If you want your jack o'latern to last, cut from the back side or the bottom of the pumpkin. Your pumpkin will last much longer as a decoration if you keep the stem intact. Also, use a small flashlight instead of a candle to light up your creation.
Zero to Eight, Chhildren's Media Use in America has shocking news about our children and the overuse of media. According to the study, infants and toddlers watch almost two hours of some sort of televiion a day. In fact, they watch more media than they are read books by their parents or caregivers. 30 percent of 0 to 1 year olds have televisions in their room.
When my husband and I lived in Germany we were amazed at the stone arch bridge work built by the Romans. The structures were made with the Roman Arch and the bridges were still in use centuries later. There are many areas in Europe where this amazing architecture can been seen today.
Here are some links about the Roman Arch that is used in Montessori's Great Lessons
This lesson has some wonderful ideas for older elementary aged children. The total lesson provides thoughtful learning for middle through high school students. It shows how geometric shapes, such as polygons and triangles, make up elements of architecture. The story of how architecture evolved is well done! This would work well with Montessori's Great Lessons.
Life without Language is a fascinating article. Dr. Montessori was interested in the feral boy from Aveyron and his inability to speak. It brought to her mind a child's possibilities or limitations that are directly correlated to environment.
It's winter and I'm thinking about butterflies. We have a garden of milkweed for monarch butterflies that travel through Colorado. It's a wonder to watch the butterflies lay their eggs on the milkweed and observe the catepillars grow and endlessly eat the plants. The LA Times has a great article about making your own milkweed gardent for the fragile Monarch Butterfly.