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.

Sunday Social, Volume Eight.

This week's Sunday Social is all things Halloween. If you want to participate in the weekly link party, head over here + join in on the fun.

1. What was your favorite Halloween costume as a kid? My Rainbow Brite costume! My mom always made us the most amazing costumes.

2. If you could go back and dress up as something what would it be? Ooooh, I don’t know. I can always utilize older ideas for another Halloween down the road.

3. Favorite costume as an adult? My friend Tom + I dressed up as characters from the film, Juno. That was probably the best, only because people who didn’t know me really thought I was pregnant, hah! My mom, of course, made the belly for the costume, which was fantastic [she’s a genius with a sewing machine]. Definitely need to start working with one more.

4. Favorite Halloween Candy? I don’t know if there is anything specific that I crave around Halloween. I will tell you this – I used to have a serious addiction to Nerds Ropes, which I just happened to consume in the fall/winter months.

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5. Favorite Halloween Memory? Probably the year my brother + I begged my mom to have store-bought costumes. I know it KILLED her to buy them, but we wanted those craptastic plastic masks like the rest of our friends. When I looked back on the pictures, I laugh at how horrible we looked.

6. What is your favorite scary movie? Scary movies + I don’t mix well – I’m afraid of my own shadow! The only ones I’ve been able to stomach without having nightmares for days on end are those in the Scream series.

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Teach Me Something Thursday, Volume Eight.

Howdy! This installment of TMST is brought to you by my partner in craft, Sarina. She is going to teach you how to make paper streamers + rosettes for Halloween, but these can be used for any holiday/event you are hosting. I made this with her, so I can vouch that this is something that is simple, but super fun to make.

Sarina here from Nerd Craft Librarian. Are you planning any Halloween get togethers? Here are some quick and easy paper decorations! Enjoy!

Paper Streamers

Materials & Tools

•               Paper (we used cardstock)

•               Scissors or paper cutter

•               Coordinating thread

•               Sewing Machine

Instructions 

•               Cut a bunch of strips of the card stock (a paper cutter makes this step super easy)

•               Make sure your machine is all threaded up and ready to go

•               Take one of the paper strips and feed it through

•               Repeat this step until the streamer is as long as you want

•               Hang it up wherever you want! 

Paper Rosettes 

Materials & Tools 

•               Card stock paper 

•               Exacto Knife 

•               Ruler 

•               Glue Gun 

•               Hole puncher

Instructions

•               Use your ruler as a straight edge and take use the exacto knife to score the paper horizontally. This step just makes a groove and makes the paper easier to fold so make sure you don't press to hard! 

•               After you paper is scored, accordion fold. After that step, fold the paper in half

•               Repeat this step two more times 

•               You will have three 'fans', break out your hot glue them together to form a circle

•               Cut a circle from another piece of paper then hot glue it to the center

•               Once dry, cut a hole and string it anywhere you desire! 

You can find more of Sarina's fantastic crafts over at Nerd Craft Librarian.

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.

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.

Fall Into Fall.

As you may have noticed, I have been having a lot of fun joining link parties, in order to connect with other bloggers + readers. I noticed something really interesting, called a Fall Into Fall Swap. What happens is that you are paired with another reader + you swap cool autumn related goodies, with a $20 limit. It sounded like something neat to partake in, so I signed up right before registration closed. I was paired with Megan from My Life In Words + was so stoked about my parcel!

Megan got me an awesome notebook, which I am using to track my Etsy + Instagram sales in, a fantastic purple pen [it became my favorite pen as soon as it touched paper], two fun red nail polishes, a pumpkin scented candle, + Halloween stickers. I was so thrilled to see such wonderful goodies! Thanks to Megan for my sweet goodies, + to Neely, Erin + Tracy, for putting together the swap. I'm looking forward to the next one!

She's Crafty.

Last night, I created awesome Halloween goodies with my partner in craft, Sarina, and her friend, Marlene. I also learned how to use a sewing machine! You can read about our adventures in crafting over at her blog, Nerd Craft Librarian.

Words Strung Together.

How is it that September is nearly over? Time seriously flies once autumn hits. I feel like the last month of the summer took forever to come to a close. Now I am insanely busy + running on limited sleep. I was so exhausted after a personal training session the other day, I intended to take a ten minute nap, which turned into a small sleep + I totally missed my internship. This is not like me + it was totally unprofessional. Obviously, my lack of sleep caught up with me. Speaking of training, I'm walking like a weirdo because my calves are hating me from the workout I did on Wednesday. Erich thinks its hilarious when I groan + stumble after I get out of a chair. I, on the other had, think it sucks. But nothing comes easy, so I'm just going to have to suck it up. 

Last night, after hanging new dresses for student teaching in my closet, the bar broke, + all of my dresses came tumbling down. I had waaaaayyy to much stuff on the bar. I started to cry, because I was so frustrated that this happened at midnight, when I wanted to go to sleep. I decided while I was hanging things up, I would go through what I need + what I can afford to get rid of. The things I can afford to get rid of went up on Instagram. I made an additional page, called ClosetShopaholic. I plan on adding more next week, after I pull down the bins we have in the attic. I also have another full closet + drawers at my stepdad's house. I've sold half a dozen items already, which is great, seeing as the store has only been open for 24 hours. 

I babysat two of my favorite littles tonight. I wasn't even in the front door all the way when I was attacked by the best hug ever. He just kept climbing on me - it was so adorable. We colored, did puzzles, + watched Dolphin Tale [which was really cute] after the bebe went to bed. Mr. Kindergarten tried his hardest to stay awake to hang out with Shelly, but he passed out shortly after the movie started.

I should really get into bed, but I feel like I haven't written a real blog in awhile. Erich is sitting next to me, playing Pokemon Pinball on my Game Boy [don't judge, it is pretty awesome], while I write this + struggle to keep my eyes open. I am really stoked for craft night tomorrow, but I really hope I can squeeze a nap in after work. If I get six hours tonight, it'll be a miracle. It takes me forever to fall asleep lately + I wake up at the smallest movement or sound. Or, if my feet get to cold. 

Totally random picture to post, but while we were waiting in line at the grocery store, I saw this + I told Erich to remind me to tell Sarina that we should make cake pops for our Halloween parties [ours are a week apart]. Boy Genius says, "Just take a picture of it." Duh, why didn't I think of that? Oh wait, because I've been a walking zombie all week. I will probably forget to tell her, but I'm sure she'll see it on the blog. Alright, I'm falling asleep as I type this. I hope you all enjoy your Friday + have an excellent weekend ahead of you!