Tuesday, July 14, 2009
How Has Your Summer Been?
My summer has gone well. Summer is always busy on a ranch and this year is no exception. We have to feed the baby calves, brand and then make sure the fences are not broken. The kids always enjoy riding the 4-wheelers and doing the chores. We have two baby calves we need to feed with bottles, bulls to feed and cows. I used to have to deal with the horses too, but my dad finally let them out. It was not easy to let the milk cow, because the horses wanted out. When I have a lot more time on the computer I will tell you more about the fun of doing chores and life on the ranch.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Writing Prompt- Where Would You like to Go?
Where would you like to go most in the world?
I really think that I would like to go to the Australia/New Zealand area most in the world. The reason that I would like to go to that area is that in New Zealand they filmed Lord of the Rings and I have seen the area on TV. and it just looks so beautiful. It looks so open and wild. Kind of like it is one of the last places on the earth. I know there are towns there, but I have not really seen what they look like. Some day I should do some research on it to learn all there is to learn about it.
I would like to go to Australia, because I have read books about it. I read a book by Bill Bryson and it just seemed like there was such a wide variety of things there. Some of the historic aborigine sites would be nice to see too. There was a Mary-Kate and Ashley Olson movie that was supposed to take place in Sydney and it looked like a very fascinating place. The opera house especially would be something interesting to see.
I am not sure what else to say about these areas. I just know that this is an area of the world that I find very interesting. I know that it would be very educational. That is really all that I have to say right now about the places that I would like to go. I really wish there was something more I could say about this entry. I would just really to see areas different to what I have known all my life.
The different culture is important as well. It is really nice to learn about places different from the United States. I really don’t want to learn how they feel about the United States, but I would like to see how they live.
I really think that I would like to go to the Australia/New Zealand area most in the world. The reason that I would like to go to that area is that in New Zealand they filmed Lord of the Rings and I have seen the area on TV. and it just looks so beautiful. It looks so open and wild. Kind of like it is one of the last places on the earth. I know there are towns there, but I have not really seen what they look like. Some day I should do some research on it to learn all there is to learn about it.
I would like to go to Australia, because I have read books about it. I read a book by Bill Bryson and it just seemed like there was such a wide variety of things there. Some of the historic aborigine sites would be nice to see too. There was a Mary-Kate and Ashley Olson movie that was supposed to take place in Sydney and it looked like a very fascinating place. The opera house especially would be something interesting to see.
I am not sure what else to say about these areas. I just know that this is an area of the world that I find very interesting. I know that it would be very educational. That is really all that I have to say right now about the places that I would like to go. I really wish there was something more I could say about this entry. I would just really to see areas different to what I have known all my life.
The different culture is important as well. It is really nice to learn about places different from the United States. I really don’t want to learn how they feel about the United States, but I would like to see how they live.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Writing Prompt- Sitting in a cafe and I am given a note
Sitting in a café. I am given a note: “It’s in your best interest to meet me at 7 p.m. tonight alone, at Pine and 4th.”
“I need to give this to you,” stated this short, bald man as he walked by my table in the café.
He walked out of sight as I just sat there staring at him. I didn’t know what to think. While I was sitting there thinking a few ideas came to me: I had a secret admirer, one of my enemies decided that now was the time for revenge, or maybe my latest boyfriend had a surprise planned for me. I thought of mulling the ideas over, but the note was just too tempting I had to open it.
As I unfolded the note, I keenly observed that the edges of the paper were torn and there were fingerprint smudges. I became unsure if any of my ideas were right, except for the one about my enemies. Written in pen it read, “It’s in your best interest to meet me at 7 p.m. tonight alone at Pine and 4th.” I studied the penmanship, trying to remember what everybody’s looked like. I had no idea who it belonged to.
I wasn’t sure what I should do. Should I make some calls and see if I could figure out who it was or should I just go on blind faith. I decided that I would go the rest of the morning finishing my latte and business downtown and decide my course of action early afternoon.
I spent the morning going to the library and the accountant, before I ate lunch at Lucky Charley’s. I was eating my avocado, bean sprout and bacon sandwich when I thought I would flip a coin, which would chose the plans for the evening.
Heads I would go and tails I would stay home reading the latest book I checked out of the library. It was tails. I was glad. I wanted to stay home and read The Mystery of the Paper.
Stay tuned for more.
“I need to give this to you,” stated this short, bald man as he walked by my table in the café.
He walked out of sight as I just sat there staring at him. I didn’t know what to think. While I was sitting there thinking a few ideas came to me: I had a secret admirer, one of my enemies decided that now was the time for revenge, or maybe my latest boyfriend had a surprise planned for me. I thought of mulling the ideas over, but the note was just too tempting I had to open it.
As I unfolded the note, I keenly observed that the edges of the paper were torn and there were fingerprint smudges. I became unsure if any of my ideas were right, except for the one about my enemies. Written in pen it read, “It’s in your best interest to meet me at 7 p.m. tonight alone at Pine and 4th.” I studied the penmanship, trying to remember what everybody’s looked like. I had no idea who it belonged to.
I wasn’t sure what I should do. Should I make some calls and see if I could figure out who it was or should I just go on blind faith. I decided that I would go the rest of the morning finishing my latte and business downtown and decide my course of action early afternoon.
I spent the morning going to the library and the accountant, before I ate lunch at Lucky Charley’s. I was eating my avocado, bean sprout and bacon sandwich when I thought I would flip a coin, which would chose the plans for the evening.
Heads I would go and tails I would stay home reading the latest book I checked out of the library. It was tails. I was glad. I wanted to stay home and read The Mystery of the Paper.
Stay tuned for more.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Writing Prompts- Family Trips
Do you ever take trips with you family? When I was still living at home my family used take a trip either to Wisconsin or Idaho almost every summer. Here is an outline from a trip we took to Wisconsin. Are there any specific details you would add?
Describe what you remember the most from our drive to Wisconsin.
The parts that I remember the most were all of the rain and lighting in Wyoming and South Dakota and the trees along the Mississippi River.
I was driving when we went through all of the bad weather. It was some of the worst rain that I had ever seen. If it was a snow storm it would have been a very bad blizzard. There was one time when I would have pulled off to the side of the road, but by the time I did it was getting better.
There was a really nice thunder cloud too. It had so much lightning in it. It was happening all of the time. I was very glad that I was not there.
The other part that I really liked was along the Mississippi River. It was very different than that near Dubuque, Iowa. These bluffs are much higher and there were a lot of trees. The river there is a lot bigger too. It is very pretty. I notice that Wisconsin has more trees than a lot of other states. I personally like being able to see things other than trees. They make me feel closed in. I like being able to see.
I would really enjoy reading about a family trip you have taken. Where did you go?
Describe what you remember the most from our drive to Wisconsin.
The parts that I remember the most were all of the rain and lighting in Wyoming and South Dakota and the trees along the Mississippi River.
I was driving when we went through all of the bad weather. It was some of the worst rain that I had ever seen. If it was a snow storm it would have been a very bad blizzard. There was one time when I would have pulled off to the side of the road, but by the time I did it was getting better.
There was a really nice thunder cloud too. It had so much lightning in it. It was happening all of the time. I was very glad that I was not there.
The other part that I really liked was along the Mississippi River. It was very different than that near Dubuque, Iowa. These bluffs are much higher and there were a lot of trees. The river there is a lot bigger too. It is very pretty. I notice that Wisconsin has more trees than a lot of other states. I personally like being able to see things other than trees. They make me feel closed in. I like being able to see.
I would really enjoy reading about a family trip you have taken. Where did you go?
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Carnival of Education- May 13, 2009
Welcome to the May 13, 2009 edition of carnival of education!!! There sure were a lot of submissions this time. I really enjoyed reading all of them. I hope all of you enjoy reading them as much as I have. Please remember to comment and socially bookmark, so that more people can enjoy this carnival.
Larry Ferlazzo presents What Do You Do On The Last Day Of Class? Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... posted at Larry Ferlazzo's Websites Of The Day For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL.
Mathew Needleman presents 10 Myths of Writer’s Workshop: Part 1 of 4 posted at Open Court Resources.com Blog.
Michaele Sommerville presents Kindergarten's 3 R's: Respect, Resources and Rants: *~OTHER~* Classroom Essentials posted at Kindergarten's 3 R's: Respect, Resources, & Rants.
Mrs D. presents In Moderation posted at Footsteps of Aristotle, saying, "Notes on an aspect of testing in Queensland, Australia"
michael mazenko presents NAEP and Comparing Schools posted at A Teacher's View.
lorri giovinco-harte presents Helping children to cope with a world entrenched in fear posted at New York City Education Examiner, saying, "Although adults may take fear inducing media headlines for granted, we may not always realize the level of fear that children experience or how the fear becomes a part of their decision making."
Javanx3d presents Make the Pareto Principle Work for You! posted at Making Money Freelance Writing, saying, "Thanks for considering!
Erika Collin presents 100 Amazing How-To Sites to Teach Yourself Anything posted at Rated Colleges.
Matthew Ladner presents “Forward” our Motto? « Jay P. Greene’s Blog posted at Jay P. Greene's Blog.
Pat presents The Best Teaching Method posted at Successful Teaching.
Miss Dennis presents Back to this Blog's Roots! posted at Your Mama's Mad Tedious: Diary of a Special Ed Teacher.
oldandrew presents You Know it’s Time to Quit Teaching When… « Scenes From The Battleground posted at Scenes From The Battleground, saying, "British blog about teaching in tough schools"
Dana presents Globalization and the Future of Education posted at Investoralist, saying, "Globalization means that we will have to prepare for a slew of new demands of value-adding work, our education system will have to adjust accordingly."
Nancy Flanagan presents Truth, Consequences and National Standards posted at Teacher in a Strange Land, saying, "Who will be the big beneficiaries of national standards?"
Alvaro Fernandez presents 10% Students may have working memory problems: Why does it matter? posted at SharpBrains, saying, "Working memory is our ability to store and manipulate information for a brief time. In screening of over 3000 school-aged students in mainstream schools, 1 in 10 was identified as having working memory difficulties. Why does this matter?"
Sarah Ebner, School Gate presents Should children's books be more multicultural? posted at School Gate - Times Online - WBLG, saying, "I have had loads of comments on this on the blog, but wonder if it's a British issue? What do others think?"
Clix presents You know it's REALLY bad when... posted at Epic Adventures Are Often Uncomfortable, saying, "It's never too early to start stressing about next year!"
Denise presents Quilt: What Can You Do with This? posted at Let's play math!, saying, "How could you use this image as a springboard to doing math? What questions would you ask? What concepts would you try to get across? What would you follow it with? Please comment!"
Corey Bunje Bower presents Sunday Commentary: Sale on Snake Oil at the BrooksStore posted at Thoughts on Education Policy, saying, "The Promise Academies located in the Harlem Children's Zone have obtained some promising results. But David Brooks' interpretation of these results is incredibly irresponsible. Here's why."
siobhan curious presents semester dénouement posted at Siobhan Curious, saying, "Thanks for hosting!"
Kathleen Kennedy Manzo presents National Institute for Literacy to Get Ax posted at Curriculum Matters.
Sarah Robbins presents Why a Gifted Class? posted at Parenting Gifted Kids, saying, "This article makes a compelling case for a self-contained gifted program."
Mister Teacher presents That is highly illogical, captain posted at Learn Me Good.
SwitchedOnMom presents MCPS Middle School "Reform" and GT Instruction posted at The "More" Child.
teachin' presents It's all about the relationships. posted at I'm a Dreamer.
Sarah Scrafford presents 10 Hot Celebrities Who Got their MBA or Business Degree posted at MBA Info.
Sarah Scrafford presents 100 Open Courses on Computer Information Systems and Security posted at Computer Colleges.
Sarah Scrafford presents 100 Incredibly Inspiring Blog Posts for Educators posted at Learn-gasm.
Darren presents Distance Learning posted at Right on the Left Coast: Views From a Conservative Teacher.
Mary Ann Zehr presents Resource: A Portal for State Documents on ELLs posted at Learning the Language.
Liam Goldrick presents Stimulus Watch: Front-Loading and Favoritism posted at The Education Optimists.
Joanne Jacobs presents PE effect is zero, researchers say posted at Joanne Jacobs.
Mike Holden presents Meet some of our teachers posted at DoE- Dave on Ed.
NYC Educator presents Beware of Charter Moguls Bearing Pizza posted at NYC Educator, saying, "Thanks for hosting!"
Mark Stock presents Setting cut scores on the SLLA posted at HOPE Foundation.
woodlassnyc presents A taste of ARIS posted at Under Assault: Teaching in NYC.
That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of carnival of education using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.
Technorati tags: carnival of education, blog carnival.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Father, We Thank Thee by Ralph Waldo Emerson
Since it is spring in my little part of the world, I wanted to share this poem with you as I can't get National Poetry Month out of my head. As I read it to my children, it seemed to fit so well.
Father, We Thank Thee
By Ralph Waldo Emerson
For flowers that bloom about our feet,
Father, we thank Thee.
For tender grass so fresh, so sweet,
Father, we thank Thee.
For the song of bird and hum of bee,
For all things fair we hear or see,
Father in heaven, we thank Thee.
For blue of stream and blue of sky,
Father, we thank Thee.
For pleasant shade of branches high,
Father, we thank Thee.
For fragrant air and cooling breeze,
For beauty of the blooming trees,
Father in heaven, we thank Thee.
For this new morning with its light,
Father, we thank Thee.
For rest and shelter of the night,
Father, we thank Thee
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends,
Father in heaven, we thank Thee.
Father, We Thank Thee
By Ralph Waldo Emerson
For flowers that bloom about our feet,
Father, we thank Thee.
For tender grass so fresh, so sweet,
Father, we thank Thee.
For the song of bird and hum of bee,
For all things fair we hear or see,
Father in heaven, we thank Thee.
For blue of stream and blue of sky,
Father, we thank Thee.
For pleasant shade of branches high,
Father, we thank Thee.
For fragrant air and cooling breeze,
For beauty of the blooming trees,
Father in heaven, we thank Thee.
For this new morning with its light,
Father, we thank Thee.
For rest and shelter of the night,
Father, we thank Thee
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends,
Father in heaven, we thank Thee.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
How to write- An "I Wish" poem (part 2)
On March 3rd, I decided to write an "I wish" poem. I have had two comments, where the comments thought this poem was too much like a list. I am offering a challenge to you to write one and leave it in the comment section. I will write a special post that has all of your poems. I am really looking forward to reading your poems.
Computers
I wish this computer hadn't frozen.
I wish I could get the USB ports to work.
I wish this computer had more memory.
I wish my husband was here.
I wish technology wasn't so fickle.
I wish I could fix this.
I wish we could figure out the problem.
I wish...
I chose to write a how-to write a poem yesterday, because I was having a lot of problems with my computer. An "I wish" is a poem has eight to ten lines and each line begins with "I wish". This was a fun poem to write and I hope you have fun writing one too.
Computers
I wish this computer hadn't frozen.
I wish I could get the USB ports to work.
I wish this computer had more memory.
I wish my husband was here.
I wish technology wasn't so fickle.
I wish I could fix this.
I wish we could figure out the problem.
I wish...
I chose to write a how-to write a poem yesterday, because I was having a lot of problems with my computer. An "I wish" is a poem has eight to ten lines and each line begins with "I wish". This was a fun poem to write and I hope you have fun writing one too.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Five Top Tools for Writers
I just got done reading a wonderful blog about the five top tools for writers. The World in the Satin Handbag listed different ways to use dictionaries, online market databases, social and critique services, note-taking software and the Internet. Please go and read the rest of the information and learn and much as I did.
Friday, May 1, 2009
National Poetry Month- William Shakespeare
I hope everyone enjoyed National Poetry Month. I found this poem and I thought it was a perfect ending to National Poetry Month and the first day of May.
When Daffodils Begin to Peer
By William Shakespeare
When daffodils begin to peer, --
With hey! The doxy over the dale, --
Why, then comes in the sweet o’ the year;
For the red blood reigns in the winter’s pale.
The white sheet bleaching on the hedge, --
With hey! the sweet birds, O, how they sing! --
Doth set my pugging tooth on edge;
For a quart of ale is a dish for a king.
The lark, that tirra-lirra chants, --
With hey! with hey! the thrush and the jay, --
Are summer songs for me and for my aunts,
While we lie tumbling in the hay.
When Daffodils Begin to Peer
By William Shakespeare
When daffodils begin to peer, --
With hey! The doxy over the dale, --
Why, then comes in the sweet o’ the year;
For the red blood reigns in the winter’s pale.
The white sheet bleaching on the hedge, --
With hey! the sweet birds, O, how they sing! --
Doth set my pugging tooth on edge;
For a quart of ale is a dish for a king.
The lark, that tirra-lirra chants, --
With hey! with hey! the thrush and the jay, --
Are summer songs for me and for my aunts,
While we lie tumbling in the hay.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
National Poetry Month- Thomas Wyatt and Adrienne Rich
National Poetry Month is almost over. There is only ONE more day! Here are some poems and if there are any poems that you would like, there could be a poem party tomorrow.
Thomas Wyatt
What Should I Say
What should I say,
Since faith is dead,
And truth away
From you is fled?
Should I be led
With doubleness?
Nay, nay, mistress!
I promised you,
And you promised me,
To be as true
As I would be.
But since I see
Your double heart,
Farewell my part!
Though for to take
It is not my mind,
But to forsake
I am not blind
And as I find,
So will I trust:
Farewell, unjust!
Can ye say nay?
But you said
That I alway
Should be obeyed?
And thus betrayed
Or that I wist--
Farewell, unkissed.
Adrienne Rich
Aunt Jennifer's Tigers
Aunt Jennifer's tigers prance across a screen,
Bright topaz denizens of a world of green.
They do not fear the men beneath the tree;
They pace in sleek chivalric certainty.
Aunt Jennifer's fingers fluttering through her wool
Find even the ivory needle hard to pull.
The massive weight of Uncle's wedding band
Sits heavily upon Aunt Jennifer's hand.
When Aunt is dead, her terrified hands will lie
Still ringed with ordeals she was mastered by.
The tigers in the panel that she made
Will go on prancing, proud and unafraid.
Anonymous Lyric
Now Go’th Sun Under Wood
Nou goth sonne under wode-
Me reweth, Marie, thi faire rode
Nou goth sonne under tre-
Me reweth, Marie, thi sone and the.
Thomas Wyatt
What Should I Say
What should I say,
Since faith is dead,
And truth away
From you is fled?
Should I be led
With doubleness?
Nay, nay, mistress!
I promised you,
And you promised me,
To be as true
As I would be.
But since I see
Your double heart,
Farewell my part!
Though for to take
It is not my mind,
But to forsake
I am not blind
And as I find,
So will I trust:
Farewell, unjust!
Can ye say nay?
But you said
That I alway
Should be obeyed?
And thus betrayed
Or that I wist--
Farewell, unkissed.
Adrienne Rich
Aunt Jennifer's Tigers
Aunt Jennifer's tigers prance across a screen,
Bright topaz denizens of a world of green.
They do not fear the men beneath the tree;
They pace in sleek chivalric certainty.
Aunt Jennifer's fingers fluttering through her wool
Find even the ivory needle hard to pull.
The massive weight of Uncle's wedding band
Sits heavily upon Aunt Jennifer's hand.
When Aunt is dead, her terrified hands will lie
Still ringed with ordeals she was mastered by.
The tigers in the panel that she made
Will go on prancing, proud and unafraid.
Anonymous Lyric
Now Go’th Sun Under Wood
Nou goth sonne under wode-
Me reweth, Marie, thi faire rode
Nou goth sonne under tre-
Me reweth, Marie, thi sone and the.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
National Poetry Month- Children's poems
I hope everyone is has been enjoying National Poetry Month. I thought everyone would enjoy some poems for children.
At the Seaside
By Robert Louis Stevenson
When I was down beside the sea
A wooden spade they gave to me
To dig the sandy shore.
My holes were empty like a cup,
In every hole the sea came up,
Till it could come no more
The Field Mouse
By Cecil Frances Alexander
Where the acorn tumbles down,
Where the ash tree sheds its berry,
With your fur so soft and brown,
With your eye so round and merry,
Scarcely moving the long grass,
Fieldmouse, I can see you pass.
Little thing, in what dark den,
Lie you all the winter sleeping?
Till warm weather comes again,
Then once more I see you peeping
Round about the tall tree roots,
Nibbling at their fallen fruits.
Fieldmouse, fieldmouse, do not go,
Where the farmer stacks his treasure,
Find the nut that falls below,
Eat the acorn at your pleasure,
But you must not steal the grain
He has stacked with so much pain.
Make your hole where mosses spring,
Underneath the tall oak's shadow,
Pretty, quiet harmless thing,
Play about the sunny meadow.
Keep away from corn and house,
None will harm you, little mouse.
There was a Little Girl
By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
There was a little girl
Who had a little curl
Right in the middle of her forehead.
When she was good
She was very good indeed,
But when she was bad she was horrid.
I hope you enjoyed these poems. Do you have any favorites?
At the Seaside
By Robert Louis Stevenson
When I was down beside the sea
A wooden spade they gave to me
To dig the sandy shore.
My holes were empty like a cup,
In every hole the sea came up,
Till it could come no more
The Field Mouse
By Cecil Frances Alexander
Where the acorn tumbles down,
Where the ash tree sheds its berry,
With your fur so soft and brown,
With your eye so round and merry,
Scarcely moving the long grass,
Fieldmouse, I can see you pass.
Little thing, in what dark den,
Lie you all the winter sleeping?
Till warm weather comes again,
Then once more I see you peeping
Round about the tall tree roots,
Nibbling at their fallen fruits.
Fieldmouse, fieldmouse, do not go,
Where the farmer stacks his treasure,
Find the nut that falls below,
Eat the acorn at your pleasure,
But you must not steal the grain
He has stacked with so much pain.
Make your hole where mosses spring,
Underneath the tall oak's shadow,
Pretty, quiet harmless thing,
Play about the sunny meadow.
Keep away from corn and house,
None will harm you, little mouse.
There was a Little Girl
By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
There was a little girl
Who had a little curl
Right in the middle of her forehead.
When she was good
She was very good indeed,
But when she was bad she was horrid.
I hope you enjoyed these poems. Do you have any favorites?
Monday, April 27, 2009
National Poetry Month- Sir Walter Ralegh
I hope everyone has been reading and writing a lot of poems during National Poetry Month. Today I am going to feature Sir Walter Ralegh (Raleigh).
I am sure that many of you know that Sir Walter Ralegh tried and failed to establish two colonies on Roanoke Island in America, but he was also a poet. And on a side note he also introduced the potato to Ireland and tobacco to Europe. He lived from 1552-1618 when he was at Whitehall for treachery. Enjoy these two poems.
[On the Life of Man]
What is our life? a play of passion;
Our mirth the music of division;
Our mothers’ wombs the tiring-houses be
Where we are dressed for this short comedy.
Heaven the judicious sharp spectator is,
That sits and marks still who doth act amiss;
Our graves that hide us from the searching sun
Are like drawn curtains when the play is done.
Thus march we, playing, to our latest rest,
Only we die in earnest-that’s no jest.
[Sir Walter Ralegh to His Son]
Three things there be that prosper up apace
And flourish, whilst they grow asunder far,
But on a day, they meet all in one place,
And when they meet, they one another mar;
And they be these: the wood, the weed, the wag.
The wood is that which makes the gallow tree;
The weed is that which strings the hangman’s bag;
The wag, my pretty knave, betokeneth thee.
Mark well, dear boy, whilst these assemble not,
Green springs the tree, hemp grows, the wag is wild,
But when they meet, it makes the timber rot;
It frets the halter, and it chokes the child.
Then bless thee, and beware, and let us pray
We part not with thee at this meeting day.
I am sure that many of you know that Sir Walter Ralegh tried and failed to establish two colonies on Roanoke Island in America, but he was also a poet. And on a side note he also introduced the potato to Ireland and tobacco to Europe. He lived from 1552-1618 when he was at Whitehall for treachery. Enjoy these two poems.
[On the Life of Man]
What is our life? a play of passion;
Our mirth the music of division;
Our mothers’ wombs the tiring-houses be
Where we are dressed for this short comedy.
Heaven the judicious sharp spectator is,
That sits and marks still who doth act amiss;
Our graves that hide us from the searching sun
Are like drawn curtains when the play is done.
Thus march we, playing, to our latest rest,
Only we die in earnest-that’s no jest.
[Sir Walter Ralegh to His Son]
Three things there be that prosper up apace
And flourish, whilst they grow asunder far,
But on a day, they meet all in one place,
And when they meet, they one another mar;
And they be these: the wood, the weed, the wag.
The wood is that which makes the gallow tree;
The weed is that which strings the hangman’s bag;
The wag, my pretty knave, betokeneth thee.
Mark well, dear boy, whilst these assemble not,
Green springs the tree, hemp grows, the wag is wild,
But when they meet, it makes the timber rot;
It frets the halter, and it chokes the child.
Then bless thee, and beware, and let us pray
We part not with thee at this meeting day.
Monday, April 20, 2009
National Poetry Month- autobiographical poem
Today in honor of National Poetry Month I am going to do an autobiographical poem base on the form below, by pretending that I am someone else. I will be skipping line 11.
Line 1: My name
Line 2: 3 personal characteristics or physical traits
Line 3: Brother or sister of or son/daughter of or husband/wife of
Line 4: I love 3 people, things, ideas
Line 5: I feels 1 emotion about 1 thing
Line 6: I need 3 things
Line 7: I share these 3 things
Line 8: I fear these three things
Line 9: I would like to see 1 place, or person
Line 10: I dream about 1 item or idea
Line 11: A student in my school or teacher's name
Line 12: My nickname or my first name
Eve
Woman, gullible, clothed
Wife of Adam
I love God, Adam and free will
I feel sad about eating the fruit
I need God, my husband, my food
I share consequences, a rib and Love
I fear God, pain and loss
I would like to see my grandchildren
I dream about the Garden of Eden
Eve
I hope you enjoyed learning about an autobiographical poem during National Poetry Month.
Line 1: My name
Line 2: 3 personal characteristics or physical traits
Line 3: Brother or sister of or son/daughter of or husband/wife of
Line 4: I love 3 people, things, ideas
Line 5: I feels 1 emotion about 1 thing
Line 6: I need 3 things
Line 7: I share these 3 things
Line 8: I fear these three things
Line 9: I would like to see 1 place, or person
Line 10: I dream about 1 item or idea
Line 11: A student in my school or teacher's name
Line 12: My nickname or my first name
Eve
Woman, gullible, clothed
Wife of Adam
I love God, Adam and free will
I feel sad about eating the fruit
I need God, my husband, my food
I share consequences, a rib and Love
I fear God, pain and loss
I would like to see my grandchildren
I dream about the Garden of Eden
Eve
I hope you enjoyed learning about an autobiographical poem during National Poetry Month.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Writing with a Theme- Loyalty
Once upon a time in Pleasant Town, there was a boy who was new to the baseball team. This was his first time being on a team, so he did not know it was important to always support his team in all that they do.
One Saturday after practice the whole team decided to go to the matinee. It was only $.25 after all. The new boy decided he was going to sit by some boys from another school and not his team; this boy was about to get a lesson in loyalty.
The new boy was soon teased by the boys for wearing glasses and being new in town. The biggest boy threatened the boy and said," I will see you outside after the show,'' the new boy did not say anything, but he just looked straight ant the screen. He was wishing he had stayed with the team. The team knew about the threats, because the fight news was being whispered throughout the theatre. The new boy did not know what to do. He knew he could leave them, stay in the theatre or simply face the bully at the end of the show. He thought he would just walk out at the end and see what happened.
He did not enjoy the show and was glad to get out of there. To his surprise his whole baseball team was there waiting for him the bully decided it was too much to go up against a whole baseball team, so he left. The new boy learned that loyalty no matter how new could always surround you.
One Saturday after practice the whole team decided to go to the matinee. It was only $.25 after all. The new boy decided he was going to sit by some boys from another school and not his team; this boy was about to get a lesson in loyalty.
The new boy was soon teased by the boys for wearing glasses and being new in town. The biggest boy threatened the boy and said," I will see you outside after the show,'' the new boy did not say anything, but he just looked straight ant the screen. He was wishing he had stayed with the team. The team knew about the threats, because the fight news was being whispered throughout the theatre. The new boy did not know what to do. He knew he could leave them, stay in the theatre or simply face the bully at the end of the show. He thought he would just walk out at the end and see what happened.
He did not enjoy the show and was glad to get out of there. To his surprise his whole baseball team was there waiting for him the bully decided it was too much to go up against a whole baseball team, so he left. The new boy learned that loyalty no matter how new could always surround you.
Friday, April 17, 2009
What is a Color Poem?
As National Poetry Month continues, we learn about a new type of poem. A color poem is about a single color by using analogies, similes or list nouns about that color. When writing a color poem the author can also use the five senses. Below is a poem I have written using the five senses.
Blue is all
Blue is a Rocky Mountain Bluebird in flight.
Blue is the sound a sunny day makes.
Blue smells like a blueberry.
Blue tastes like Blue Moon ice cream.
Blue feels like a hammock ready to swing in during the summer.
Blue is the color of love in my husband’s eyes.
Blue is a blue merle collie barking on a foggy spring morning.
Blue feels snug like my jeans.
Blue is the lid of peanut butter for the kids’ breakfast.
Blue is a pen I like to write with.
Blue is a robin’s eggs and the promise of new life.
Blue rose bushes are the promise of summer to come.
Blue is the passion when giving and receiving a blue diamond.
Blue is the ocean as big as God’s love.
Blue is the lonesome sound of a steam engine
Blue is the bluebells, delicate as life itself.
Blue tastes like mint, my toothpaste when I go to bed.
Blue is all
Blue is a Rocky Mountain Bluebird in flight.
Blue is the sound a sunny day makes.
Blue smells like a blueberry.
Blue tastes like Blue Moon ice cream.
Blue feels like a hammock ready to swing in during the summer.
Blue is the color of love in my husband’s eyes.
Blue is a blue merle collie barking on a foggy spring morning.
Blue feels snug like my jeans.
Blue is the lid of peanut butter for the kids’ breakfast.
Blue is a pen I like to write with.
Blue is a robin’s eggs and the promise of new life.
Blue rose bushes are the promise of summer to come.
Blue is the passion when giving and receiving a blue diamond.
Blue is the ocean as big as God’s love.
Blue is the lonesome sound of a steam engine
Blue is the bluebells, delicate as life itself.
Blue tastes like mint, my toothpaste when I go to bed.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
What is a Cinquain
In honor of National Poetry Month I am going to describe and show examples of different poetry. Today the form featured is cinquain.
In the early 1900’s Adelaide Crapsy read different tanka and haiku and so influenced she developed her own poetic system she called a cinquain. These poems consisted of twenty-two syllables distributed as 2, 4, 6, 8,2 in five lines.
The most famous of her cinquains from her book The Complete Poems is:
TRIAD
These be
Three silent things:
The falling snow... the hour
Before the dawn... the mouth of one
Just dead.
The cinquain I am doing today has this form:
Cinquains have five lines
Line 1: Title (noun) - 1 word
Line 2: Description - 2 words
Line 3: Action - 3 words
Line 4: Feeling (phrase) - 4 words
Line 5: Title (synonym for the title) - 1 word
Jon
Good, helpful
Plays with kids
Calm, loves his children
Father
If you want to create a cinquain tale on line click here.
If you want to a cinquain activity for you or your students click here.
In the early 1900’s Adelaide Crapsy read different tanka and haiku and so influenced she developed her own poetic system she called a cinquain. These poems consisted of twenty-two syllables distributed as 2, 4, 6, 8,2 in five lines.
The most famous of her cinquains from her book The Complete Poems is:
TRIAD
These be
Three silent things:
The falling snow... the hour
Before the dawn... the mouth of one
Just dead.
The cinquain I am doing today has this form:
Cinquains have five lines
Line 1: Title (noun) - 1 word
Line 2: Description - 2 words
Line 3: Action - 3 words
Line 4: Feeling (phrase) - 4 words
Line 5: Title (synonym for the title) - 1 word
Jon
Good, helpful
Plays with kids
Calm, loves his children
Father
If you want to create a cinquain tale on line click here.
If you want to a cinquain activity for you or your students click here.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Writing Prompt- using Serendipitous Setting Descriptions
Pick an adjective, place and phrase from http://writingfix.com/right_brain/Serendipitous_Setting1.htm SerendipitousSetting Descriptions
I picked dangerous, fountain, and on a miniature train set.
One day I was working on my miniature train set when I noticed the fountain was working. This was not the first time I had seen the fountain by itself so I wasn't too worried.
I continued working on my new two-story depot. I was really excited about my new depot. My best friend had made it for me and had given it to me on my birthday. It was a replication of my favorite depot in Mashy, Michigan. I was so impressed with the job that Timmy had done. I compared the pictures that I had with the depot and there was nothing missing, I could not believe Timmy had been able to put in all of the details.
What was this? My fountain, which usually just ran water, was now running purple water and was shooting sparks. That was really strange. I was not sure what to think. I had never seen that before, was something strange going to happen or did I need to return the fountain to the store?
I decided to leave the depot where it was and run the trains. I had three trains, so I wanted to see what would happen to the fountain if I stopped the trains at the depots and also at the fountain. I started running the trains, one at a time and slowly at first. As far as I could tell the fountain had not changed yet. It was still running purple water and shooting black sparks out of the top. I decided to stop my smallest train at my oldest depot. It was a replica of an old West depot. I stopped my middle-sized train at my Scottish depot. As far as I could tell the fountain was still behaving as before. Actually it seemed to be a little happier. It was still purple, but it had stopped shooting the black sparks.
I was ready for my last train. This train engine was my pride and joy. It was a silver and black steam engine and that looked like the Orient Express. Now that I think about it, it was after I had gotten this engine the fountain started to behave strangely. I just had to drive my engine past the fountain and to my new Mashy depot. I wasn't sure what I was going to do if my fountain turned dangerous, Well, nothing happened when I drove next to the fountain and stopped for about five minutes, actually the fountain water got lighter.
I took this as a good sign. I decided to move on to Mashy Depot. You will never believe what happened next. The fountain was so upset that the black sparks turned red and caught the nearby bushes on fire. The water turned black and went everywhere. Fortunately it put the fire out, I sure did not know what I was going to do about the fountain. I decided to take it off the train table for a couple of days to see if it could start acting rationally. Please stay tuned to see if I got rid of the fountain or Mashy Depot
I picked dangerous, fountain, and on a miniature train set.
One day I was working on my miniature train set when I noticed the fountain was working. This was not the first time I had seen the fountain by itself so I wasn't too worried.
I continued working on my new two-story depot. I was really excited about my new depot. My best friend had made it for me and had given it to me on my birthday. It was a replication of my favorite depot in Mashy, Michigan. I was so impressed with the job that Timmy had done. I compared the pictures that I had with the depot and there was nothing missing, I could not believe Timmy had been able to put in all of the details.
What was this? My fountain, which usually just ran water, was now running purple water and was shooting sparks. That was really strange. I was not sure what to think. I had never seen that before, was something strange going to happen or did I need to return the fountain to the store?
I decided to leave the depot where it was and run the trains. I had three trains, so I wanted to see what would happen to the fountain if I stopped the trains at the depots and also at the fountain. I started running the trains, one at a time and slowly at first. As far as I could tell the fountain had not changed yet. It was still running purple water and shooting black sparks out of the top. I decided to stop my smallest train at my oldest depot. It was a replica of an old West depot. I stopped my middle-sized train at my Scottish depot. As far as I could tell the fountain was still behaving as before. Actually it seemed to be a little happier. It was still purple, but it had stopped shooting the black sparks.
I was ready for my last train. This train engine was my pride and joy. It was a silver and black steam engine and that looked like the Orient Express. Now that I think about it, it was after I had gotten this engine the fountain started to behave strangely. I just had to drive my engine past the fountain and to my new Mashy depot. I wasn't sure what I was going to do if my fountain turned dangerous, Well, nothing happened when I drove next to the fountain and stopped for about five minutes, actually the fountain water got lighter.
I took this as a good sign. I decided to move on to Mashy Depot. You will never believe what happened next. The fountain was so upset that the black sparks turned red and caught the nearby bushes on fire. The water turned black and went everywhere. Fortunately it put the fire out, I sure did not know what I was going to do about the fountain. I decided to take it off the train table for a couple of days to see if it could start acting rationally. Please stay tuned to see if I got rid of the fountain or Mashy Depot
Monday, April 13, 2009
What is Education, Part 2
The word “education” means different things to different people. I decided to look in different dictionaries to see how the definition of education has changed. I was hoping to get more feedback from the first post about the definitions, but the response was minimal.
Following are two of the definitions I have chosen to show you:
In Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary of the English Language says;
“EDUCA'TION, n. [L. educatio.] The bringing up, as of a child, instruction; formation of manners. Education comprehends all that series of instruction and discipline which is intended to enlighten the understanding, correct the temper, and form the manners and habits of youth, and fit them for usefulness in their future stations. To give children a good education in manners, arts and science, is important; to give them a religious education is indispensable; and an immense responsibility rests on parents and guardians who neglect these duties.”
In today’s Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary it says;
Education Pronunciation:\e-jə-kā-shən\ Function: noun Date:1531
1 a: the action or process of educating or of being educated ; also : a stage of such a process b: the knowledge and development resulting from an educational process 2: the field of study that deals mainly with methods of teaching and learning in schools — ed·u·ca·tion·al\-shnəl, -shə-nəl\ adjective ed·u·ca·tion·al·ly \-ē\ adverb
Random Thoughts of a Librarian-in-Training said, “‘educate’ comes from the Latin ex + ducere, meaning literally “to lead away” indicating that the process is one designed to take somebody from their previous activities and instill them in new, better pursuits.
The main difference which I see is that the first definition is trying to tell people how they should educate children whereas the second is simply doing the job of a dictionary and explaining what education is. Perhaps more light might be shed on the subject by Merriam-Webster’s definition of “educating” or of being “educated” as the definition hinges on the definitions of these two words.”
Then I decided to look up the words educating and educated. I have put those definitions below; they are from the Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary.
Educate Pronunciation: \ˈe-jə-ˌkāt\ Function: verb Inflected Form(s): ed·u·cat·ed; ed·u·cat·ing Etymology: Middle English, to rear, from Latin educatus, past participle of educare to rear, educate, from educere to lead forth — more at educe
Date: 15th century transitive verb
1 a: to provide schooling forb: to train by formal instruction and supervised practice especially in a skill, trade, or profession2 a: to develop mentally, morally, or aesthetically especially by instruction b: to provide with information : inform 3: to persuade or condition to feel, believe, or act in a desired way intransitive verb: to educate a person or thing
Educated Function: adjective Date: 1588
1: having an education ; especially : having an education beyond the average2 a: giving evidence of training or practice : skilled b: befitting one that is educated c: based on some knowledge of fact
— ed·u·cat·ed·ness noun
I think the definition of education from Noah Webster’s 1828 dictionary encompasses more types of learning and is a little more religious. The Miriam-Webster online dictionary is very general and scientific and it should have included the definitions of educating and educated in with the definition of education. I agree with all that Random Thoughts of a Librarian-in-Training has to say. That leaves me to ask you. What kind of definition do you like, the kind that tells people how to educate or the one that is as basic as it can get?
Following are two of the definitions I have chosen to show you:
In Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary of the English Language says;
“EDUCA'TION, n. [L. educatio.] The bringing up, as of a child, instruction; formation of manners. Education comprehends all that series of instruction and discipline which is intended to enlighten the understanding, correct the temper, and form the manners and habits of youth, and fit them for usefulness in their future stations. To give children a good education in manners, arts and science, is important; to give them a religious education is indispensable; and an immense responsibility rests on parents and guardians who neglect these duties.”
In today’s Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary it says;
Education Pronunciation:\e-jə-kā-shən\ Function: noun Date:1531
1 a: the action or process of educating or of being educated ; also : a stage of such a process b: the knowledge and development resulting from an educational process 2: the field of study that deals mainly with methods of teaching and learning in schools — ed·u·ca·tion·al\-shnəl, -shə-nəl\ adjective ed·u·ca·tion·al·ly \-ē\ adverb
Random Thoughts of a Librarian-in-Training said, “‘educate’ comes from the Latin ex + ducere, meaning literally “to lead away” indicating that the process is one designed to take somebody from their previous activities and instill them in new, better pursuits.
The main difference which I see is that the first definition is trying to tell people how they should educate children whereas the second is simply doing the job of a dictionary and explaining what education is. Perhaps more light might be shed on the subject by Merriam-Webster’s definition of “educating” or of being “educated” as the definition hinges on the definitions of these two words.”
Then I decided to look up the words educating and educated. I have put those definitions below; they are from the Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary.
Educate Pronunciation: \ˈe-jə-ˌkāt\ Function: verb Inflected Form(s): ed·u·cat·ed; ed·u·cat·ing Etymology: Middle English, to rear, from Latin educatus, past participle of educare to rear, educate, from educere to lead forth — more at educe
Date: 15th century transitive verb
1 a: to provide schooling for
Educated Function: adjective Date: 1588
1: having an education ; especially : having an education beyond the average
— ed·u·cat·ed·ness noun
I think the definition of education from Noah Webster’s 1828 dictionary encompasses more types of learning and is a little more religious. The Miriam-Webster online dictionary is very general and scientific and it should have included the definitions of educating and educated in with the definition of education. I agree with all that Random Thoughts of a Librarian-in-Training has to say. That leaves me to ask you. What kind of definition do you like, the kind that tells people how to educate or the one that is as basic as it can get?
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
A poem in Honor of National Poetry Month and Easter
Palm Sunday
It was a great day today
bluebirds and robins singing, clear sky.
It shows Easter is near.
Oh for that day,
Kenwood Park Presbyterian Church bells ringing
and from inside, sounds of rejoicing.
I love that holy day,
when Jesus died for my sins
and arose into heaven to be with the Father.
It was a great day today
bluebirds and robins singing, clear sky.
It shows Easter is near.
Oh for that day,
Kenwood Park Presbyterian Church bells ringing
and from inside, sounds of rejoicing.
I love that holy day,
when Jesus died for my sins
and arose into heaven to be with the Father.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
National Poetry Month
Did you know April was National Poetry Month? National Poetry Month was founded in 1996 by the Academy of American poets and has been celebrated annually. It has been celebrated in Canada since 1999. Let's celebrate this month.
- Poetry comes from the Greek word, poiesis.
- The oldest surviving poem is the Epic of Gilgamesh.
- American poet Emily Dickinson only published seven poems while alive.
- William Shakespeare wrote 154 sonnets and two narrative poems.
- John Keats was not popular while he lived. Now he is considered one of the best poets of the English Romantic movement.
- The Academy of American Poetry has a list of 30 ways to celebrate National Poetry Month. Please visit their website, www.poets.org for more information.
- Nostradamus wrote his prophecies in quatrains.
- Writer's Digest is having a poetry contest and has a special blog for National Poetry Month. Please go to here to learn more.
I hope you have enjoyed learning more about National Poetry month. I would enjoy hearing some of your poetry.
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