poetry Archives - Our Life in the Shire

Family, Homeschool

Poetry for Kids

This year as I homeschool my daughters for 1st grade I’m being more intentional about including poetry. We’ve always had poetry books and such, but this year I am also displaying a new nature related poem every week and we read it during our morning basket time. The girls really look forward to hearing it each day! We’ve also been really enjoying our weekly Poetry Teatime! I make gluten and dairy free treats, we sip tea, and we read poetry! People often ask which books are currently in our poetry basket, so here you go! Where the Sidewalk Ends A Light in the Attic Sing a Song of Seasons: A…

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Once again it was down to the wire with my weekly photo project! Originally I had something else in mind, but we had a dry day, so we took advantage and got out for a hike. I used a crystal chandelier ring for my (subtle) prop. I love seeing these blossoms every year!

12 | Props

We are a group of photographers supporting each other weekly on our P52. Follow #TFF52Clicks2025 to see our year-long creative journey.

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We got out to a wildlife refuge that’s been on my list for a while. We started off on our hike, looking for wildlife and “creatures” as my daughter likes to say. We recently bought her a very inexpensive little camera and she loves to go around “photographing creatures”. No idea where she gets it from 😄

I was feeling a little discouraged because we hadn’t seen much more than a few ducks and a hawk too far away to photograph. It was nice just spending time in nature, but I really wanted to come away with at least one bird photo! As we were huffing and puffing up a hill, we heard the beautiful sounds of a songbird. My husband said he thought he knew which tree it was in. And I was absolutely thrilled to see this Western Meadowlark, sitting pretty, singing a beautiful tune.

11 | Negative Space

We are a group of photographers supporting each other weekly on our P52. Follow #TFF52Clicks2025 to see our year-long creative journey.

#TFF52Clicks2025_week11 #TFF52Clicks2025_ourlifeintheshire #birdphotography #canonr6 #westernmeadowlark #meadowlark #songbird

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Finally! I’ve experienced this book on my own, but the last time I introduced it to my girls they weren’t quite ready for it. So, it’s been a real joy to have opened it up again for our bedtime read-aloud. They are enjoying it, and I am re-enjoying it :) This particular version is an unabridged hardcover with really lovely illustrations. I know there is some debate among those who love good books, so tell me... are you Team Illustrations or Team No Illustrations?

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Just trying to keep up with my photography project over here. Setting aside perfectionist tendencies and just going with this duck because it’s what I have. I feel like it doesn’t quite work with the squirrel. Ever have those “editing crises” where you just want to redo everything you’ve ever edited? Ha. That’s me right now. But, no time for that. So, I’ll just keep taking my camera out, and head into the next theme!

10 | Movement

We are a group of photographers supporting each other weekly on our P52. Follow #TFF52Clicks2025 to see our year-long creative journey.

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Nicer weather means lots of hiking and nature walks 🌲 I know I’ve been quiet the past several months, but I’m still here and look forward to reconnecting :)

9 | Layering

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#canonr6 #1000hoursoutside #livingeducation #naturestudy

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How do people who live in hot climates ever go outside?

It is way too hot to be outside in the afternoons this week. Even to play in water it’s a nope. I love the sunshine, but I’ll take sunshine with a side of temps in the 70’s please :D We’ve moved into the 100’s this week, and that is just not appropriate for this pacific northwest girl here. Give me all your survive the hot weather tips!

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#homeschoollife #homeschooldays #slowandsimpledays #hyggehomeschool #homeeducation #charlottemason #homeschoolfamily #welleducatedheart #morningbasket #poetryteatime #charlottemasoneducation #enchantededucation #homeschooling #homeschool #fromtheheart #charlottemasonhomeschool #bedeeplyrooted #charlottemasonliving #slowchildhood

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Real talk - my girls and I long for more community.

I struggle because I’m an introvert so I like the idea of more community, but it’s also draining. It’s also challenging for other reasons. Because my 12yo is developmentally years younger, it’s really, really hard to place her. Not to mention she needs a 1:1 at all times, for safety and just to help her to integrate and follow along. I am always happy (and probably best qualified) to be her helper, but that means I can’t participate in leading or assisting a co-op class. I hesitate to share our struggles here because I don’t want anyone to misunderstand my heart for my daughter. I would not change her (though I would perhaps make things a little easier for her if I could.) She is a joy to everyone she meets, and I truly consider our family blessed. That said, there are extra considerations and challenges that our family has to think about.

And to top it off, often, we just don’t fit in. For example, cell phones are not happening here. We’re also a conservative family living in a liberal area. We’ve tried a couple of traditional co-ops, met some lovely families, but none have been just the right fit. A big part of this is that I really try to guard our school mornings, and it’s hard to justify giving up half a day (realistically it’s a full day) for a morning co-op, particularly when it doesn’t take anything off my plate.

My ideal would be an afternoon TBG group to do things like Shakespeare, singing games, recitations, handicrafts, etc. But I’ve had no luck in finding one nearby. I’ve considered starting one, but I also don’t have any local Charlotte Mason friends. Sooooo, I feel a little stuck. I’ve been praying about it, and I’m wondering if I should think outside the box. If I can find like-minded families who perhaps aren’t CM homeschoolers, but would be interested in sharing some of these afternoon riches, maybe that would be an option?

I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Michelle

#charlottemasoneducation #cmhomeschool #livingeducation #charlottemason

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Robin on the fence. We love our backyard birds! They brighten up the gray days 💕

#americanrobin #canonr6

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