National Geographic Kids has a line of gorgeous paperback pictures books for children.  They are full of colorful photography and wonderful words that make the books so much more enjoyable and vivid to read.  They are also beautifully designed and make the most of the photography and text.  Overall they are just a visual treat!

We’ll be enjoying these three this fall:

and

and

There are other books in the series as well.  Enjoy! 

Some interesting articles related to education and learning.  There’s a whole bunch because they kind of piled up while I took a break from writing here this summer!

Enjoy! 

Study Rethinks Importance of Kindergarten Teachers from The New York Times

Boys failed by education system says Eton headmaster from UK Telegraph

Don’t dock students for missing deadlines from Winnipeg Free Press (Oh. brother.)

Play, Then Eat: Shift May Bring Gains at School from The New York Times (Very interesting)

Denver high school wood stops buck trend of shelving industrial arts classes from Denver Post

Scholars turn their attention to attention from The Chronicle of Higher Education

Strong Debate on Both Sides Over Bill Requiring Dissection Option in Schools from Courant.com

I have four Thanksgiving articles over on Suite101 that have lots of simple ideas for Thanksgiving.  If you are looking for something quick or a new tradition, you should check these out!

Thanksgiving Ideas, Projects and Writing Prompts

Creative Thanksgiving Ideas for Children

Create Meaningful Family Thanksgiving Traditions

Classic Thanksgiving Children’s Picture Books

Let me know if you find something you really enjoy.  I always like to hear the ideas that people find most helpful or inspiring.

Enjoy! 

Autumn: An Alphabet Acrostic by Steven Schnur and illustrations by Leslie Evens combines some of my very favorite things about picture books: acrostics, autumn and illustrations done in linoleum cut blocks.

The acrostics are clever which I always enjoy discovering. I usually prefer a “prettier” style of illustration, but there is something about the contrast of the black and color in this style that I find very appealing.

This is a supremely cozy book about a family enjoying the changes in the season and a definite favorite on my bookshelf.  Steven Schnur and Leslie Evans have also done books for the other seasons.

Highly recommended! 

If I lived to be 100 and had endless freetime, there still would not be enough time to explore and research and do everything that I find interesting.  There are too many books to read, instruments to play, places to visit, back roads to drive, and people to talk with. I find the world a fascinating place.

That is why Anna’s post about Homeschooling Heresies resonated with me.  When I read her philosophy and see what she does with her children, it seems very real and alive to me.  I especially appreciated this thought that is applicable whether someone homeschools or not:

Live an interested life. I cannot put this in bold enough face. You are interpreting the world to your child. Is it fascinating for you? Are you engaged in creating, in thinking, in knowing people? Do you make music, take pictures, cook, teach yourself to sew, hike someplace new, learn to fish, eat at a new restaurant, take the back way into town? Are you reading about the history of mental illness, repairing furniture, learning to oil paint? *Show* your child how interesting the world is, and they will love to learn.

We try to live this every day with Caroline.  We are always looking for interesting things to show her, point out, and help her discover.  Today she went to the doctor with me, petted a kitten, pondered the puffy clouds, listened to the thunder, cut flowers from the garden with Daddy, played with my calculator, and watched the birds at the birdfeeder outside her bedroom window.  We have already started demonstrating to her that there is so much to see in the world and so much to ponder.  Even at two and a half, she is already very much engaged in looking at the world around her and discussing it.

I absolutely love this part of being a mommy!