♥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♥

Summer... a time of nature submersion, reconnecting and discovery:)

End of June... Beginning of a new chapter... turn the page...

 

Today is the last day of the school year!  Hurray:D  Which means it's time to delve deep into summer... Slowing down and immersing ourselves into the experiences that rejuvenate us, reconnect us and inspire us... we get to live in the day to day closeness we wish we could have all year long.  

School often feels like the interruption to "us" and our journey but school is essential and we learn best from a village:)  Many teachers mean many perspectives and a collective knowledge to light your candle with.  

I hope this summer expands and enhances their year long learning and rekindles their love of learning with new study techniques to take them on the next length of their journeys...

 

My Eldest Son:  Graduated from Elementary School January 27th and will continue on to High School in Grade 9 this September... 

My two middle Sons completed their perspective grades and feel very optimistic about the autumn and their journeys into grades 7 and 3...

My Daughter and my other darling in care will enter Junior Kindergarten and their first experience in a formal classroom... so far... Nature and our home environment have been a third, unseen teacher and I know they are filled with the curiosity and persistence that comes from a self-directed, open ended play based learning environment♥

I am so proud of the wonderful individuals they are and cherish these times we share together♥

They played this wonderful video at Brendan's grade 8 Commencement Ceremony and I believe it is a perfect ending for this chapter and a perfect introduction into the next...

 For summer... we will take this time to slow down... I need to remember every moment... I cherish this time... my sweet babes... slow down... ♥

Gone Camping♥

Tent and gear are packed and it's time to head out.  Just before we go I wanted to share the great reads I found for the camping trip...

Collectively, the kids have read 90 books this summer and I am so proud of them... 

I have marshmallows to toast and smores to make, see you in a week or so♥

Gearing up for our Family Camping Adventure♥

We are so excited to be only two weeks away from our Camping Trip.

We'll be gone for over a week so I have many ideas stashed away for kids entertainment. 

Matching Animal Tracks

Create a Leaf or Bark Rubbing

Check out what lives under a dead tree

Find your direction with and without a compass

Scavenger Hunt

Make a water scope

Create a nature Collage

Listen to nature

Clean up a natural area

Keep a nature Journal

Colour pictures and draw pictures about your trip

http://www.craftjr.com/camping-coloring-pages/campfire-coloring-page/ 

Camping offers and uninterrupted dialogue with nature and how I like to get them started is to give them a Scavenger hunt.  I like to print copies of a list and have it ready with baskets for collection.

http://www.fantasyjr.com/scavenger-hunt-list/outdoor-scavenger-hunt/ 

 

On rainy days like today gearing up for the trip, I'll be making crafts with them to get them ready for their camping adventure and preserve their hand size in the process..

http://funhandprintart.blogspot.com/2010/02/handprint-campfire-with-song.html 

Don’t forget to create a checklist and take it with you

http://www.campsite24.ca/ 

I can’t wait to start our Camping adventure this year… two weeks to go and so much planning to do… See you on the hiking trails♥