 Many of our feathered friends need our help and you can also enjoy the view
of their feast. Come and see our fabulous collection of all sorts of inexpensive (also
known as "cheap" or is it "cheep"?) birdhouses.
Gour-den Delights
Using
gardening as part of a homeschooling curriculum
by Blythe Pelham
  As an
artist I'm very much a create-as-I-go kinda gal. Our children have been homeschooled since
birth, though since I think of life as learning it often seems silly to me to label what
we do as schooling. One method I frequently use in guiding/teaching involves doing
something I enjoy and pulling the children into the activity along with me. One such
passion for me is gardening. Our current gardening project took us in many directions from
which learning can 'grow' from a garden! Our gourds have seeded projects in music,
history, art, science, marketing, and more. Take a look at what we've done and tell us
what you're doing!
The Truth About Butterflies
 Rick Mikula is called the
Grandfather of Butterfly Farming in the United States. Rick has also been 'tagging
butterflies for the last two decades as on going research into the mysterious migration of
the monarch butterfly. In this interview and essay from Rock you can learn about the
importance of butterflies, basics facts and misconceptions about butterflies and how you
can get involved in butterfly preservation.
Pinecone Bird Feeder
A great way to help our feathered friends, during these rough winter days, is to
make them a bird feeder. All you need are a couple of pinecones, a bit of creativity, and
you'll have a special gift for the birds in your neighborhood.
The Lessons of Volunteerism:
Giving is Receiving
by Shay Seaborne
  In my family, there is no clear distinction between
volunteering and living; we work to help others, and for good causes, simply because we
are able. As Caitlín and Laurel grew, we began volunteering to monitor a bluebird trail.
Over the past six years we have seen dozens of bluebird pairs successfully raise and
fledge over 200 nestlings. Our trail's role in the increase of the local bluebird
population led to the addition of bluebird interpretation at the site. Find out how
Caitlín and Laurel consider assisting others as a normal, natural part of living and
perhaps how this can become a part of your life.
Milk Carton Bird Feeder
  This
week's crafts feature a wonderfully simple bird feeder and a flower collage- both are
perfect for the summer months. It is brought to us from the popular activity/craft book
365 Days of Creative Play by Sheila Ellison and Judith Gray.
Bagel Bird Feeder
 These terrific birdfeeders are a excellent project for children at
home and in the classroom. One crafter named Tensie said, "We have a 4, 3, 1 and
newborn in this household. We love to watch the birds and clouds and the
neighborhood resident squirrel. This feeder is good because it does not put SO much
seed out in the yard that I am growing it all IN the yard when they drop it all on the
grass. Plus our little guys can do this almost by themselves! They love to be
IN control of an activity sometimes."
Milk Carton Bird House
 This
week's Craft of the Week is brought to you by my cyber-buddy Martha Wisniewski. She's a
craft magician ! This craft uses milk cartons, a little construction paper and moss to
make a lovely craft. It's a great project to get the kids involved with our feathered
friends!!
TP Bird Feeder
This week's Craft of the Week features a simple and charming bird feeder that
anyone can make. As the weather turns cooler we all like to help our feathery
friends stay well fed and healthy. A bird feeder along with a bird bath is a very
good way to help our visiting friends. This is also a good way to recycle spent toilet
paper rolls!
Egg Carton Bird Feeder
Using a simple egg carton, this is a great way to help our feathered friends.
The Truth About Bats
  Do you
think bats are scary? Do they all drink blood and attack people? Are they as "blind
as a bat"? The answers may be surprising! We chatted with Kim Williams at the
Organization for Bat Conservation about bats and she shared some fascinating information
about the true nature of bats, the
importance of creating bat houses and how you can make your own bat house!!
Fix-It Corner presents...
Planning Your Backyard Garden
 I always get excited this time of year.
I think about all the vegetable plants that I want in my garden, I run out to the
stores, spend a fortune, get home and then look around and shrug, "Now what?" In
my enthusiasm I forget to look at my yard first. I forget to make a plan, a simple
one, but still some kind of plan about where AM I going to put all those veggies. Here are
a few tips that I have found very helpful in choosing the right spots of your garden.
Flower Crafts
These are wonderful craft ideas that use can use as gifts or to
spruce up you house. |
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