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HOW TO MAKE A WINDOW STAR

Every year, we begin our homeschool year on January 16th, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. I chose this day because I like the opportunity to begin our school year with a great message we can hold in our minds and hearts throughout the year.

 

This first week back, like in years past, we'll revisit with all the books we have about Dr. King, watch his speeches, and talk about all of it. Over the years I've extended this conversation to include other civil rights leaders like like Harvey Milk, Cesar Chavez, Rosa Parks and others.

 

When I first introduced Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to my kids when they were wee littles, we obviously weren't having deep conversations about civil rights in our country but I wanted to share with them some of Dr. King's message. While I was researching I found The Star Code. (This was so long ago I can't remember where I found it. If you know where it originated, please let me know and I'll give proper credit). The Star Code gave me a tool to introduce Dr. Kings ideas to my littles. As the kids have gotten older, we've expanded our reasons for why the Star Code is important. In our homeschool, it's guaranteed to bring to light a rousing conversation.

Also download my free PDF instructional guide on finger knitting.

"Linda is great at engaging people in the notion that they can be creative. She gets people excited that they might be able to paint or draw or sculpt. Part of it has to do with her passion about being an artist herself. She makes that very contagious."

~ Susan Taylor, artist

The Start Code begins with a five pointed star (here's a cute one from way back)

and each point corresponds to:

​

RESPECT for people and property

KINDNESS to self and others

CELEBRATION of diversity

APPRECIATION for the good in each other

RESPONSIBILITY for what you say and do

In addition to starting our year with a review of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s life and the Star Code, we also make kite paper window stars. This three part combo is a new school year tradition that I just love. Over the years, we've tried a variety of paper stars from the book, Magical Window Stars by Frederique Gueret, but we always come back to the tried and true eight pointed star.

 

Give them a try with your kiddos. What does the Star Code mean to your family? Have a rousing conversation while you make window stars with your kiddos.

INSTRUCTIONS

How to make an 8 pointed kite paper window star:

 

Supplies:

- kite paper (it feels like parchment paper and you can order packs of colors online)

- glue stick

- transparent tape to hang your star in a window

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