some are aimed at families, others are adult only.  Regardless, get out and enjoy Rome.

Here are a few that I recommend for the upcoming weeks:

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer presented by the Rome Little Theater.  Many members of the cast are Kindermusik grads, including Aunt Polly and Injun Joe!  The show runs from August 22 - August 31.

Rome Symphony Orchestra presents Peter and the Wolf.  This timeless work by Prokofiev introduces the orchestral instruments through an entertaining story.  The children's concert will be held on Friday, September 19 at Model High School, with shows at 10:30 am and 12:15 pm.  Each performance is 45 minutes long.  Admission is $3.  Make your reservation by calling 706-291-7967

Football season is a great time to see the bands at halftime.  Every Friday night there is a football game somewhere in Rome.  Pick a team, and show your support.  Berry football returns this fall too, with the Viking Drumline performing.  The drumline often performs at the volleyball and soccer games too.

You may know about the Farmer's Market at Ridge Ferry, but did you know that Berry has them too? You can buy vegetables, cheese, and beef.  There is a beef sale coming up on August 29 from 4 - 7 pm.  Get on the email list and you will get updates about the sales.  

The Berry dairy offers free tours Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Email to schedule your tour agried@berry.edu

Rome is a great town, get out and enjoy all it has to offer!

Details You Need to KNOW!!

Kindermusik classes begin on August 18 at Berry College! The first few weeks are a whirlwind of activity. New teachers, new friends, and new music. Sometimes it takes several weeks for children to feel comfortable in their new surroundings. What can you do?

• Directions
• Be on time for class.  I realize parking can be an issue. After 5 pm you can park in any lot!
• Leave toys and food at home or in the car.
• Be patient and encouraging.
• Think, say: how many ways can we....play the sticks, move high, move low, wave our hand, etc...  Your suggestion, then they get an idea of their own, this is called scaffolding!
• Have fun in class, and your child will follow your lead.
• Some children are observers.  The class is where they soak it in, and then later it comes pouring out!
• Unless you are expecting an important call, turn your phone off when you come to class.
• Focus on your child during class, and save conversation with grown-ups for later.
• Play the music at home and in the car.  
• Incorporate activities from class into your daily routine. Your family activity book or card has lots of ways to do this.

Remember all children are different, and your child may not participate the same as others. Your child may wander or just observe, but they are absorbing the atmosphere and are learning.
You may need to stand up with your child, while others are sitting. You may need to find a new way to rock or move. Find a way to participate with your child.

For those with older children (Imagine That or Young Child), you may notice that they respond differently when you come for sharing time. This is part of being an independent learner. Try not to judge your child. Do correct disruptive behavior that is inappropriate such as loud talking, angry outbursts or struggling with a sibling who enters. Once class is over, tell the child what you enjoyed about being in class with them. Put the accent on the positive that you want to see repeated.

If you miss a class you are welcome to make it up on another day/time.  Unfortunately some classes don't have that option...especially the evening classes.  It would be helpful if you could email about making up a class, just so we know you are coming.  It is not imperative, but encouraged.  Here is the class schedule for Fall 2014:

Kindermusik Village (newborn – 18 months)

Monday 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday 10:15 a.m.

Wednesday 9:15 a.m 
Thursday 9:30 a.m.

Kindermusik Our Time (18 months – 3 years)

Monday 5:45 p.m. 

Tuesday 9:30 a.m.

Wednesday 10:15 a.m.

Thursday 10:15 a.m. 

Thursday 6:30 p.m. 

Friday 9:30 a.m. 

Kindermusik Imagine That! ( 3.5 - 5 years)

Monday 5:30 p.m. (music library)

Thursday 11:00 a.m. 
Friday 10:15 a.m.

Kindermusik for the Young Child (4.5 – 7 years)

Year One (red folder)  Tuesday 5:15 p.m.  Thursday 3:45 pm

Year  Two (blue folder) Thursday 5:00 p.m.

Beyond Kindermusik

REPETITION IS GOOD:

 REMINDERS ABOUT BEING AT BERRY!

The college students return on August 25.  This means more cars in the parking lot, more students driving to class. BE CAREFUL in the parking lot and crossing the street.  There is construction at the main entrance as they build a new welcome center.

1. Allow plenty of time to find a parking place and get to class. Once you arrive on campus, it will take you at least 5 minutes to get from the parking lot to the classroom.
2. The elevator is a great asset. Please help us keep the alarm from ringing or the help button from being pushed. Buttons are inviting to children, and they are low...but keep them from calling security! Let them push the "floor" buttons, but stay away from the red and yellow ones!
3. Please use quiet voices and walking feet as you enter the building. First floor where you access the elevator is full of offices. Once on third floor there are college classes in session. If you have to take your child in the hall during class because he or she is crying, go to the north end of the hallway or the restroom to avoid disrupting classes.
4. In case of severe weather, Kindermusik follows the Floyd County Schools. If the Floyd county schools are closed due to inclement weather, then Kindermusik will not meet. If the county cancels classes after 2 p.m., you will need to call the Kindermusik office concerning afternoon and evening classes, OR check for an update on the blog.
5. Kindermusik of Berry College does not follow a specific school system for breaks, so teachers will announce these to individual classes. There will also be announcements on the blog. No classes on Labor Day. Monday classes will make those up the week of Thanksgiving.
6. LIKE US ON FACEBOOK.  

If you have questions or concerns about anything in class, talk with your child's teacher.
You can always email me at knobles@berry.edu for a quick response to general questions, or leave a message at 706-233-4091.

We are glad you have chosen Kindermusik, it's a great way to enhance your child's life through music.

Music Matters: Brain, Body, Heart & Soul

Parents have many activity choices for their child, but Kindermusik provides developmentally appropriate fun and learning. Click here to learn more about ways Kindermusik prepares your child for school.

Kindermusik classes begin the week of August 18 at Berry College.  

Enroll now!

Come see why the Kindermusik program at 

Berry College is the best!

It's time to enroll in the fall semester of Kindermusik classes.  Save $15 if you enroll before July 15.  Classes begin the week of August 18 and meet weekly for the 15 week semester. There are classes for babies, toddlers and preschoolers in the morning.  After school classes meet for big kids wanting to learn the written language of music.  Late afternoon and evening classes are available for preschoolers, toddlers and babies to enjoy with their families as well.  To see a schedule and register visit www.berry.edu/kindermusik  For more information email knobles@berry.edu

Families in a summer Village class enjoy a group dance.

Maestro!

Kindermusik International just released their list of top educators.  The Kindermusik program at Berry is in the Conductor's Circle and is #34 on the list!  The Maestro Conductor’s Circle represents the top 1 percent of Kindermusik educators worldwide who have built a truly expansive program and prove masterful in reaching a large number of families.  We join an elite group of  300 Maestros identified as the top Educators of the over 5,000 licensed educators in the world who teach Kindermusik’s music and movement curricula. 

Kathryn Nobles started the program at Berry College in 1989 and will celebrate 25 years of serving families in Northwest Georgia this September. Kay Bratton and Wendy Williams serve alongside Nobles in bringing the joy of music to children in the Rome community.

“The Kindermusik Maestro has a mission: helping children become better learners and helping parents understand how to help them reach their highest potential,” said Scott Kinsey, CEO at Kindermusik International.

This award is exciting, but it belongs to the families that participate each week.  Thank you for trusting us to share the power and beauty of music with your family.

Family Night - Fun for All!

Kindermusik of Berry College had a special Family Night Celebration on April 12.  There was much speculation about the special LIVE animal that would attend with the storyteller, Terrell Shaw!  It was a lovely spring evening and the Krannert Ballroom filled with about 125 Kindermusik friends to sing, play instruments, and dance!  The highlight was Mr. Shaw from the Arrowhead Environmental Education Center.

Terrell Shaw, Master Storyteller

Listening to the story of Trouble!

Everyone wanted to know about Trouble!

 The story was about a rabbit who knew all about trouble and the alligators that he tricked.  The special guest was a live baby alligator!

Vivian petting the alligator.

Kaleb wasn't sure about touching the alligator

The story of Trouble can be found on a CD entitled "Why the Dog chases the Cat" by David Holt.  You can also purchase great music by David Holt on his site.  A personal favorite is "I Got a Bullfrog". Some of his CD's combine music and storytelling!