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Thursday, September 29, 2016

Poetry Friday - Forgotten

        Karen Edmisten hosts this final Poetry Friday of September. Fall is here! 
                                                                                                    Thanks for hosting, Karen!

          David Harrison's Word of the Month is a delight to follow. Whether you write for the word, or just want to read what others have shared, I am amazed at the varied responses to each month's one little word. You can find September's poems here; the word this time is FORGOTTEN. I enjoyed writing mine, and wanted to share as we move into October, at least here in Colorado, that "blazing" month. What would you write to "forgotten"?


forgotten in July
tree blaze
leaf crunch
coat days
soup lunch
bird trek
bloom wilt
squash check
warm quilt
doors closed
brown lawn
cold nose
socks on
breath steam
snow shine
beach dream
cold –
fine
                                              Linda Baie © All Rights Reserved

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Terrific Library Find

   

              Thanks to Alyson Beecher's Non-Fiction Picture Book Challenge at Kidlit Frenzy, those who link up share wonderful non-fiction picture books. I am grateful for all that I've learned through reading non-fiction picture books. 


         I was so excited to read that this book by Russell Freedman has been short-listed for the Kirkus Prize, and that it beautifully tells the story of The White Rose Student Resistance Movement. I have read other accounts of the courage of these students, particularly the Scholl family, but not as detailed as this one, researched well with direct quotes and photographs documented. Robert Scholl and his wife had five children - Hans, Sophie, Inge, Elisabeth and Werner - all of whom eventually joined the Nazi youth groups that were so enticing, despite their parents advising against them. Clearly the parents and their wider family group were skeptical of Hitler’s ideas and wanted no part of them. The story tells of Hans and Sophie’s eventual disenchantment that led to an underground group, The White Rose, that wrote, copied and distributed hundreds of anti-Nazi messages across Germany, exhorting others to join the fight against Hitler and his Nazis. Photographs chosen to tell this story slowly show the frightening tale of a society gone mad. 
         There’s plenty of back matter that supports the written book, a list of sources, picture credits, an index and one picture of the museum in memory of those who fought in secret so valiantly.  Sophie and Hans were both caught and be-headed; a punishment for traitors during that time, but in a last meeting with parents, Sophie said, “We will make waves.” And they have, continue to be considered those in the names of legendary heroes of World War II. The book is not long, but will serve as a good start to those who want to do additional research into the resistance efforts during that war.

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

A Slice of Life We Don't Want



       I'm slicing with the Two Writing Teachers community today. It's always a pleasure to read what everyone writes about their lives.

        One part (slice) of my life that is sometimes challenging is that I am alone. I do miss my husband for so, so many reasons, and one of those ways that I miss him is in our conversations. When you live with someone for a long time, you become used to the give and take of words, the usual and the important. We ask for each other's opinions, share articles read, plan and worry about the future--together! So, in this election, this election I find akin to Alice falling down the rabbit hole into something bizarre and unexpected, I want to turn to someone to say the following: Did you just hear that? That's wrong. And that; he doesn't know the facts! Or-she could have said more there. And, have you read ________ here, or here? So, I hope you understand that this is brief and I will share one thing that I've shared already on FB, and with friends, because I have no one at home to pat me on the back when I want to go kick the wall in frustration, or to tell me that everything will be all right!




"The people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country." -Hermann Göring, Nazi military leader (12 Jan 1893-1946)


  

Sunday, September 25, 2016

It's Monday! Books To Love


           Every Monday, it's a pleasure to link up with a group that reviews books they want to share with others. Come discover new books!

          Visit Jen at Teach MentorTexts and Kellee and Ricki at UnleashingReaders to see what they've been reading, along with everyone else who link up.   
Tweet #IMWAYR

         Thanks to Candlewick Press for a copy of this book, out September 13th. The writing is good, offering a look into teenage thoughts as seven tell the story of three hours on a day, really like any other day, but not this time. It is harsh with strong language, and not a surprise that teens think and talk this way. Some of these seven we meet have connected online to commiserate with each other's tough lives, but it goes further, and ends in a plot for each to complete some kind of school shooting and then suicide. It's alarming and scary, and held together by one girl, April, whose birthday is April 19th, "the day". I would recommend this for older teens and their parents and teachers!

         This is the quietest book that begins to squeeze your heart, slowly, slowly, until you realize that you are looking for things to wish on just like Charlie, but just for Charlie! Charlie has been taken to her Aunt Bertha and Uncle Gus's home after it's been determined that she is no longer in a stable environment. Her father is in jail and her mother doesn't get out of bed. Her sister is about to graduate from high school so gets to move in with a friend. Charlie is alone in what she thinks of as a sad house in the Blue Ridge mountains, among those "awful" hillbillies. She must finish her fifth grade year, and it's not a friendly place. But Charlie doesn't exactly know how to make friends, and is also in trouble with the teacher quite a bit. Sadly, this is not a sympathetic teacher, although I kept hoping! It's after school is out that the story deepens. I loved that Barbara O'Connor keeps Charlie surrounded with love, from Bertha and Gus, from her only friend, Howard's family, from the setting and finally from a stray dog, Wishbone. That's part of the sweet story too. A dog's love cures a lot of things, and he helps Charlie, too. Without telling all the story, just know that as others have said, it's worth reading and learning from the inside out what a child who also feels like a stray wishes for every single day.

Saturday, September 24, 2016

Celebrating Small


  Celebrating with Ruth Ayres at Discover Play Build.  and linking with others who share their celebrations, too. I am grateful to Ruth for helping us celebrate together!  

In our daily lives, we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful, but the gratefulness that makes us happy.”  ~ Albert Clarke

        I've been paying special attention to small things this week, those tiny things I enjoy, noticing and celebrating that I have them in my life. I've started a list, and hope you have one, too, at least in your mind as you live your days.


  • a tall glass of iced tea
  • a perfect yellow leaf with a final touch of green - spring memory
  • sprinkler sounds still here, not for much longer
  • grilled cheese with a favorite bread
  • a smile from a stranger as I waited for a green light
  • a "like" for a review on Goodreads
  • a "found" note from my mother
  • a haiku sent to my inbox
  • one last ladybug
  • grand-girl laughter
  • conversations with my son and daughter
  • finding a requested book for a customer
  • new baby pictures posted on FB
  • surprise books in the mail

The week has been good!

Thursday, September 22, 2016

Poetry Friday for Four Days!

Poetry Friday is hosted today by Catherine Flynn at Reading To The Core. I had the pleasure of spending lots of time with Catherine at the Highlights Foundation last week writing and learning “The Craft and Heart of Writing Poetry for Children” from Rebecca Kai Dotlich and Georgia Heard. It was a marvelous time that I've also written about in my two previous blog posts! 

I'm thrilled and honored to move to the Cybil's Poetry Judges' Round One this year, will love working with Joy Acey, Carol Wilcox, Sylvia Vardell, Jone MacCulloch, Courtney Garrison and Tricia Stohr-Hunt. Don't forget, nominations begin on October 1st!


It was terrific to spend time with other Poetry Friday bloggers, too, like Robyn Hood Black, Buffy Silverman, Linda Kulp Trout, and Charles Waters. 



In these days, we filled up with poetry. We met in smaller groups to share our own original poetry and receive critiques. This made me wish to have this group for every poem. The insights and ideas offer were very appreciated. "Revision" means to "re-see", and this time that "second sight" showed me new ways to look and keep looking for a better draft.  

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Non-Fiction Books Teach!

   

              Thanks to Alyson Beecher's Non-Fiction Picture Book Challenge at Kidlit Frenzy, those who link up share wonderful non-fiction picture books. I am grateful for all that I've learned through reading non-fiction picture books. 



         This is not a comprehensive book, but one that shows an assortment of insects who have to change behavior in the fall to ensure their survival. It's happening now in many states that can have a freeze any time. It shows varied adaptions, insects that hide, fly away, and lay hides are most of the behaviors, plus one amazing insect in the arctic that really does freeze, the arctic woolly bear caterpillar! Through adaptations and a special antifreeze, this insect might take seven years to finally become a moth! I enjoyed learning new things, like ladybugs that gather together in a bundle, wiggling constantly to keep just enough warmth to stay alive. They rest in a kind of hibernation termed "diapause". The illustrations show scenes with the insects, and sometimes "close up" inserts with more detail. There is an author's note, two experiments concerning freezing, and a page of extra resources. It's a book to add to a collection for winter studies.

Monday, September 19, 2016

Treasured Times



       I'm slicing with the Two Writing Teachers community today. It's always a pleasure to read what everyone writes about their lives.

         The last time I posted was about point of view, and I think I may always be considering it, trying to learn from others' opinions, too. This touches growth mindset too, doesn't it?

So, I had the extreme pleasure of joining Georgia Heard, Rebecca Kai Dotlich and an amazing group of poets at the Highlights Foundation retreat poetry workshop last week, "The Craft and Art of Writing Poetry for Children". And again, the time opened my mind to some new ideas, and affirmed old ones. Listening, "hearing" others' POVs excited and taught me. 
            Some of the group I had written with before at an earlier retreat, some are teacher/bloggers I've met at NCTE. Some are poetry Friday bloggers I've written with for a long time and was thrilled to meet and know better. And those new to me, so glad to make good connections, beginning friendships! 

Sunday, September 18, 2016

Monday Reading Recap


           Every Monday, it's a pleasure to link up with a group that reviews books they want to share with others. Come discover new books!

          Visit Jen at Teach MentorTexts and Kellee and Ricki at UnleashingReaders to see what they've been reading, along with everyone else who link up.   
Tweet #IMWAYR

          I didn't post last week, was at a Highlights Poetry Workshop, a wonderful experience. I've read since then and before, but the time away was filled with poetry from everyone there, and from various books. But, I have finished some wonderful chapter books and a couple of picture books, all good!
         I am happy to share this older poetry book and biography. I loved Issa’s story, one of love-for haiku, and one of sorrow--much loss and rejection. With haiku on every page, accompanied by the original language and gorgeous illustrations, it is a biography that entertains the reader as well as teaches the writer.


           It’s a myth with basic facts about the evolution of wolves evolving into dogs as friends of men. Hudson Talbott has created a fiction story to tell the tale, about an "outcast" young boy and young wolf who eventually find that it is to the advantage of both that they survive together. And soon, there are more like this pair. Some facts are included in the story showing changes of dogs through many years, but I believe it would be a mistake to present this as truth. At least more research is needed, and some sources are given in an author's note. The author writes that this is a "myth of origin", and like other tales that have been created, he too has created one. The illustrations are lively and interesting.

Saturday, September 17, 2016

A Celebration To Love


  Celebrating with Ruth Ayres at Discover Play Build.  and linking with others who share their celebrations, too. I am grateful to Ruth for helping us celebrate together!  

from Madeleine L'Engle
       "Stories make us more alive, more human, more courageous, more loving."

       I spent this past week until Thursday at the Highlights Barn for The Craft and Heart of Writing Poetry for Children workshop with Georgia Heard, Rebecca Kai Dotlich and a group of old friends and also new ones. That old song kept flying through my mind about keeping old friends and making new ones-one silver and the other gold. How in four days such special connections are made is a wonder to me. I wrote with some of the group three years ago and was thrilled to be with them again. I've met some at teacher conventions, but most I know through their blogging, thus, their stories! Today I celebrate stories, and those willing to share them during this oh, so brief, time. They shared them when they shared their poems for response, how the poems came to "be" in their lives, and what they meant to them. They shared at meals, on the paths as we walked and talked, then talked some more, telling about our lives, where and when and how and why.  I heard highs and lows from family and work and struggles still happening, as well as those from the past. Stories make who we are, and I was honored to hear them. 

Saturday, September 10, 2016

Celebrating Everyday Joy


  Celebrating with Ruth Ayres at Discover Play Build.  and linking with others who share their celebrations, too. I am grateful to Ruth for helping us celebrate together!  


        A busy week with the grand-girls, walking and loving 'slightly' cooler weather, finding beauty everywhere, bookstore last Saturday subbing and regular Thursday. It all fills me up day to day. I feel my life is really a good one. Then on Tuesday I had terrible news, the tragic loss of a young family member. I'm respecting their privacy, am heartbroken for the family. And I want to say love each day, be kind and continue to celebrate the moments of your lives. 
        I am excited to be traveling Sunday to a poetry workshop at the Highlights Foundation with leaders Georgia Heard and Rebecca Kai Doltich, plus others you may know from teacher conferences and blogging. It is my third time there, and I nearly didn't try to go. Suddenly, way back when, I decided to see if there was a spot left, and there was. I will take joy from this all the rest of the year. Take joy when you can!

      Pictured here are books and bees, a granddaughter's hide 'n seek, one's guitar lesson, and a katydid upon my kitchen window! 


Thursday, September 8, 2016

Poetry Friday - Being Presidential

               Poetry Friday is with Amy Ludwig VanDerwater at The Poem Farm! This time, there is a wonderful sharing of a new Poetry Friday book from Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong, and Janet is answering questions about it. Be sure to check out Amy's great post!

              FYI -  I visited Michelle at Today's Little Ditty on Thursday, with a poem about my granddaughter and school, written to Jane Yolen's challenge this month. Be sure to check Michelle's blog for all the poems she shares and on her new padlet that's collecting those written for the challenges.
            And, I am so excited to attend the Highlights foundation workshop beginning Sunday with Georgia Heard and Rebecca Kai Dotlich. Wow! And there will be PF people there that I can now meet, or reconnect with: Robyn Hood Black, Buffy Silverman, Catherine Flynn, Linda Kulp Trout and Charles Waters. Others I've met at other workshops like Heidi Bee Roemer. It's going to be an amazing time. (I'm a little nervous!)

              I discovered two poems by Naomi Shihab Nye that she read at the Dodge Poetry Festival in 2008. They feel even more poignant in this strange election year. The first is "Letters My Prez Is Not Sending" and the second is "Ted Kooser Is My President".  They can both be found in Honeybee, Poems and Prose, all by Naomi Shihab Nye published in 2008. I've enjoyed this book for a while. Naomi shares small pieces of prose sewing together her usual thought-filled poems. Enjoy!

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

New Learning - Science & History

   

              Thanks to Alyson Beecher's Non-Fiction Picture Book Challenge at Kidlit Frenzy, those who link up share wonderful non-fiction picture books. I am grateful for all that I've learned through reading non-fiction picture books. 



             

         Aston and Long’s gorgeous books are wonderful beginnings to studies of their subjects, celebrations of the things they have written about: nests, eggs, butterflies, seeds and rocks, and now, beetles. The illustrations that so beautifully incorporate basic bits of information about the topic are so enticing one is bound to look for more, to ask questions to further knowledge, to look and look again at the pictures. This one about beetles is the latest one, and it fascinates from the cover to the end. Who wouldn’t want to see a beetle that’s COLOSSAL, meeting it on the page, about a foot long, its mandibles “powerful enough to snap a pencil in half”. And amazing that on the opposite page is the smallest beetle, the North American Featherwing Beetle, one who is so small “it could pass through the eye of a needle.”  There are other descriptors like armored, shy, prehistoric, a delightful look at BEETLES!

        

         This story of George Washington Carver is so inspiring. Nicole Tadgell’s colorful illustrations show the incredibly tough work described by the author Suzanne Slade. This man born a slave, then freed, worked so hard in salt mines and coalmines until one day. On that day he overheard talk of a school for black people, but 500 miles away! He saved, and finally got there, graduated in three years, ended eventually in Tuskegee, Alabama and started a school for black students, in a shed! The back matter tells that it leaked, and sometimes students held an umbrella over him so he could continue teaching. He borrowed money, bought land outside town where he and the students worked hard to make bricks to make a school. Digging deep, they found clay. After breaking more than one kiln, at last one worked and they had bricks. And they began to build!
          I’ve summarized the story, but it holds a sense of the depth of Carver’s dedication to bringing his school to the students. And he did. Not only did the first building go up, but three others soon after. Now, of course the Tuskegee Institute is a huge institution known throughout the world.  The author, in an afterword, acknowledges that she has not included the sleepless nights spent figuring out how to pay the bills, find clothing for needy students, etc. That is for another story.