The New Year !

After a nice Christmas break and some snowy days in the forecast, it is time for school again. On snow days for surrounding schools always let your children have time also to play in the snow and go sledding. No one wants to watch fun by looking out a window. Enjoying the weather is one of the best lessons you can teach your child!

Encourage a snowman to be built, talk about outdoor art! Make sure you have a nice carrot or tangerine for a nose! Shovel a driveway or clean off a car, may be a neighbor needs a hand. Get some friends to play in this snowy wonderland!

Do some sketching. It may be too cold to go out, so have your child sit by the window and draw some beautiful winter nature. Bare trees and plants sticking out through the snow can be wonderful on a piece of white paper. An awesome art project will consist of acrylic paint, a 9x12 canvas, brushes, water, towels and a winter scene to paint. Some of Monet`s most beautiful paintings are of a cold, chilly day. Check out a book of his art work and read about his inspiring life. Go all out and buy a wooden frame for your child`s masterpiece!

Winter bird feeding. This was a favorite! So many new birds are out to feed. Beautiful colors and sizes. From the rude blue jay to the sweet little junco. Gather birds to your backyard with bird seed and suet and you will be amazed. They go out and tell their friends and soon your children will be the tweet of the town!
Create a lesson for your child and make it an bird observation from the window. Have a notebook and log the bird type, time of day, and actions of the bird. If you have a bird guide that would be great. My children had the best time laughing together and noticing the behavior of the mingling creatures. The more you keep it up, the more action. Once we had at least 50 birds at once and over time saw 10 to 15 different kinds. Maybe you will see a woodpecker!

Books to read~ Robert Frost poems~ One that is great for this time of year is ~Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening. Read a few time and have your child draw a picture of a snowy owl in a tree.

The Snowman~by Raymond Briggs~ This book has no words and is a journey of wonder and discovery. Let your child add the words by telling you the story! A beautiful dvd is available with the most striking art and motion ever seen. Check it out at your local library. No winter should be without it.

Getting back to your studies after the holidays can be exciting when you add winter fun. Get a good jump on your work and study hard! The year is half way through and your kids are going to shine! Bring in the new year with new ideas and goals for yourself and your children. You are the teacher. Know what you want for your school year and be committed. Bless your children, so they can bless others.

Carry on!
Danna