| How to Carve a Pumpkin Posted: 19 Oct 2017 05:00 PM PDT Pumpkin carving is a fun Halloween tradition that's popular among both children and adults. To carve your own pumpkin, you'll first need to purchase or pick one from a local farmer's market or pumpkin patch. Make a clean workspace to do the carving in, and trace or draft your design on the side of the pumpkin before you begin cutting. Remember also that you'll need to scoop out all of the seeds from the pumpkin's interior. Make sure to keep knives away from young children, and supervise older children who want to cut their own pumpkin. EditPumpkin Carving Templates EditChoosing a Pumpkin - Buy a pumpkin shortly before Halloween. Although Halloween excitement can build early in October (especially for children), do not buy your pumpkin too early. Most pumpkins will be rotten beyond recovery after a week and a half to two weeks. With this in mind, buy your pumpkin about a week or less before Halloween.
- Select a pumpkin from a pumpkin patch or supermarket. Many venues will sell carving pumpkins as Halloween approaches. Visit your local supermarket or pumpkin patch for a good offering. If you live near a farmer's market, vendors there may also sell pumpkins.[1] Find a location with a healthy selection of pumpkins and that have a range of sizes.
- If you're pumpkin hunting with young children, a pumpkin patch may be the most fun for them. You can find a local pumpkin patch by searching online or keeping an eye open for advertisements around the area where you live.
- Select a healthy pumpkin. When you're choosing a pumpkin, try to pick one that's free of nicks, bruises, and cuts. Look for a sturdy stem that doesn't feel too bendable, and for mostly consistent color all the way around.[2] Knock or thump on the skin like you would a melon; if you hear a hollow sound, the pumpkin is ripe.
- Look for a pumpkin with a flat base. This will make it easier to display the carved pumpkin on Halloween night.
- It's not important if the pumpkin you like is clean or dirty. Remember you can always wash the pumpkin with an old cloth when you get home.
- Pick the size you need. If you're planning on an elaborate pumpkin carving, note that a larger gourd will provide more surface space, but also takes more work to carve. Selecting a round, medium-sized pumpkin is a popular option.
- If you have kids and simply plan on drawing faces on your pumpkins with a permanent marker, try picking up several small to medium samples for them to put different designs on.
EditTracing a Design - Choose a design before you start carving. Before you start cutting, figure out what kind of design or face you want on your pumpkin: you can carve a typical "spooky" face with a toothed grin, a haunted house, or the silhouette of a cat or a bat.[3]
- Many jack-o'-lantern designs are available online; try searching for more ideas. Alternatively, drop into your local library and borrow a book of carving ideas. A variety of images can be very inspirational for developing your own.
- Choose a method for carving your pumpkin. While it's conventional to hollow your pumpkin and then carve through the outer gourd into the hollow center, other methods of carving will allow your pumpkin to last longer, and involve less work with knives. A few popular carving options include:
- Carve a traditional jack-o'-lantern. Plan to cut out eyes, a mouth, and perhaps a nose. This design is easiest for beginners.
- Carve a silhouette. Pick a shape—for instance, a ghost—and carve out the "negative space" around the ghost's shape, then carve out features like eyes or a mouth. You'll end up with a circle of light around the dark shape, with lighted details.
- Carve down to the pulp. For a daytime jack-o'-lantern that you don't intend to light, use an x-acto knife to scratch away the pumpkin skin and reveal the pulp. Don't carve all the way into the gourd.
- Trace your design on the pumpkin. For traditional, silhouette and pulp carving, use a permanent marker or dry-erase marker to outline your design on the pumpkin.[4] (Dry-erase markings can be wiped off if you mess up.) If you'd rather not draw your jack-o'-lantern design free-hand, you can find a pattern online and trace if onto your pumpkin.
- If you're decorating pumpkins with children, letting them draw the designs can be a fun way to include them, yet avoid having them handle sharp carving tools.
EditCarving the Pumpkin - Set up a spacious work area. Pumpkin carving can quickly become messy, and it's best to keep that mess off the floor or kitchen table. Lay down some newspaper or a brown sack from your grocery store on a flat surface.[5] Lay out your tools, as well as a bowl for discarded pumpkin innards.
- Doing this protects the floor or table surface and makes for an easy clean-up when done. Once you're finished carving, you can bundle up the newspapers and throw the whole mess away.
- Select a sharp knife. For effective pumpkin carving, use a serrated bread knife, a jab saw (used to cut drywall), or a purpose-made serrated knife taken from a pumpkin-carving set. If you do not have a serrated knife, or if you prefer to use a straight-edged blade, opt for a paring knife or a filet knife.[6]
- Cut a lid. Measure a circle with about a 2-inch (5-cm) radius from the stem. You'll cut around this circle to make the lid. Do not make the cut completely vertical; instead, angle the point of the knife in towards the center of the circle. The lid will then sit in a bowl-shaped indentation that prevents it from falling into the center of the pumpkin.[7]
- The lid doesn't have to be cut in a circle. Try shaping the lid as a square, star or other shapes. Just make sure you keep the knife angled toward the center of the pumpkin as you carve the lid and opening.
- Remove the filling from the pumpkin. Use a large spoon, an ice-cream scoop, or your hands to pull all of the strands and seeds from the inside of your pumpkin. Place the seeds, pulp, and other scrapings into the large kitchen bowl that you set out earlier. Scrape the pumpkin as clean as you can, so that more light shines through your jack-o'-lantern.[8]
- This step can be skipped if you're simply carving down to the pulp of the pumpkin, with no intention of hollowing it out.
- Carve your design. Use a gentle back and forth motion to cut into the pumpkin, and take your time. Make sure to cut precisely along the design that you've traced on the pumpkin's surface. Draw the knife back and forth, while maintaining a steady downward pressure. Keep following your pattern until you've carved out the entire design.[9]
- If a cut section of your design doesn't remove easily the first time, run the blade around it again and then push on that section from the inside. You may also find that a toothpick stabbed into the section will help you to pull it out.
- Use caution when wielding a knife. Cut away from yourself; never pull the knife up towards yourself through the pumpkin.
EditLighting and Displaying Your Carved Pumpkin - Light your pumpkin with a candle or tea light. Traditionally, jack-o'-lanterns are lit with candlesticks or tea lights. [10] If you choose to illuminate your carved pumpkin with candles, do not leave them lit overnight or if you're away from the house.[Image:Carve a Pumpkin Step 13.jpg|center]]
- Ventilate as needed. If you do choose to use a real candle, make sure your carving will provide the flame with enough oxygen to keep burning. If you've cut several large holes in your pumpkin, you should be fine. If not, consider cutting a small vent in the lid, or remove the lid entirely.
- Light your pumpkin with a LED light. If you'd prefer not to illuminate your jack-o'-lantern with a lit candle, you can substitute an artificial light source for the same effect. Flashlights and flickering LEDs are popular modern options.[11]
- LED and other artificial lights are safer (less likely to start a fire) and can burn all night, unlike tea lights.
- Display the pumpkin in a safe area. If you're using a candle in your pumpkin, place it in an area away from flammable items. For instance, don't place it near a hay bale or scarecrow; those items could light on fire if your pumpkin gets jostled or knocked over. Additionally, take care that a trick-or-treaters' dangling costume won't get caught by the candle's flame.
- If you're using a candle to light your pumpkin and placing it on anything wooden, place a dinner plate down first, to catch wax and avoid setting wooden porches, tables, or stairs on fire.
- If your pumpkin starts to shrivel, fill a deep sink and soak the entire carved pumpkin for a couple hours; it will rehydrate and swell slightly, reviving enough for another couple of days of display.
- Leaving your pumpkin outside in the cool air will extend its life.
- If you are a Halloween crazed adult and have the skills and the time you can use power tools to speed things up as it's considerably easier to cut through a sick pumpkin with a jigsaw rather than a flimsy saw you would get in a pumpkin carving kit. You can also use sculpting tools people would use to work with clay and a vegetable peeler you can peel off the thick skin and then use the finer tools to shape the pumpkin very effectively.
- Don't limit yourself to simply carving one side of the pumpkin. Wrap around designs, such as cat's footprints or flying bats, as they make great additions.
- Keep small children away from candles and knives. If children have picked out a special pumpkin and want to carve it themselves, make sure to supervise closely so they don't get hurt.
EditThings You'll Need - A pumpkin
- A sharp (preferably serrated) knife
- Newspaper or brown bags
- A spoon or scoop
- A permanent or dry-erase marker
- Candles or LED lights
- An x-acto knife for pulp carving or small details (optional)
- A lighter or matches (optional)
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| How to Write a Love Letter for a Wedding Anniversary Posted: 19 Oct 2017 09:00 AM PDT Writing a love letter for your partner can be a daunting task. How do you sum up your affection, respect, and admiration for them in one letter? Start by brainstorming ideas for the letter, like your first experiences together or a romantic moment you shared. Then, create a draft of the letter using sweet, simple language. Polish the draft so it is at its best when you give it to your partner. EditBrainstorming Ideas for the Letter - Write about the first time you met your partner. Maybe you had a first meeting where you ran into each other randomly in a public place. Or perhaps you met on a first date that went incredibly well. Think about the emotions and feelings you felt for your partner when you first met them.[1]
- Try to describe the setting of the first time you met your partner. For example, you may write down, "When we met for dinner that rainy night five years ago at the local Chinese restaurant, I had no clue I'd be meeting the love of my life."
- Think of a romantic moment you shared with your partner. You can also get inspiration flowing for the letter by remembering romantic moments that you shared with your partner during your marriage. Reminisce about a recent trip overseas you took together. Or think about a romantic picnic you shared with your partner.[2]
- Describe the romantic moments so you can use them in your letter. You may write, "I'll never forget how you looked even more beautiful than the sunset that night we had dinner by the Acropolis in Athens."
- Make a list of great memories you have with your partner. You can also jot down a list of the great memories you have shared with your partner during your marriage, and courtship. You can then pull from the list and use the memories throughout your letter.
- Treat the memories like snapshots, where you list them in order to chart the progression of your relationship. For example, you may write, "Whether we are exploring the cliffs of Ireland, diving in the cenotes in Mexico, or having a quiet night on the couch, I always have the best time with you by my side."
- Discuss why you are grateful for your marriage. Think about how your marriage has enriched your life and made it better. List a few reasons why your are grateful that you married your partner and are committed to each other.
- For example, you may write, "I am so grateful for our marriage because it has shown me how to be a more generous person and to care for someone else's needs besides my own."
- Identify what makes you the most proud of your partner. You can express how proud you are of your partner's accomplishments in life. Recognize your partner as a person who is not afraid to achieve their own goals and balance the commitments of a marriage.
- For example, you may write, "I am continually stunned and proud of your achievements, from graduating from law school to helping to raise our children. Your dedication, commitment, and confident leave me in awe."
EditCreating a Draft of the Letter - Keep the language simple and sweet. Avoid formal or stiff language in the letter. Use language that you might say to your partner during a casual conversation or an intimate talk. State how you feel about your partner using the first person, with language that they can understand.[3]
- For example, you may write, "You are my guiding light and my rock. I don't know what I would do without you," or "I don't think words can express how much you mean to me. I am so grateful you said 'yes' to me all those years ago."
- Include inside jokes and private moments. Make the letter personal and intimate for both you and your partner. If you and your partner have pet names, use them in the letter. If you have any inside jokes or funny asides you like to say to each other, include them.
- For example, you may write, "You'll always be my Supergirl," or "I can't believe I found my Beyonce Pad Thai after so many years of searching."
- Discuss the traits and habits that you love about your partner. You may note your partner's honesty, vulnerability, and sense of humor. Or you may discuss habits like "holding the door open for me," "making coffee for us in the morning," or "caring for me when I'm sick."[4]
- For example, you may write, "I love your honesty and your ability to always make me laugh. I will forever value your positive morning attitude and your expert coffee prep for a grumpy riser like me."
- Write about your future together. Tell your partner how much you look forward experiencing life together in the future. Let your partner know you are excited about your future plans and to spending another wedding anniversary together as a couple.[5]
- For example, you may write, "My years married to you have been some of the best of my life, and I look forward to celebrating many more anniversaries, birthdays, and holidays with you by my side."
- Add a meaningful quote. To add a personal touch to the end of the letter, you may include a quote from your partner's favorite writer or poet. You can also choose a quote from a book you both like. Or you may pick a quote from your partner's favorite television show or movie. You can also use a quote from your wedding vows.[6]
- You can find a list of romantic quotes from poems online.
- End by wishing your partner a happy anniversary. You can also include a short sign off like, "I love you and always will," or "All my love on this special day."[7]
EditPolishing the Letter - Read the letter out loud. Once you have completed a draft of the letter, read it aloud to listen to how it sounds. Adjust any sentences that feel too complicated or unclear. Make sure the language is sweet and romantic.
- Reading the letter out loud is also a good way to check the letter for any spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors.
- Show it to a close friend or family member. If you'd like feedback on the letter, ask a close friend or family member who knows your partner to read it. Ask questions to them about whether they feel the letter is romantic and heartfelt enough. You can also ask them if they think the letter is appropriate and will be appreciated by your partner.
- If you feel the love letter is too intimate to share with others, you can skip this step. Sometimes, only you can know if a love letter is right for your partner.
- Sign and seal the letter. Once you are satisfied with the letter, sign your name at the bottom. Then, fold up the letter and place it in an envelope. Write your partner's name on the envelope and seal it so you can give it to them.
- Personalize the envelope by drawing a doodle of your partner, or of a special symbol you both like. You can also make you own envelope to put the letter in.
- Include the letter with a gift. Enclose the love letter with an anniversary gift like chocolates, flowers, or a framed photo of you and your partner.[8]
- If you are giving your partner an experiential gift, like a trip together, mention this in the love letter or as a post script at the bottom of the letter.
- Find a romantic way to deliver the letter. Surprise your partner at work by hand delivering the letter in person to their office. Take your partner out to dinner and pull out the letter during dessert to surprise them.
- Another fun option is to organize a scavenger hunt for your partner where you leave clues around your house, or around the city, for them to solve so they can find the letter.
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| How to Teach Critical Thinking Posted: 19 Oct 2017 01:00 AM PDT If you want to teach your students critical thinking, give them opportunities to brainstorm and analyze things. Classroom discussions are a great way to encourage open-mindedness and creativity. Teach students to ask "why?" as much as possible and recognize patterns. An important part of critical thinking is also recognizing good and bad sources of information. EditEncouraging Students to Have an Open Mind - Start a class discussion by asking an open-ended question. Open-ended questions are questions that have more than one right answer. This will allow students to think critically and creatively without fear of getting anything wrong. Show enthusiasm about answers that are outside of the box to encourage students to let their minds expand to different possible ideas.[1]
- For example, ask students an open-ended question like, "What would be a good way to get more people to recycle in the school?"
- Whether or not it's realistic, offer praise for an inventive answer like, "we could start to make a giant sculpture out of of recyclable things in the middle of the school. Everyone will want to add to it, and at the end of the year we can take pictures and then break it down to bring to the recycling plant."
- Give students time to think things through. Narrow thinking is often the result of rushing to give an answer. For classroom discussions or in-class assignments, give students a few minutes to think clearly before they propose any ideas. For the best results, have students sit quietly and put down their books and pens while they reflect.[2]
- Make a list naming the pros of two conflicting ideas. Get students out of the mindset that there is always a "right" and "wrong" answer by looking for the good in two contrasting ideas. Make a large list on a chalkboard, white board, or large poster with a column for each idea. Ask students to name positive things for both sides and to think about a possible third option that would use parts of each.[3]
- For instance, make columns to name the good things about both a camping trip and a city excursion, then have students think about a happy medium between the two.
EditHelping Students Make Connections - Ask your students to look for patterns. Across various subjects of study, encourage your students to look for patterns and connections. This will help your students tie individual lessons to bigger trends or concepts. Encourage students to point out themes or ideas that they've seen before as they are learning.[4]
- For instance, environmental themes may come up in science, history, literature, and art lessons.
- Show students a vague picture to get them thinking about their own assumptions. Show your students a picture of something that is a bit vague and have them guess what's happening in the picture. Next, ask them to break down the clues in the picture that led them to this assumption. Finally, ask them to think about how some of their own beliefs or experiences shaped what they thought about the picture.[5]
- Explain to your students how the clues and their own personal influences form their final conclusions about the picture.
- For instance, show students a picture of a man and woman shaking hands in front of a home with a "For Sale" sign in front of it. Have students explain what they think is happening in the picture, and slowly break down the things that made them reach that conclusion.
- Analyze statements by asking "why" five times. Make a game out of interrogating claims by asking "why?" about it five times. You can apply this to most lesson plans you are teaching, especially in regard to literature or history. Encourage students to do this on their own to get to the root of problems and to think about things more deeply. [6]
- If you are studying a book or play, you can ask a question like, "Why did Bob go to the train station?" and break down the responses in such a way:
- "To take a train."
- "Why?"
- "To get to the city."
- "Why?"
- "To meet his friend."
- "Why?"
- "Because he missed him."
- "Why?"
- "Because he was lonely."
- On a more advanced level, students will benefit from interrogating their research and work to determine its relevance.
EditTeaching Students About Reliable Information - Teach students the difference between opinions and factual statements. Teach your students that any claim they make is considered an opinion until they can provide evidence about it. This evidence might be an experiment that they conduct, or reliable information published by experts. In class discussions and projects, remind your students to back up every claim they make with some supporting data.[7]
- For instance, if a student says that there are fewer libraries than there used to be, have them provide some actual statistics about libraries to support their statement.
- Help students spot advertisements disguised as information. Disguising product placements as neutral information is a powerful advertising tool that is common today. Show students a simple paid story article or subtle commercial segment to get them to think more critically about that information that is presented to them every day. Ask them to consider the sources of this information and the motivations driving someone to share the information in the first place.[8]
- Encourage students to ask the simple question, "Who is sharing this information, and why?"
- For instance, an advertisement for a low calorie food product may be disguised as a special interest television segment about how to lose weight on a budget.
- Have students rate a website. In the age of electronic information, it is important to know what websites are offering reliable facts and which ones aren't. Discuss the issue in class, or give students an assignment to look at a website on their own and evaluate it. They should be looking at the following factors:[9]
- The date it was published, whether or not it has been updated, and how current the information is. Tell students where to find this information on the website.
- What the author's qualifications are. For instance, a medical article should be written by a doctor or other medical professional.
- If there is supporting evidence to back up what the writer says.
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