I've been working on my notes for next month and I thought I'd share them here with you all. Sorry if they seem kind of disjointed - sometimes that's just the way my brain works!
*Season: Late Winter*
*Month: February*
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I'll refresh the nature corner to reflect the new month at hand - heart-shaped rocks, pretty amethysts, tealights and tiny pairs of lovebirds will take their place on the shelf.
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I'll add some red and white heart-shaped doilies to the learning room windows.
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Early on the morning of the 2nd, we'll await Punxsutawny Phil's prediction. We'll read our favorite
Groundhog Day book (yep, we have a favorite!) -
How Groundhog's Garden Grew. Whether the outcome is more winter or an early spring, this book fits either mood. It really encourages an appreciation for each turn of the year.
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The 2nd also brings
Candlemas, so we will roll
beeswax candles in the morning and dine by candlelight in the evening. We'll also recite the old saying ~
If Candlemas be fair and bright,
Winter will take another flight.
But if Candlemas be clouds and rain,
Winter's gone and won't come again.
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We'll start watching for the earliest blooms - snowdrops. Bill planted the tiny bulbs in the northwest corner of the garden last fall. They probably won't show up till March (until the snow has melted somewhat) but it will be fun to start looking.
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Deep sleeps the Winter,
Cold, wet and grey;
Surely all the world is dead;
Spring is far away.
Wait! the world shall waken;
It is not dead, for lo,
The Fair Maids of February
Stand in the snow!
I'm planning to make
a tiny snowdrop fairy for the nature shelf - sort of following the directions in
All Year Round. (I say "sort of" because I'm going to use a wooden peg base instead of making a soft stuffed doll.)*
Over the weekend of the 7th-8th, we'll take part in the annual Mass. Audubon project,
Focus on the Feeders. We've done this for the past several years now.
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On the night of the 9th, we'll look for
the Full Snow Moon. The next morning we'll look up how many inches of snow our town has had so far this winter - and whether we're above or below average. (My guess is above!)
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On a clear, mild day we'll go for a late winter nature walk. I'll have the older boys look for animal tracks in the snow, while Earlybird and I gather a basket-full of winter weeds. Back at home I'll make a "winter weed" bouquet for the nature shelf.
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On the 12th, we'll attend an Abraham Lincoln Celebration with our homeschool group. I'll set up a book display in the learning room filled with books on our 16th president. (We're studying the Civil War this winter, so this activity is quite timely.) For dessert that night, I will serve a jelly roll - a "Lincoln Log," if you will. :)
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We'll start listening for the earliest spring birdsong on Valentines Day when, legend has it, the birds choose their mates. We'll make some Valentine "treats" to hang in the trees outside our windows.
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Around the second week of February, according the the Audubon Society, is when skunks begin to mate. (Just in time for Valentines those clever critters.) We'll watch
our favorite Valentine special,
A Kiss for Little Bear, which includes the story of a wedding between two skunks.
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Starting early in the month we'll start preparing homemade Valentines for friends and family. (This means a trip to the craft store this weekend to purchase any necessary supplies.)
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We'll hang a poster of presidents on Presidents' Day. And decorate frosted cupcakes with little American flags.
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Our nature study focus this month will revolve around the Beatrix Potter story,
The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin. We'll observe and learn about
red squirrels and owls.
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Our homeschool Nature Study Club will be dissecting owl pellets this month. We'll also walk into the woods to observe an owl's nest.
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Earlybird and I will begin his very own
Book of Trees. (Simply a handmade, child-friendly field guide.) We'll be reading
The Happiness Tree and focusing on evergreens this month. (Next month: maple trees.)
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Later in the month we'll start tracking the daytime and nighttime temperatures. When the days get over 40 and the nights fall below freezing, it means the sap will start running. (Next month's nature study focus.)
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One day late in the month, we'll visit the nursery to purchase seeds for our spring garden. We'll start some seeds at home in a sunny window or two.
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On the 24th, Shrove Tuesday, we'll make masks for Mardi Gras and eat pancakes and bacon for supper. We'll decide what we're giving up for Lent this year, as the next morning brings Ash Wednesday.
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Earlybird is learning how to use the library. Meaning, he's learning how to behave when we're there, how to politely ask for help, how to treat books, etc. We will turn a plain canvas bag into a "library tote" for him, embellishing it with rubber stamps and fabric paint, etc.
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As always, I must stress ... these are my notes - my hopes, and ideas - they do not always ALL come to pass. As you can tell, though, I do enjoy finding ways to weave the natural year into our home learning lifestyle. I find a wealth of inspiration in every turn of the year; I hope maybe you can find a little inspiration during your visit here!
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Have a wonderful evening, my friends. I'm off now to feed my troops supper. :)