Posts

Showing posts with the label Traditions

Memorial Day | JOY for Today

Image
(Updated 5/26/2023) Memorial Day is not just a day to remember the fallen, but a day to commit to carrying on in their footsteps. What fallen heroes' memories do you honor? What contribution obtained by their bravery and sacrifice brings you joy? How might you continue their labor? Answering these questions and committing to the fight are surefire ways for joy to burst through in your life. Remembrance Day: In Flanders Fields  by Chuchmouse and Churchmouse Campanologist Memorial Day Offerings: Did You Know...   One we knew; four we didn't. Wolfe Stew Connects  To memory preservation. Bible Verses and Quotes  Inspired by Memorial Day Activity Suggestions   Poetry, crafts & barbecue Did You Know: Memorial Day began after the Civil War? The Civil War claimed more American lives than any other war and many communities started holding ceremonies to honor lives lost each spring. The ceremonies consisted of graveside flower arrangements and prayers to honor the fallen. ( History.c

Easter | JOY for Today

Image
(Updated 2/29/2024) On Easter we celebrate the day Jesus faced death and triumphed! He was, is, and will always be victorious and worthy of all our praise. Sing it loud; sing it JOYfully! Easter Offerings: Did You Know...  Five facts we didn't know. Wolfe Stew Connects  To a renewed meaning of Easter. Bible Verses and Quotes  About Easter. Activity Suggestions  For every age group including discussion questions and a family challenge. UPCOMING HOLIDAYS: April Fool's Day (April 1st Annually) Find a Rainbow Day (April 3rd Annually) National Day of Hope (April's First Wednesday) Did You Know: Easter's date changes annually because it is tied to the full moon? Specifically, during the Council of Nicaea, the Western church agreed Easter would be celebrated the Sunday following the first full moon in spring (after the Vernal Equinox). Currently, however, Easter's date sometimes misses the lunar cycle mark . To be thorough, the Western Church created a table of future Ea

St. Patrick's Day | JOY for Today

Image
(Updated 2/23/2024) Chasing treasure at the end of a rainbow awakens childhood wistfulness leading to JOY for me. Add in silly Leprechauns and a sprinkling of Irish tradition and you have a recipe for JOYful memories. But in the end, we know our true JOY comes from being still. St. Patrick's Day Offerings: Did You Know...  Five facts we didn't know. Wolfe Stew Connects  To chasing rainbows. Bible Verses and Quotes  About adventure and blessings. Activity Suggestions : Leprechaun trap, Irish blessings, research opportunities, recipe links, discussion questions, and family challenge. UPCOMING HOLIDAYS: Spring Equinox (Changes Annually - Generally March 19th or 20th) Palm Sunday (Changes Annually - 7 days before Easter) Easter (Changes Annually - The first Sunday following the first full Spring moon) Did You Know: St. Patrick was British? At 16, Irish raiders kidnapped Patrick and sold him to a Celtic priest. After six years as the priest's shepherd slave, he escaped back t

Groundhog Day | JOY for Today

Image
(Updated 1/19/2024) " Groundhog " by Maureen Farrelly at Public Domain Pictures Find JOY today in an annual tradition that, though somewhat silly, brings HOPE to many! Dare to HOPE that warmth will rise again in your life. Groundhog Offerings: Did You Know...  Facts about Groundhog Day Wolfe Stew Connects  To hope. Bible Verses  About the changing of the seasons. Activity Suggestions  Make predictions, watch the event, have a snack, research, and create art. UPCOMING HOLIDAYS: National Pizza Day National Inventors' Day Valentine's Day Did You Know Groundhog Day is: Also known as Imbolc (Pagan) or Candlemas (Christian)? A good marker of the seasons? Set halfway between winter solstice and spring equinox, it logically makes sense to position season-ending forecasting efforts here. Not the original way people would predict winter's end? To Christian Candlemas observers, a sunny Candlemas day foretold 40 more days of winter. A custom brought to America by the Germa

December 2020 | Ideas for Every Day

Image
(Updated 12.16.2022) Welcome Leaders! How are you? While normally this time of year is tough for teachers, (see our post, " You’re NEVER Alone ," if you feel this) we all know 2020 is NOTHING like normal ; it’s like we’ve reached another level of “toughness” this year. Our school district got moved back to remote learning until AT LEAST through Christmas break. If this is you too - or perhaps you’ve been remote, or perhaps you're in-person or living in the thick of it through homeschool - whatever your situation is, I think we can all agree: this year’s been TOUGH! I think we’re all trying to make it through to a break so we might just breathe and remember what that feels like again for awhile - to just breathe. Well, as November draws to a close, we hope to breathe some joy into your daily routine with our December calendar.   We pair daily holidays with learning activities for Preschool to Sixth grade learners across multiple subject areas so that you have an idea fo