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Amanda Bennett's Unit Studies |
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Ways to Liven Up Winter at YOUR House
Amanda Bennett
Copyright 2003 -- All Rights Reserved
Happy Winter! Can you believe we are already into winter?! I can't keep track of where the time goes, but I know that the kids are growing taller and it is cold outside so we must not be standing still in time. As we move into the midst of winter, the winter doldrums begin and symptoms of cabin fever appear. Like many families, we tend to read more, work on home and craft projects, and of course, our learning continues full speed ahead. I thought you might enjoy a few suggestions to help you with your family's studies, as well as enjoying the season.
First, remember the saying "bloom where you are planted" -- perfect for being cooped up inside and looking forward to the coming of spring. The seed catalogs are coming, and I hope you are going to be receiving some of them. They are wonderful planning tools, bringing a reminder that the bad weather will end soon, and that a whole new season of fun and growing is about to begin. Start preparing for a fun study of gardening. Let each family member choose a vegetable and flower that they would like to grow, and have the children start listing the choices. Bundle everyone up and send them out with a tape measure to choose a site and size for their future garden. As they choose their site, remind them that the amount of sun that the garden location receives is important, as well as close location to a water resource (or a good long hose!). Once the site and size are determined, have the children draw a plan for the garden, using graph paper to keep the sketch simple and accurate. Don't forget to order the new Garden Unit Study on CDROM to get ready for spring, learning and having fun while it snows outside!
After sketching the outline of the garden, use seed and garden sites on the Internet (some sites listed later under Internet Places) to order seed catalogs, read articles about planning the garden, and ask questions of gardening experts. If you don't have or want an outside in-the-ground garden, consider doing this same kind of effort with above-ground garden containers, like barrel halves or large buckets that have drain holes.
When the seed selection process begins, either online or through the seed catalogs, have the children note the days to produce fruit, as well as the best time to plant that seed for your geographical area. Then, if you have time, plan on starting the seeds inside, in a sunny spot in your house. This can be a great learning experience, even with snow on the ground. We've learned so much just through starting seeds in plastic bags with damp paper towels, watching the roots grow and the seedling develop. This jump-start on your family's garden will help bring some bright and fun times into the slump of winter. Also, keep an eye out for the small bulb gardens available at your local discount department store this time of year for forcing bulbs in the midst of winter. This can provide some winter color and excitement as you all wait for the first signs of growth, and then for the flowers themselves.
I've also recently discovered a fascinating book about the man that really opened our eyes to the structure of snowflakes -- William Bentley. The book that I refer to is:
Snowflake Bentley, written by Jacqueline B. Martin, and illustrated by Mary Azarian. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company, 1998.
This book is a biography of his life and fascination with nature and snow, from childhood through adulthood. It is a picture book for all ages, to be enjoyed by all. The book is very interesting, laying out the interests of William Bentley, how his family supported his interests, along with the point that his mother was his teacher until he was fourteen years old. Imagine! <smile> When talking about this, the author includes the quote: "She had a set of encyclopedias," Willie said. "I read them all." Through his efforts, he discovered that most snowflakes have six branches, and that each one was a unique "masterpiece of design." This book, along with the book that he wrote and filled with his photographs of snowflakes, Snow Crystals, are all that you need to enjoy a study of snow, as well as perseverance.
If you have the luxury of having snow on the ground, send everyone out with a magnifying glass to study the snowflakes as they fall. They can sketch their favorite flakes, and cut them out to hang in the window. For those of you that don't live in snow country, use the opportunity to study some of William Bentley's photographs of individual flakes and then draw them and cut them out of white paper. The variety in shapes and structures is fascinating, and fun to try to capture on paper. Of course, when the opportunity presents, the art of snow sculpture has a definite attraction. We've had snow dogs, snow men, snow women, snow bears, and all kinds of fun sculptures! Don't forget to keep the camera handy for these ventures -- the memories are priceless.
So, we've begun our gardening study, covered up the hall walls with sketches of snowflakes, gone outside with a magnifying glass to look at our own snowflakes, and have a whole tray of seedlings started on the kitchen counter what now? As my son reminds me Spring Training begins in mid-February! If there is an interest in baseball or softball in your house, use the time to explore the Internet baseball sites to find out Spring Training plans, trading of players, etc. There are sites for all of the major league teams, as well as many of the minor league teams. The Major League Baseball Association has a very informative web site, as well as the usual sport sites like ESPN.com, etc. Don't forget have your baseball fans write to the major league teams, and ask for team information, along with a spring and summer game schedule. Several of the teams send bumper stickers, posters, and plenty of fun information. If you want to encourage their interest and learn while in the process, order the Baseball Unit Study on CDROM now, and get ready for a fascinating adventure into the history and science of baseball. What a way to liven up learning during dreary winter days, poring over baseball cards, learning how American history and baseball history intertwine, and more!
For those students interested in playing baseball this spring, the winter can provide some opportunities to begin to get in shape for the season. The books at the library on Little League, baseball training, sports fitness and other topics for children are usually VERY available in the wintertime don't forget to include them in your next library search.
The wintertime also brings everyone closer to home, and plenty of time for cooking, games, and other "together" activities. At our house, we keep the Pioneer Lady's Hearty Winter Cookbook handy, written by Jane Watson Hopping. This book is written like a journal, with some wonderfully simple recipes for delicious home cooked meals. We've dusted off the old Monopoly game, as well as Scrabble, Yahtzee, and a few other classics. Oh, and before I forget I've found a place on the Internet (reel.com) that allows you to RENT movies via the mail for an extended period of time. They carry many of the great classics and family movies, and help get through some of the sloppy indoor-weather weeks.
I hope that these ideas help brighten your family's winter. These are special times, that can't be relived and will pass all too quickly. The runny noses, midnight cough sessions and rocking a feverish child will be endured, in love and of course, much patience. Use this season to look ahead, and anticipate the next season of growth and learning, and many smiles. These ARE the special times!
Open up the
WORLD to your child
Encourage
thinking skills as well as imagination
Build a strong tree of knowledge
Help develop
lifelong learners, thinkers, wonderers.
What
are you waiting for?
PLEASE NOTE:
This article is copyrighted, and may NOT be used or
copied without written permission of
Amanda
Bennett. It is NOT in the public domain, and is protected by copyright laws.
Thanks for your cooperation & understanding!