Personification in Poetry: The Cracked Window

A few months ago, we read a couple of poems in our language curriculum that demonstrated personification: "The Old Bridge" by Hilda Conkling and "The Oak" by George Hill. When I asked Elisabeth to write a poem of her own that demonstrated this concept, I didn't expect the depth of her poetic expression.

Photo credit Ty1eerLeeds on Flickr

The Cracked Window

The cracked window watches 

As its home grows cold and quiet

The children have left

Their laughter no longer echoes.

Its cracks grow larger

As the wind and rain rage against it.

No more eyes stare through it in wonder,

If only it was the great stained windows of the cathedral

Or the sturdy glass guarding way up in the sky

But its not.

And it will surely shatter.

Related Posts:

• Adverb Inspired Poetry (shannafern.com)
• Art Inspired by Maud Lewis (shannafern.com)
• An Artist in the Making (shannafern.com)

Building the Periodic Table in Minecraft

As a mom, I love it when my kids choose to spend time together. As a homeschooling mom, I am elated when it also involves learning. The cherry on top is that I had absolutely nothing to do with it! 

Related Links:

• Bookshark Science - (shannafern.com)
• Science: The Digestive System - (shannafern.com)

Milwaukee Public Museum

Trolley Car entrance to the Streets of Old Milwaukee @Milwaukee Public Museum

On a recent visit to Milwaukee, WI our local science center memberships allowed us free entry into the Milwaukee Public Museum. We had a half day before our return flight home and this made for a fun way to spend a couple of hours. 

One of the most unique areas in this museum was Streets of Old Milwaukee complete with a little candy shop for buying reasonably priced treats both modern and reminiscent of days gone by. Another unique area was the European Village where each cottage reveals a display representing a country in Europe. It seems that every European country was represented.

Additionally, this Milwaukee Public Museum has a large natural history component with a diversity of taxidermy in various displays, a creative geologic display area and prehistoric dioramas. 

If you travel and enjoy museums, I highly recommend a membership to your local science center assuming it is a member of the Association of Science and Technology Centers. The membership cost quickly pays for itself.

Old bicycle photo prop @Milwaukee Public Museum

Interior of an old Milwaukee store @Milwaukee Public Museum.

Streets of Old Milwaukee @Milwaukiee Public Museum

European Village @Milwaukee Public Museum

Dinosaur display @Milwaukee Public Museum

Geologic Area @Milwaukee Public Museum

Taxidermy avian display @ Milwaukee Public Museum

Other Museums in the ASTC Passport Program:

• Museum of Natural Curiosity - Salt Lake City, UT 
• Museum of Ancient Life at Thanksgiving Point - Salt Lake City, UT
• Fern Bank Natural History Museum - Atlanta, GA
• Florida Museum of Natural History - Gainesville, FL