Happy fall!  T his post has instructions for several fun pumpkin themed crafts to try with y our kids this year!  *Scroll to the end of this post for a printable pumpkin anatomy freebie! Tissue Paper Pumpkin luminaries For this activity you need: -Orange tissue paper cut into squares about 2 inches by 2 inches. -Black construction paper  -Scissors -School glue -A paint brush or a sponge -A balloon Begin by cutting pieces for your pumpkin's face from the black construction paper. You will need eyes, a nose, and a mouth. Make them whatever shape you want. Next mix some school glue with water in a small washable container. You want about 50% glue and 50% water, but it doesn't have to be exact. Fill a second container with just water. Inflate your balloon and begin placing a layer of orange tissue paper squares onto the balloon and "paint" over them with water using a paint brush or a sponge. Cover about two thirds of the balloon, leaving a space around the balloon stem. 

  Math is a subject that can be hard to teach, especially to kids that are hands-on learners. It is so often approached only with textbooks and worksheets, making it frustrating and boring for kids who need to touch and manipulate. My oldest absolutely dreads doing math worksheets, so I have been scouring the internet for math activities that are fun and hands-on. Here's a few of the activities we've done, plus many more ideas I have on my list of things to try: Addition and Subtraction: Use Edible Manipulatives - math manipulatives are great for hands-on learners and they're much more fun if you can eat them when you're done. Foods that are small and solid work best- like M&Ms, goldfish crackers, raisins, or grapes. Grocery Store Math-   have your child help add totals at the grocery store. Visual Addition Pom Pom Drop  from Hands on as We Grow Dot Sticker Addition Activity from Busy Toddler  Math Towers- Unit Block Addition Activity from Nurture Store Dice Calcula

Nature study doesn’t have to take place in the woods or only at special destinations. There are many wonderful opportunities to observe and learn about the natural world right in own backyards. Here are a few simple ways that you can incorporate more nature focused activities into your homeschool week without leaving your neighborhood:  Backyard Nature Study Activities Bird Watching Grab a pair of binoculars and a bird guide and find a comfy spot outside to watch for birds, or you can even do it inside from a window. If you don’t have a bird guide, there are several good bird identification apps, our favorite is the Merlin Bird ID app.  When you spot a bird- note its color, size, and other details and see if you can identify it using your bird guide or app. You could also keep a list of or sketch birds that you spot. If you want to attract more birds to your yard, hang a bird feeder. My girls have one hanging from the tree right outside their bedroom window and they love to watch the b