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    With CD!
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  • The Little Red Hen
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  • Noisy Nora
    Noisy Nora
    Poor Nora! The loveable mousette experiences all the pangs of the child-in-the- middle, caught between the demands of baby brother and bossiness of big sister. Catchy meter, playful illustrations make for a wonderfully satisfying mouse's tale. Baby-Preschool
  • A Chair for My Mother
    A Chair for My Mother
    A remarkably beautiful story told by a young girl whose mother is a waitress. Since they lost all their furniture in a fire, they've been saving mother’s tips in a jar – so they can buy a big comfortable chair for their whole family to enjoy – daughter, mother and grandmother. Life has its ups and downs, but there’s always lots of love. Ages 4-7
  • Caps for Sale
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    See more great kids' books under Barbara's Picks
  • Character Sketches From the Pages of Scripture, Illustrated in the World of Nature
    Character Sketches From the Pages of Scripture, Illustrated in the World of Nature
    Institue in Basic Youth Conflicts

November 3, 2006 5:41 AM

Celebrating Cliches

Today, why not give it all you've got? The sky's the limit and life is just a bowl of cherries. Put on a happy face! Let a smile be your umbrella!

Today is National Cliche Day which I found out at Interesting and Weird Holidays in November

Cliche' Day (November 3)
Use cliches as much as possible today. Hey, why not? Give it a shot! Win some, lose some. You'll never know 'til you try it. Annually, November 3.

This might actually be a good experience for some. I remember when Samantha was in 5th grade in public school (circa 1982) and the study turned to cliches. When the teacher asked, Samantha didn't know any. Seems her mom was just too literal and she'd never been exposed to them.

We had a great time making a poster illustrating cliches we found in a book: It's raining cats and dogs, etc. Good project for homeschoolers to celebrate Cliche Day today - find lists of cliches online and illustrate as many as you can in one picture.

Then you might show them Bruegel's Netherlandish Proverbs, a painting incorporating over ninety proverbs familiar to people of the netherlands when it was done - including a few still around for us today, such as Don't count your chickens before they're hatched. Click here to be taken through close ups of each small vignette and an explanantion of the meaning.

Have a great day!

Love,
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Posted in Art, Culture, Homeschooling | Permalink

Comments

Barbara, this is great...I'm posting on it right now!

Posted by: Shannon @ Rocks in my Dryer | November 3, 2006 9:57 AM

I enjoy analyzing "The Blue Cloak" with my young art history scholars. We were privileged to see Jan (Pieter's son) Brueghel's "Allegory of Sight" on a field trip last year. It is a fun one to study, too.

Your interview with Carmen at LargerFamilies.com was most edifying! I have eleven dear children and love your attitude.

Posted by: bernadette | November 3, 2006 11:21 AM

Barbara, I know this isn't quite what you meant about illustrating cliches, but since I don’t want to be a day late and a dollar short, I thought I would take the plunge and jump in with both feet – you know, it’s that old do or die attitude – and do what it takes to get with the program and give it my best shot to try a few clichés. It looks easy as pie!

Posted by: Cathy | November 3, 2006 11:59 AM

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