Tuesday, September 09, 2025
Paper Palooza: Rice Paper
Friday, September 05, 2025
Early Literacy #9: "Read it again!"
I’m guessing that you have probably heard it before… “Read it again!” Young children love to hear their favourite stories read to them over and over and over again. Even my grandson who doesn’t yet talk, easily communicates when he wants me to read The Itsy Bitsy Spider again and again and again. Well, you get the picture, right?
Making connections to a familiar story helps young children to develop a sense of mastery and to build confidence. Rereading a book is not just about liking the story, it is a powerful tool for early literacy. The next time your little asks, go ahead and “Read it again.”
The Cupola Corner Literacy Project purchases books for young children. When you buy a product that generates funds for The Cupola Corner Literacy Project you are helping to promote early literacy and helping young children learn to love reading. #readingisFUNdamental
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Reference: Wheeler,
S. (2025, February 4). Read it Again: Why Rereading Books Is Good for Kids.
Spinning Wheel Stories. https://spinningwheelstories.com/blogs/threads-of-wonder/read-it-again-why-rereading-books-is-good-for-kids#:~:text=Children%20thrive%20on%20routines%20and,and%20insights%20with%20each%20reading.
Tuesday, September 02, 2025
Did you know? Milkweed...
Common milkweed is a native plant in my area of Canada. I started growing it about three years ago when I created my butterfly garden. Monarch butterflies love it and lay their eggs on the leaves so that the newly hatched larvae can munch on the milkweed leaves. This is the only food source for monarch larvae, making common milkweed a critical link in the survival of this beautiful, but endangered species of butterfly.
For decades, common milkweed was once listed as a noxious weed, but due to lobbying on behalf of monarch butterflies, it has been removed from the list here in Ontario. Some provinces still have it listed on their noxious weed lists.
Common milkweed can be dangerous to some livestock and poultry. Pets can be poisoned if they ingest it. Common milkweed is also toxic to people.
Common milkweed can be very invasive. I have mine planted in a raised bed that confines the propagative roots. It’s also within a fenced in area that keeps the grandchildren out of harm’s way.
Monarch butterflies are attracted to the heavily scented flowers of the common milkweed. The blooms are usually pink or purple, but can also be white. Common milkweed is perennial so once it’s established, you’ll always have a supply.
With some safety considerations, common milkweed makes a great addition to your summer garden. We have monarchs flitting about most of the summer and they are amazing to watch. Such beautiful creatures! We’ve had some monarchs lay eggs but have yet to see a larva survive to the chrysalis stage. Fingers crossed for next summer!Monday, September 01, 2025
Journaling #12: Rock-a-Bye Journal
Journaling has been shown to not only improve quality of sleep but to also help you fall asleep faster. Pass me a pen!
Using expressive/personal
writing (sharing experiences, thoughts, feelings, ideas) for journaling can help
people process emotions, thereby, helping to reduce the “mental chatter” that
often interferes with sleep. Reflective writing (exploring the impact of
experiences) can produce a calmer state of mind that is more conducive to
sleep.
A basic
sleep journal or log is an option that can help you and your doctor identify patterns
and hopefully lead to better sleep habits. A sleep journal or log would include
things like hours slept, time taken to fall asleep, exercise and eating
patterns, among other things.
The real
(night) light at the end of the tunnel is research demonstrating that something
as simple as taking five minutes before bedtime to write a specific to-do list
can facilitate falling asleep. The study showed that the more specific the
list, the faster participants fell asleep. Wow!
One-quarter
of adults aged 18 to 79 in Canada report problems with falling or staying
asleep most of or all the time. If you are one of these people, you may want to
consider some type of bedtime journaling.
So, grab a
pencil, pen, marker, piece of chalk or maybe even a quill and start writing.
I’ll be using my colourful Ink-Joy gel pens to make my to-do lists.
• Cupola Corner sells a selection of handmade and handbound journals that would be perfect for the Three-minute Mental Makeover.
#journaling
References:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5758411/
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/reports-publications/health-promotion-chronic-disease-prevention-canada-research-policy-practice/vol-43-no-5-2023/associations-sleep-duration-sleep-quality-indicators-mental-health-among-youth-and-adults.html
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Early Literacy #8: Phonological Awareness
Tuesday, July 08, 2025
Did you know? Chives...
Chives have a mild onion flavour that serves as a delicious accent to lots of different foods, including salads, dips and soups. One of my favourite combinations is chives sprinkled on sour cream on top of a baked potato. Yum!
Thursday, June 12, 2025
June: On Being Green....
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Monday, June 09, 2025
Journaling #11: A Reading Journal
• Cupola Corner sells a selection of handmade and handbound journals that would be perfect for the Three-minute Mental Makeover.
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Saturday, May 31, 2025
Early Literacy #7: Print Awareness
Reference: https://www.clel.org/early-literacy/early-literacy-story-times/six-early-literacy-skills/
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Did you know? Summer Savory...
Summer savory’s flavour is often compared to oregano and thyme. It has a delicate peppery, almost minty taste. Summer savory is used to flavour many different foods, including meat, fish, eggs, soups and beans.
Since our move to the Niagara area, I have grown summer savory in a large pot. Summer savory can be used fresh or dried. It is more aromatic when dried. I harvest my summer savory in early summer before it flowers and dry it in a dehydrator.
Summer savory is one of the herbs that I use most. It is so versatile. You can quite literally, use it in almost anything that you are cooking. Sprinkle it on chicken or fish, mix it into scrambled eggs, add it to baked beans. The flavour is subtle and serves as an accent to whatever you are cooking.
Summer savory is a traditional herb in the Maritimes. It is used in dressings, stews and meat pies.
Summer savory is one of the signature ingredients in herbes de Provence.
Summer savory has been used to treat a variety of ailments, including cough and diarrhea, but so far there has been little scientific research to support these claims.
Summer savory’s claim to fame is its use in the culinary arts. If you haven’t tried this herb, now is the time to add a fresh sprig to your salad or a dash of dried summer savory to your baked chicken recipe. It might just become one of your favourite herbs, too.
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