♥Books Books Books♥

For July, I thought I'd highlight one of our daily activities we adore♥

Our reading time has always been an important time of our day... 

Silent reading allows one to explore new worlds, new depths and new reflections... 

"Buddy reading" is a sharing experience, making connections while learning from each other♥

Our journals create an extension to our reading where they can record their thoughts and feelings...

All forms are equally important on their literary journeys... 

Here is a peek of this months adventures into the land of imagination:D

 

 

 Libraries are a buffet for the mind and dear to my heart♥

 

 Our table is most often covered in books, journals, sketch pads and snacks;)

Here are a few of our favourites in July♥

 

The kids loved to call out the animals and sounds... all ears all eyes:)

 

 A favourite of my 8 year old son...  while he mostly reads chapter books on his own, he relishes the opportunity to read this kind of picture book to the girls... it has a fictional story line but load in a ton of useful facts about animals they want to learn more about:)

 This was a peaceful book... I could have read it over and over... put the girls right to sleep;)

 This was by far a group favourite... all gathered around to listen to the wonderful cd and read along with the book... I've ordered us a copy for home... it's one of the ones they don't want to take back to the library... it's a keeper... and their copy should arrive in August♥

 ... made Mommy cry reading it to them... ♥

 Another favourite for the 3, 4 and 8 year old kids... my 8 year old son loved reading this one to the girls for imagining cloud shapes is one of his favourite pass times♥

 Lovely story with something special for their journals... a little something to remember...

 This book of poetry tied in to our study of trees this past month.  There were poems for all the kids aged 3, 4, 8, 12 and 13... and the older ones got a real kick out of the play on words... must read... Poetrees;)

 This chapter book is making it's rounds between all the boys ages 8, 12 and 13... it's entertaining, well written story grabs their attention and pulls them deep into the little world of our tiny hero♥

2012 Autumn, back to school and big changes...

2012 Autumn, back to school and big changes...

The kids are heading to a new school, embarking on a promising new year of learning and growing.  We had an extremely busy summer with the purchase of our beautiful new home in the country.  The kids feel like we moved into the forest or a park with all space and mature trees.  We feel so very blessed... words can't express how happy and content we are here.   We have much to be thankful for heading into the season of Thanksgiving♥

Where we love is home

Home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts.

Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

As always, back to school remains ever bitter-sweet as I miss my sweet babes as they go off on their own adventures.  We enjoyed the summer reading program at the library and always had volumes to read under our shady trees.  Autumn is almost upon us once again and I like to pack a short poem as a small piece of home to take with them when they go to school.

  

Autumn Bird Song

Over the housetops,
Over the trees,
Winging their way
In a stiff fall breeze.

A flock of birds
Is flying along
Southward, for winter,
Singing a song.

Singing a song
They all like to sing,
"We'll see you again
When it's spring, spring, spring."

Autumn Wind

When autumn wind goes running
It does some magic things.
It gives the shadows dancing shoes,
It gives the bright leaves wings -
When autumn wind goes running.

It curls the bonfire's tail of smoke
And shares a little whispered joke
With cornstalks who delight to prattle,
It turns a seed pod into a rattle -
When autumn wind goes running.

An Autumn Greeting

"Come," said the Wind to the Leaves one day.
"Come over the meadow and we will play.
Put on your dresses of red and gold.
For summer is gone and the days grow cold."

Microsoft stock photo, love it♥

Autumn and Back to School...

The kids are back in school, embarking on a promising new year of learning and growing... However, back to school remains ever bitter-sweet as I miss their lively chatter and imaginative play.  In the summer, we always find a shady tree to lay out a blanket and share stories and poems.  Autumn is almost here and I like to pack a short poem as a small piece of home to take with them when they go to school. Some offerings of lunch time literature I am packing this week...

  

Autumn Bird Song

Over the housetops,
Over the trees,
Winging their way
In a stiff fall breeze.

A flock of birds
Is flying along
Southward, for winter,
Singing a song.

Singing a song
They all like to sing,
"We'll see you again
When it's spring, spring, spring."

Autumn Wind

When autumn wind goes running
It does some magic things.
It gives the shadows dancing shoes,
It gives the bright leaves wings -
When autumn wind goes running.

It curls the bonfire's tail of smoke
And shares a little whispered joke
With cornstalks who delight to prattle,
It turns a seed pod into a rattle -
When autumn wind goes running.

An Autumn Greeting

"Come," said the Wind to the Leaves one day.
"Come over the meadow and we will play.
Put on your dresses of red and gold.
For summer is gone and the days grow cold."

Microsoft stock photo, love it♥

Autumn Days

September brings with it cool Autumn days and a wealth of opportunity to celebrate and plan events. 

Microsoft stock photo

Autumn Wind

When autumn wind goes running

It does some magic things.

It gives the shadows dancing shoes,

It gives the bright leaves wings -

When autumn wind goes running.

It curls the bonfire's tail of smoke

And shares a little whispered joke

With cornstalks who delight to prattle,

It turns a seed pod into a rattle -

When autumn wind goes running.

http://www.canteach.ca/elementary/songspoems1.html

 From our dear friend Victoria

Apple Picking: visit an apple orchard, Farmers market, make Apple prints

September

The breezes taste of apple peel.

The air is full of smells to feel-

Ripe fruit, old footballs, burning brush,

New books, erasers, chalk and such.

The bee, his hive, well-honeyed hum,

And Mother cuts chrysanthemums.

Like plates washed clean with suds, the days

Are polished with morning haze.

John Updike

http://www.canteach.ca/elementary/songspoems1.html

 http://www.gooseberrypatch.com/

Grandparents Day: Bookmark or can for pencils?

This little can, made of tin,

Was washed and saved to use again,

I added paint, I added glue

I made a present just for you.

It’s for your pencils or your pens,

You can show it to your friends,

It’s not empty for you can see,

It’s filled with love to you from me.

 My Grandparents, before my Grandma passed away♥

Fall Harvest: Create your own Cornucopia

http://www.dltk-holidays.com/thanksgiving/mcornicopia.htm

Poetry for Fall and Colouring Pages

http://www.dltk-holidays.com/fall/crafts-trees.htm

http://www.classroomjr.com/fall-kids-poems/fall-kids-poems-leaves/

 

September Stargazing

Queen of the Night

With fall season around the corner, new constellations begin to take centre stage in the night sky. Cassiopeia, the Queen, is a striking zigzag pattern of five bright stars that lie near to the North Pole star, Polaris.  Greek legends say that the vain queen of Ethiopia, wife of King Cepheus, was condemned by the god Zeus to the heavens after boasting that her own beauty rivalled that of the god's own daughters. Cassiopeia now sits on her star-studded throne, eternally circling Polaris - never to set below the horizon. Andrew Fazekas, TheNightSkyGuy

http://www.theweathernetwork.com/stargazing/caon0506?ref=topnav_victoriadayweather_stargazing


September: Arthritis Month
Arthritis Month aims to raise public awareness of arthritis and of the services available to arthritis sufferers.
The Arthritis Society
Tel.: 416-979-7228
Toll-free: 1-800-321-1433
Fax: 416-979-8366
E-mail: info@arthritis.ca
September: Big Brothers and Big Sisters Month
Big Brothers and Big Sisters Month aims to raise public awareness of the need for new volunteers and celebrates volunteer mentors.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada
Tel.: 905-639-0461
Toll-free: 1-800-263-9133
Fax: 905-639-0124
11 September: National Grandparents Day (Sunday after Labour Day)
National Grandparents Day honours grandparents across Canada.
The Legacy Project
Tel.: 905-640-8914
Toll-free: 1-800-772-7765
Fax: 905-640-2922
E-mail: tcp@tcpnow.com
12 - 18 September: Prostate Cancer Awareness Week (starts on the third week of September)
Prostate Cancer Awareness Week aims to raise public awareness of prostate cancer and to raise funds for research on this disease.
Prostate Cancer Research Foundation of Canada
Tel.: 416-441-2131
Toll-free: 1-888-255-0333
Fax: 416-441-2325
E-mail: info@prostatecancer.ca
15 September: The Alzheimer Coffee Break (usually the third Thursday of September)
The Alzheimer Coffee Break encourages Canadians to donate the cost of a cup of coffee to their community Alzheimer Society to fund programs and services intended for people suffering from Alzheimer's disease.
Alzheimer Society of Canada
Tel.: 416-488-8772
Toll-free: 1-800-616-8816
Fax: 416-322-6656
E-mail: coffeebreak@alzheimer.ca
17 - 25 September: Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life Week
AIDS Walk for Life Week is a fundraising event for AIDS prevention, education and awareness.
Canadian AIDS Society
Tel.: 613-230-3580 Ext. 140
Toll-free: 1-800-499-1986 Ext. 140
Fax: 613-563-4998
E-mail: info@aidswalkforlife.ca
18 September: The Terry Fox Run (second Sunday after Labour Day, except if it conflicts with Jewish religious holidays)
First held in 1981, the Terry Fox Run is an annual fundraising event for cancer research.
The Terry Fox Foundation
Tel.: 604-701-0246
Toll-free: 1-888-836-9786
Fax: 604-701-0247
E-mail: national@terryfoxrun.org
18 - 24 September: National Forest Week (last full week of September)
The Canadian Forestry Association has been organizing the National Forest Week for over 70 years. This event enables the Association to work with partners across the country to raise Canadians' awareness of their country's rich forest heritage.
Canadian Forestry Association
Tel.: 613-732-2917
Toll-free: 1-866-441-4006
Fax: 613-732-3386
E-mail: cfa@canadianforestry.com
25 September: Police and Peace Officers' National Memorial Day (the last Sunday of September)
Police and Peace Officers' National Memorial Day provides Canadians with an opportunity to acknowledge the dedication of police and peace officers who have died in the line of duty.
Canadian Professional Police Association
Tel.: 613-231-4168
Fax: 613-231-3254
E-mail: cpa-acp@cpa-acp.ca