Sensory Stimulation: The Parts of the Pumpkin.

For the last two years, I have been working on my MA in Special Education. For one of my courses this semester [my final semester], I had to create a video, teaching a lesson of sorts. I decided to use a lesson that I taught in my student teaching placement. My students had severe disabilities, but that didn't stop us from having a great time while learning. I decided to create a sensory stimulation lesson, using a pumpkin. Its something that can be used throughout autumn, which means it can be utilized at any given point of the season. It can also be used for multiple grade + ability levels. I had originally planned to use it for a Halloween lesson, but the school was closed for over a week due to Sandy. A few simple changes made my lesson Thanksgiving friendly.

I couldn't figure out how to get the quality better than 480p [this was the first time I used iMovie], so I apologize for the quality. In the video, I mention themed playlists for the project. After you watch the video, feel free to browse the playlists I have up - there is one for circle time + one for Thanksgiving.

Teach Me Something Thursday, Volume Seven.

The seventh installment of TMST is another Halloween themed gem, from my friend Corinne, the blogger behind Brilliant Nature. She used to live on Long Island, but recently relocated to Tennesse with her boyfriend, Andrew. If she still lived here, she would most definitely be a part of our blogger craft nights, but as you'll see from the post below, she's being super crafty in her new home!

When Michele mentioned Halloween themed TMST’s, I knew I had to jump right on it. Ever since I was a kid, Halloween has been my favorite holiday. It’s right in the middle of autumn (the best season), something to really look forward to in October (the best month), and everything about it has always felt magical. If you got to know me, you would understand why it’s so important. Even just as a human, how can you not appreciate the crisp air, happy children, an excuse to wear costumes and wigs and face paint, celebrating in the street at night, and free candy?! C’mon. Turns out the day after Halloween is also a holiday! I remember learning a little bit about Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) in elementary school, but I went to Catholic school, where we would celebrate All Saints Day on November 2^nd, and we never delved too deeply into the history of Dia de los Muertos. I’m self taught on what I’ve learned is an important day in Mexican history, so I want to teach you too!

Dia de los Muertos, as I just mentioned, originated in Mexico. Translated to Day of the Dead, it is celebrated on November 1^st. The purpose of this holiday is to pray for and commemorate friends and family who have passed. It is celebrated in connection with the Pagan holiday of Samhain, and the Catholic’s All Saints Day and All Souls Day. The holiday has spread throughout the world. In Spain, Dia de los Muertos is celebrated with festivals and parades, and in Brazil people celebrate by visiting churches and cemetaries. All in celebration do focus on the one true meaning which is to remember loved ones who have passed. Often, the favorite foods and drinks of those who have died are prepared. Dia de los Muertos celebrations can be traced back about 3,000 years. And though I find it a bit morbid that pre-Hispanics kept the physical skulls of loved ones lost to symbolize death and rebirth, overall I think it is an absolutely beautiful tradition, made more by the traditional artwork. The figures of Catrinas (shown above), marigolds and my favorite – Calavera, more commonly known as sugar skulls.

So, in conjunction with my history lesson, I prepared a little craft! She’s simple, but I’m proud of her. I found the paper mache skull at Michael’s sometime in August and I knew just what I wanted to make of it, even before I took on the (super fun!) task of TMST. I painted her white with standard acrylic paint and drew on the design with Prismacolor and Sharpie markers. If you do a quick Google image search for sugar skulls, you will see that they can display literally any designs, shapes, colors or textures that you choose. I went with floral because that’s just my style – and the marigolds stick in my head whenever I think of Dia de los Muertos. Isn’t she pretty?

Share with us your Dia de los Muertos history, fun facts, or any crafts you’ve made relating to this special day!

For more autumn inspiration + awesomeness in general, head over to Brilliant Nature.

Teach Me Something Thursday, Volume Six.

The sixth installment of TMST comes from Melissa, who runs the blog Dreams and Colour. Seeing as we are on our way to Halloween, she shows us a great way to carve a pumpkin using a cookie cutter!

A few years ago, I decided to try something different with my pumpkin carving for Halloween. It was an experiment on my part, especially since I am by no means crafty or good with décor, and I was surprised with how well it turned out. I received a lot of compliments on my pumpkin, not just from the trick-or-treaters (and their parents) but from my friends and family as well- who are all too familiar with my lack craftiness.

 

You will need:

A pumpkin

Cookie cutter (when I did this pumpkin, I was living in a town known for its harbour, which is why I used a sail boat cookie cutter. You can use whatever shape you like. I’ve also done cat and witch (alternating the shapes) on a pumpkin

Hammer

Knife

Spoon

Plate

Candle

How to:

Step 1: Buy a pumpkin

Step 2: Using your knife, cut off the top of the pumpkin and using a spoon (or your hand) clean out the ‘guts’ of the pumpkin

Step 3: Turn your pumpkin upside down- the hole you just cut into your pumpkin, will be the bottom (this is an important step and 9 times out of 10 I forget to do with the first shape)

Step 4: Place the cookie cutter on your pumpkin and use your hammer to push the cookie cutter into your pumpkin.  The first time I did this pumpkin, I just used my strength to push in the cookie cutter- it was so hard! The hammer definitely makes it easier! You can either hammer until the cookie cutter goes all the way through the pumpkin or you can hammer until there’s a clear outline  and use your knife to cut along the outline (this is what I do)

Step 5: Repeat step 4 until you have done the entire pumpkin

Step 6: In the centre of a plate, place a candle and light it.

Step 7: Place the pumpkin over the candle and display

That’s it! Super easy, super creative, and in my case, super impressive.

DISCLAIMER: Please be careful when doing this project. While it is simple, take caution when using a knife, hammer and candle. Be safe. ***Take on this project at your own risk. I assume no responsibility for any injuries as a result of this project***

Check out more of Melissa's musings over at Dreams and Colour.

The Great Pumpkin Caper.

For the last three years, Erich + I have attempted to go pumpkin picking, but plans have always fallen through for some reason or another. Weather, work, or sheer laziness. Last year, we had attempted to go the day before Halloween, but there was nothing to be found. We stopped off at some random roadside stand/home + snagged two that were sitting in a pile on their front lawn. It was laughable, but it didn't count for pumpkin picking. I was going to write it off this year, but then I realized that we both free on Columbus Day. This meant an adventure of the pumpkin persuasion!

en route to find the perfect pumpkins.

We headed out east in the middle of the afternoon. Going on a holiday was not one of our brightest ideas, but we really didn't have a choice due to our schedules. The first place we attempted to go to was crawling with screaming children + parents too busy stuffing their faces to pay attention to their offspring [a child got hit with a shopping cart by a parent who was too busy browsing the shop to notice her surrounds. He was fine, but I was still floored at how no one was paying attention]. We escaped + went apple picking next. Upon arriving at the apple orchard, the folks that worked there told us, "Most of the apples have fallen from the trees." They also left out that most of the apples on the ground had rotted. After three or four minutes, we turned to each other, laughed + started to walk back to the car.

next year, are going apple picking in september.

By this point, the trip was a bust, so we start to head home. I'm not going to lie, I was pretty bummed out, but what can you do? As we turned off of Sound Road + made our way down Edwards Avenue, we noticed a smaller pumpkin patch on the righthand side of the road. A pumpkin patch, with only a few cars in the parking lot. Could it be true? Talk about perfect timing! Not only was this location chock full of pumpkins, they were also much cheaper than the more popular places in the vicinity.

Erich + I chose an assortment of pumpkins, as you can see from my fancy pants collage. Some will be displayed in their natural form + some will be carved. What we will be carving into them is still unknown. I'm super stoked to make roasted pumpkin seeds + pumpkin pie.

It was really nice to be able to spend the afternoon with Erich. The drive was filled with a killer soundtrack + its rare that we actually have time to do things like this during the school year. I am super lucky that we finally got around to doing this. Three years was worth the wait!

Sunday Social, Volume Five.

This week's Sunday Social linkup is not the usual questions - this week, we were encouraged to post anything that relates to fall. Mine is a list of random things that I associate with autumn.

Jimmy Eat World - Futures. This reminds me of attending Stony Brook University, driving around the campus, surrounded by trees with changing leaves. I remember getting this album a few weeks early, from a boy I had a major crush on. He had connections within the music industry + snagged me a copy a month before it was released. I listened to it every day.

Halloween. This is the holiday of the season. The entire month of October is basically dedicated to the arrival of this magical day. I love watching children + adults prepare for the holiday. Also, how cute are those tiny tots dressed up on Halloween, walking around in search of sweet treats?

SerendipiTea's Chaucer's Cup. Hot tea in a giant mug is such an inviting part of autumn. Chaucer's Cup is so warm + inviting. It reminds me of home. Total comfort tea that I can't live without.

image via

Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins. I love any food that is pumpkin flavored. These totally unhealthy [but ridiculously delicious] muffins were breakfast on more than one occasion when I worked for the corporate coffee company. When these aren't in season, I would take pumpkin bread + put a thin layer of cream cheese on top. Sounds odd, but it tastes amazing.

It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. Charlie Brown holiday films are classics. Erich + I were just saying last week that we need to watch this soon. Another warm + fuzzy for the list!

Cold weather. Yes, as soon as the temperature drops, the air starts to smell different. I can't explain it, but the crispness in the air is so inviting to the senses. Its even better when you can smell the neighbor's fireplace from your bedroom window. Total heaven.

Thanksgiving. I love Thanksgiving for two reasons. First reason  - its a holiday about giving thanks, not gifts. It can be a hectic holiday, but nothing like those in December. Its more of a crazy in the kitchen kinda day. Second reason - Thanksgiving dinner. Hands down, one of the best meals on earth. I can eat leftovers three times a day for the remainder of the week + be totally content.

What are some things that remind you of fall?

Teach Me Something Thursday, Volume Five.

The fifth installment of TMST is from Ashley Brooke, the creative force behind Ashley Brooke Designs. Seeing as we are getting ready for Halloween, this is a great idea for those who are planning Halloween parties - these glittery pumpkins are a nice touch, especially if you're someone who prefers to keep your gala less gruesome.

Make sure to swing by Ashley Brook Designs, her blog [which has a ton of fun projects, recipes + ideas, + the online shop.

Oh Hi, October.

October has finally arrived. It greeted us with a chill in the air, which I welcomed with open arms. We had the windows open last night + I tossed on socks for the first time in the evening. Once I am home for the evening, I remain barefoot until the morning, except in the colder months. This is going to sound so strange, but I feel like I become far more fashionable once the cooler months arrive. In the summer heat, I try to dress as cool + comfy as possible [truth be told, it usually consists of a cotton tee paired with Nike gym shorts + Havaianas], but once the temperature drops, I seem to regain my fashion sense!

I have been selling a bunch of old clothes I don't wear on Instagram [ClosetShopaholic is the store name], so I decided to treat myself to a dress from my pal Kiley's amazing new shop, Kouture. She recently offered 20% off everything in stock for 24 hours, so I snagged the Binger dress, from Shown To Scale. Kiley was actually featured on Nasty Gal's blog, wearing the same dress. She just added so many amazing sweaters from the Wildfox White Label - I know where I'm telling everyone to go shopping for my birthday now!

I have been meaning to do my nails for weeks, but finally sat down last night to take care of them. I dug through my collection of Sally Hansen Salon Effects nail polish strips + decided on Skinny Jeans. The packet has enough to cover my fingers + toes, which is awesome, because sometimes a gal just wants uniformity on her nails.

 Today I started student teaching for my masters. I nervously sat in the waiting room of the school for thirty minutes, waiting for my cooperating teacher to arrive. I looked down + noticed this would be a cute picture, showing off a bit of what I wore today. I also had on my Frye Veronica Slouch Boots today [which are insanely comfortable] + a cream colored cardigan I picked up a couple years back from Old Navy. Not only did I have a good outfit day, but I also had a good day in the classroom! My cooperating teacher is really great, the aides in the room are helpful + one of my classmates is also subbing in the room, which is cool too! I am so glad that I was able to land this placement. I was a bundle of nerves last night + couldn't fall asleep until after 2a. Tonight I will rest easy, after I get some work done, of course.

I am really excited about the rest of my week. I haven't hit the gym in a few days, because of a pretty hectic schedule [I know, there is no excuse], but I want to go for a couple hours after student teaching tomorrow. It looks like things are heading in an excellent direction.