Gifts for November

No shade, no shine, no butterflies,

no bees, no fruit, no flowers,

no leaves, no birds, No-vember. 

~ Thomas Hood

Scenes from Lighthouse Park

Enjoying His Creation in November ~  November can be an interesting time to observe and record weather.  For the younger student, this printable weather station may bring a bit of wonder to his weather watching endeavours.   For the older student, filling in this weather chart will help hone in his observation skills.  

And these wonderful nature reads here and here can be downloaded for free!  Lovely to read to the children or to have them practice their reading with.  

Poetry for November ~ A few poems to share with the children this month as the cool winds set in and the animals set up their winter homes: The Mist and All,  The Squirrel, and Autumn Fires.

Readings for the Book Baskets in November ~ During this month a few books about Remembrance Day and war are finding their way into our book baskets:  A Poppy is to Remember, Remembering John McCrae, and There Come a Soldier.  A teacher's guide pieced together by the Canadian Legion may help further learning, especially the poems and stories near the end.

Being a Blessing in November ~  Some practical ways for mom and children to love on those around them ~ giving a bit of encouragement to those who may need it this month.  

Making a Memory in November ~ This handmade gift list may be the perfect list to check off as we approach December.  And here are some great visuals.

Praise for November ~ Listening to this song when needing to seek a bit of peace in the home.  I hear the girls singing along in the other room ...

May this month be filled with much seeking and many love gifts. ~ Jessica

What to do When the Educating To Do List Becomes a Bit Too Long ...

"Reading one of the articles about education in one of the magazines my sister-in-law gave me has provided me with a new goal.  Presently I aim to give the children three opportunities in our little homeschool every day as I am able: 1) something or someone to love, 2) something to do, and 3) something to think about.  The article simply stated that this is what education is all about. ... I've tried to lead them to respect the elderly in their neighbourhood and give gifts to those who are struggling with hard times.  The reading of good books as well as their nature study provides them with something to think about.  As far as something to do, last ironing day I showed them how to make window decorations by ironing colorful leaves between wax paper.  Another day I showed them how to save the seeds from the marigold flowers that had finished blooming.  The children folded paper to make their own seed packets, and before these homemade envelopes were filled with the little black marigold seeds, they were decorated on the front with a drawing of the flower.  Certain elderly neighbors on the block were happy to receive these packets  when we came to call." 

~ Taken from Pocketful of Pinecones: Nature Study with the Gentle Art of Learning, authored by Karen Andreola

Lately, the goal presented in the words above, I've found myself thinking about over and over again, pondering how to make it more of a central part of our homeschool day.  I decided to turn to a fresh page of my home journal and pen a list.

Three Opportunities Each Day 

1) Something or Someone to Love

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. ~ Matthew 7:37-39

Love Family
~ helping
~ sharing
~ encouraging
~ giving
~ spending time with

Love Community
~ volunteering ...
~ practical giving to neighbours
~ encouraging notes, cards, gifts
~ being prepared to give to the poor ... always
~ visiting animal shelters

Love the World
~ Compassion, World Vision, Relief and Support Services Canada
~ Global Prayer Digest
~ Voice of the Martyrs
~ jar for "Love Money"

2) Something to Do

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. ~ Colossians 3:17

~ art
~ food preparation
~ chores
~ self chosen project
~ gardening
~ handiworks
~ gift making
~ physical activity practice
~ drawing nature

3) Something to Think About

[W]hatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things. ~ Phillipians 4:8

~ good books
~ table talk discussion questions
~ missionary stories
~ current events
~ news articles
~ science
~ nature study
~ artist study
~ composer study

What goals do you have for your homeschool day?

Gifts for October

The morns are meeker than they were,
The nuts are getting brown;
The berry's cheek is plumper,
The rose is out of town.
~ Emily Dickinson

~ something red ~

~ lichen ~

~  a wild flower ~ 

~ an old growth tree ~

~ something yellow ~ 

Scenes from last week's Forest Scavenger Hunt.  To print a list of forest wonders for you and the kids to find, click here:  Forest Scavenger Hunt Printable

Enjoying God's Creation in October ~ Enjoy scrolling through these photographs of harvests around the world and give a thankful prayer for the food on your table today.  

I must share ... in spare moments, lately, I have been indulging in Karen Andreola's book, Pocketful of Pinecones: Nature Study with the Gentle Art of Learning.  I am adoring this book ~ the simplicity and ingenuity is heart warming and inspiring for any mom seeking to share the out of doors with her child. 

Poetry for October ~ A couple of colourful printables to hang on the fridge this month? "Autumn" by Emily Dickinson  and "Leaves" by Elsie N. Brady.  Perhaps have the children memorize a piece to recite at a poetry tea later in the month garnished with pumpkin tarts or loaf.

Readings for your Book Baskets in October ~ Books about leaves, Thanksgiving, and pumpkins tend to fill our book baskets during this month:  Autumn Leaves, Fall, An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving, Autumnblings, Fall Leaves Fall!, Pumpkin Pumpkin. 

Making a Memory in October ~ October seems to call out to us to make our way to a pumpkin patch, or a corn maze, or a hayride ...! How about making a day of it at a pumpkin patch near you!  A listing of places in BC that hold such festivities can be found here: British Columbia's Corn Mazes, Pumpkin Patches, Hayrides and More... .  Don't forget your camera!

Music for October ~ Another classical song to enjoy during these autumn weeks: Autumn Song by Tchaikovsky.   Listen to the music.  Can you identify the instruments heard?  Can you interpret the music through movement?  How about drawing in a music journal the colours, feelings, and images portrayed through the music?  Simply enjoy the music. 

Art for October ~ Some inspiration for a Thanksgiving table centerpiece.  Gather leaves, pine cones and acorns.  Maybe some pretty red berries and a couple of scattered branches?  Perhaps an apple and a couple of pears and even a bunch of grapes?  Place them all in your child's hands to create a unique centerpiece filled with natural beauty this year.  

A fellow homeschooling mom shared about her thankful tree that her kids are growing this season and I thought how lovely a thankful tree would be in our home too, and perhaps yours?

Words for October ~ Something that I will be going back to read again and again this month.  Thanking Him for all things.  

May this month be filled with much thankfulness and many warm gifts. ~ Jessica