The Alphabet Garden: Where Faith and Learning Bloom

Painting by Monica Arrache

I will start "A" week next week.  I am starting earlier than most (many start in August) because I obviously am going to need to show you the craft ideas and lesson plans:)  Each week in the Alphabet Garden I will have a letter, fruit or vegetable, flower, and a strong emphasis on Catholic religious formation. The main reason I am developing this is to give my young son a simple but thorough Catechism and to foster a love of learning. I will eventually have a tutorial and recommended book list for each week.  Please be patient while I build the curriculum.  I have four young children and a daughter with special needs.  Elizabeth Foss' Alphabet Path is brilliant and inspired. I am not interested in reinventing the wheel. At all.  She divides her books into three categories: faith stories, childhood favorites, and storybook science. Why mess with perfection?  There will also be a scripture memory verse and recommended prayers.  Here it is.  Be blessed...



Alphabet Garden Essentials:
Eating the Alphabet: Fruits and Vegetables from A-Z by Lois Ehlert-I am planning on cooking from every letter!  I have some really great recipes and ideas!
The Flower Alphabet Book by Jerry Pallotta-I am going to plant a Marian Garden this year using most of these:)
A is for Alter, B is for Bible by Judith Lang Main (based on the Catechises of the Good Shepard)
An Alphabet of Catholic Saints by Brenda and George Nippert
I also bought their Teach Me to Discover The Saints CD and the An Alphabet of Catholic Saints Poster
Museum ABC by the Metropolitan Museam of Art
An Alphabet of Saints by Robert Hugh Benson (optional but helpful)
A Picture of God (a great book on the Trinity!)

Also recommended:
Handwriting without tears
Guiding your Catholic Preschooler by Cathy Pierce and Lori Rowland
Catholic Children's Treasurebox
Catholic Mosaic: Living the Liturgical Year with Literature by Cay Gibson
The Big Book of Catholic Customs and Traditions
Holy Days and Holidays: Prayer Celebrations with Children by Gaynell Bordes Cronin