October Themes

We have really been having such a great time with our September themes. On days that we do themes, we stop at about 3:30 and have a full “tea party” or just a snack. If we are cooking the snack, Olivia and I usually prepare it while John naps. While the kids munch away, I read to them and then we do a craft or activity where planned. Good fun.

Nature:

• pumpkins on the vine
• chrysanthemums in gold, russet and magenta
• acorns underfoot
• National Squirrel Awareness Week (7-13)
• The Full Harvest Moon (4)

Food:

• comforting casseroles
• chili and cornbread
• pumpkin muffins with streusel topping
• hot apple cider
• rice krispie treats
• freshly baked pretzels
• caramel apples
• squirrel-shaped cookies
• popcorn balls
• spaghetti and Bolognese sauce – National Pasta Month
• Scary Skillet Sheppard's Pie
• Mummy Face Pizzas

Faith: Ordinary Time Continues (green)

• The Feast of St. Therese (1) LT
• The Guardian Angels (2)
• The Month of the Holy Rosary (7)

Life:

• Columbus Day (12)
• National Popcorn Month
• National Pasta Month
• Our wedding anniversary
• All Hallow's Eve
• Football games

Stories:

• The Littlest Pumpkin
• Autumn Days
• Colorful Leaves
• Growing Apples and Pumpkins
• Pumpkin, Pumpkin
• The Popcorn Book
• Squirrels
• The Biggest Pumpkin Ever
• The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin
• The Scarecrow's Hat

Field Trips:

• a visit to the pumpkin patch
• an autumn walk

Crafts/activities:

• acorn hunting (for squirrels)
• put out corn cobs for squirrels
• do some squirrel watching with the binoculars
• make leaf prints
• collect pine cones
• Pray the "Guardian Angel Prayer" (Catholic Customs p. 41). Make an angel craft. Make one angel for each family member. Hang over dining table in a "mobile".
• Read The Tooth Book for National Dental Hygiene Month (5)
• Pray a decade of the Rosary. Color the rosary. (7) Kids get their own.
• Read Follow the Dream Columbus Day story (12)
• Read poetry on Shel Silverstein's birthday (18)
• read Strega Nona for National Pasta Month
• watch “It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown”
• plant a paperwhite narcissus bulb for Christmas bloom.
• roast pumpkin seeds
• carve pumpkins