A Net in Time

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Kwame Alexander’s Free Write

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raincoast FTC

Do you want to learn how to give your words flow, rhythm and rhyme?  Kwame Alexander’s Free Write a poetry notebook to help you learn to write poems of your own.   A good introductory look into poetic styles, and the skills needed to write good poetry. 

Affiliate Links will be used in this review. 

kwame alexander's free write

Published by sourcebooks, I am reviewing Kwame Alexander’s Free Write on behalf of Raincoast Books.  Running at 128 pages and written in a conversational style for middle school students.  Using Jumpstart points and varied font sizes to create a user-friendly product. 

How is this book set up?

Kwame Alexander takes a conversational approach to teaching 8-12 year olds the fine art of poetry. 

He starts each free write session with poetry and a jumpstart.  This jumpstart is either a teaching moment, or a chance to do some fill in the blank poetry.   

I found that sometimes the teaching is a bit light and that makes doing the poetry practice more difficult.  Adding more examples or explanations would help. 

kwame alexander's free write

But you get loads of practice time, without the feeling of pressure.  I loved that.  This poetry notebook feels low-key, and yet purposeful. He lightly touches on a number of different areas for writing poetry. 

Poetry areas that Kwame Alexander touches are on

  • simile
  • alliteration
  • definition poetry
  • exaggeration
  • onomatopoeia
  • malapropism
  • couplets
  • metaphor
  • clerihews
  • haiku
  • repetitive patterns
  • blackjack poems
  • crowd sourced poetry
  • list poem
  • using your senses
  • spine poem
  • noir poetry
  • odes

Isn’t that a rather impressive list to cover in a 128 page book?   I know I learned a lot.. I’d never heard of noir, spine, blackjack or clerihew poetry before.   Some of them I want to try out myself!  🙂 

kwame alexander's free write

Should you get Kwame Alexander’s Free Write?

With lots of room to create your own poetry and lots of encouragement to write, Kwame Alexander’s Free Write is well worth a look.  Despite the introductory nature of some of the poetic styles, a ton of friendly encouragement flood the pages. 

From a homeschooling perspective, it would be EASY to turn this into a poetry study within a language arts program and potentially more fun than most poetry units I’ve seen.  🙂   

And Now I Nap

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As I pondered today’s Five Minute Friday word, Sunrise, I got to thinking about how sunrise comes so early when you stay up late.  With that pondering came the reason why I stay up late.   And thus And Now I Nap was born. 

and now I nap

And Now I Nap

Sunrise breaks
across the sky.
New day dawns
I stretch and sigh.

Late to bed,
Wait for hubby come home
Log I sleep
No more I roam.

But early morning
Long I’ve done
Hard to balance now
the setting sun.

So as the day
Long it runs
Duties due
Work to be done.

Sunset arrives
Light headache progress
Soon I know
A nap will have success.

My comfy chairs
Laptop awaits.
High hopes I have
A post at my gates?

But soon the warmth
Sitting in my lap
Seeps through my body
and now I nap.

I use to rail
about the need,
but hubby reminds
pay it no heed.

Each day I work
the toil no end
An aging body
Sleep is my friend.

Helps me do
What it’s in my heart
Welcome home a hubby
Working hard, his part.

And Now I Nap

Scripture Foundation

Philippians 2:3-8

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. But in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who being in the very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-even death on a cross.

Titus 2:4-6

“4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.”

Investigators Take the Plunge

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Brash and Mango are back!  This time they appear in InvestiGators Take the plunge by First Second Books.    

John Patrick Green has done it again with a fun sleuthing book written for elementary students.   Encourage your children to read with a humour-filled graphic novel. 

Affiliate links will be used. 

InvestiGators take the Plunge

I am reviewing this advanced reader’s copy for Raincoast books.   208 pages filled this graphic novel published by First Second Books.  Well-inked, with an easy to read font, 7-10 year olds will be delighted with the antics of Brash and Mango in InvestiGators Take the Plunge. 

From the Cover: S.U.I.T. headquarters is under attack, and Mango and Brash are going undercover and under ground disguised as city sewer workers to unclog a sticky situation. But when their search for the criminal Crackerdile backfires, the toilets they travel through back up – and the InvestiGators take the blame for it!      

Can they absolve themselves?   I’m not telling you, you have to read this 208 page graphic novel to find out!  

InvestiGators take the Plunge

Bright colours and clear text help tell the story of Brash and Mango as once again they embark on mystery solving.  I thought the clarity of each character’s expressions added tons to the story!

Word-play and humour appropriate for 7-10 year old children fill the pages.   They will love this book.  If I had the InvestiGators series when my lad was 7-8 years old, chortles would fill my house.   Isn’t it good to hear children laugh when they are reading? 

Should you get InvestiGators Take the Plunge?

If your 7-10 year old loves the DogMan series and graphic novels, they will most likely enjoy InvestiGators Take the Plunge.   You’ll discover a fun mystery, your children will delight in humour, word-play and good illustrations. 

I previously reviewed InvestiGators.    A third in the series will be entitled Off the Hook. 

Meals to beat the winter blues

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Winter has truly settled in upon us hasn’t it?   This morning we had to clean up after an icy snow fell overnight.  The crew challenge this month was for ways to deal with the winter blues.   This could mean playing board games, or engaging minds in different pursuits, or taking up something you enjoy doing.   I happen to like making meals that my family likes so I figured that making meals to beat the winter blues fit ever so nicely.  🙂 

Ergo, some of the meals we’ve been enjoying this winter, I’d like to share with you.   Come along for some tasty eats! 

Meals to beat the winter blues

Meals made for the family

I made what I considered a super quick dish.  Some pasta with meatballs and mushrooms in a cream sauce.  Wow… that disappeared super quick!

I made a winter chicken bake that didn’t go over go over so well.  Not enough seasoning in it.  BUT the overabundance of veggies were turned into two different meals, and the chicken I fried up and put into salads.  🙂   So it all got used up and the lads were happy with my vegetable concoctions! 

I made a larger than expected pasta salad which I thought I would mostly enjoy but the lads devoured it over the course of two days.   Could I tell you what all was in it?  NOPE.  Grated carrot, random dried veggies, pasta, sauce, and I think I threw some raisins into it. 

pasta salad

We’ve continued to learn from other homeschoolers and thusly we have a weekly pizza night.  Sometimes store bought, other times homemade. 

homemade pizza

I didn’t take as many pictures as I normally do this month of food.   It’s been a harder than expected month in many ways.  Other meals made:

  • meatloaf
  • zoodles casserole (made with heinz zoodles with ground beef, extra spices in it)
  • Chili.  Served as is or on baguettes with grated cheese.
  • A couple rice dishes with scramble fried ground beef and various veggies. Different every time. 
  • Duck leg.  Turned out decent.  Will do again if can find on sale. 
  • Soup, I love soup.  🙂 chicken, meatball, veggie.. it’s all very good. 

Desserts

I made two desserts this month.  I don’t make desserts often as they are high in calories and neither hubby or me need them.  The lad ADORES it as it means “more treats for me!”.   He makes me laugh.

I made a marvellous banana cream pie and ever so delicious lemon bars.  About half the lemon bars I shared to friends at the foodbank and elsewhere much to my lad’s chagrin. 

Just for Me

Sometimes I make meals just for me. 

Cranberry yogurt is one such meal.  It’s one of my favourite post-holiday dishes.  Makes a great breakfast or snack depending on the proportions used.   Generally I do a 1:2 ratio (more yogurt less cranberry sauce). 

cranberry yogurt

I also love white rice fried with lemon juice, a touch of butter with a small onion and a can of tuna.    Just a wonderfully lovely meal.  My guys wrinkle their noses at me, but hey, makes me happy.  🙂 

Meals by the lad

My 15 year old lad has taken on the responsibility for Sunday meals.  It’s my day off and I want him to learn how to cook, ergo…he cooks.  

Over the past bit he’s made hotdogs, hamburgers, meatball soup, roast beef with mashed taters, baked turkey croquettes and cheesy chicken casserole.

The casserole turned out very tasty but on the watery side.  Upon investigation we learned he subsituted cream soup for chicken stock.  He now knows they are quite different. 🙂 

The croquettes are an excellent way to use up leftover turkey.  They were so good and the lad said “fussy to make, but easy”. 

chicken casserole, turkey croquettes

How about you?  Did you make any food that helps drive the winter blues away?   Food that makes you feel all happy inside with memories or just good taste?   It’s a great thing to do eh?   Tell me your meals to beat the winter blues and maybe it will help me with the rest of winter!  🙂

January 2021

Because He Lives

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As I was leafing through Lift Up Your Hearts (affiliate link) I noticed that they only had one verse of Because he Lives posted.  It got me thinking that there were more verses to this song, and that I knew them.   Lo and behold I was right!

because he lives

Lyrics for Because He Lives

God sent His son, they called Him Jesus
He came to love, heal and forgive
He lived and died to buy my pardon
An empty grave is there to prove my savior lives
 
Refrain:
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow
Because He lives, all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living, just because He lives
 
How sweet to hold a newborn baby
And feel the pride and joy He gives
But greater still the calm assurance
This child can face uncertain day, because He lives
 
And then one day, I’ll cross the river
I’ll fight life’s final war with pain
And then, as death gives way to victory
I’ll see the lights of glory and I’ll know He reigns
 
I can face tomorrow
Because He lives, all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living, just because He lives
 
I am slowly making my way through this hymnal.

Author and History

Bill and Gloria Gaithers are the authors of this hymn Because he Lives.  The song above tells us that this song was inspired by their song, but as I researched it, I was led to believe otherwise. 

Because he lives came about as the result of pain and hardship in the Gaither family.  Difficulties in life, church, health, and on the political scene, etc.  Turmoil seemed to surround them.   

Apparently, a blade of grass pushing through concrete, coinciding with the birth of her son, helped her recall how God works in creation. God works in creation giving us hope throughout our days on earth.

Sources: 

Who are the Gaithers?  Authors of more than 700 songs of praise including Thanks to Calvary. They are members of the Gospel Music Hall of Fame as well as the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame.

Americans, the Gaithers were married in 1962 after they met at Alexandria Monroe High School where they both had teaching jobs.  They are actively involved in the singing and creation of music and work to support families.  Gloria is the founder of Gaither Family Resources.

Lo

Looking Deeper

Often when I hold a baby bunny I am reminded of this lovely hymn from the Gaither’s.  Because you know… it is sweet to hold a newborn baby.  It was sweet to hold my son when he was a baby.  I was so delighted with him!  So much pride and joy and love felt. 

I love how this song puts newborn babies into a bigger context. The context of God’s grace, of his provision, of the certainty provided.  Isn’t that a huge thing?  We so often don’t stop to think about this, do we?   This immense gift from God to us, his children.  Giving us hope for our future. 

InvestiGators

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Mango and Brush are Gators, yes, InvestiGators!  They are agents of S.U.I.T, and they are on the case!  Will they solve the mystery?  Children who like Captain Underpants and Dog Man will enjoy this series by John Patrick Green.   I’ll be using amazon affiliate links in this review. 

Investigators

More about Investigators

Raincoast Books sent me an advanced reader’s copy of InvestiGators.   This graphic novel was produced by First Second books.  Investigators is the first installment in the adventures of Mango and Brash.  You’ll find my review of InvestiGators Take the Plunge coming up this weekend. 

Written for children 7-10 years old, InvestiGators introduces us into the zany world of investigation through the sewer network!   

From the cover: With their Very Exciting Spy Technology and their tried-and-true, toilet-based travel techniques, the InvestiGators are undercover and on the case! And on their first mission together, they have not one but two mysteries to solve! Can Mango and Brash uncover the clues, crack their cases, and corral the crooks – or will the criminals wriggle out of their grasp?

One of the things I like about the graphic novels from First Second books is that the graphics are well done.  Not the grainy pics I grew up with. You’ll find the inking clean and clear. 

As an adult reading this story, you’ll find it silly and a bit corny, but kids… my son would have LOVED THIS back in the day.  He’s a bit beyond the age range now, but he loved Captain Underpants and the like.   InvestiGators with it’s misunderstandings of words, method of travel, and silliness is perfectly suited to elementary aged children. 

Should you get it?

InvestiGators is a fast-paced, fun read.  It’s goofy, silly and filled with the mystery that children love. The word-play is quirky but decent, it’s fun for children, and will draw them in.  The bright illustrations will encourage them to keep reading.  Getting children to read… it’s a good thing eh?

The Master’s Design

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The Five minute Friday word of the week provided by Miss Kate is Design.  Conversations with my 15 year are the impetus for this post.   My goal with my lad it to leave him with questions, not just my answers.  He’s a thinker, so questions are good no?  The end result?   The Master’s Design, a poem.

The Master's Design

The Master’s Design

Do you agree
That mercy killing
of animals
Can be used as a reason
for mercy killing in people?
The question asked.

Yes, but
not for me.
I can see others saying
sure
We’d do it for
our suffering dog,
we should do it for
Suffering grandpa.
The question answered.

Shouldn’t people
be able to make the
decision though
that they want to die?
That today,
Today they have had enough?
The question continued.

It’s hard to answer
if a person should
be able to
make that decision.
That ultimate
rejection of life
given. Despite the pain.

It depends on how
you view people.
If you have a high view
that they are different
definably so
from the animals around.

For animals
Ending pain a mercy.
For people
Enduring pain
Might be a way for
them to see need for God,
or to show God,
to learn their failings
and to become more.
Think you on this?

See lad
God made people
definably different
than the animals.
If you think
we came from animals
Then… kill anyone
you want.
It makes no difference.

But if people are
different than animals
consider this:
could it be
the master’s design?
And if so
is pain a defining
reason to end life?

The Master's Design

Scripture Reveals

Genesis 1:26-27

26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

27 So God created man in his own image,
    in the image of God he created him;
    male and female he created them.

Genesis 2:7

7 then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature. 

Romans 1:24-25

24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

Some articles giving more information

Would you be interested in learning more about creation apologetics?  SchoolhouseTeachers.com currently has a sale!  $139/yr or $16/mth covering every subject, every grade, every student.   Even if you just took the apologetics course it would be worth it!  🙂