This page is sponsored by Enviro-Safe Pest Control

Poems
SUMMER GOES
by Russell Hoban

Summer goes, summer goes
Like the sand between my toes
When the waves go out
That's how summer pulls away,
Leaves me standing here today,
Waiting for the bus.
Summer brought, summer brought
All the frogs that I have caught
Frogging at the pond,
Hot dogs, flowers, shells and rocks,
Postcards in my postcard box -
Places far away.
Summer took, summer took
All the lessons in my book,
Blew them far away.
I forgot the things I knew -
Arithmetic and spelling, too,
Never thought about them.
Summer's gone, summer's gone -
Fall and winter coming on,
Frosty in the morning.
Here's the school bus right on time.
I'm not really sad that I'm
Going back to school.
—Russell Hoban

School
by Winifred C. Marshall

School bells are ringing, loud and clear;
Vacation's over, school is here.
We hunt our pencils and our books,
And say goodbye to fields and brooks,
To carefree days of sunny hours,
To birds and butterflies and flowers.
But we are glad school has begun,
For work is always mixed with fun.
When autumn comes and the weather is cool,
Nothing can take the place of school.
— Winifred C. Marshall

A Circle of Friends
We've joined together as classmates
as the new year begins...
A year full of learning
while we become friends.
We'll share and be kind
as we work and play.
And our friendship will grow
with each passing day.
The First Day of School
I wonder if my drawing will be as good as theirs
I wonder if they'll like me, or just be full of stares
I wonder if my teacher will look like mom or gram
And I wonder if my puppy will wonder where I am.
—Aileen Fisher

Backpack
On my back a pack I carry
In it, all my treasures.
It's what I need
So I can be
One class higher!
Crayons, ruler, scissors too,
And yes a little Elmer's glue
Paper, pencils, in my bag…
Wonder what made mom so sad?
Trapper keeper, nice and neat
Will it really stay this clean?
On my back a pack I carry
In it, all my treasures!
Today I'll be
Just watch and see
One class higher!
-Shelley Plum

Back To School
Today I hurry off to school,
To work and learn and play.
I'm in a brand new grade this year.
What a happy day!

Crafts

Fall Leaves
People are always talking about fall leaves, yet in Florida, the leaves are always green! Here is a way to create your own fall leaves. You will need the following:

Orange, yellow, brown, red construction paper
Pencil, charcoal or crayon
Leaves from different plants and trees

Place a sheet of paper on a flat surface over a leaf. Be sure the bottom side of the leaf is up so the veins will show better. Rub the broad side of your pencil point, crayon or charcoal back and forth over the paper. Continue until the whole surface of the object has been rubbed.

Repeat with different leaves and other colors.

Apple Head People
Peel a small apple. Press eyes, nose, and a mouth into the apple with your finger tips. Put the apple away in a cool, dry place for about two weeks. Check now and then to see if it is shriveled and brown, then it will be ready to use. Take the apple out and poke a stick into the bottom of it. Use cloth scraps or tissue to dress your person. Add buttons, beads, yarn hair if desired.

Great Books for Back-to-School

Mouse's First Day of School, by Lauren Thompson
When he goes to school, Mouse finds a world of new objects and new friends.

I Love You All Day Long, by Francesca Rusackas and Priscilla Burris
"Do I have to go?" Owen asks.
"Yes," his mother replies.
But his mother sends him off with more than just his lunch. She promises that no matter where he is and no matter what he's doing -- whether Owen is making a new friend or spilling his juice -- she'll love him all day long, from the moment they part until the moment Owen is back in her arms again.

Francesca Rusackas and Priscilla Burris's book is a reassuring tale of how the enduring love of a parent stays with a child whether they are together or apart.

The Kissing Hand, by Audrey Penn
In this contemporary classic Chester Raccoon seeks love and reassurance from his mother as he ventures out into the world to attend his very first day of school.

Will You Come Back for Me?, by Ann Tompert
Four-year-old Suki is worried about being left in day care for the first time until her mother reassures her that she loves her and will always return for her.

Will I Have a Friend? by Miriam Cohen
Library of Congress Children's Book of the Year
When Pa was taking Jim to school for the first time, Jim said, "Will I have a friend at school?" "I think you will," said Pa.

But even his father's gentle reassurance doesn't make Jim feel any better. The other children in kindergarten are scary strangers to him. He's sure that he'll never find a friend...until naptime, when he discovers someone who feels the way he does.

Arthur's Back to School Day by Lillian Hoban
Brrr ... ing!
There's the school bell!
It's the first day back at school for Arthur and Violet and all of their friends. Time for riding the school bus, going to class, and best of all, eating snacks and playing games at recess.

But this year the first day is full of surprises. The bus ride to school is an unexpected adventure, and Arthur's friend, Norman, almost loses his lunch box. Just when things settle down, Arthur finds his snack has disappeared from his lunch box. What will happen next on this exciting first day of school?

Beginning readers heading back to school will enjoy the humor in Lillian Hoban's tenth I Can Read Book about these much loved characters.

Amelia Bedelia Goes Back to School, by Herman Parish
Would you like to have Amelia Bedelia in your classroom? Just ask Miss Wilson. But don't give Amelia Bedelia any problems. Or ask her to take her seat. Or tell her to paint anything. Amelia Bedelia is ready to learn, but it's the class that getsa lesson -- in reading, writing, and ridiculousness! Pull back the flaps to peek at Amelia Bedelia's school day.

After-School Snacks

Chewy Granola Bars

• 4 1/2 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2/3 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 cups miniature semisweet chocolate chips (or raisins, nuts, dried cranberries, etc.)

Preheat oven to 325º. Lightly grease 9x13 inch pan. In a large mixing bowl combine the oats, flour, baking soda, vanilla, butter, honey and brown sugar. Stir in chocolate chips.

Lightly press mixture into the prepared pan. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool for 10 minutes then cut into bars. Let bars cool completely in pan before removing or serving.

Ants on a Log

• Celery stalks, cleaned and cut into 4” sections
• Peanut butter
• Raisins

Spread peanut butter in celery, add raisins to top.

Frozen Fruit Salad
Frozen fruit is a cool and tasty treat for hot afternoons. Try the following: Bananas (whole or sliced), apple slices, grapes, orange sections, pineapple chunks, melon balls, even fruit snacks.