September is Library Card Sign-up Month - take this time to remind everyone that a library card is one of the smartest cards of all.

1. Read books every day, and let people see you do it. You may be a role model (to your child, your niece or nephew, or some other individual in your family or circle of acquaintance).
2. Get involved with your local library. Many libraries offer literacy programs, which encourage reading in your community. See what you can do to help.
3. Talk about reading. Ask questions about what the individuals in your life are reading.
4. Start a book club.
5. Become a reading tutor or reading teacher for a literacy program in your community.
6. Call the Adult Literacy Hotline at 1-800-321-9511 to find out more ways that you can help encourage literacy.

 "By all these lovely tokens
September days are here,
With summer’s best of weather
And autumn’s best of cheer."
-   Helen Hunt Jackson, September, 1830-1885

Grandparents are our heritage and are essential members of our families and communities.  That is why a special day, National Grandparent's Day, is set aside every year to honor them.(http://www.grandparents-day.net/)

Lovely Sites Honoring Grandparents Day:

Grandparent's Day

The History of Grandparent's Day:

Grandparent's Day History

Making Grandparent's Day Fun:

DLTK's Granparent's Day Page

A Kid's Heart

Grandparents.com

A green leaf is green because of the presence of a pigment known as chlorophyll. When they are abundant in the leaf's cells, as they are during the growing season, the chlorophylls' green color dominates and masks out the colors of any other pigments that may be present in the leaf. Thus the leaves of summer are characteristically green.^[1]

Chlorophyll has a vital function: that of capturing solar rays and utilizing the resulting energy in the manufacture of the plant's food—simple sugars which are produced from water and carbon dioxide. These sugars are the basis of the plant's nourishment—the sole source of the carbohydrates needed for growth and development. In their food-manufacturing process, the chlorophylls themselves break down and thus are being continually "used up." During the growing season, however, the plant replenishes the chlorophyll so that the supply remains high and the leaves stay green.

In late summer, the veins that carry fluids into and out of the leaf are gradually closed off as a layer of special cork cells forms at the base of each leaf. As this cork layer develops, water and mineral intake into the leaf is reduced, slowly at first, and then more rapidly. It is during this time that the chlorophyll begins to decrease.

Often the veins will still be green after the tissues between them have almost completely changed color.

Autumn's parade of red, yellow and gold following the disappearance of green chlorophyll relies on a single protein, a protease, recent research has shown. As this structural protein degrades away, the hidden pigments  are revealed. In contrast to these pigments, which are present throughout the year.

Music can be a powerful tool in relieving stress and promoting health. It was stated that classical music does not have significant impact on a baby's intelligence, but as a pregnant mother you could still use as an aid to help relax and sooth your baby.

For more information about classical music and the role it plays in building baby's brain visit:

Building Baby's Brain: The Role of Classical Music

Leaves

by Elsie N. Brady

How silently they tumble down
And come to rest upon the ground
To lay a carpet, rich and rare,
Beneath the trees without a care,
Content to sleep, their work well done,
Colors gleaming in the sun.

At other times, they wildly fly
Until they nearly reach the sky.
Twisting, turning through the air
Till all the trees stand stark and bare.
Exhausted, drop to earth below
To wait, like children, for the snow.  

Fall fun includes picking your own apples and pumpkins - along with drives where you can enjoy fall foliage.  This is a rite of Autumn that everyone looks forward to. If you visit an apple orchard or a pumpkin patch, you can be sure they will have fresh apple cider or icy slushies made from apple cider along with many baked goods. Take time with your family, to enjoy the beautiful array of color that God has painted for us during the fall season. Enjoy not only the colors of the leaves, but also different wildflowers, insects, and weather changes that also compliment autumn. There will be hay rides, corn mazes and festivals to delight in as well.  It is a splendid time of year! 

Click these links to find free games and autumn printables:

DLTK's Fall Games for Kids

Primary Games

Teacher Vision Printables

DLTK's holiday activities 

Patriot Day - September 11th

For additional information visit: Wikipedia