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October 8, 2009
Celebrating Fall
So school has been, well hit and miss the last week or so. We've battled a some sort of cold bug with all the kids and had a couple crazy days mixed in between. One day, with child #2 sick and in bed, we just entirely skipped "traditional" schooling and claimed a "learning service, compassion, and prayer day." Sometimes I wonder if those aren't the *more* important lessons to learn anyway? The other two kids old enough to color, made "get well soon" cards for her and taped them around her bed. We also prayed for her as a family. Something I have been really bad about remembering to do. I keep an ongoing prayer conversation in my heart with God daily, so sometimes I just forget that modeling prayer and leading them in prayer is something they are sorely missing out on outside of church. Anyway...later in the day when child was feeling better and had colored her own "thank you" get well sheet per her request (specifically, "mom, I want to color a page where the sick person GIVES the visitor the gift!") We gathered around and prayed a "Thank You for healing" prayer which, i'm not sure has ever been done verbally as a family in this house before. I am embarrassed to say it, but seriously. I'm still learning at this!
Anyway, with all the sickies well again, we've plugged away at our Apologia Botany book finishing the very first chapter (which earned us a Friday day of celebration!) closing up on the differences of which plants make seeds and which don't..etc. Yesterday we started the first page of the new chapter delving into seeds, (that they have an embryo (tiny baby plant) inside, and food for the plant (think of it as it's "lunchbox") wrapped in a protective shell.) After discussing that seeds shed thier outer shell when introduced to warmth, air, and water (just like we shed a coat when we get too hot) we dropped 3 lima bean seeds into a cup of warm water and periodically in the day checked to see how the seed changed. Later I tried to follow up the importance of giving God our thanks for healing with the story of the Ten Lepers, but the kids were tired of being read to, despite my very animate attempts at acting the story out. Which left me thinking, if they are tired of being read to, how are we going to press on with thier science as it depends on me reading it to them?
Today I opened up the Homeschool Minute which talked of this very thing! God is so awesome to bring exactly what you need when you need it! Our school was looking a bit too much like "school" with mom feeling pressure to keep up the studies, keep up the studies, keep up the studies!! So, we're taking a break from book reading today and tomorrow. Instead, we're focusing on doing alot of Fall oriented crafts and decorating the house! (which it is my hope to spurn on conversations about Thanksgiving in general)
I gathered our craft supplies and today we made "Fall Placemats" which is probably one of my favorite Fall Family Crafts. We haven't been able to do it every year, as I can't always find self laminating paper out here when I need it. But basically, it is construction paper, crayons or colored pencils, any stickers on hand, and the self laminating paper. I insist on each placemat having the child's name, age, and date, and if they'll let me I try to trace thier hands. If they want to make them Turkey-hands, that's fine but they don't have to. Then I let them color and sticker to thier hearts desire. After it is done, I try to print out a small recent picture of the child, glue that in place somewhere, then laminate it on both sides making it water proof. The first time I did this, and I still have them, is when Julia and Megan were 2 and 3 years old. I love pulling them out and looking at them, probably more than the kids! Anyway....so we did this today. I have 4 placemats waiting on pictures and laminating! i am so blessed!
Tonight I have my own "homework" of cutting out fall leaves of construction paper. Tomorrow the kids are going to be hanging them from string to make Fall Leaf Banners to tape to the walls. Easy enough!
Saturday we are doing Julia's Idea for a craft...collect leaves outside, then glue them into a fall collage. I was thinking of getting some paper plates, cutting out the center, and making Fall "wreaths" from them. (An idea I saw online) I'd also like to have the kids start an entry in thier nature journals picking a tree outside and sketching it with the leaves changing. I want to "resketch" this same tree in each season.
So that is our "school" for the last couple weeks and the remainder of this week. I have a few other Thanksgiving Ideas (both for crafts and for lessons) that we'll be doing next month. What are some of your favorite things of fall or Thanksgiving? What are some family traditions you do with your families every year, or hope to add in this year? |
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About Me
Recent Posts
• Thanksgiving! Traditions of new and old!
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October 9, 2009 - Untitled Comment