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What do these festivals, celebrations, and special days have in common? They all mark the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. In the dark and cold and, sometimes, bleak days of winter, marking the halfway point can bring a sense of hope and optimism. We are getting closer every day to spring!
Under the ground, in the belly of the earth, there is a sense of life that will be renewed again.
SEASONAL POEMS:
IMBOLC POEM
Candle, candle burning bright,
Winter’s halfway done tonight.
With a-glowing, we are knowing,
Spring will come again!
FIVE LITTLE GROUNDHOGS
The first little groundhog digs a home in the fall,
And curls up all winter rolled up like a ball.
The second little groundhog comes out of his lair,
On February second to get some fresh air.
The third little groundhog looks up at the sun,
He then sees his shadow and goes on the run.
The fourth little groundhog at his dark shadow peeks,
He goes back to his burrow for six more weeks.
The fifth little groundhog hopes that skies will be grey,
So that he will know that spring is on its way
SEASONAL SONG:
SONG OF THE SNOWDROP
From the book The Children’s Forest
Snow-drop, Snow-drop,
little drops of snow,
What do you do when the cold winds bow?
We ring our little bells,
Ding-a-ling-a-ling,
Ding-a-ling-a-ling,
Here comes Spring.
MORNING ADVENTURE & CRAFTS
Pack your backpack with a snack, water, and extra clothes and get ready to hit the trail (or your backyard!).
Here are some ideas that you might want to try out this week:
SNOW CANDLES
Candle making is a tradition at this time of year. This activity takes advantage of the snow to give the candles a unique and organic shape.
This one uses melted crayons and / or old paraffin wax candles - but you could easily use beeswax instead:
Photo credit Simple Most
Sense awareness activity - special place
This activity can be done in 2 minutes or 20 minutes - depending on the age and experience of the child. It is about learning to become quiet and tune into your senses.
Choose a special place to sit in the forest (or your backyard).
Be still and listen to the sounds around you. Can you hear birds? The wind?
Smell the air.
Notice the sky.
What is the mood of the forest today?
Feel the earth beneath you.
Can you see any signs of animals?
Close your eyes and relax each part of your body.
Slowly open your eyes and look all around you. Has anything changed?
Be present to this moment. No other moment will be exactly the same. Slowly get up and shake out your body.
BUILD A QUINZEE - SNOW SHELTER
Building a quinzee snow shelter is a good way to warm up while outside since it takes some effort to pile the snow up to be big enough to dig out the shelter. If you follow the instructions properly, you will have a shelter that is safe enough to sleep in!
https://scoutlife.org/outdoors/outdoorarticles/2992/how-to-build-a-quinzee-snow-shelter/
SEASONAL STORY
Teacher Sabrina reading the story The Story of Brigit and the Cailleach as written in the book The Children’s Forest.
SEASONAL RECIPE
The smell of bread baking fills the house with warmth and comfort.
St. Brigid’s oatcakes (SERVES 4)
The original recipe comes from http://www.clondalkinparish.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/St-Brigid-recipes-CCPC.pdf
Ingredients:
2 cups uncooked, old-fashioned rolled oats (not instant)
11⁄4 cups buttermilk
2 1⁄2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1⁄2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
Vegetable oil spray
Instructions:
A day ahead, combine the oats and buttermilk in a small bowl. Blend thoroughly, cover and refrigerate overnight.
The next day, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F/180 degrees C. Remove the oat mixture from the refrigerator.
Combine the bread flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Slowly add the oat mixture and stir with a wooden spoon 20 to 30 times, or until you have a smooth dough.
Grease a baking sheet with the oil spray. Turn the dough onto the baking sheet, and use your hands to form a round, cake-shaped loaf about 1-inch thick. Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to cut the dough into 4 quarters. Move the quarters apart slightly, but keep them in the original round shape.
Bake until the cakes are light golden brown and firm to the touch, 30 to 35 minutes. Cool slightly on a rack, and serve with butter and jam or preserves. Makes 1 loaf (in quarters).
ART
BRIGID’S CROSS
At Imbolc in Ireland a Brigid’s Cross is traditionally hung at the doorway to bless all those who leave and enter, and to protect the family within. The cross represents the four directions and the union of the four elements.
It was believed that Brigid traveled throughout the countryside on February Eve (Jan. 31) to bless the people, their homes, and their livestock. Brigid was associated with protection and healing and bringing fertility to women, crops, livestock, and the artistic imagination
https://www.irishamericanmom.com/how-to-make-a-st-brigids-cross-using-pipe-cleaners/
CONNECT WITH COMMUNITY
You have the opportunity to connect with other parents and families on the Nature (home)School journey through a private Facebook group. The digital forum is a place where you can post photos of the activities that you get up to with your children, share stories or inspirations from your outdoor adventures, and connect with other families. Please follow the link to connect with other families in the online community or from Facebook - search: Nature (home)School Support.
We are a very small Not For Profit School. If you like these resources and find them helpful, please consider making a donation to our Nature Kindergarten program. We appreciate your support!