Here is a PDF of what I just typed up for ourselves to use the next six weeks:
I really don't know if anyone has been using these plans but the stats tell me that plenty of people look up my Circle Time posts. I sincerely apologize if I have kept you waiting for the next installment. You must understand how far a pregnant mom can get behind when she needs to nap and turn in early instead of working on the computer!
These plans use all the same books as before. The weekly themes for songs, poetry and picture books are:
- Week of Ash Wednesday
- Week 1 - Wind
- Week 2 - Sheep & Wool
- Week 3 - Maple Syrup
- Week 4 - St. Patrick, Pussy Willows, St. Joseph
- Week 5 - Bunnies, Seeds & Eggs (cheating a bit, but sometimes these things are anti-climactic after Easter Sunday)
- Week 6 - Holy Week
Lent in Minnesota is a long stretch for me. Our winter themes are exhausted and spring cannot really be counted on until late April. Though the existing snow may melt, a fresh snowfall may come even in May and most folks here hold off planting their gardens until Memorial Day.
Some weeks are a bit scanty in terms of material from A Child's Seasonal Treasury. These weeks we might just use some of the year-round material in the front of the book or pull out our Laurie Berkner CDs for fun songs with movement. I will take notes this year on what works for us and add it to next year's plan.
Here are a few ideas we use in & outside of Circle Time to mark the days of Lent:
A path on the back door leading to Calvary ~
A wreath (grapevine or bread) with toothpicks to remove for sacrifices offered ~
Station of the Cross on Fridays. With children I like to do two a week at home ~
This year we are (finally) trying out Dawn's idea of making "stained glass" projects for the feast days in Lent. I forgot to take a picture of the St. Valentine we did today. Now it is dark! Just click on her link to see photos.
Be sure to check out Catholic Cuisine for more recipe ideas.
For crafts I glean from Catholic Icing, Lord Make Me a Saint, and The Crafty Crow. Enchanting Learning always has something to use in a pinch!
