Poem of the month

Each month so far we have memorized a new poem.  This is a new addition to our home educating journey so each monthly poem has actually been entitled for that particular month, so far.  I think poetry is a greatly over looked part of a well rounded education.  Not only does it help with memory and memorization skills but also recitation, public speaking, proper annunciation and articulation, as well as various writing devices, recognition and use of rhyme schemes.  

Poetry memorization has been a surprisingly lovely part of our daily routine.

November

Still the garden blossoms bravely,

     Though the Year is nearly done,

Fresh chrysanthemums are shining

     In the pale and wintry sun.

Such a number of bright colors

     Make the beds and borders plain,

We believe the summer roses

     Must have all come back again.

Now's the time when great plantations

     Must be planted, oak and fir,

Beech and elm, and towering poplar

     That the wandering night-winds stir

And the time when treasured fruit-stones,

     In the summer stored away,

Must be set, that spreading orchards

     May grow up another day.

Poem of the month

Since the month has changed, that means we are memorizing a new poem.  I think we might even be able to get two memorized if we really try.

October

Where the beech and maple grow

Leaves as bright as flowers show,

Every path, and garden bed,

Are ablaze with gold and red.

Down the lane, and through the stiles,

Berries shine for miles and miles,

Hips and haws and nightshade deep,

Do the hedge-rows festal keep.

For your happy wearing see,

Matchless wreaths of briony,

Fairer than a jeweled crown

For a child to gather down.

Now is pleasant work all-day,

In the orchard where you play,

Laden branches bid you sing

Of a plenteous gathering.

Poem of the month

We've added this lovely poem to our morning repertoire. We have already memorized the initial one, the daily prayer and we also do a Bible verse a day.  We will include this poem for the entire month.  Birdy's syllabus contains a large collection of poems and rhymes in the back, including one for every month of the year.  This one is not too long, so it's a good one to start with.

September

September brings the ripening sun,

   The clear sharp morning air,

And asters in a border wide, 

And daisies for the garden's pride,

   And foxgloves everywhere.

Among the rushes and the reeds

   Long purples bend and sway,

Between the water and the land,

Beside the shining stream they stand

   Till Autumn fades away.

Plant crocuses and tulips rare,

   To bloom in next Year's Spring,

And crown imperials rich and fine,

To stand up in a glorious line

   Amid new blossoming.