Autumn Circle Time September 21, 2011

Image by Greg Fischer

As we move into a new season and now that we have started our “homeschool” preschool, we use this circle 3-4 days per week. Some days we miss because I still have a rather unpredictable baby. I think this circle is a bit challenging for a 2 1/2 year-old, but she enjoys  most of it. Her attention to the circle comes and goes, but I think as she learns the verses and songs a bit more, she will get more into it.

Opening verse:

The earth is firm beneath my feet, the sun shines bright above

And here stand I so straight and strong, all things to know and love.

Verse: An Autumn Greeting

Come, said the wind to the leaves one day.

Over the meadow and we will play.

Put on your dresses of red and gold.

For summer is gone and the days grow cold.

 

Song*:

Autumn has come to the county and town,

Wearing its garment of golden and brown.

Apples she brings us so round and so red,

Brings us our corn that we bake into bread.

Chant:

Round and round the wheel goes round. As it turns the corn is ground.

Verse with motions: Here is the Tree

Here is the tree with leaves so green. Here are the apples that hang between.

When the wind blows, the apples will fall. Here is a basket to gather them all.

Song*: The Leaves are Green

1. The leaves are green, the apples are red. They hang so high above my head.

Leave them alone til frosty weather, they’ll all come tumbling down together.

2. The leaves are green the nuts are brown. They hang so high they won’t come down.

Leave them alone til frosty weather and they will all fall down together.

Movement: Stretch Me

Stretch me! Stretch me! Stretch me high!
Stretch me up to the big blue sky! (on tip toes)
Stretch me! Stretch me! Stretch me over! (stretch to one side)
Stretch me! Stretch me! Stretch me over! (stretch to other side)
Stretch me! Stretch me! Stretch me over! (stretch to front)

Roll me around! Roll me around! Roll me around!
Till I¹m sitting in clover! (rolling hands)
Rolling in clover! Rolling in clover! Rolling in clover!
Over and over! (hold knees and rock around on the floor)
Nell Smyth, The Breathing Circle p. 26

Song*: Bumblebee, Butterfly, Spider and the Beetle

1. Bumblebee and butterfly, Spider and the beetle,

Come around and dance with us, In winds before the winter.

1. Bumblebee of summertime, Do once more your best,

Hum around and dance with us, Before your winter’s rest.

1. Butterfly of summertime, Do once more your best,

Flutter around and dance with us, before your winter’s rest.

1. Spider of the summertime, Do once more your best,

Creep around and dance with us, Before your winter’s rest.

1. Beetle of the summertime, Do once more your best,

Plod around and dance with us, Before your winter’s rest.

1. Bumblebee and butterfly, Spider and the beetle,

Come now to your Mother Earth, and Rest there for the winter.

Finger play: On My Head

On my head my hands I place

On my Shoulders, On my face

On my hips and by my side

Then behind me they will hide

I can hold them up so high

See my fingers swiftly fly

I place them right in front of me

Then I’ll clap them, one, two, three

Closing verse*:

Down is the earth

Up is the sky

There are my friends

And here am I

 

* From Autumn by Jennifer Aulie

Modified Summer Solstice Celebration June 20, 2011

As we approach the longest day, and shortest night, I like to believe I am honoring something outside of our tiny home. With a new baby, the days just skip by. Birthdays, holidays, Mondays and Fridays and any ‘ol day. But I did manage to make a change in the house to reflect the change in season.

Out with the penguin and snowflakes and in with the butterflies!

When we get out of survival mode, I would like to have some way of acknowledging the changing seasons. Each season has such a special feel to it. For summer, it is the warm air, thunderstorms, bare feet, sweat and dirt, fresh fruit and garden vegetables, farmer’s markets, and water. I’m looking forward to some of the summer events that we take part in. I’m also looking forward to sharing them on my blog!