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Learning Together Joyfully – NOVEMBER: REMEMBERING

Welcome to educators, parents, care-givers and grandparents! November is an appropriate month to reflect on the importance of remembering and thinking of those people, places, and events that evoke significant emotions. Remembrance Day is one such event where families are reminded to reflect on those who served our country to secure our peaceful existence today. This month can also serve to connect us with our departed family members, friends and even pets. It is also a reminder to enjoy and appreciate our family today and ensure we focus on these special memories. As traditions at home or school are celebrated and honoured, childhood memories are created. They help tell our story of who we are and where we have been. This month we also look at strategies to support children’s problem-solving and memory building skills with several activities included that will encourage parents, teachers and children to play, learn and grow together joyfully.

READ, REMEMBER, REFLECT

Reading is a powerful way to stimulate children’s curiosity especially when there is an intricate plot with twists and turns, with strong characters and a diverse setting. Such stories encourage children to want to know more, predict the next move, find and connect clues, and solve problems. Books accompanied by adult-led discussions can assist children to develop coping skills as they gain strength and independence to solve problems with limited support from peers or parents. Engaging stories with strong protagonists, equip children to make mature decisions and focus better. Stories about great personalities who offer different perspectives as they highlight their struggles and achievements, are a wonderful source of support and encouragement for children.

1.  Read together 📚 

REMEMBERING FAMILY 

  • Finding Grandma’s Memories by Jiyeon Pak. A tender family story that offers a gentle window into the issue of aging and memory loss. Grandma loves teatime–and so does her granddaughter–from picking out a special cup, to brewing the tea, to sharing stories at the table. But lately, Grandma seems forgetful. She doesn’t always remember to turn off the faucet when filling the teakettle or even her granddaughter’s name. This child helps her grandmother remember their special ritual makes for a heartwarming story that will strike a chord with any family coping with elderly relatives who suffer from memory loss.
  • Grandpa’s Third Drawer Unlocking Holocaust Memories by Judy Tal Kopelman. Of all the places in the world, Uri loves to be at his grandparents’ house. There he can stay up past his bedtime and eat as many sweets from the chocolate box as he likes. There’s only one forbidden place in that house: the third drawer in Grandpa’s desk. This drawer is locked until Uri finds the key and unlocks the third drawer. From that moment, nothing is ever the same as the the difficult challenge of discussing the Holocaust is undertaken in a gentle manner. 
  • When a Grandparent Dies; A Kid’s Own Remembering Workbook for Dealing with Shiva and the Year Beyond by Dr. Nechama Liss-Levinson. The death of a grandparent is often a child’s first encounter with grief. Why did this happen? What should I do? How do I feel? This book helps children to participate in the process of mourning, and to overcome the awkwardness that can often accompany the traditional grieving rituals and events. Drawing on psychology and Jewish tradition, this workbook guides children from the immediacy of shiva through the entire year of mourning. For ages 7 to 13, it combines sensitive, down-to-earth guided exercises with places to write, draw, list, create, and express feelings providing parents a unique opportunity for sharing as they come to know more about themselves, their family, and the complexities of life and death.
  • Remembering Mrs. Rossi by Amy Hest. Mementos from her mother’s students help an eight-year-old Annie grieve along with her father, Professor Rossi. Life would be pretty good if only Annie didn’t so achingly miss her mother. When Mrs. Rossi died suddenly, she left not only Annie but also a classful of students — who pour out their hearts in a scrapbook Annie will treasure forever. With tenderness and humor, Amy Hest reveals the struggles of a father and daughter as they forge a new life together.

REMEMBERING PETS

  • Remembering Pets by Gina Dalpra-Berman. Have you been looking for a way to comfort a child after the loss of a pet? Remembering Pets is a helpful book for a child affected by a pet that has been lost, given away, or has died. A young child remembers the family pet and recalls common memories and feelings the reader can share. This light-hearted rhyme will open a dialogue between reader and child, while embracing the happy memories of pet ownership.
  • Remembering Honey by Jane Gallinaugh. When pets die, families grieve as if those pets were human. This story explores that grief and helps families cope with the loss.
  • Remembering Blue Fish by Becky Friedman. When Daniel’s pet fish dies, he learns to ask questions about what happened to help him better understand what death means and how to handle his feelings. A much-needed book for parents looking for age appropriate resources on loss.
  • Remembering Barkley by Erin Frankel. When Barkley doesn’t come home, Bear misses his friend. He no longer wants to take walks or play fetch. But as the seasons change, Bear and his human Jacob help each other through their grief. This sensitive story about healing over time will comfort all children who have experienced death and loss.
  • Remembering Vera by Patricia Polacco. This  heartwarming and true story of Vera, an amazing dog who was found in 1962 as a stray by the US Coast Guard and moved into the San Francisco Bay base. One day when high waves challenged another vessel at sea, it was Vera’s fierce determination and natural swimming ability that brought the life preserver and safety line to the sinking boat. Vera became a hero and the beloved pet and mascot of the San Francisco Coast Guard.
  • Chester Raccoon and the Acorn Full of Memories by Audrey Penn. Chester Raccoon’s good friend Skiddel Squirrel has had an accident and will not be returning – ever. Chester is upset that he won’t get to play with his friend anymore. Chester, his brother Ronny, and friends gather at the pond, where they combine their memories and create a touching celebration of their friend’s life. Many young children face the loss of loved ones or the need to attend a funeral. This story will help children to understand the positive purpose behind memorial services and how “making memories” can provide cheer and comfort when missing an absent loved one.
  • Memories of a Birch Tree by Daniel Canas, Blanca Millan, Jon Brokenbrow  This story is told from the perspective of the Birch Tree who realizes that even in the darkest spots, one can shine brighter than ever. One day the tree was loaded onto a truck and taken from nature to be planted in an area surrounded by towering buildings in a polluted, noisy city. Accepting this change was extremely difficult, but eventually things improve when a friendly gardener waters, fertilizes, and trims the tree’s branches so that a pair of finches nest in the Birch Tree. The tree begins to feel very useful, giving people shade, oxygen, and gently-flavored seeds. This is a  story that invites children to see adversities as opportunities, and to trust that changes, despite surprising us, can help us grow.

MAKING MEMORIES

  • The Classic Treasury of Childhood Wonders Favorite Adventures, Stories, Poems, and Songs for Making Lasting Memories by Susan Magsamen. This book is a collection of art, literature, and activities custom-made for the family bookshelf. It is divided into five sections that illuminate a child’s world and interests: Magic and Make-Believe, Outdoor Exploring, Crafts and Construction, Yummy for the Tummy, and Bedtime, Bathtime, and Dreamtime. Childhood Wonders is a unique and lasting gift for kids, families, and new parents and grandparents.
  • Memory Superpowers! An Adventurous Guide to Remembering What You Don’t Want to Forget by Nelson Dellis. A fun and highly practical guide to helping kids achieve remarkable memorization skills. Nelson Dellis, the four-time USA Memory Champion, reveals the secrets to his phenomenal ability to remember almost anything. On the journey, while encountering pirates, forest dwarves, and mummies, Dellis offers tools and tricks to help the reader remember words, lists, numbers, or concepts. 
  • Memories for My Grandchild; Stories and Wisdom for the Next Generation by Annie Decker. In this lovely keepsake journal, grandparents can record their stories, memories, and wisdom for future generations. There are thoughtful prompts and questions about the grandparent’s childhood, family, career, and life and extras like a fill-in family tree, pages to paste in photos, and a pocket to store memorabilia will enhance the recorded memories. This journal is a beautiful gift that will bring a grandparent hours of happy reminiscing—and ultimately allow them to create a cherished keepsake that families will treasure for years to come.
  • Making Memories; Practice Mindfulness, Learn to Journal and Scrapbook, Find Calm Every Day by Any Tangerine will guide children to be calm and value the little things every day. In a world where children are increasingly attached to their screens, and their memories often are only cherished digitally, this book offers a creative analog solution. It is a fun how-to guide to engage with the world around us through mindfulness activities and journalling tips. Learn crafts to calm a busy mind, and explore the outdoors mindfully. Each activity helps children to live in the moment and make memories in the real world.  

IMMIGRATION MEMORIES

  •  Marianthe’s Story; Painted Words and Spoken Memories by Aliki. This semi-autobiographical picture book features two interconnected stories about immigration, friendship, and finding your voice. Marianthe, a Greek girl who doesn’t understand English, starts school in the United States. In Part I, “Painted Words,” she is frustrated about being unable to communicate with her peers. Her teacher encourages her to paint her words, and little by little she finds ways to share her story with her classmates.In Part II, “Spoken Memories,” Marianthe tells her class about her life in Greece, how her Papa left for a better job in America, and how she and her family eventually came to join him.
  • The Map of Good Memories by Fran Nuno, Zuzanna Celej, Jon Brokenbrow. Some say that we always return to the places where we happily embraced life. Zoe, a girl who must flee her city with her family because of war, remembers these places before she leaves. Zoe had always lived in the city and knew every building,  park, and corner of the city. But the war broke out and she, like many others, had to say goodbye to her home and leave without knowing when she might return. Zoe has many good memories of her city… her grandparents’ house, and the downtown park. About to leave, Zoe spread the map of the city on a table and started to mark all the places where she was really happy, with the certainty that they would always accompany her.
  • My Favorite Memories by Sepideh Sarihi,  Julie Volk,  Elisabeth Lauffer. A young girl is moving to a new country, and there’s so much that she wants to bring: an aquarium, a pear tree, her best friend, the ocean. As she moves through the list of the things she loves, she comes to understand that while we cannot always carry things with us physically—maybe they can travel with us in other ways. This story offers parents and educators a gentle but impactful way to discuss the idea of resilience along with complex life events like immigration and moving to a new home.  
  • Malaika’s Costume by Nadia Hohn will be given to every Grade 1 student across Canada. Malaika is preparing to celebrate carnival in her hometown in the Caribbean while her mother sets up their new life in Canada. Infused with bright colours and rich language, young readers will relate to Malaika’s vivid imagination and her determination to bring her dream carnival costume to reality. The coordination of the Toronto Dominion Grade One Book Giveaway is overseen by the Canadian Children’s Book Centre. They have provided Teacher and Student resources. 

 INDIGENOUS STORIES

  • Remembering the Sun’s Return by Carolyn MacDonald. Ivarluk loves listening to his Anaanatsiaq’s stories from long ago. Anaanatsiaq tells Ivarluk about how they celebrated the return of the sun when she was a child and shares stories about what they did during “the great darkness”.
  • That Reminds Me by Terri Mack. When we hear or see something, we are often reminded of something else. As our brain moves from one memory to another it is making important connections. 
  • Spirit Bear; Honouring Memories, Planting Dreams is based on a true story by Order of Canada recipient Cindy Blackstock (Gitxsan Nation). Spirit Bear is on his way home from a sacred ceremony when he meets Jake, a friendly dog, with a bag full of paper hearts attached to wood stakes. Jake tells Spirit Bear that school children and residential school survivors will plant these hearts when a big report on residential schools called the Truth and Reconciliation Commission is shared. The TRC will have Calls to Action so we can all help end the unfairness and make sure this generation of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children grow up healthy and proud!

REMEMBRANCE DAY STORIES

  • Start-Up History Remembrance Day by Jane Bingham. This book explains why we remember the people who fought and died, both in World War One, but also in other armed conflicts in a thoughtful and insightful way. It looks at the background to World War One and also focuses on objects, such as poppies and the Cenotaph that are key to the day itself. The mixture of historical and modern photographs help to make the past more relevant to children.
  • The Remembrance Day and the Poppy by Helen Cox Cannons. Find out why we wear poppies on Remembrance Day and who we are remembering and why. This book brings the story of the poppy to life, showing how it was first used as a symbol of remembrance and how soldiers are remembered all over the world.
  • Remembrance Day; How It Happened by Robin Twiddy. Explore significant events in world history with How It Happened. Filled with activities that cater to umbrella learning: explore The Great Fire of London, Remembrance Day, The Moon Landing and the Gunpowder Plot. Learn to draw maps, write diary entries or make a meal just like an astronaut, there is always something fun to do in How It Happened that will bring history to life.

READ ALOUDS

Together read aloud more favorite books related to Remembering by clicking on the video links below:

  • Remembrance Day by Molly Aloian. (7:55 mins.) Each year on November 11th, millions of people in Canada and other countries in the Commonwealth take time to remember the men and women who served their countries during times of war. This book describes how people around the world hold similar services featuring poppies and poems.
  • A Poppy To Remember by Heather Patterson (6:16 mins.) (read by the Mayor of Edmonton)
  • All the World by Liz Scanlong (4:14 mins.) Following a circle of family and friends through the course of a day from morning until night, this book affirms the importance of all things great and small in our world, from the tiniest shell on the beach, to the warmth of family connections, to the widest sunset sky. A beautifully illustrated story about how we are all part of one world and connected to one another.
  • Marianthe’s Story; Painted Words – Part 1. (14.01 mins.) 
  • The Memory Tree by Britta Teckentrup. (6:48 mins.) Fox has lived a long and happy life in the forest, but now he is tired. He lies down in his favourite clearing, and falls asleep forever. Before long, Fox’s friends begin to gather in the clearing. One by one, they tell stories of the special moments that they shared with Fox. As they share their memories, a tree begins to grow, becoming bigger and stronger with each memory, sheltering and protecting all the animals in the forest, just as Fox did when he was alive. This gentle story about the loss of a loved one is perfect for sharing and will bring comfort to both children and parents.
  • Olivia Makes Memories by Loren Forte (9:00 mins.)
  • Anne Frank’s Chestnut Tree by Jane Kohuth (11:23 mins.)
  • Fox in Socks by Dr. Seuss (Alliteration Fun) (8:15 mins.)
  • Oh Say Can you Say? By Dr. Seuss (Alliteration Fun) (11:34 mins.)
  • Spirit Bear; Honouring Memories, Planting Dreams is based on a true story by Order of Canada recipient Cindy Blackstock (Gitxsan Nation).
  • Birdsong by Julie Flett.  Katherena and her mother move to a small town, where Katherena feels lonely and out of place until she meets an elderly woman artist who lives next door, named Agnes––then her world starts to change. As the seasons change, Katherna has to learn how to navigate the failing health of her new friend.

SONGS

Pretend play or improvised play help children develop language skills, social and emotional skills, nurtures their imagination and improves their understanding of the world around them. It also develops a child’s problem-solving skills and expands their imagination. Another effective problem-solving activity is memory matching as it sharpens their recall skills, and improves their reflexes as they develop a playing strategy. Simple to do, with a deck of matching pairs cards, children develop observational skills, visual discrimination, and concentration. They also learn important game playing skills such as turn taking, and with older role models, young children will also learn how to be a gracious winner…and loser!

2. Create together: Crafts, Pretend, Puzzles, Draw and Construct 🧩 

An important part of remembering is the emotion it produces. Spending time discussing Remembrance Day ensures children understand more about war and peace, that they reflect on why it is important to remember and are grateful to those who fought to secure our freedom so that we may live in peace. It is also a time to reflect on symbols, such as the poppy, that show we have not forgotten and demonstrates our feelings of gratitude.

3. Explore together 🌍

REMEMBRANCE DAY ACTIVITIES

MEMORY AND PROBLEM-SOLVING ACTIVITIES 

Memory games improve working memory or the information that we hold in our brains to access straight away – like phone numbers, addresses, seeing patterns or counting. Children with strong working memories access all areas of learning more easily and are better able to focus on activities, retain information, and apply it with accuracy. When children find it easy to learn they feel positive about learning, and about themselves. Another effective problem-solving and memory activity is the use of tangrams. They enhance children’s awareness of shapes which is a foundational mathematical/geometry concept. Children with strong problem-solving skills use their memory, think creatively, manage their emotions, and persist until they find a solution. 

Enjoying games, such as Simon Says, riddles, tongue twisters or alliteration are all activities for children to play and have fun with words and language. Gaining a better understanding of how sounds and language work, they experience the rhythm of language, anticipate the next word which better enables them to make predictions, and expands their imagination. These activities can also improve their concentration, problem-solving abilities, critical thinking and memory. Most importantly, language games often boost children’s mood, make them laugh, and give them a sense of accomplishment.

 4. Engage and Interact: 👭

5. Reflect: Remembering, Memories and Problem-solving  💭