Have you ever taught anyone to read before? Teaching reading is like magic, but often a lot of hard work and determination needs to be tossed into the mix. Getting Out of the Comfort Zone The first person I ever taught to read was almost 18 years old. At the…
Mimicking Poetry Structures
Have fun creating poetry with these five poetry frames which also teach parts of speech and work on word choice.
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Teaching and Writing Poetry
Writing Poetry is about Choice: Poetry is shorter than prose, so the writer must pick the most powerful and precise language possible to pack the punch. Into my toolbox, I pack an idea, a feeling, a poetic structure, and a thesaurus. The Idea: An idea is a topic you would…
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New Year’s Resolutions
Setting Goals Each New Year bursts forth with fresh beginnings and possibilities. We are given a chance to reflect on the past and make positive changes for the new year. As part of the rebirth routine, I celebrate by making New Year Resolutions and setting goals. Since I am sometimes…
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Being a Christian During COVID
Dear Christian Friend, You didn’t see me at church for a long time. It was not because I am lazy or complacent. It was not because I was sick. Instead it was because of the COVID-19 mandates in California and the compassion I have for my unbelieving friends and coworkers. …
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What if I Can’t Handle It?!
While scrolling through Facebook, I read a heartfelt and emotional post from a family member overburdened and asking for prayer. In response, a well-meaning friend answered, “God will never give you more than you can handle.” This saying was supposed to be a comfort, but it can actually be quite…
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