I just finished reading the following book and now I want to watch the movies that portray Fred Roger’s life. He was an ordained minister, completed graduate work in child development, and received over 40 honorary degrees. Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood ran for 33 years, showcased his talents as a musician and puppeteer, and had a powerful influence on television programming. His passion for children and wisdom are palpable throughout the biography.
Chapters include: The Importance of Taking Time, Who is my Neighbor?, The Power of Forgiveness, The Least of These, and Difficult Times.
I made this post a couple of years ago, but I am reposting it with some additional thoughts and resources. I saw this photo first on Facebook. It really struck me. Just look at how the woman in the middle is savoring the moment. She is present. Being present means being fully aware of what is going on around you.
I think we miss so much. On my Greenway hikes, I’ve been surprised at the number of people distracted by their phones with so much beauty around them. I would have missed this if I hadn’t been present.
Teaching children science reawakened my sense of wonder. Watching them discover and explore the beauty and mysteries of creation was a blessing. There is no greater gift than to see the natural world through a child’s eyes.
“May we never lose our wonder,
Wide-eyed and mystified,
May we be just like a child,
Staring at the beauty of our king.”
Wonder Walkers is my new favorite book! “Only wonderstruck children, confronting nature’s gorgeous mysteries, could express themselves so intimately, creatively, and originally.” Kirkus Reviews
“Think and wonder, wonder and think.” Dr. Seuss
Recently I discovered a tree with “something” around the trunk. Anyone know what this growth might be? I wonder…. Is it living? Is it a disease? Why is it only on this tree? Is it safe to touch?
As I mentioned in a previous post, model asking wonder questions aloud for your children and encourage them to share their wonder questions with you. So that students can record their wonder questions on post-it notes, create a wonder wall or door.
Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare. Psalm 40:5
I’m Thankful Each Day by PK Halinan is one of my favorite children’s books about the concept of gratitude. Although it is a fitting book to use around Thanksgiving, this delightful story is appropriate to read anytime.
Create a class book in which each student contributes a page for something he/she is thankful. At home, ask your child to take photographs of people, places, events, animals or items for which he/she is thankful, print them, and make a book. Write text on each page. It will be a sweet keepsake to read each Thanksgiving.
How can you introduce the concept of diversity to young children? I like to begin a discussion through observing creation. Examining items from the natural world is a simple and effective way to see the variety and uniqueness of both living and nonliving objects. I collected oak leaves from a single branch and cockle shells from a small area on the beach. The apples are all Gala apples. Although they are the same, they are different. What do you notice? Take a walk and look for diversity. Of course, discussing the similarities and differences in siblings is fun too!
The richness of diversity adds to the beauty of our world!
I recently registered for the RiseUp Summit which is a free online conference for Christian educators in both public and private schools. Click here for details. You can join live from October 22nd-23rd and On-Demand from October 21st-26th. Pass the word if you know someone who might be interested!
My husband and I visited the Biblical History Center in LaGrange, Georgia. My favorite part of the tour was the walk through the Archaeological Replica Garden where full-scale reconstructions of structures relevant to daily life in Biblical times bring history to life. I recommend making reservations for the tour because the knowledgeable guide explains the culture and customs of Biblical times. The tour includes a visit to the Biblical Life Artifacts Gallery where 250 artifacts from the National Treasures of Israel are on display. Click here to visit their site. At the end of our tour, we enjoyed a Biblical meal. There are special events throughout the year. Roman Army Day is on October 23rd. What an interesting day trip for a small group or your family!
Second grade chemists created an exothermic (heat producing) chemical reaction when they mixed 1/2 cup of 20 volume hydrogen peroxide (purchased at Sally’s Beauty Store), a few squirts of Dawn dishwashing soap, and 1 T yeast dissolved in 50 mL of warm water. Yeast was our catalyst. This lab provided an excellent opportunity to review lab safety. I also introduced chemical formulas.
Before the experiment, we learned that yeast is a one-celled living organism that reproduces by budding. It is in a dormant state in the package, but we can “wake” it up with warm water. Yeast is used to make bread dough rise as carbon dioxide is released. Click here to watch an animated video of yeast budding.
In some of the bottles, we changed variables. We didn’t place soap in one and and in another, we used cold water, rather than hot to dissolve the yeast. We added food coloring in one bottle, and it really looked like toothpaste!
We learned that unleavened bread does not have yeast in it and therefore does not rise. The Bible mentions yeast 31 times. That would be an interesting study!
Deuteronomy 16:3 “You shall not eat leavened bread with it; seven days you shall eat with it unleavened bread, the bread of affliction (for you came out of the land of Egypt in haste), so that you may remember all the days of your life the day when you came out of the land of Egypt.
I want to share three devotionals that I am reading during my morning devotions. We all have more time to read now, so this is the perfect time to add something new to your quiet time with God.
I am reading the second book of Louie Giglio’s science devotions for kids. I learn something about creation every day! Your entire family will enjoy it. There are two books in this series, and I hope he writes another one!
Let’s join together and pray as a nation. If My People is a 40 day prayer guide for us to intercede for our nation. It’s a small, inexpensive paperback that is so powerful! I love the way that the author also weaves prayers from past presidents throughout the 40 days.
I was given the next devotional several years ago and I just picked it up again. It is truly one of the best devotionals I have used. Although it begins in January, I just began on the date I started back in March. I look forward to the wisdom I gain through it each day.
