Is it too early for Christmas? While it's time to pack up the spooky décor, before you crack out the tinsel, start singing fa-la-la, and get in the mood for some fruitcake, there’s a whole lot of November to celebrate. We’re talking financial literacy, Remembrance Day, world kindness, and more.
While we’re all gearing up for some big spending for the holidays, it’s important to remember to set a budget and not overspend – remember, it’s the thought that counts. To help you with budget-consciousness, November is Financial Literacy Month.
This month is a great time to review your finances and talk to your child about the importance of money. Understanding the value of money is essential to your child’s personal growth and their future as a citizen in the world. For young children, reviewing the value of Canadian coins and bills will help them build foundational knowledge. Try practising small transactions with them. For older children, try to budget allowances or create a chores and rewards chart that lets them earn money for helping around the house, which they can spend on privileges like screen time or treats.
Go Shopping Money Game
Materials
Canadian coins and bills (we recommend you use real money)
sticky notes
5 jars or containers
Markers and a pencil
A notebook
Instructions
1. Choose five toys or other items to act as inventory in your "store".
2. Set a price for each item and write the price on a sticky note. Stick the price to a jar and place a jar beside each item.
3. Give your child a set amount of coins and/or bills. They should have only enough to buy 2-3 items. Write this amount at the top of the notebook.
4. Explain the value of each coin and bill, then ask your child what item they would like to buy.
5. Have your child place the correct amount of money for the items into the jar.
6. Have your child use subtraction to identify how much money they have left. Use the notebook.
7. Discuss what items your child can still afford to buy, and which they cannot.
8. Repeat.
Try replaying this game be with different items. You can also increase the difficulty by having your child figure out change or by adding tax. For some additional practise, check out our Time and Canadian Money Key Skills workbook (available in print or as a downloadable and printable eBook) to help your child practise recognizing bills and coins and completing money problems. Then quiz your child with our Time and Canadian Money flash cards.
While your child is practising their financial skills, check in on their skills with a clock as well, and don't forget that Daylight Savings Time ends on Sunday, November 7. It's time for those clocks to fall back one hour.
Before you get too far into the holiday season, make sure to take time on November 11 for Remembrance Day. Wearing a poppy and taking time for silent reflection is a small way to support Canadian military personnel and remember their contributions throughout history. Not only have Canadians fought in major conflicts overseas, but they also help here at home with natural disasters and relief work, including providing aid during the COVID-19 pandemic. Look for Remembrance Day ceremonies in your community or online.
November 8 is National STEM/STEAM Day. This day is all about exploring science, technology, engineering, art, and math. Inspiring a deep curiosity about the world, STEM/STEAM activities help children connect their classroom learning to real life circumstances. Take a trip to a science centre or go outside and discuss the seasons. Look for fun science experiments online, like this cool rainbow milk experiment, to help your child discover and celebrate the wonder of STEM/STEAM.
Rainbow Milk Magic
Mix science and art with this quick experiment.
Ingredients
Milk (whole or 2%)
Food colouring
Dish soap
Shallow bowl
Steps
1. Pour the milk into the shallow bowl so it covers the bottom.
2. Add drops of food colouring in the milk. Use different colours and get creative!
3. When you’re ready, add a drop of dish soap in the centre of the dish and watch the colours swirl!
The dish soap binds to the fat molecules in the milk, separating them from the water molecules in the milk. The movement caused by this separation pushes the food colouring around the bowl. Consider trying this experiment again with milk of different fat percentages and see how that changes the results.
Don’t forget to be kind on Word Kindness Day, November 13. A little kindness can go a long way. Try to compliment someone, say please and thank you, and look for little ways you can make someone’s day brighter. Acts of kindness can inspire kindness in others, which can make everyone’s life happier. Showing kindness in front of your child will inspire them to show kindness to their friends and/or siblings.
Don’t you just love lounging around in your pajamas? Pajamas are some of the comfiest clothes on the planet, and November 14 is the day to embrace the comfort because it’s Family PJ Day. PJ days are all about expressing yourself and not taking life so seriously. If you can, get the whole family to wear their pajamas and do something fun and relaxing together like a movie night or board games.
Canada History Week is November 22 to November 28, which means it’s a great week to learn more about our country. Go on the Government of Canada website to learn more about Canada History Week. This year's theme is Indigenous History, so we’re going coast to coast to coast talking about the history of some delicious Indigenous and Canadian foods. We'll be sharing facts, stories, and even some recipes on our Instagram page @telegraphroad.entertainment! If you make one of the recipes, please share a picture and tag us! (I’m getting hungry just thinking about it…)
The end of November is full of fun! Once you’ve filled your bellies with delicious Canadian food, please be advised that a little visitor is coming to see if you and your child have been naughty or nice. Follow us on Instagram during the last week of November, starting November 24, for Scout Elf Return Week. We’re being visited by one of Santa’s helpers as we get ready for the Christmas season. Come see what our visitor gets up to in our office!
Make a Scout Snowman
The elves aren't the only ones busy keeping an eye on things for Santa. Try this simple no-sewing-required snowman craft to make your own frosty little helper.
Materials
2 socks (1 white and 1 in a colour to make a hat)
rice or cotton for stuffing (consider using the stuffing of an old or cheap pillow)
rubber bands
markers, ribbons, and other decorations
orange pom-pom (or pipe cleaner or construction paper)
glue gun
markers or googly eyes
scissors
Instructions
1. Fill your white sock with rice or cotton to create the bottom snowball of your snowman. Rice will make a firmer snowman to display in your home, while cotton will make a plushier snowman for kids to play with.
2. Tie off your sock with one rubber band.
3. Add more rice or cotton to create the head of your snowman. Use the second rubber band to tie this section off too. You should still have some sock leg left.
4. Using a marker, add the snowman's face to the head section. You can also use the glue gun and glue on googly eyes and buttons or other decorations instead. Use the orange pom-pom to make the carrot nose and glue it in place. You can also use orange pipe cleaner or construction paper if you don't have a pom-pom.
5. Glue buttons down the snowman's belly. Encourage your child's imagination with different types of buttons. Use ribbons to make a scarf around your snowman's neck. Either glue the ribbon in place or tie it.
6. Cut your coloured sock between the heel and toe, close to the heel, to make the hat. Roll the opening up to make a brim. Tuck the remainder of your white sock into the coloured sock and secure your snowman's hat into place with some glue.
7. Set your snowman around your house!
Remember to be a jolly, happy soul as you usher in the holiday season with your new snowman scout!
Daniel the Beaver’s Learning Adventures
October was a fun month for Daniel the Beaver! He celebrated National Farmer’s Day, joined his friends for Thanksgiving, and dressed up for Halloween. He also met a new reptile friend, carved a pumpkin, and hosted his first giveaway contest to launch his first ever educational eBook!
Thank you to everyone who participated in our contest. Daniel the Beaver’s Alphabet and Phonics Adventure is available as a downloadable and printable PDF eBook on telegraphroad.ca. Suitable for kids age 4-6, this eBook features Daniel the Beaver as he learns the alphabet. Trace letters, learn long and short vowel sounds, practise consonant and digraph sounds, sort objects, complete fun activities, and laugh along with Daniel the Beaver’s jokes. Keyed to the Canadian curriculum, Daniel the Beaver’s Alphabet and Phonics Adventure helps children develop foundational reading and writing skills in a fun and entertaining way.
The fun isn't over yet for Daniel the Beaver. We have another surprise coming on December 1: the first print book featuring Daniel the Beaver. Tune into next month's blog to find out all the details.
Flash Card of the Month
This month’s Flash Card of the Month is Subtraction! These flash cards make practising subtraction a breeze. These flash cards feature clear numerals that help children visualize subtraction and become more adept at recognizing common subtraction facts. Laying the groundwork for future math skills, subtraction will help your child in many areas, including financial literacy and budgeting. You can use these cards to quiz your child on their subtraction facts or use them in conjunction with our Addition Flash Cards to teach the relationship between addition and subtraction.
The end of 2021 is fast approaching and we’re gearing up into holiday mode. We’ll have an exciting announcement from Daniel the Beaver as well as activities for the holidays, some delicious recipes, and more!
See you in December!
We love hearing from you!
You can connect with us on Instagram at @telegraphroad.entertainment and @canadiancurriculumpress and by visiting our Facebook page @TelegraphRoadEntertainment. Share your learning adventures with us by tagging us on Facebook @canadiancurriculumpress or hashtag us #canadiancurriculumpress #telegraphroadentertainment #danielthebeaver
