Appletivities...and 2 Apple FREEBIES!

Last week was apple week, and if you know me, you know I LOVE planning some thematic activities about apples!  Such a fun time of year!  During writing workshop, I did a mini lesson on adjectives, and then we added adjectives to our smiley apple guy:

On Johnny Appleseed's birthday, we did one of my all-time absolute favorite craftivities-- GIANT apples!!!  Totally kid-created, and totally adorable and unique--(in this teacher's opinion)!  During the creation of these ginormous apples, my classroom was literally a sea of red paper.  It was slightly crazy in there, but it really was all kinds of fun! The kids created the coolest little apple cores I've ever seen.  I may never want to take this display down!!!

{They also added labels to show the parts of the apple, and we attached their apple booklets--for more information, see below!}

In reading, we have begun learning features of non-fiction text, so of course, I HAD to tie it into apples.     The kids each created a non-fiction features mini booklet--all about apples. 

You can download your own Apples non-fiction features mini book by clicking the cover page below:

We also had an apple tasting party, and we will graph our favorites this week using my Apple Tasting Party packet:

In math, the kids did apple word problems and completed a little apple basket math booklet to help them practice their fluency to 6.  You can download your apple basket math booklet by clicking the cover page below:

Happy fall, y'all!

My Top 11 All-Time Favorite Books

I am going to end this series on a more personal note - with my top favorite books and why I like them.
I read a lot - these are my top books. I LOVE them all and hope you do too!

FAVORITE MEMOIR: Things We Couldn't Say by Diet Eman

I included this in my 11 Christian Memoirs post and my Ten WWII Heroes series. I love Diet Eman's story - maybe even a little better than that of Corrie ten Boom. :) (But to give her credit, I was really young when I read Corrie's story) Diet Eman and her fiancé Hein were your average young Dutch couple madly in love when the Germans occupied Holland. Diet and Hein soon join the Dutch resistance. God's love shines very brightly as Diet faces trials, heartache, and ultimately God's amazing grace.

FAVORITE BIOGRAPHY: Unbroken: A WWII Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand

I LOVE Louie Zamperini!! He is amazing!! Although not for young children, Zamperini's story is an inspiring story of faith for older readers. Although the majority of the book is about his life not as a Christian, how he comes to his faith and his tail of survival is incredible.

FAVORITE CHILDREN'S NOVEL: I Am David by Anne Holm

Despite being set in the 1950s, this is the novel that got me interested in WWII. How? I don't really remember. This is the amazing fictional story of a 12 year-old who escapes from a concentration camp and is on a mission to get to Denmark. Why? He doesn't know.

I had no clue what Europe was at the time, and for some reason, I thought Denmark was near Colorado. (hey, I had just gotten out of public school - give me a break!)
It's written in the third point of view, but every line is from David's view.
I Am David isn't an adventure novel, it's kind of like a psychological novel. I am a very analytical thinker, so I LOVED David's thoughts throughout the novel. He has a uniquely high moral standard, and is incredibly wise and smart. The writing in this is eloquent and beautiful. For some quotes that really stuck out to me, see this link for some great quotes from the novel!
I don't usually reread books, but I've read this four or five times and still pick it up and begin reading it every time I see it!!

FAVORITE CHRISTIAN FICTION: Night Song and From Dust and Ashes by Tricia Goyer

I can't choose which one I like better - that would be utterly cruel. This category didn't have much competition because I read very little Christian fiction. (I find a lot of it either slow or completely unrealistic) But, these two Goyer novels are some of my favorite novels of all time. Realistic characters, great message, enthralling plot, great writing.

From Dust and Ashes
Well-researched, well-written, and simply breathtaking - From Dust and Ashes is set in post-WWII. The book is divided into 3 parts, and although I don't even like romance, part two (which was mostly romance), kept me interested and wanting more.
Tricia Goyer's novels are extremely realistic, but in this one in particular, her characters are just real. (Tricia says she gets this a lot in this novel. She says the protagonist, Helene, is so real because Helene is based on HER (Tricia) life.)

Night Song
After reading From Dust and Ashes, I just HAD to read Night Song. This one deals with the Holocaust, and I really admire Goyer for being one of the very few Christian fiction authors who tackles this subject - in a non-cheesy, non-romance, and realistic way.

FAVORITE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NOVEL: Girls to the Rescue by Bruce Lansky

I have read all the books in this series. When I was either in second or third grade, I fell in love with this series! They are great stories of courageous girls all around the world. Filled with legends, fables, fairytale-twists and true stories, these are great books that show female empowerment in a non-feminist way.

My favorite cover of The Chosen

FAVORITE FICTION NOVEL: The Chosen by Chaim Potok
Chaim Potok may be one of my favorite authors. His writing is so simple - and his books are just so overly Jewish. This is one of those novels I would not recommend to everyone and I don't believe everyone will like. It's not an adventure novel, the biggest thing that happens is Israel becomes a country. But, despite all of the fiction I've read, this is my favorite.
It's plot centers around two very different Jewish teens and how they become friends - despite their families having nothing (and I mean nothing) in common.
Firstly there is the brilliant Danny, the Hasidic son of a very religious rabbi. Danny wants to be a psychologist but is pressured to take his father's place as rabbi.
Then there is the narrator, Reuven Malter, an Orthodox Jew who wants to be a rabbi.
What I liked best about The Chosen (besides it's Jewish-ness) was the characters. I thought it was so interesting how two people of the same religion can be SO different - how they can argue and disagree with each other yet respect each other so much.

FAVORITE SEQUEL: The Promise by Chaim Potok

This book covers Danny and Reuven as young men. In an ironic turn of events, Hasidic-turned-Orthodox Danny steals (and marries) Reuven's Orthodox-Conservative Jewish girlfriend, Rachel. 

But, being a Jewish novel, this isn't a romance and the above sentences were just major spoilers. (sorry)

In here, Danny goes on to balance modern America with Hasidism and pursue his career in psychology. He has a calm and persuasive personality which makes him fabulous at his job.
In his final school year pursuing becoming a rabbi, Reuven clashes with his Talmud teacher, who was from one of the European concentration camps. Reuven uses a controversial method of studying Talmud that his father taught him. This causes much conflict throughout the novel. In the end, like in The Chosen, our characters still find a way to love and hate each other at the same time.

FAVORITE INFORMATION BOOK: Hitler Youth by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
This book really spoke loudly to me. It had extremely powerful messages for today's young people. Not only does it preach against blindly following authority and fame, it shows German teenagers who stood up against Hitler. I would highly recommend this book to everyone.

FAVORITE BOOKS OF THE BIBLE: Psalms and Deuteronomy

I enjoy the book of Psalms because it is so comforting! My favorite psalms include psalm 121 and psalm 23. I love Deuteronomy, especially verse 6: I am definitely putting it on my doorpost someday. :)


FAVORITE AUTHOR: Patricia Reilly Giff
I have read many Patricia Reilly Giff books, and no matter what the subject, I haven't been disappointed. One of the books I really liked was set in the 1700s!!!! (and no, the characters weren't Jewish) Her plots, characters, and writing are believable and exciting!

These are my top 11 favorite novels/authors. What are yours and why do you like them?

Challenge 20 - Myth & Magic

Welcome to the latest challenge, this time sponsored by Bugaboo Digi Stamps.

Everything That You Ever Wanted to Know About Bugaboo Stamps: A Short Essay

As if raising five children in the frozen land of the North was not enough of a challenge, Jodie Mackrell decided to dip her cold little Canadian toes into the world of papercrafting by opening an online store full of her illustrations. That was two years ago. Today Bugaboo Stamps is one of the leading companies in digital images, and we're still growing! From seriously snarky to sugary sweet to sublimely soulful all the way over to the other side of the super sexy spectrum, you're bound to find all that you need and more to create your paper projects. Jodie works very hard to provide New Releases and Freebies every week!

If your taste runs to rubber (and you know who you are), you can find Bugaboo Stamps stamps at Totally Stampalicious. And finally, join the Bugaboo Stamps DT for weekly challenges at Catch the Bug. 

To enter, we need to see your magical creations and the winner gets 7 free digis.  We are a bit thin on the ground with our Design Team this week, for a variety of reasons.  I just thought I'd take this opportunity to say thankyou to them all for their hard work and reliability.  I appreciate each and every one of you.

Now let's see what we have to inspire you:

Shirley

ALAN

Anne

Pat K

Now that your ideas are spinning, here are the rules:
1. Your card must be for a man or a boy.
2. Your card must be new for this challenge and follow the theme set.
3. Your post must mention Cards for Men and contain a link back to this challenge.
4. You may combine our challenge with others up to a maximum of 10.

The challenge will run from now until midnight BST (British Summer Time) on  13 October 2013.  Leave a link to your card (not just your blog) in the link list below.  If it's not there for some reason, leave a comment and I'll enter you in before the draw.  Good luck

11 WWI and Great Depression Novels

War Horse by Michael Morpurgo
Most people know War Horse from the Steven Spielberg movie. (I loved the movie!) Albert and his colt Joey have been inseparable ever since Albert's father bought Joey at an auction. When Albert goes to fight (in WWI), Joey is right alongside him. I didn't find the book is graphic (nor as interesting) as the PG-13 movie, but still great book and movie.

My Brother's Shadow by Monika Schröder
Told from the perspective of a German youth towards the end of WWI, My Brother's Shadow tells the fictional story of 16 year old Moritz. With a disabled brother who just got back from war, a Jewish (girl)friend, and a fanatic-socialist mother, Moritz's life is chaos.

Sergeant York: An American Hero by David Lee
This is a biography of a great Christian WWI hero, Alvin York. York was the most decorated soldier during WWI. He received the Medal of Honor for a certain heroic feat, including capturing 132 Germans and 32 machine guns.

The Night Flyers by Elizabeth McDavid Jones
Pam is a twelve year-old girl growing up in North Carolina with her mother during World War I. Before her father went off to war, he gave her a loft of homing pigeons. When a man with a foreign accent comes to town, everyone in the town fears the worst. Is he a foreign spy? Fast paced and filled with adventure, I enjoyed this book simply because of the writing, it was interesting, and it had a little known plot. Homing pigeons were one of the most valuable animals during both WWI and WWII.

Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse
Told in first-person free verse poetry, this Newbery winner is told from the view of a young girl in Oklahoma during the Dust Bowl. When her mother dies, Billie Jo is stuck with her ill-tempered father just trying to make ends meet. I'm not a big poetry person and this didn't take me long to read, but it truly wasn't bad.

The Kit Series by American Girl
Welcome to Kit's World
Not only is there the six standard Kit Kittredge books, Kit has a few mysteries, and a "Welcome to Kit's World", which includes more about the Great Depression.

Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis
This Newbery winner tells the adventures of a ten year-old orphan with nothing more than an old suitcase and some flyers.
have not read yet!

Christmas After All by Kathryn Lasky (A Dear America book)
During the Depression in Indiana, 12 year-old Minnie Swift's family has been hit as hard as everyone else. Told over the span of one month (December). A young girl comes and stays with the Swift's, helping them with their struggles, highs, and lows as they help her with hers.
have not read yet!

Year Down Yonder by Richard Peck
Grandma Dowdel's back! She's just as feisty and terrifying and goodhearted as she was in Richard Peck's A Long Way from Chicago, and every bit as funny. In the first book, a Newbery Honor winner, Grandma's rampages were seen through the eyes of her grandson Joey, who, with his sister, Mary Alice, was sent down from Chicago for a week every summer to visit. But now it's 1937 and Joey has gone off to work for the Civilian Conservation Corps, while 15-year-old Mary Alice has to go stay with Grandma alone--for a whole year, maybe longer. From the very first moment when she arrives at the
depot clutching her Philco portable radio and her cat, Bootsie, Mary Alice knows it won't be easy. And it's not. She has to sleep alone in the attic, attend a hick town school where in spite of her worn-out coat she's "the rich girl from Chicago," and be an accomplice in Grandma's outrageous schemes to run the town her own way--and do good while nobody's looking. But being Grandma's sidekick is always interesting, and by the end of the year, Mary Alice has grown to see the formidable love in the heart of her formidable Grandma. --Patty Campbell from Amazon --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
have not read yet!

When Christmas Comes Again: The WWI Diary of Simone Spencer by Beth Seidel Levine (A Dear America Book)
It's April 1917, and Simone's brother just got shipped off to war. Like most books in the Dear America series, this one explores a little known aspect of WWI - the American French-speaking Hello Girls.
have not read yet!

For a list of more juvenile WWI, see this list with age ranges and short summaries.

What are some of your favorite juvenile novels about WWI and the Great Depression?

Winner & Top 3 for challenge 17

So we had lots of wonderful entries to our 'Funny Birthday' challenge.  Our current challenge  is still open and can be found here.

Without further ado, the winner chosen by random.org was #23 - Lisa Lynn.  Congratulations, Lisa, email me on cardsformen@donnasden.co.uk with your choice of 5 digistamps from QKR Stampede and I'll pass your details on to the sponsor.

Our top 3 in no particular order are:

#5 - Dawn

#11 - Mian Sweden

#27 Linby

Congratulations to you all, grab the top 3 badge from our sidebar and add it to your own.

Winner & Top 3 for challenge 16

So we had lots of wonderful entries to our Heavy Metal challenge.  Our current challenge  is still open and can be found here.

Without further ado, the winner chosen by random.org was #40 - Debs.  Congratulations, Debs, email me on cardsformen@donnasden.co.uk with your choice of 4 images from Kenny K and I'll pass your details on to the sponsor.

Our top 3 in no particular order are:

#5 - Jessie L

# 26 - coops

#32 - Lisen

Congratulations to you all, grab the top 3 badge from our sidebar and add it to your own.

Winner & Top 3 for Challenge 15

Back to catching up with the admin.  So we had lots of wonderful entries to our 'Christmas in July' challenge.  Our current challenge  is still open and can be found here.

Without further ado, the winner chosen by random.org was #4 - Lorraine A.  Congratulations, Lorraine, email me on cardsformen@donnasden.co.uk with your choice of 4 images from Meljens Designs and I'll pass it on to the sponsor.

Our top 3 in no particular order are:

#5 - Lorraine B

#8 - Ruth

#53 - Jennifer H

Congratulations to you all, grab the top 3 badge from our sidebar and add it to your own.