B is for busy!

Alphabet Garden "Bb" week ideas:

B is for...

Saint Bernadette:

Saint Bernadette Biography

Tour of Lourdes

Saint Bernadette Coloring Page

Immaculate Conception Coloring Page from Waltzing Matilda (If you haven't joined scribed, I would highly recommend it.)

Blueberries:

Blueberry activities from Homeschool Share (This is an amazing resource!)

and...

Jan Brett (This is her official site and it is unbelievable:)

"Aa" week ideas

This week we will be starting on "Aa."  I have tons of lesson plans and craft ideas I will be posting for each letter.  I am very excited.  I can't wait to get started with Landon.  I am embracing educating him at home this year.  Again, I want to thank Elizabeth Foss for her prolific contributions to Catholic home education.       

A is for...
Apple-(Museum ABC, Eating the Alphabet, and A Picture of God 3in 1)
I am going to be cooking like crazy and I am planning on posting links to popular food blogs and sharing from my own cooking library.  There are obviously millions of craft ideas for this beloved fruit.  I found some really cute ideas on this web page about using an apple cut in half to show the Trinity.

Also a scripture verse from Proverbs:
Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.
Proverbs 7:2
and
Like apples of gold in settings of silver Is a word spoken in right circumstances.
Proverbs 25:11

Ant-(The Icky Bug Alphabet Book)
The ants are not a strong people, But they prepare their food in the summer
Proverbs 30:25

Amaryllis (The Flower Alphabet Book)
Want to buy bulbs and decorate pots with A!  Also want to visit some local nurseries!  I am planning on planting most of these flowers in my garden:)

Anne, Anthony, Angels (An Alphabet of Catholic Saints and old favorites)-
We ordered the Teach Me To Discover Saints CD from Catholic Artworks.  I also saw a cute idea of having a St. Anthony treasure hunt.  I am going to make a list of "A" items and have Tiana help him find them.  I am also starting to teach Landon the Guardian Angel prayer.

Angel of God,

my guardian dear,

To whom God's love commits me here,

Ever this day,

be at my side,

To light and guard,

Rule and guide.

Amen.

and Alter (A is for Alter, B is for Bible)
This book is based on the Catechises of the Good Shepard.  Wanting to learn more.

You can also visit Waltzing Matilda for coloring pages!

Our author for the week will be Rev. W. Awdry.  The creator of Thomas the Tank Engine.  Landon is crazy about him.  I suggest A. A. Milne (Winnie-the-Pooh) for an alternative author.  Start gathering your "Aa" books and I will see you here!

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