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