Gifts for February

I will make you brooches and toys for your delight

Of bird song at morning and starshine at night.

I will make a palace fit for you and me,

Of green days in forest

And blue days at sea. 

My Valentine ~ Robert Louis Stevenson

Enjoying His Creation in February ~ Are you planning to join in for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count?  Whether formally tallying bird sightings or simply enjoying fluttering creatures from our window, this event has made it onto our calendar.   To attract more birds lovely to your own backyard,  these birdfeeders look fun to make and seem pretty easy too!

Poetry for February ~  Could you invite your child to pen a bit of original poetry this month?  Perhaps the topic could have something to do with love?  

{Wouldn't it would be fun for students to email me their poems and then have their names put into a draw for A Child's Garden of Poetry DVD!?  Some  guidelines for writing words poetic are highlighted here: Poetry for Kids. Perhaps I'll put my pen to paper too, and share a poem or maybe two ... {smile}}

Readings for the Book Basket in February ~ If you are interested in learning about the origins of Valentine's Day, then these two books, which have made their way into our book baskets, may be of interest to you:  The Story of Valentine's Day by Clyde Robert Bulla and Saint Valentine by Robert Sabuda.

Being a Good Friend during February ~ This stitched card idea is currently a work in progress.  Taking homemade cards and little gifts to our neighbourhood friends is a bit of a tradition on Valentine's.  Just to share: one of our favourite friendship books for little girls is this one from Emilie Barnes.  {There's a little boy version too!}  And this printable study on friendship looks to be quite insightful too!

Making a Memory in February ~ A beautiful way to share love verses with the family! And I find that I keep going back to Sally Clarkson's words on her Valentine traditions.  She continues to inspire me.

Something for the Fridge Door in February ~ Love verses to remind me that the first step to love is patience.  

Words during February ~ Something to watch and listen to often this month.   Living grateful for His Love.  

May this month be filled with much love and friendship! ~ Jessica

Learning Showcase ~ Term 1

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Gifts for January

In the winter time we go

Walking in the fields of snow;

Where there is no grass at all;

Where the top of every wall,

Every fence and every tree,

Is as white as white can be.

Taken from "White Fields" by James Stephens

{First Snow Scenes ~ Dec. 19th}

Getting Out into Creation in January ~ Finding time and motivation to bundle up and step out into the biting outdoors can be a challenge.  Your nose may get nipped and your toes may numb, but a cup of warm cocoa after the adventure will make the chilly air a joy.

While out and about, keep your eyes open for animal tracks in the snow and mud.  Identify any spotted tracks using one of these reference guides available here or here.  A great book to order from your local library to introduce animal tracks to your children is: Big Tracks, Little Tracks.  In addition,  this animal clue activity looks like fun too.

Filling the Book Baskets in January ~ This month, {out of all of the months}, is the one to cozy up under couch blankets with wonderful stories to warm the heart and the afternoons.  This month we've added stories about dog sledding and the Inuit to our book baskets:  Very Last, First Time, My Arctic 1, 2, 3, Out on the Ice in the Middle of the Bay, The Bravest Dog Ever: The True Story of Balto, The Littlest Sled Dog, A Sled Dog for Moshi, and A Team Like No Other.  And this list of wintery picture books has a collection of quality reads that look perfect for this chilly month.

Making Time for Art in January ~ The girls and I will be watching this video together and decorating the windows with these fanciful snowflakes - apparently it's all in the fold!  You may also find these wintery art ideas from the archives helpful in planning your January artistic pursuits.

Speaking Words of Poetry in January ~ Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost found us a couple of years back, and we keep coming back to it every January.  This poem is available in a picture book format and this recitation I came across this year. Beautiful always.

Making a Memory in January ~ Sweet tortilla snowflakes are super easy to make and delicious.  A perfect snack for a sweet memory.

Filling the Home with Music in January ~ Vivaldi's "Winter" is a must listen sometime this season.  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.  For further study of Vivaldi Making Music Praying Twice has a lovely biography.  

Worshiping in January ~ Added this song to my playlist last month.  Perhaps an anthem for this new year.  Sing along with me this month?

May this month be filled with much warmth and growing aspirations ~ Jessica