First Sunday in Advent: Hope

Source: prestostore.com via Jill on Pinterest

Polar Bear Cam

Source: polarbearcam.com via Jill on Pinterest

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!

Source: spearmintbaby.com via Jill on Pinterest

Source: lamplightart.com via Jill on Pinterest

Remembering Christ's Birth

Source: google.com via Holly on Pinterest

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.

Source: deesbbboutique.blogspot.com via Jill on Pinterest

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.

Source: preparednotscared.blogspot.com via Cherie on Pinterest

Or maybe a pumpkin theme?

Source: partyblog.mygrafico.com via Kate on Pinterest

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!