March Studies 2018
Overall Themes: Lent, Spring
Liturgical Cycle: Lent
Sanctoral Cycle: Francesca Romana, Rafqa, Patrick, Joseph
Human Cycle: Apprentices (ages 0-25)
Natural Cycle: the beginning of Spring at the Equinox
Events and Celebrations
*Confession and Divine Mercy Chaplet at Santo Spirito Church
*Pilgrimage to Santa Francesca Romana casa and basilica on the 9th
*St. Patrick’s Day on the 17th
*Parish feast for fathers and mothers on the 18th
*St. Joseph’s Table on the 19th (party at monastery)
*Spring Feast on the Spring Equinox and World Storytelling Day on the 20th
Activities
*Lenten Plan: fasting, alms, prayer, confession and spiritual direction, Friday stations of the cross, decorating eggs, making baskets, pretzels, whole wheat bread, My Path to Heaven Coloring Book, research origin of stations and Holy Week traditions, make Easter greeting cards
*Art Project: watercolor still life of flower arrangements
*Homesteading/Nature Study: eggs, seeds, gardening, maple syrup
*Storytelling Theater: Spring Feast play
Interdisciplinary Place Studies: Rome
Copy-Memory Work
*Italian, English, and Arabic proverb or poem of kids’ choice related to themes
*Wisdom quote: “The relationship between apprentice and mentor is one of the most beautiful and most sacred relationships. In sharing his wisdom with his apprentice, the mentor discovers even more wisdom to share.” ― Charbel Tadros
*Hymn: The Glory of these Forty Days
*Song: Ci vuole fiore
*Lullaby: little chicken legs/Coscine di pollo
*Stories and Other Readings: Little House books, St. Joseph, St. Patrick, movie about St. Rafqa, The Sword and the Stone, Persephone, Howard Pyle stories (March birthday), Before I was Me, Le Quattro Stagione, CM Motto explained for children by Dawn Garrett, Lent for Children
*For parents: 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families and Kids, Parenting with Grace
Resources: Catholicculture.org, oldfarmersalmanac.org, The Teacher’s New Almanack, Lent for Children by Jennifer Gregory Miller, Lent and Catholic Solemnities Morning Time plans by Pam Barnhill