Showing posts with label crafts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label crafts. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Autumn


September 23rd he first official day of fall! This is my favorite season for many reasons... the leaves change, the days get shorter, pumpkins decorate the front steps and the smell of autumn fills the air. Of course, I also love fall because there are so many fun books to read and fall-related crafts to create.

Everyone loves a good picture book! The following selections will inspire kids of all ages to jump into a pile of leaves, write poetry, carve pumpkins, admire the trees, and design a leaf creature!


Mouse’s First Fall by Lauren Thompson
 One cool day Mouse and Minka venture out to play. From leaves of all colors — red, yellow, orange, and brown — to leaves of all shapes and sizes — from pointy to round — Mouse learns that fall is a season full of fun! And before the day is done he just might take the biggest leap of all.

Leaves by David Ezra Stein
It’s a young bear’s first autumn, and the falling leaves surprise him. He tries to put them back on the trees, but it doesn’t work. Eventually, he gets sleepy, and burrows into the fallen leaves for a long nap. When he wakes up, it’s spring—and there are suddenly brand-new leaves all around, welcoming him.
 

It's Fall by Linda Glaser
Simple text and bold, beautiful paper sculpture cover the animal life, plant life, weather, a night scene, clothing small children would wear, as well as the general feelings and sensibilities associated with the fall season. 


Autumnblings by Douglas Florian
This collection of poems and paintings welcomes fall with all the crisp energy of a joyful tumbling run. A companion volume to the highly praised Winter Eyes and Summersaults, Autumnblings proves once again that Douglas Florian is a poet for all seasons.


Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert
Fall has come, the wind is gusting, and Leaf Man is on the move. Is he drifting east, over the marsh and ducks and geese? Or is he heading west, above the orchards, prairie meadows, and spotted cows? No one's quite sure, but this much is certain: A Leaf Man's got to go where the wind blows.  
 

The Little Yellow Leaf by Carin Berger
As all the other leaves float off and fly past, Little Yellow Leaf thinks, I'm not ready yet . As the seasons change all around, Little Yellow Leaf holds on to the tree. Still not ready . Will Little Yellow Leaf ever be ready? This is a story for anyone who has ever been afraid of facing the unknown—and a celebration of the friends who help us take the leap.


It's Pumpkin Time! by Zoe Hall
A brother and sister get ready for Halloween early- by planting their own pumpkin patch! Readers will discover the simple joys of gardening and enjoy watching the exciting transformation from pumpkinseed to jack-o'-lantern.

The Reasons for the Seasons by Gail Gibbons
A scientific explanation of how the position of Earth in relation to the sun causes seasons, and the wonders that come with each one of them.

What is your favorite fall picture book?
Enjoy the season!

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Our Library Visit

Today we went to the library! We were impressed by all of the books. We were also impressed with Mrs. Sol's class! We watched curiously as the students made super cool binders. They used scrapbook paper and view binders to create original History Notebooks, Science Journals and Writing Portfolios. They are going to fill them with stories, lessons, responses, thoughts, narrations, drawings, charts and notes from the whole year! At the end of the year, we'll all meet again and they will share what they have learned. Maybe we should make one to document our journey around Washington!

Here we are at the center of all of the excitement!

 Wen admiring a lovely writing portfolio.

Hey! These notebooks are comfortable too!

It was fun to see everyone. Maybe when we get back from our trip, we'll see our friends again. If you want to learn more about using Notebooks, Journals and Portfolios, you can download information here.

Thanks for another fun adventure!      

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Wonderful WAVAteers!

Today we went to a Cookies by the Creek picnic in Vancouver. We spent the day with amazing WAVA families. Everyone was very friendly and the cookies were delicious! We took a few pictures to share with you. We'll post them below. What a fun day we had!

We met cool students...


and helpful teachers.



Wen really liked the craft table where kids made fun notebooks.


Great job as glue stick holder, Wen!


Walter liked the playground...


and the cookies!

 Thanks for inviting us to your picnic.
Now we are really excited to start our journey!

We'll see you soon,