I'd like to do a school update but am simply too tired or busy to do it these days!

I had to get some b-day cards made today so I skipped a nap and was busily creating. That was fun, kind of an outlet for me these days.

I joined the Fiskars online group and use their challenges when creating cards. I have been lucky a few times with winning, but even if I don't, it's always nice to get comments from other crafters and to see what others are creating.

I don't get to do much sewing lately so I like to roll out my scrapping stuff and dig into it.

The challenge for the purple card was to include sewing; and the blue card's challenge was to have a bird image in the design. Both were fun to do!

Today Fiskars is having an August on-line crop. What fun. Join the group at fiskateers.com

Time to seriously think about back-to-school. School begins the 9th of September. Late I know -- but we begin after Labour Day weekend, like all of Manitoba.

I will be using this space for notes on units for my k-3 class.

Social studies and Science are rotated in my class and I will start this year by finishing of last terms on Our Community, with the early inhabitants sections. We closed with the native Americans and will continue with the pioneers. I will be using the book 'The Ox-Cart Man' as a basis for my lessons.

Following, I will list links I find for lessons to use with the book.

http://homeschooling.suite101.com/article.cfm/unit_study_on_the_oxcart_man

http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/collateral.jsp?id=454

http://www.homeschoolshare.com/OxCartMan.php

One of my Favourite Songs

Classics

I have been on a reading spree the last few weeks. I find that during the school year I cannot concentrate on longer more intense reading. So I really enjoy the holidays and find myself scouting around for potential authors of books I might enjoy.

I search through the library, book-sales, and thrift shops for reading materials. It is surprising how few of the classic authors are to be found in the local library. I shall have to visit with a book list of works to be borrowed from other libraries.

Lately after watching a few Jane Austen movies I have reread some of her work. I learned alot about the time period and now am looking for other regency era novels. Any ideas for uncommon authors would be appreciated.

On the side...if you do watch Pride and Prejudice, make it the 2003 version and not the newer one. The 2007 video featuring Kiera Knightly is too modern and much of the charm is lost.

Love this image. I grabbed it from another blog when google featured it on a special day. Eric Carle's day? I can't remember. But it caught my eye, as I was just doing a mini-unit on the author at the time. Here is a picture of some of the art-work we produced using the author's techniques.

So what! Sewing, I guess!

I have been more than busy since school is out. Personal matters, visiting, babysitting, and...sewing! Just the practical stuff.

I really wish I was done so that I can do more creative stuff. I'd like to get into quilting yet this summer. Hope I have at least something to show before the summer's over.