Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Homemade Crazy Cake Mix, with Variations

Homemade Crazy Cake Mix
Crazy cake is a Vegan & Lenten cake that is super easy to mix up from ingredients most people have on hand. It can easily be put together when guests drop by. It's also great for taking to a Potluck, and there's seldom any left.

There are tons of recipes for Crazy Cake, and LOTS of variations out there. One of my favorite places to find fun variations is on the Sweet Little Bluebird Blog. Some of my variations are inspired by her site. But, I've been using this type of recipe for about 25 years now, so some variations are also from other sources.

Our Church has a Potluck every Wednesday during Lent, and I love that I can bring a different cake every week if I want to. 

But, if I'm going to make a cake every week, I like to save a few steps, which is why last year I created my own Crazy Cake mix. Now it's even faster and easier than ever!

I'll share several different sizes of mix below, with variations in flavors.  "One Cake" is an 8x8 square cake, but you can also use this to make cupcakes, or use more batter for a larger cake - just experiment with the baking times a bit.

With any of these variations you can choose to add 1/2 cup or so of optional ingredients to the batter, such as chocolate chips, raisins, or nuts. And of course, they can also all be topped with icing or your favorite topping, if you like.

Crazy Cake Mix For 1 Cake
1 1/2 Cups Flour
1 Cup Sugar
1 teaspoon Baking Soda
1/2 teaspoon Salt

Crazy Cake Mix For 2 Cakes
3 Cups Flour
2 Cups Sugar
2 teaspoons Baking Soda
1 teaspoon Salt

Crazy Cake Mix For 4 Cakes
6 Cups Flour
4 Cups Sugar
4 teaspoons Baking Soda
2 teaspoons Salt

Crazy Cake Mix For 6 Cakes
9 Cups Flour
6 Cups Sugar
2 Tablespoons Baking Soda
1 Tablespoon Salt 

 

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Crazy Cake with Cinnamon Sugar Topping

 

To Make One Cake from Crazy Cake Mix:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
Grease or oil 8X8 baking dish - I use a glass dish, but a metal cake pan also works
******
Measure 2 1/2 Cups Mix
Add Optional Dry Ingredients (like spices or cocoa) to Mix, and Stir
Set Aside
******
In a separate bowl or glass measuring cup, measure Liquid Ingredients:
1 Cup Liquid (usually water, but for some flavors, substitute part of water with other liquids like Fruit Juices or Molasses)
1/3 Cup Oil
1 Tablespoon Vinegar (Apple Cider or White work well)
2 teaspoons Vanilla or other Flavoring Extract
******
Pour liquid ingredients into Dry ingredients. Stir & Pour into Cake Pan.
Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 35 to 40 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
If using Cinnamon Sugar topping, top immediately while still hot- this helps it stick.
If using Frosting or Icing, let cake cool completely before topping
For Best Results, allow to cool completely before cutting

Variations:

 
Chocolate: Add 2 Heaping Tablespoons of Cocoa Powder to Dry Ingredients. 1/2 Cup Optional Chocolate Chips and/or Nuts may also be added to dry Ingredients. 

Cinnamon: Add Scant Tablespoon Cinnamon to Dry Ingredients. Top with abundant Cinnamon Sugar after baking, while still hot.

Apple: Reduce water by 1/2 cup. Add Cinnamon to Dry ingredients (1 to 3 teaspoons, depending on how much you like Cinnamon) Add 1 1/2 Cups Grated Fresh Apple to wet ingredients. Depending on the moisture in your apple, you may wish to add up to a 1/4 cup more water at this point. Optional nuts can also be added. 

Other Variations: Once you have the mix and the pattern, you can create as many variations as your creativity allows! I've made lots of other variations on this over the years, but have not recorded them all. Lemon, Spice (using a bit of molasses in place of some water), Vanilla-Chocolate Chip, etc. 

 I like to cut this cake in 16 pieces (4 pieces x 4 pieces) and place it in cupcake liners for easy serving.  

As you can see from the picture at the top of this post, I write the recipe on the outside of my storage canister, so that I can easily make a cake without getting out a recipe box, and I can also easily refill the canister when it gets empty.

Hope you enjoy it!

Thursday, February 8, 2024

Magic Method to Plan High School Homeschool AND Prepare Transcript - all FREE!

There are two tasks that strike terror in the hearts of many homeschool parents:

1) Planning High School

2) Preparing the High School Transcript

Never fear! I've got a (nearly) magic method for accomplishing both tasks - at ONCE!!

Here's How:

First

Start at what you think of as "the end." Find and download a free, blank high school homeschool transcript template. They can be found all over the internet, especially searching with Pinterest. There are LOTS of free ones. You do NOT need to pay someone to make a transcript for you. As the kids like to say nowadays, "You've got this!!"  This is my personal favorite.

NOTE: If you read this entire post, and still prefer a transcript to be made FOR you, Abby at My Practically Imperfect Life has just rolled out a brand new FREE transcript maker that looks great!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuP7RcNj8NE

Keep in mind, a transcript is like a resume, it should have a ONE PAGE overview of your student's high school learning, that can be appreciated at a glance.

Found one you like? Good. Open it on your desktop.

 I made a rough draft of a template to use for this post, just for illustrative purposes. So, you now you have your open your blank document like this:

 

Start with a basic, blank transcript that you can find online free

 

Second

  Do a little research. Find out the "big picture" of what needs to be on the transcript at the end of high school. To do this, follow these steps:

1

 

Check your state law, and see if there are specific requirements for homeschool high school graduation. (I have heard that NO states have such a requirement for homeschoolers, but I do not know if this is accurate. Check the laws in your own state to be sure.)

2

 

 Check your state department of education, and see what the requirements are for public high school graduation.

Double check with your state about their laws (usually on your state's Department of Education website), but here are a couple of handy at-a-glance guides to give you a basic idea:

https://blog.bjupress.com/blog/2021/12/17/homeschool-high-school-credits-and-graduation-requirements/

https://study.com/resources/high-school-graduation-requirements

3

 

Check College admission requirements. There are two ways to do this 

a) check the requirements of your child's "dream school," usually under the Admissions tab:

 For instance, if your child's dream school is Liberty University, you can find this on their website:

Suggested Course Completion

Although we do not require specific high school courses for admission, we recommend completing the following courses to prepare for college success:

  • At least 4 years of English
  • 2 years of college preparatory mathematics
  • 2 years of laboratory science
  • 2 years of social science
  • 2 years of foreign language
  • At least 4 units of elective credits in subjects such as art, music, or drama

 

 and b) check the requirements of the most likely schools in your area - like University of [YourState].

 For instance, if you lived in Ohio, and would consider Ohio University a possible choice, you'd find this on their admission page for Freshmen:

Ohio University strongly recommends that all applicants complete the following college-preparatory high school coursework:

  • 4 units of English
  • 4 units of mathematics (including Algebra II or above)
  • 3 units of science
  • 3 units of social studies
  • 2 units of foreign language
  • 1 unit of visual or performing arts
  • 4 additional elective units

 

Look at all the lists you consulted, and plan to have your student complete requirements to meet them all. So, if your state requires 3 years of Math, but a desired university requires 4, plan for 4. If your child has a gift or a goal in a particular field, be sure to include a full four years of that subject, even if no one asks for it.

If you are a Christian, you'll want to put in credit of Religion each year, for sure. 

Then fill in your transcript with a basic projection of how many years you'll do for each subject. This will be in the broadest possible terms, with no specifics. You'll also fill in the column for how many credits each course will award. Then add those numbers up, to make sure you meet or exceed your state & hoped for universities' list of required totals. If your number isn't high enough, write "elective" in  more blanks until you reach the required number. Now your document should look like this:


 

Fill in broad projections of your total credit goals in each subject

 

 

Specific lists vary, but they all follow the above pattern. Usually a "credit" is one year of a high school subject (though I understand that in Idaho, a credit is 1/2 a year, but I digress).

***Different people define 1 credit/1 year differently. It can be done by hours completed - most people estimate 150 to 180 hours as "1 year." Or, it can be done by completing a textbook, a course, or mastering the material of a subject. I prefer the completion/mastery model to the hours model. After all "work expands to fill the time allotted for its completion." I prefer efficiency to dragging work out to fill hours.

 

Third

  Look more closely at the requirements from each source, and see if they say things like, "Math, 4 credits with at least one year of Algebra or Science, 3 credits, with at least one lab science.  

If you find these sorts of requirements, go make those alterations to your transcript. Don't worry too much what year you put them in, they can always be moved later. 

Now, your transcript should look like this:




Fourth

 As each year comes, decide which versions of the required material you will teach, and what materials, texts, or curriculum you will use, then alter the lines in the transcript with the updated plans. For instance, as you approach the Sophomore year, English 2 might become "One Year Adventure Novel." Math 2 might become "Geometry," Science 2 might become "Biology" etc.

 In the middle of 10th grade, the transcript might look like this:

 

 


 

Fifth

 As each term or year finishes, fill in your child's grade for that class.

At the end of four years, average all the grades, and fill in the remaining blanks (like your signature and date) and your transcript is DONE! : ) 

 

To average grades:

 Use a GPA Calculator online. Here are a couple to chose from, but there are others.

https://www.calculator.net/gpa-calculator.html

 Or, calculate by hand:

 Assign each A the number 4, each B the number 3, each C the number 2, and each D the number one. If it's a 1/2 credit course, cut that number in half - so an A in a half credit of Health here, would be a 2.

Add up all the numbers.

Divide by your total number of credits.

That's your GPA.


Sixth

Enjoy your completed Transcript!

So - there you have it! An almost-magic way to prepare your student's transcript at the same time as you plan your student's high school. 

(Some colleges and universities require official transcripts to be notarized. if that is the case with your target school, take the document to a notary public, and sign it in front of them, and have them notarize it before sending it in with your application. Many banks and law offices have notaries, and the fee is usually reasonable.)

 

Saturday, December 2, 2023

How to Teach Algebra When You Count on Your Fingers

 

How to Teach Algebra 

When You Count on Your Fingers

 

I’m sure you’ve heard the old joke:

“There are three kinds of people, those who are good at math, and those who aren’t”

 Well, many of us homeschool moms are in the “aren’t” category. But that doesn’t mean that we cannot teach algebra!

You know how it goes. When you begin homeschooling your cute little preschooler, you start getting questions like these:

 

“But how are you going to teach Physics?”

“But certainly you’ll need to send her to public school for high school, right?”

“How will she learn algebra?”

“What about CALCULUS?”

 

I don’t know what possesses human beings to worry so much about every future possibility, but they do. Even though the Bible says not to (Luke 12: 22-26 )

We shouldn’t worry – but we should prepare. And we should be comforted. It is entirely possible to teach our children subjects that we don’t already know, and don’t excel in. And it is entirely possible for our children to become better at those subjects than we are – and for us to continue “teaching them” that material.

 I’m going to make a strange assertion – a student who is taught math by a non-mathematician has some advantages! Firstly, they learn how to figure out something they don’t already know – rather than just being spoon-fed by an expert. And second, a teacher who is not good at math has a better feel for finding a simple explanation than does a teacher who is an expert in math.

 So, what do I do, as a non-math person, to “teach” my child math? Lots of things! I teach her to research. I check her work for simple errors (like 2+5=9). I encourage her. I help her to stay focused. I help her find expert help when we both need it. I walk along side her as she learns. 

At this point, she is far beyond me in math (it’s been that way for a long time now) – but I’m still her “teacher.” And she’s still moving forward.

I have used this approach for all levels of mathematics – from early elementary up. Even though this article is labeled "Algebra" - it has also worked for higher levels of math - and lower levels of math.

Here’s what I do:

*Pray with my child at the start of each day for God’s Blessing on our work.

 *Find programs online that test my child and place her at the right level, then provide questions that teach from that point on (sometimes called “Self Leveling” materials). If you're not a "math mom," It MUST be a program that self-grades. (see below for suggestions)

* If I know my child needs a certain level, then I can select a platform that teaches just that level.

* If a platform becomes too frustrating for her, I try a different one for a while (but I don’t stop too easily – all lessons are frustrating sometimes!)

 Excellent platforms we have enjoyed over the years include:

Khan Academy We enjoyed K-8, and occasionally use select lessons for higher grades. This is Common Core Aligned, so sometimes the methods get a little weird. Common core math does not focus on memorization of math facts, which is a vital skill for math success. If you use a Common Core aligned math program, make sure you plug in some math games like Multiplication.com and others (see below) to help polish up the memorization of facts.

Prodigy (K-8) Read about our experience here

IXL (All levels – excellent platform)

InstantCert (dual enrollment/college)

Study.com & Sophia.org (dual enrollment/college)

 I have my daughter simply work at the computer, doing the provided questions. I require a certain number of answers – or sometimes correct answers per day, depending on her current needs (I don’t stress over “wrong” answers – they’re evidence learning is happening : ) 

 

you don't have to buy the fancy calculator!

 Try these online calculators. They're free, and have had everything we've needed throughout all levels of Math

Desmos - suitable for exams

The following are great, but in some instances might provide too much "help" and might not be great for exam day, depending on the setting:

Wolfram Alpha

Mathpapa

 Mathaway

Symbolab 

 

If she gets to a question, and does not know how to do it, this is how I help:

1)      Look at the question, and see if I know how to do it and can explain it.

2)      Read or watch the provided tutorial or explanation provided on the platform, and see if we can figure it out together. This is VERY valuable instruction for her, as I am modeling how to learn math!

3)      If I cannot figure it out from the provided explanation or tutorial, I copy the name of the lesson or unit (for instance, “adding fractions with unlike denominators”) and paste it into the Youtube search bar. I add the words “For kids” or “Easy” after the words I pasted. This brings up a selection of MANY videos that explain just how to do the type of math she is working on. We watch a few of them together & find one that we like. If a video is confusing, boring, or poorly explained, we just skip to the next one. Over time we’ve developed favorite channels or teachers. For instance, “Math Antics” has lots of great videos for Elementary, Jr. High math & early Algebra.(Of course, if we need a written explanation rather than a video, we just type the same words into our regular search engine and look for a good article). Here is my Pinterest Board of Favorite Math Videos

4)      If she needs to memorize a formula or method, she types the name of what is needed in the Youtube search bar, and adds the word “song” – she gets a selection of formulas set to music for easy memorization. Some are much better than others – we take a few minutes to find a good one. Then we sing it together enough times for her to memorize it. I have a collection of good songs that have worked for us on my Pinterest Board of Math Songs.

            Here is a small sample of some of our favorite songs for Algebra (rest assured, you'll find

            many more once you know to look for them!) :

A fun one for memorizing polynomials

The Quadratic Formula 

The Sums and Differences of Cubes 

 5)      Then, we go back to the questions, and try again. Persistence pays off

 6)   Sometimes, you need to "Be the Duck."  Computer programmers often keep a rubber ducky on their desk. If they have code that isn't working, and they cannot find the bug, they explain their code, line by line, out loud, to the Duck. And, as they explain it, they see their own mistakes. Many days, I AM the duck for math class! I don't understand it, but my daughter understands it better when she explains it, aloud, to me.

6)      If, together, we still cannot figure it out – and we’ve spent a good amount of time trying, we call in the “big guns” – for us, this is Daddy when he comes home from work (math is his thing). But, not every family has a Daddy who is good at math. If that's the case, find a friend from Church or a neighbor who is a retired math teacher, or a professional tutor would also work. I find if we do the above steps ourselves, the “big guns” were really only really needed a handful of times - total. 

In addition to the above steps, we use online math game platforms or apps. 

For more games, check out my Pinterest Board on Math Games. Here are a few favorites:

Dragonbox is a great Algebra introduction, to help with basic algebra concepts, and helps make algebra methodology more natural for the student. I cannot recommend it highly enough. 

Prodigy was priceless in Elementary

Multiplication.com is great for math memorization as well as practice disguised as video games.Use it to help with automaticity at any age.

Just one more note:

Very early in my homeschool teaching days, I found an excellent bit of encouragement in math from Art Robinson, creator of the Robinson Curriculum. Some of his children went to college for math-intensive courses in their mid-teens. He aimed for his kids to do about 2 HOURS of math a day. Although I did not use his curriculum, or follow all his methods, I did find this bit of advice to be quite valuable. We don’t usually spend 2 hours on math – but some days we do! And, there are very few days on which we do 10-minutes-and-done. We tend to expect math to take some serious time.