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The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. Isaiah 9:2

Christmas Tangrams

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Here is a really fun idea at Almost Unschoolers suggested by my friend at E.W. Spider. A huge set of tangrams to tell the Christmas story. This could be a fun project for those days before Christmas that are all too short for mothers and long for children. Thanks Tanja!

O Antiphones

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Antiphons are sentences from scripture that are sung or recited.  Some sentences from scripture that have come to be known as the "O Antiphons" are part of the Catholic tradition.  These sentences are recited the seven days preceding Christmas Eve, Dec. 17-23.  What is special about these sentences is that each one is a title for the coming Messiah.  They are, O Sapientia (O Wisdom), O Adonai (O Lord), O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse), O Clavis David (O Key of David), O Oriens (O Rising Sun), O Rex Gentium (O King of the Nations), and O Emmanuel.  Each one is explained in depth on this site.

This year we will be spending some time during these seven days reflecting on these titles that appeared in the prophecy of Isaiah.  We might add some fun to it by having some O Antiphon coins that I linked to in my previous post.  We may also use this booklet.

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Perhaps you'd like to do the same or maybe you already do. There are also printable ornaments that are part of a Jesse Tree set here and more activities here.  You can hear them chanted in Latin here.  I'd love to hear about the traditions you use during this season to teach and remember.

Advent Week 1: HOPE

St. Nicholas Chocolate Coins

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This post on Catholic Cuisine has really got me excited.  The author provides downloads for artwork to make chocolate coins special for this season.  There is a set for St. Nicholas day, a set of Jesse Tree coins, a set of the O Antiphons and a few more.  They are as easy to make as print, cut and glue. 

First Sunday in Advent: Hope

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Polar Bear Cam

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I just heard about this and can't wait to watch polar bears live!  A web camera was set up on the edge of the Hudson Bay, close to the town of Churchhill, Manitoba.  The camera is in a spot where polar bears are waiting for the ice to form on the Hudson Bay so that they can travel further North to begin their seal hunt. The Polar Bear Cam delivers a live feed from 9 am - 5 pm central time and is being watched in schools all over Canada.  Perhaps you would like to watch too!

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Remembering Christ's Birth

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Advent is a season that is close upon us.  It usually begins the Sunday after Thanksgiving and as it does this year as well.  Advent is the beginning of the liturgical year, a tool used by the church since early times to learn about and focus on the life of Christ.  Advent is a time to prepare for and remember the birth of Christ, the beginning of God's plan for our redemption through Christ.

Something that our family has really enjoyed doing together during Advent the last few years is an Advent Wreath.  This was something from my childhood I wanted to share with my children.  It turned out to be the best thing to include my husband in as he can't be with us for all the daily Jesse Tree readings.  And if a Jesse Tree is just to DAILY for you (and I certainly understand that) this is a very simple but meaningful way to prepare your heart for the coming of Jesus.

This blog post explains a really simple method of using an Advent Wreath.  Our family's tradition is similar.  We light the candle for that week, my husband reads the scripture, we pray, and then we sing a hymn together.  Simple, yet very powerful.  We have found that it really helps us to focus on what Christmas is really about, the coming of the Savior of the world.  Now that is something to celebrate!

If you do like daily there is another option here. These are made by a young boy and the proceeds go to support a child through Compassion International. A very worthy way to remember Christ this season.

Source: adventtolenttoascensionwreath.blogspot.com via Jen on Pinterest

This was posted on the Nativity Carnival at A Ten O'Clock Scholar's blog. Check it out for other great advent ideas.

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Tic-Tac-Toe Review

E.W. Spider had a great blog post this morning about playing Tic Tac Toe. Turns out it's a great assessment tool! She also has some links to fun information about the game and how and where it is played.

A search of the internet yielded a lot of fun free printable boards. Here is a fun Turkey themed Tic-Tac-Toe board your students might enjoy this month.

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Or maybe a pumpkin theme?

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Freebie - Mary Frances Knitting Book

Hurry, while you can and get this wonderful freebie offered on the Homeschool Freebie Of The Day blog.  Homeschool Freebie of The Day is a wonderful blog and there is always something fun there so check it often.  But they don't last long.  Most freebie's are only offered for 24 hours so get this one while you can!

Happy Halloween!

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The Ghost and Mr. Chicken

Don Knotts is my favorite comedic actor and this is a delightful way to spend Halloween with caramel apples, popcorn balls and candy corn of course.

Stories and Legends of Autumn, Hallowe'en and Thanksgiving

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Free Origami Paper

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I've recently discovered a terrific blog for homeschooling freebies, New Beginnings.  Today's post had this link for 50 free sheets of origami paper in three sizes.  This site also has many helpful tutorials for beginners.  Origami is an excellent activity for teaching hand eye coordination to children.  Grab it while you can!

Free Old Schoolhouse Summer Issue

 

I love getting something for free.  Especially something that I actually find practical and helpful.  Click on the image above to get a free issue of The Old Schoolhouse one of my favorite homeschooling magazines.

Need 5 minutes?

This is sure to entertain your children for at least that long....

Pete the Cat - I Love My White Shoes - Live Telling

New Curriculum - Philosophy Adventure!

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Check out one of my favorite sites Homeschool Freebie of the Day for information on how to download a sample pdf of this new curriculum that develops writing, speaking and thinking skills while studying the history of Philosophy.  While you're there sign up for Homeschool Freebie's newsletter so you can keep up on the wonderfully free items for homeschoolers offered there every day.

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Happy Autumn!

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The first day of fall is here. The autumnal equinox 2011 occurred today at around 5 am, signaling the start of the autumn season.  It just happens to be my favorite season too.

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The autumnal equinox is a time when the day and night are nearly equal.  There is a wealth of information on timeanddate.com.

Winter's Tale

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No, not the Shakespearean play, but the story of Winter the dolphin.  Winter is the real life dolphin in the new movie The Dolphin's Tale.  Read more about why you should go to this movie suitable for the whole family on The Texas Homesteader.

To find out more about the real Winter and her trainer read this article on Tampabay.com.  There is a an abundance of information on this special multimedia page as well.

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Nutrimill Giveaway from Paula's Bread an Heavenly Homemakers

If you are like me and enjoy baking bread then you must check out this great giveaway! Paula's Bread is a great site with lots of fun things. Check it out!


Nutrimill Giveaway from Paula’s Bread!!!!

The Old Schoolhouse digital magazine!

The Old Schoolhouse Magazine is one of my favorites and right now they are offering a free digital copy!  I highly recommend this resource.

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A Day for Remembrance

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

- Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918) Canadian Army

Friendly Chemistry Giveaway!

Freely Educate, a favorite blog of mine, is hosting a giveaway of the Friendly Chemistry curriculum.  The winner will receive a student book and a teacher book.  Find out more about this great giveaway at the Freely Educate site.

Ambleside on Librivox

I'm not sure if I'm the last person on earth to know this, but Librivox now has a Wiki!!!  And low and behold they have a page dedicated to the Amblesideonline reading selections that are available as audiobooks on Librivox.  I hope you're as excited as I am.

Free Easter Devotional

Ann Voskamp's Blog, A Holy Experience, is one of my favorite blogs.  Ann is a very gifted writer and I am always convicted, moved, humbled or filled with joy as I read her words.  Her openness and honesty are a great blessing.

I had the privilege a few years ago to review her Advent devotional, The Glorious Coming, which my children and I have read together.  Now she is making her Lent Devotional, Trail to the Tree, available for free on her blog.   You should definitely check it out.

Seeds of Change Sowing Millions

Seeds of Change , an organic seed and food company, is making available 25 packets of seeds of their choice for only 4.99 shipping and handling.  If you like an adventure this is a great deal on seeds.  For ever seed request they receive they will send a matching donation to the American Horticultural Society. 

Give Up Yer Aul Sins - Story of Saint Patrick

Who better to tell the story of Patrick then an Irish school girl? This has got to be my favorite version ever but I've got lots of other things to help you celebrate one of my favorite days. Don't forget my favorite Irish Soda Bread recipe!

Enjoy.

Old Time Radio for St. Patricks Day

St Patrick's Day Old Time Radio

Win a Hamilton Beach Crockpot!

Cheeseslave is hosting a great giveaway of a new crockpot on her blog.  Check it out here: http://www.cheeseslave.com/2011/03/01/monthly-drawing-hamilton-beach-crockpot-45-value/#comment-101118
I really enjoy reading her blog so take a look around while your there.

Hope for Spring

...is getting primroses on sale for my living room.

Happy Sesquicentennial Kansas!!!

150 years ago today Kansas gained Statehood in the United States of America.  I am proud to be a Missourian and I love my home state, but I've adopted Kansas as my home and I love it here too.  There is so much I love about this state that I've now lived in for more than a decade that it would be hard for me to put it all down here.  But I do have a few things to share.

Kansas Public Radio is my favorite radio station in my area.  The station is in Lawrence, Kansas which is the first city I lived in here. The station recently aired a reading in two parts of the book S is for Sunflower.  You can listen to it here and here.  I learned a lot about Kansas listening to this children's book.  For example the Empire State Building was designed by two Kansas brothers and the Chrysler Building was built by another Kansan who also happened to be the founder of the Chrysler Corporation.  Of course President Eisenhower and Amelia Earhart are famous Kansans. Jack St. Clair Kilby, the inventor of the microchip was born in Jefferson City, Missouri and raised in Great Bend, Kansas. A fellow Missourian who spent time in Kansas. Lest anyone thing we transplanted Kansans aren't great, he won the Noble Prize for science.

There is a lot to be said for Kansas. For one thing it's not all flat which surprised me when I lived in Lawrence and drove to Baldwin, Kansas through hills everyday that reminded me of Southern Missouri.  But I will warn you that once you head west from Topeka you'll be learning to appreciate the beauty of wide open spaces. 

If you want to know more I've written about Kansas before and you can find out more about the state there. 

Shhh! Currclick Secret Sale

Check it out! Super Secret Sale at Currclick!!

Shhh! Currclick Secret Sale