Best witches!

Craft Break-Dia de los muertos masks

It's final.  Our Halloween crafts are complete, and the house is (finally) decorated.  We still have several pumpkins to crave before the big day, but our crafty focus can move elsewhere.  How about Dia de los Muertos?  I have a full lesson coming your way this week on the subject, but I couldn't resist this sneak peek of these awesome masks from Scrumdillydo.  An awesome accessory, and with stuff you probably already have on hand!  Check out the tutorial HERE.

Today in History-October 28

October 28, 1965

Gateway Arch is completed.

"On this day in 1965, construction is completed on the Gateway Arch, a spectacular 630-foot-high parabola of stainless steel marking the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial on the waterfront of St. Louis, Missouri." - History.com

• Saint Louis Gateway Arch 
• Gateway Arch FAQ-GatewayArch.com
• Inside the Gateway Arch-video, History.com
• 25 Interesting Facts
• Maze/Guess the Word worksheet-Education.com
• History of St. Louis worksheet-Education.com
• Coloring page
• Coloring page
• Coloring page

Craft break-Button Branch

Okay, so....there are crafts we do with our kids because they'll teach them a concept, or be cute/fun....then there are crafts we do so we can frame them and make our house look awesome.  This awesome idea from Meet the Dubiens is the latter.  It's amazing how classy a simple stick and some buttons looks.  Add a frame and you've got an amazing, 3D piece of art that would look lovely on any wall.  TIP-Wal-Mart, Michael's, and JoAnn's often sell buckets of buttons for $1-$2, and they go a long way! Find the tutorial HERE.

Craft Break-Shaving Cream Painted Leaves

So, I wasn't aware Shaving Cream Painting was a thing...and now I want to try it on everything.  These leaves are gorgeous, and the process is simple, making it a great craft for any age.  Head on over to Little Wonders' Days to learn how!

Craft Break-Recycled Paper Garlands

Two-for-one today! These awesome garlands are made by Sweater Surgery-a blog devoted to repurpose crafting, which is an idea I'm firmly behind.  Both utilize old books, which is another think the bibliophile in me loves.  Check out the acorn tutorial HERE.  Coffin garland can be found HERE.

Today in History-October 23

October 23, 1864

Battle of Westport

"On this day in 1864, Confederate General Sterling Price's raid on Missouri nearly turns into disaster when his army is pinned between two Union forces at Westport, Missouri, near Kansas City. Although outnumbered, Price's forces managed to slip safely away after the Battle of Westport, which was the biggest conflict west of the Mississippi River."-History.com

It's a slow TiH day, especially in terms of kid-appropriateness.  While there isn't a ton of info out there on this subject, and no worksheets, I just HAD to share this, being a KC girl myself.  It's always surprising to me how many people have no idea how much this area, and the area I grew up in east of KC, were involved in the Civil War!

• Battle of Westport - Official site
• Battle of Westport-History.com
• Battle of Westport-About.com
• Battle of Westport-personal website with lots of links!

Craft Break-Written Leaves

Alas, the website this originated from is lost to me, but it didn't contain much info.  Basically, use a light wash paint on harvested leaves, and then let the kiddos paint/draw on them.  Designs, maybe some poetry?  Gel pens might work, or Sharpies for youngers.  Older ones can use paint and a toothpick to make intricate designs!

Today in History-October 22

October 22, 1797

The first parachutist

"On October 22, 1797, Andre-Jacques Garnerin made his first successful parachute jump above Paris. He first ascended to an altitude of 3,200 feet in a balloon, and then jumped from the basket. He landed about half a mile from the takeoff site unharmed."-Mary Bellis, About.com

• History of the Parachute-About.com
• Physics of Parachutes 
• Build a Pyramid Parachute-Education.com
• Fairy Tale Science-Jack and the Parachute-TeachersPayTeachers.com, free download
• Skydiving Coloring Sheet
• Does Size of Parachute Matter?-science project
• Why Parachutes Work worksheet-GreatSchools.org
• Parachute coloring/info page-About.com
• Parachute Jump math worksheet

Craft Break-Acorn Owls

Addie is an owl FREAK, and we have a family tradition of collecting acorns whenever we see them.  I can't wait to show her this awesome craft from Curly Birds. 

Today in History-October 21

October 21, 1833

Alfred Noble is born.

"Alfred Bernard Nobel was a Swedish chemist, engineer and innovator remembered for his invention of dynamite and for the bequest that created the Nobel prizes."

Biographies

• Alfred Noble-BBC.com 
• Alfred Noble-FamousScientists.com
• Alfred Noble-NobelPrize.org (Gradeschool level)
• Alfred Nobel, Life and Work-NobelPrize.org
• Alfred Nobel-Biography.com

Extended Learning

• History of Dynamite-About.com - includes related subject links.
• Alfred Nobel-NoblePrize.org - amazingly in depth overview 
• Alfred Nobel reading comprehension-printable lesson plan, high school level
• Alfred Noble Timeline
• Alfred Noble worksheet-About.com (PDF)
• Alfred Noble worksheet-Education.com

Today in History-October 19

Note-We will not typical cover "Today in History" on weekends, at this point.  However, I got confuseled on my dates and put this bad boy together, so it'd be a shame to waste it.  Enjoy!

October 19th, 1781

Victory at Yorktown

The Surrender of Lord Cornwallis is an oil painting by John Trumbull. The painting was completed in 1820, and hangs in the rotunda of the United States Capitol in Washington, D. C.

"Hopelessly trapped at Yorktown, Virginia, British General Lord Cornwallis surrenders 8,000 British soldiers and seamen to a larger Franco-American force, effectively bringing an end to the American Revolution." - History.com

• Victory at Yorktown-History.com w/ video 
• American Revolution for Kids, Yorktown-with quiz
• Battle of Yorktown
• Washington at Yorktown-printable ancedote
• Liberty's Kids "Yorktown"-cartoon, part 1 YouTube
• Siege of Yorktown worksheet-Education.com*
• Yorktown Day coloring sheet

*While Education.com does have for-pay membership, a free account allows a limited number of worksheet downloads monthly.*

Craft Break-Stained Glass Candy Corn

The possiblities are endless!  I love this candy corn stained glass effect from Crafts by Amanda, and can imagine all the other shapes you could do too!  Tip-Dollar Tree often has clear Contact paper!

Happy crafting!

Today in History-October 18

October 18, 1931

Thomas Edison dies.

"Thomas Alva Edison, one of the most prolific inventors in history, dies in West Orange,New Jersey, at the age of 84."-History.com

• Thomas Edison Biography-Biography.com-Bio w/ video
• Edison biography-Suitable for elementary kids, links to other sites also
• Thomas Edison, Inventor-video biography
• School Express Edison Worksheets-multiple free printable worksheets for all ages, includes coloring pages
• Thomas Edison Jigsaw Puzzle-online puzzle
• Invent like Edison-National Park Service-several online interactive games about Edison

Craft Break-Leaf Glitter Pictures

I happened to find this random picture online somewhere, so I can't give proper credit.  It's just too awesome not to share though!  Another project for all ages!

Happy crafting!

Why I'm Not Wearing Purple

Years ago, I was a blogger.  A "real" one.  Paid posts, free stuff, Alexa ratings under 50K, all of that.  And I got burnt out.  The post I'm sharing today was written three years ago, but it stands as true for me today, as it did then.  I felt I should share. 

"It's October 20th.  

Today is the day that we're supposed to wear purple in memory of the recent rash of suicides in gay males due to bullying. 

I won't be wearing purple....and I want to explain why.

It has nothing to do with religion.  Without getting too personal (not for YOU, but for me) my spiritual views offer no constraints on homosexuality.  

It has nothing to do with my personal feelings on the LGBT community as a whole.  I'm as gay friendly as one can get and still be hetro.  

Then why?  

Because I find the whole thing hypocritical.

 I don't think that the issue at hand should be the sexual orientation of the recent victims.  I don't think we should care at all if they were gay, or if they were men.  

What we should care about is that there are still people out there, for whatever reasons, that are, dare I say, evil enough to drive someone to the point of not wanting to live any more, with their words and actions.  What we should care about is that there are still people out there that honestly think they have no one who cares, no one to turn to, that there is literally no point in remaining alive any longer.  

THAT is what we should be focusing on.  

Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the US.  It's the THIRD leading cause in youths from 15-24...and between 15-25 of those are directly connected to bullying.  Now, those figures are based on 2006 and it's widely reported that suicide rates have been climbing steadily since then.  

And let me tell you, throwing on a purple shirt isn't going to save anyone.  Sure, it might drawn attention for a bit.  It might make society's thoughts linger on the stories circling the net.  But, in a few weeks, something new will grab our attention. At least today we can feel like we helped. 

And how did we help?  Because we had the spine to let someone chose the color of our outfit for one day?  Is that really accomplishing anything?  No....but it makes us feel better about ourselves. 

So, screw the purple shirt.  Do something that might actually make a difference.  Work for a suicide hotline.  Mentor to a lost kid at your local school.  Stand up to bullies, of any age.  Let the broken know that someone is here for them....and let the truly wicked know that we will not tolerate them. 

Be the change that you wish to see in the world."

Today in History-October 17

October 17, 1931

Al Capone goes to prison

"On this day in 1931, gangster Al Capone is sentenced to 11 years in prison for tax evasion and fined $80,000, signaling the downfall of one of the most notorious criminals of the 1920s and 1930s." - History.com

• Capone Goes to Prison-History.com w/ video
• Al Capone-Kidsnet Encyclopedia 
• History File-Chicago Historical Society
• Al Capone Downfall-PBS video
• Al Capone-Biography.com w/ video

Craft Break-Pinecone Swag

The best part about this pinecone swag that I found on Spoonful? (Originally from Family Fun magazine.) You can make one for Fall AND Christmas!  Great for all ages, too!  Find it HERE.


Happy crafting!

Today in History-October 16

October 16, 1859

John Brown leads raid at Harper's Ferry

"Abolitionist John Brown leads a small group on a raid against a federal armory in Harpers Ferry, Virginia (now West Virginia), in an attempt to start an armed slave revolt and destroy the institution of slavery." - History.com

• Kid's History-John Brown and the Harper's Ferry Raid 
• John Brown-PBS.com
• John Brown biography-Biography.com
• Interpreting John Brown-lesson plan, older learners
• John Brown-lesson plan, high school learners
• Dear Wife and Children every one-lesson, middle school learners
• Multiple lesson ideas

Craft Break-Fall Leaves Garland

A Beautiful Mess had the cutest idea for a banner of felt leaves, one that kids of all ages can do!  Check it out HERE!

Happy crafting!

Craft Break-Apple Banner

This burlap apple print banner from Multiples and More is so adorable.  In fact, I think I know what Addie is making Grandma for Christmas! Find it HERE. 

Happy crafting!