Cherrye S. Vasquez's Blog

Dear Parents — The holidays can be a great time for reading, but writing is also something children can spend time doing as well, especially:

On Winter Break
Driving to see Relatives
Sitting with family by the fireplace
Just before going to bed
Anytime they want to because Writing can be soothing




Benefits of Writing

Writing can be soothing and relaxing for your child’s soul
Writing helps your child express who they are
Writing helps build your child’s creativity
Writing helps your child build communication skills
Writing helps your child build higher-level thinking skills
Writing helps your child reflect further
Writing helps your child build confidence

Before you get started, please follow the steps below.

Step 1: Please go to the side bar of my website and subscribe to receive email alerts. My blogs and writing center on Diversity, Bullying, Multicultural education, and subjects stemming from these two important topics.

Step 2: Please proceed with entering your child into the holiday writing contest

Holiday Creative Writing Topic
Pretend it is Christmas Morning. How would you prepare the perfect Christmas party for your family?

Tip: Ask your children to include your family’s  traditional decorations, traditional foods and traditional gifts. This creative writing should reflect the pride of their culture.

Rules

Write five (5) paragraphs

Introduction — Strong important theme/arguments/main ideas (at least 3)
Point 1 — Supporting paragraph stemming from Introduction
Point 2 — Supporting paragraph stemming from Introduction
Point 3 — Supporting paragraph stemming from Introduction
Conclusion — Tie conclusion back to introductory paragraph (summarizing 3 supporting paragraphs without specifically duplicating the introduction). The story should come to an end. Within the Conclusion – Your children will want to answer one of these questions: Is there a call to action? Is there something you want to change? Is there something you’d do differently?

Encourage your child(ren) to use their five (5) senses when describing/giving creative details. I want them to “show not tell”

Smell

Sight

Sound

Touch

Taste

Double space

Check spelling and punctuation

Type/Print/Cursive (your choice).  Just be sure the writing is legible.  

Within subject of email, please type: Creative Writing Holiday Contest.

Include your child’s first name on the first page of entry. I will autograph the winner’s journals, and I want to recognize each child for participating with a thank you note.

Important Note: Parents – Please attach your child(rens) writing and forward to my email address: CherryeVasquez@gmail.com

Dr. Vasquez will select two participants who

1. Followed the rules

2. Sent in a fabulously written story

Prize Winnings

Dr. Cherrye will send your child a surprise gift and both copies of her 2 writing journals titled:

Affirmation Daybook: Journal

Diversity Daybook: Journal

Surprise: 1 additional special gift (from author’s marketing stash)

Please see my website for more information about journals and diary

 

Important Notes:

Deadline: Creative Writing must be sent to Dr. Cherrye no later than Friday, December 30th @ 5:00 p.m. This will give your child the entire holiday break to write
Dr. Cherrye will contact parents by email determining how to forward winner’s prizes.

Thanks for allowing your child(ren) to participate. Tell them to have fun!

Dr. Cherrye S. Vasquez

Happy Holidays for some Children

For some children and their families November and December months can be the most wonderful time of the year! We’ll see children scurrying around with their parents making holiday preparations, ringing in the season to be jolly, singing holiday tunes, and all with happy wide smiles from ear to ear –

 

BUT….

 

Not so Happy Holidays for Others

Among happy children frolicking about we may notice a few smiles turned upside down. As you know, this can also be the toughest time of year for many children. Some children may be driven into depression and/or feel a sense of hopelessness. Many will want and need someone to talk to – perhaps a clinical therapist, pastor/minister/religious affiliate, even a close relative, or an adult they trust.

So, let us not forget children who won’t feel this season is as joyous as a few others attending their schools and/or living in their neighborhoods. For whatever their personal reasons (death of a loved one, hunger/poverty, loneliness, separation from their parents, abusive home lives, being bullied and/or isolated at school, just to name a few ), the holiday season may bring about sad memories/moments. Some children may stem on the negative, and spend lots of time on reminiscing about sad moments in time.

 

Individually, let us ask ourselves this question

What can WE do to help the special children in our lives feel better around the holiday season? How can we help lift a child’s spirits/hearts so they can enjoy what other happy children enjoy during this season?

I don’t claim to have all the answers, and perhaps you can think of many more ideas and/or activities than I can, but together we can decide to start somewhere lending our shoulders, or share ideas in efforts to help lift a child’s spirit.

Anti-depressants may help some children, but if we can avoid this, perhaps some children can get through the holidays without being medicated.

 

What about a great book/coloring book, journal, diary?

Books of various types may help children relax, put a smile on their faces, help them laugh a little, or sooth their minds. Perhaps others would love to spend time journaling. Writing can be another past-time to get through the holidays while children take their minds off their personal home life/environmental issues.

Of course there are many other ideas, but within the Prezi link below I thought to share a few books from inspiring authors/writers/bloggers/speakers/podcasters that may help get the special children, or your children/grandchildren through the holidays. You may have more book ideas/journals you can add to the list and share. If so, please do.

 

Take a look at the Prezi Christmas Presentation link below

It’s a Prezi Holiday presentation showcasing books of more than a dozen authors who have written children’s books, but that’s not all – take a look at these author’s websites, blog spots and amazon author pages to get to know the faces behinds these books and other books/works they’ve been busy sharing throughout the years. 

 

‘Tis the Season! Books Make Great Stocking Stuffers, too!

https://prezi.com/kbuidtbqqlpk/tis-the-season-stocking-stuffers-for-the-holidays/

 

 

Have you ever known a cat who wanted a dog? If not, you’ll want to read this aspiring little children’s book, ‘A Cat Who Wanted a Dog’ and perhaps share it with the little ones in your life.

 

 

Last week I introduced you to Micki Peluso, a phenomenal freelance writer, award winning author, 3rd place winner in Predators and Editor contest, and 1st place winner for People’s Choice award.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now, Id love for you to really get to know Toby, the protagonist of this story, through the pages of its text. In addition to the wonderfully scripted text, I hope you’ll enjoy the coloring book illustrations revealing so much about Toby’s character.

My favorite illustration is the one showing Rocky licking Toby’s coat. I hope you’ll soon share which illustration is your absolute favorite, too.

 

 

Synopsis:

Micki shares a true story of Toby, a cat she and her family loved for years. Toby wanted his own little dog, and he was in for a big surprise. Go along with Toby now, as Peluso tells his story for what she perceives as her cat’s point of view. It’s really a cute story.

 

Hi boys and girls, I’m Toby, a handsome cat if I say so myself. I do whatever I want, but Grandma and Grandpa thinks they own me! My favorite thing is to take Grandma’s shiny jewelry and hide it. Grandpa is still looking for his favorite pen. I have one friend, Casey, a wild cat who lives outside, but she tells me through the screen door about the outside world. I was a happy, cool cat until—-well, read what I wrote about the day Grandma invited the ‘Monster’ to visit. Yikes!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Do you think Casey will ever convince Toby to join her outside, or is Toby far too comfortable inside enjoying the joys of life his family joyously gave him all those years?

 

See what others have to say about Mick’s new book:

 

 

AMAZON.COM REVIEWS

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful!

By Bette A. Stevens on August 31, 2016

Format: Paperback Verified Purchase

After reading Micki Peluso’s memoir and several of her short stories, I could hardly wait for her first children’s book to arrive in my mail box. The day it arrived I was not disappointed. Peluso’s unique sense of humor shines through in this delightfully written and illustrated coloring book for kids. I highly recommend it for children of all ages. Whether a read-aloud or read-along, the whole family is sure to smile. And lessons on friendship will long be remembered. My grandson loves The Cat Who Wanted a Dog and so does this still-laughing-out-loud grandma. ~ Bette A. Stevens, Maine author of award-winning picture book Butterfly and other inspirational books for children and adults.

 

4.0 out of 5 stars The cat thought he HATED dogs, but once he got one for a …

By Patricia A. Guthrie on September 10, 2016

Format: Paperback Verified Purchase

How cute is that! Micki Pelus, along with illustrator Neva Franks, wrote the most delightful pet story about a cat who wanted a dog. The cat thought he HATED dogs, but once he got one for a visit, when the dog had to go home, depression hit the cat. He knew what he wanted, but his owners didn’t. Children/especially the toddlers starting to use their crayons will love this book. Great birthday and Christmas gifts.

Adorable. Just adorable.

 

5.0 out of 5 stars I love the character of the Cat with it’s snide remarks

By Amazon Customer on September 15, 2016

Format: Paperback Verified Purchase

This was SUCH an enjoyable children’s book, and the coloring is therapeutic! I love the character of the Cat with it’s snide remarks. The natural inclination of dogs and cats to dislike one another is funny, but it’s even funnier that in the end they forge a lasting bond! I bought three of these books and gave two to my nephews ages 5 and 2 years, they LOVED it!

 

5.0 out of 5 stars Books That Sow: Strength, Character & Diversity, DBA

By Amazon Customeron September 19, 2016
Format: Paperback

‘The Cat Who Wanted a Dog’ is a really cute children’s book about a house cat who was really comfortable with his life indoors even though Casey, a wild cat who lived outside, tried to convince Toby he’s truly missing out on all the adventures in the outside world.

Toby ignored Casey because he was content with his wonderful life indoors with his family until one day his life changed forever when grandma’s daughter and her two kids came to visit, but they didn’t come alone. According to Toby’s eyes, they brought along a ‘monster’ and he was a huge golden retriever, at that.

Later, Toby learned this ‘monster’ was called Rocky. As far as Toby was concerned, Rocky was surely starving for attention, or was it friendship he wanted? Whatever the reason, Toby wanted no parts of it! Rocky did all sorts of things trying to get Toby’s affection and attention, but all Toby could see was huge annoying ‘monster’, or so it seemed.

Soon, Toby began taking advantage of Rocky’s attention playing tricks on him. Toby’s plans were to show Rocky who the real boss was in his home. After all, Rocky was on Toby’s turf.

Rocky found himself all out of ideas gaining Toby’s friendship, but he decided to try one last thing. Rocky dropped a dog treat at Toby’s feet. Imagine that! Can you believe a dog giving up a treat?! Rocky must’ve wanted Toby’s friendship awfully bad, huh?

Do you want to know what Toby did next? Well, I don’t want to be the one spoiling the end of this story line, so you’ll want to purchase a copy of Peluso’s children’s book for all the children in your life. I believe you’ll find children enjoying this book, but that’s not all. ‘The Cat Who Wanted a Dog’ is filled with coloring book illustrations the children are sure to adore and spend time coloring for hours.

I find this children’s book a two for one steal. Children can read the book, and then color the illustrations which carefully help tell the wonderful story revealing Toby’s feelings, and emotions about wanting a dog.

And, don’t forget about the holiday season soon to arrive. ‘The Cat Who Wanted a Dog’ would make an absolute wonderful stocking stuffer.

 

Cherrye S. Vasquez, Ph.D., author/writer of children’s books

Books That Sow: Strength, Character & Diversity, DBA

BooksThatSow.net

 

Amazon.com Link for ‘A Cat Who Wanted a Dog’

http://amzn.to/2ciGv4X 

 

See Peluso’s other book ‘…And the Whippoorwill Sang’

http://amzn.to/2cCO5w6

 

Coming Soon :

‘Don’t Pluck the Duck’ (Release date, 2016)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Author BIO:
Micki Peluso began writing after a personal tragedy. This lead to a first time publication in Victimology: An International   Magazine and a career in Journalism. She’s freelanced, and had been staff writer for one major newspaper, written for two more,   and has published short fiction and non-fiction, as well as slice of life stories in colleges, magazines and e-zine editions.

 

 

 

 

Hi boys and girls!

‘The Cat Who Wanted a Dog‘ is a children’s coloring book based on a real cat who meets our visiting grand dog and becomes friends with him after a really bad beginning. Toby wanted to write this story all by himself but his claws kept getting stuck in the keyboard. So I told him that I’d help a little. This handsome cat is not your ordinary cat. He also insists that he’s a doctor. I will admit that when he lays across my aches and pains and purrs, I do feel better. He also does this to other animals and children and they all feel better too. The animal doctor says that the sound of cats’ purring hits a note that is healing to people, themselves and other animals. Isn’t that amazing?

Toby has lived with Grampa and me since he was a kitten. Normally he is a well-behaved cat, except when the Christmas tree is decorated. He waits until nighttime and takes all the soft ornaments off the branches. At least he leaves the glass balls alone! Then he curls up in the manger of straw and cuddles with the baby Jesus.

“Don’t give me a dirty look, Toby. You know this is true.” Well, he’s off to sulk in a corner and wait for his friend, Casey, to stop by the screened in patio so he can complain to her about me. Sigh. We feed Casey and give her warm blankets and a litter box but even Toby can’t convince her to come into the house. Se likes her freedom. I know Toby is sad since our grand dog went back to his home after a long visit. He keeps trying to tell me something. Can any of you figure out what it is that Toby wants from me?

 

Other Works from Micki Include :

Micki’s first book was published in 2012; a funny family memoir of love, loss and survival, called, . . . And THE WHIPPOORWILL SANG which won the Nesta CBC Silver Award for writing that Builds Character, won third place in the Predators and Editors Contest, and first place for People’s Choice Monthly Award. She has stories in ‘Women’s Memoirs’, ‘Tales2inspire’, and ‘Creature Features.’ Two of her short horror stories were recently published in an International Award winning anthology called ‘Speed of Dark.’ She is presently working on a collection of short fiction, and slice of life stories in a book collection called, ‘Don’t Pluck the Duck’, due to be released in 2016.

 
For More Information via Links :

http://www.mallie1025.blogspot.com/

https://www.facebook.com/AndTheWhippoorwillSang?ref=hl

https://www.facebook.com/mickipeluso

https://www.twitter.com/mickipeluso

 

Meet my guest author, Natasha Sayles.

Natasha was born in Cleveland, Ohio. When she was a young child her family relocated to Southern California. According to Natasha, her family “bounced around” year-after-year before finally settling in to Riverside, California.

Natasha discovered a love for writing at the young age of 15 after completing a high school poetry assignment; however, she didn’t do too much with it at that time. In fact, Natasha favored art during that time.

                               “I found myself sitting and drawing for hours,” said Natasha.

According to Natasha art became a way to escape her surroundings, which at that time her world (abusive household) was filled with domestic violence, emotional, mental and verbal abuse which left her dealing with low self-esteem, and searching for love in all the wrong places. 

In Natasha’s book, “Father, Daddy, Dad” she used her personal life experiences highlighting her protagonist, Natalie, the main character in this storyline.   

Natasha speaks about her struggles with Cerebral Palsy, and how at times she hated being different, or deemed handicapped

Natasha spends time sharing her personal story of struggling and trying not to become a product of her past environment.

 

Author Bio

 

Author, Raymond Shinault, has published several books including High School Dropout.

 

Shinault has gone from a college dropout not once, but twice, eventually becoming a 20+ year experienced professional truck driver to an established author and an “Award Winning Speaker.”

 

Shinault is regarded by many as one of the most dynamic motivational speakers they’ve heard relating to leadership, personal and purposeful living development.

 

Shinault’s true desire is instilling practical steps and concepts within our youth and college-age young people enabling them to utilize the greatness already instilled within while further growing and developing through education, training, personal development and leadership skills.

 

One of the keys to Shinault’s speaking success is customizing his presentations to audience’s unique needs. Shinault has discovered making a decision to live your life “on purpose” takes planning. He further believes college and high school students, and organizations need road map directions for planning a life of successful and extraordinary living. Shinault stresses the importance of preparing our students for their future, and then the successes they’ll experience as a result.

 

Author Shinault’s book, Living Your Life’s Purpose, addresses an important fact: We are all here “on purpose” for a purpose, and with a purpose.

 

According to Shinault, “Discovering your purpose is the easy part. The hard part is keeping your purpose with you on a daily basis, and working on yourself to the point where you become that purpose.”  Shinault goes on to say, “I learned later in life that living my life’s purpose was the only way to win in life.

 

Shinault believes wholeheartedly in the importance of every reader recognizing this: “Life without purpose is no life at all.”

 

PRESENTATION TOPICS

Living Your Life’s Purpose 

TARGETED AUDIENCE

This presentation is designed for middle, high school and college level students, corporations, organizations, and sales teams

The Value Of  Learning

TARGETED AUDIENCE

This presentation is designed for middle and high school level students, college level students, corporations, and organizational sales teams

Live Your Full-Potential

TARGETED AUDIENCE

This presentation is designed for Middle and High school level students

Influencing Teen’s

TARGETED AUDIENCE

This presentation is designed for in-school educator seminars, staff developments, teacher conferences, and parents

Positive Leadership

TARGETED AUDIENCE

This presentation is designed for high school and college students, corporations, and organizational sales teams

What purpose is there for being a BULLY? Anti-Bully Campaign

TARGETED AUDIENCE

This presentation is designed for Middle and High school level students

 Retaining College Students

TARGETED AUDIENCE

This presentation is designed for in-school educator’s seminars, administrators, teacher conferences, parents, and business owners

 

Your teams will LEARN  .  GROW  . PRODUCE

 

Author Shinault offers 7 core programs and he is pleased to tailor his presentations to your group’s needs

 

Contact Author Shinault today for your next Keynote Speaker event: www.raymondshinault.net

 

AUTHOR MISSION STATEMENT

Helping young people and adults receive fundamental life skills and personal development philosophies necessary for success in schools, businesses, and Life.

 

“The past is the past. Who or what we used to be doesn’t matter anymore. What matters are who and what we are now, and who and what we can become in the future.”

 

Living Your Life’s Purpose 

It’s that time of year again!
The First Day of School!

 

Parents/Children

Anxieties are high! You and your children are preparing for that big day scurrying around malls from store to store finding the perfect uniforms, blue jeans, shirts, tennis shoes, back packs, and more. Some children are looking forward to new opportunities – meeting new teachers, and friends especially, while others dread walking through the door. By now, you know which category your family fits in.

 

Teachers

Teachers are busy making classroom preparations, filling their bulletin boards with academic content, arranging student desks, posting classroom rules, writing school supply lists, attending staff developments, aligning subject curricula to district expectations, and the like.

 

School officials (Administrators, Instructional leaders, and Assistant principals)

Administrators are checking their lists and then twice more ensuring safe and orderly classrooms settings, ensuring building infrastructure needs are in place, disseminating rules and regulations for staff members, welcoming newcomers (teachers, students and their parents).

 

TEACHERS

• Please be prepared to work with all learning styles – Differentiate Instruction (including students with Special Needs, and ESL students)

• Maintain patience and understanding

• Love what you do each day – Think about why you became a teacher – Love the pedagogy and art of teaching. Showcase teacher efficacy daily

• Keep an inviting voice tone – Never scream at your students (our children)

• Initiate Diversity Awareness in positive manners

• Respect your student’s ideas/voices before making final decisions

• Get to know each of your students

• Remain organized and ready to teach once the student enters your classroom

• When parents ask questions most times they are trying to support you and their child – Do not become defensive

 

PARENTS

• Send your best child to school

• Work with school officials – not against them

• Ask questions when needed

• Expect your child to become dependent (according to age – it’s difficult to let go)

• Expect your child to behave and use great manners/social skills

• Attend school events

• Teach your child to respect authority

• Send your children to bed on time on school nights

• Wake your children up on time on school mornings – Ensure they arrive to school on time

• Start your children off with a good healthy breakfast

• Ensure homework is completed each night

• Ask your child about their school day – Ask if there is anything you should know

 

To ALL

Everyone is full of enthusiasm as anxieties are running high, so I hope all parties will put their “best foot forward” ensuring our children/your students have the best school year ever. Let us work closely together

Our little ones going to Pre-K or Kindergarten for the first time certainly may have apprehensions unawares, so please be patient with them. Their first impression of school could be left up to parents and teachers

 

Additional Notes

Let us all work together supporting our most treasured stakeholders – our children.

Stop, Look and Listen to them – If your child reports being bullied, please listen and intervene appropriately.

See my blog post on Bullying titled: My Child is being bullied? Oh, I Don’t Think So!

This blog post entails a step-by-step approach for assisting parents when their child is being bullied.

Link:  http://cherryevasquez.tateauthor.com/...

 

Last week — July 24, 2016

I blogged about a very important topic helping children feel more confident in their writing. I titled my blog, “Writing That Makes Sense” and within this sharing I focused on children using their Five (5) Senses describing their words giving their writing more expressive thoughts — Link: http://cherryevasquez.tateauthor.com/?p=3948

 

This Week — July 31, 2016

I want to take these strategies further by teaching children how to format their writing into five (5) important paragraphs, but first I’d like to define what I mean by “creative writing.”

 

Creative Writing Defined

Creative Writing can be defined as original writing that expresses feelings, emotions, ideas, or thoughts with no set limits.

Students can feel free to use their imaginations telling their stories of current or past experiences.

 

Framing/Outlining Paragraphs

After teaching children to incorporate their five (5) senses bringing their stories alive, so their readers can imagine themselves in their stories, they also need to know how to frame their paragraphs.

At the time of this writing and during the era of state mandated testing, children are given one single sheet in which to write their stories. This one sheet has 25 lines, and students are told not to write outside the framed box in which the 25 lines are placed.

 

Writing Prompt

Give students their writing prompt (short snippet (stimulus) in which to express writing. Students must remember not to stray away from their prompt (central theme or idea they’re asked to focus on).

To keep students writing on track and remain on the focal point (prompt), ask students to write Five (5) paragraphs.

 

INTRODUCTION

Paragraph 1 –     Introduction

Main thematic idea – remember to focus on prompt

Within Introduction, ask students to point out three (3) supporting points within their Introductory paragraph relating back to their prompt

THE BODY

Paragraph 2        Point 1

Strong supporting argument/claim, add example(s) to help strengthen or reinforce your case

 

Paragraph 3        Point 2

Second significant supporting argument/claim, add example(s) to help strengthen or reinforce your case

 

Paragraph 4        Point 3

Less significant supporting argument/claim, but still important, so add example(s) to help strengthen or reinforce your case

 

CONCLUSION

Paragraph 5        Conclusion

Have students tie their conclusion back to my introductory paragraph (summarizing the 3 supporting paragraphs) without specifically duplicating the Introduction.

It is okay to use a bit of the original words from the Introduction, but it should be very clear the story is coming to an end.

 

Helpful Question to Help Students Write Conclusion

Is there a call to action? Is there something you want to change, or do differently?

 

In addition: For paragraphs 2-4, I sometimes ask students to begin these paragraphs using ordinal words to help guide their writing. This will keep them on track.

For example:

First, Second, Third

 

Or

Firstly, Secondly, Thirdly.

 

Or some may choose to do this:

First, Secondly, Thirdly,

 

Important Notes:

Be sure to help children review their writing paying attention to grammar, punctuation, and spelling as they improve and grow in their expressive writing skills.

 

School will start next month. If you have a child going into 4th or 7th grade, they will have to pass a state mandated test in Writing. If you live in Texas, the exam is titled: State of Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (STAAR).

Whatever the case, writing can be difficult for some children. Just imagine your child stumped, day dreaming trying to think of how to get started. To help with this, I use a strategy that proves to help those who struggle in this subject area.

 

I’ve created a lesson titled:

Writing That Makes Sense

 

Objective: Show/Don’t Tell

Goal: Students will utilize 5 senses giving them the ability to strengthen their creative writing and improve their writing skills

 

Five (5) Senses

Sight — Describe how a person or object looks

Smell — Describe how a person or object smells

Touch — Describe how an object feels

Sound — Describe how something sounds (What do you want the reader to hear?)

Taste — Describe how something tastes (such as food)

 

Helpful Words that Describe

Color – light, dark, pale, sharp

Sound – harsh, swish, vibration, echo, hum

Pattern – zig zag, straight, flowery

Texture – smooth, rough, silky, soft

Shape – round, oblong, tubular

Odor – musty, sweet, aroma

Condition – worn, new, old, dull, sparkly

Motion – swirling, back-in-worth, circular, spiraling

Your child’s reader will be able to picture, or imagine the richness of their story in their minds as if the reader is actually inside the story

 

Helpful Tip: Drop the Adverbs – Remember the objective – Show/Don’t Tell

Ask your child to stay away from adverbs. By doing so, they will give their reader bright, striking and colorful pictures describing their stories.

2 Examples of using Adverbs

1. Tell: The baby slept soundly

Show: The baby slept without a whimper

 

2. Tell: He gently placed the jar on the table

Show: With trembling hands, he placed the jar on the table as if it were a feather.

 

2 Examples of: Writing that Makes Sense

 

EXAMPLE 1

Writing Prompt: EATING BREAKFAST AT GRANDMOTHER’S HOUSE

 

A Great Start:

I love eating breakfast at my grandmother’s house. Her food is really tasty.

 

That’s a great start. Right? But let’s take it a step further

 

Much Better:

My grandmother prepares the best bacon, eggs, and pancakes. Her food makes my mouth water.

 

There’s certainly nothing wrong with this sentence, but can we give it more description? You bet we can.

 

How About This?

Juicy bacon sizzled on a griddle. The whiff passed my nose reminding me of hickory smoked logs in the woods during summer camp. Fluffy cloud-shaped yellow eggs sat on a platter next to a stack of perfectly round-shaped light brown pancakes.

Grandmother picked up an orange wedge and firmly pressed it against the glass juicer as she prepared fresh squeezed pulp-free orange juice. The pulp and juice flowed alongside the edge of the glass.

 

Doesn’t this one give more descriptions using 5 senses?

 

EXAMPLE 2

Writing Prompt: SUMMER VACATION ON OUR FAMILY FARM

 

A Great Start:

Summer vacation is here. Now it’s time for me to meet-up with my cousins at our family farm. Each year we have lots of fun together.

 

That’s a great start. Right? But let’s take it a step further

 

Much Better:

My cousins and I couldn’t wait to meet up at the family farm. We’d wake up each morning with lots of things to do like feed the animals, and then play in the hay.

 

There’s certainly nothing wrong with this sentence, but can we give it more description? You bet we can.

 

How About This?

My cousins and I awakened in our soft beds to the sound of country and western music echoing from an old-fashioned brown boxed radio. The neighbor’s black and red American Game Bantam rooster sang out a sound of “cockle-doodle-doo.” Whenever we heard this familiar wake up call, we knew it would be another awesome day with family members on our family farm.

We could hear our Mom’s stirring in the kitchen. The heels of their shoes flopped against the wooden floor. They talked some and then hummed their favorite church hymns, “This Little Light of Mine.” Pots and pans were tinkling. We knew it was going to be a great day.

 

Doesn’t this one give more descriptions using 5 senses?

 

Note:

Have your children include all five senses, or as many as they can. Have the children describe the scenery by drawing their readers into their stories using sensory details.

Feel free to use these examples as you work step-by-step with your children.

 

Using the writing examples above – Pause for a moment and determine if children are able to pick out descriptive words using 5 senses. 

 

EATING BREAKFAST AT GRANDMOTHER’S HOUSE

Touch

1. _____________

2. _____________

3. _____________

Sight

1. _____________

2. _____________

3. _____________

Smell

1. _____________

2. _____________

3. _____________

Taste

1. _____________

2. _____________

3. _____________

Sound

1. _____________

2. _____________

3. _____________

 

EATING BREAKFAST AT GRANDMOTHER’S HOUSE

Touch

1. _____________

2. _____________

3. _____________

Sight

1. _____________

2. _____________

3. _____________

Smell

1. _____________

2. _____________

3. _____________

Taste

1. _____________

2. _____________

3. _____________

Sound

1. _____________

2. _____________

3. _____________

 

If children can learn how to incorporate these strategies into their writing, they will succeed and pass their state mandated writing test.

Have fun teaching children to write well!

Hello Fans!

By now, I hope you’ve viewed my Facebook Live Streaming video posted on my Facebook Fan Page @ Books That Sow: Strength, Character & Diversity. I spoke about Telling vs. Tattling from the perspective of a “constructive” critique received from a great grandmother who purchased my little rhyming book on bullying titled, “Teacher, Teacher, Can’t You See?”

 

I have not identified the reviewer, as it is not my goal to embarrass anyone, but I really feel if people believe, especially when a child is being bullied, telling is tattling, this topic needs more attention.

 

My goal is for us to exchange friendly dialogue/discourse about this topic. Let us share our thoughts and perhaps experiences as we attempt to unlock the true meaning and perhaps differences in these two terms.

 

Of course, you do not have to agree with me. We can agree to disagree, but if you have viable, usable suggestions and recommendations, please share it with us. The goal is to help children with bullying issues of all kinds.

 

Here goes:

From the Reviewer

“I am sorry, but I want to give constructive feed back.  I looked forward to this book, and purchased it, could not use it.  A student cannot just run to teacher and tattle, and the child gets counseled.  And not everyone will go to your website and look up what to say or do.

This book should encourage children how to not take “bullying” personal, how to understand the person who bullies and how to preserve their self-esteem in the rat race of life.  How they react to the bumps in life as a child sets the stage for how they will view life’s difficulties as an adult.  They have to learn to keep their dignity throughout difficulties.  And, not every school has enough counselors for every child who needs it. Too many students, no aides, no money for supplies, and we do need to support our teachers better.  It is a subject that needs discussion, but this book falls short.  Sorry.”

 

My Response to the Reviewer (titles added later for purpose of blog post clarity):

Just as any author, I love constructive feedback.

I am happy you purchased my book, but sorry you found it no use, as many do.

 

Although most educators and parents do not encourage tattling, rather problem solving techniques, bullying behaviors has grown in leaps and bounds with national attention, so I’m not sure if we’d want to scorn our children, and label them tattlers for gaining the attention of teachers sooner than later.

 

Here’s what anti-bullying advocates encourage

Most anti-bullying advocates plead with children to gain assistance earlier on. By doing so, these negative and unwarranted behaviors are “nipped in the bud” sooner than later.

 

Too, intervention may save many heartaches, allow more time in our classrooms for actual teaching/learning, and decrease nuisance behaviors on contact, and by ALL means decrease the most alarming issues facing the negative effects of bullying behaviors (as statistics has alarmingly shown us these days) = SUICIDE.

 

Some children come to school with “baggage” and anger stemming from all sorts of home, and/or personal issues. We do not get to choose our students. The bully does choose a victim they find weaker (as many believe).

 

So, yes. Most anti-bully advocates teach children to alert a friendly face, speak-up and tell a school official just as soon as possible. If we do not know, we cannot begin our intervention processes helping both children with their needs as relative to the bully and bully-ee (victim).

 

Yes, the Bully does need help: It’s not the victim’s role to fix the bully

The bully does need so much love, social skills, counseling and redirecting, but why place this monumental chore on the victim? When someone is being bullied (physical, verbal, religious, cyber, and more), most times it gets personal, so I beg to differ.

 

It isn’t a child’s job, or concern to figure out why another child chooses to physically (in most bullying forms) hurt them. It is the adult’s job – beginning with the bully’s parents.

 

Were you aware, (I typed reviewer’s name here), children as early as kindergarten get bullied? How does this child begin to unlock the many convoluted threads of bullying, along with the possible antecedents which causes another child to bully them? Most young children are eager to come to school for learning, making new friends and bonding with their new teachers.

 

Encouragement/Empowerment to Children

In addition, we need to teach children not to be afraid to speak-up whenever they’ve had enough pain and abuse, and need our assistance. Children should not be made to feel ashamed, or weak for gaining assistance. Children deserve to attend bully-free schools.

 

Also, anti-bullying advocates (like me) are known for encouraging by-standers not to turn their heads when they see a peer being bullied. Who knows, they may save a dear life. We want to encourage our children it is okay to seek help. This is another great lesson in life. This encouragement also teaches our little girls not to remain in abusive relationships (a topic for another forum).

 

We often preach tolerance. To me, it depends on what one is being asked to tolerate. Bullying behaviors should not be tolerated.

 

Of course we want to empower our children along the way, and build self-esteem. This does help them get through tough times. Some children may never need adult assistance with bullying. While that is great, some others may need help.

 

My Experiences/Observations

By the way, I have been a public school educator for the past 34 years, and an Adjunct Professor for the past 8 years, so I am the last person who wishes to discredit a teacher. Trust me!

But, I also have lots of experience, have observed lots of teachers, and what trumps it all is I am a devoted mother. My own child has experienced being bullied, and it didn’t feel good to me as a parent.

 

Although we have many wonderful teachers in our classrooms, we have a few who are not worthy of teaching anyone’s child. Another topic for another occasion – There are teacher bullies as well.

 

Story-line of “Teacher, Teacher, Can’t You See?”

I think you failed to grasp the full meaning of my story. The little boy was overly excited to begin school. He and Johnny started off as friends, but then Johnny’s bullying began. The story-line emphasized in “Teacher, Teacher, Can’t You See?”  realizes the young child crying out for help. He just needed his teacher to take notice.

So many times teachers get busy and have tunnel vision. They are stressed-out attempting to get their test scores up because they need their “bread and butter” like each of us. Their livelihood is just as important as their supervisor’s livelihood – the people who evaluates their teacher effectiveness each year, but those test scores must shine.

 

With this in mind, teachers need to teach, but they sometimes do not realize bullying acts going on in their classrooms around them.

 

Budget Cuts: No School Counselors and Support Staff on our Campuses

I realize there are school officials tasked with making difficult decisions how best to spend their allotted funding from the state and district budgets. There are a few who decide (as per what their stakeholder climates suggest) if they will have a counselor, or nurse available on their campuses for students. Although most elementary schools employ both, some district officials are plagued with choosing which is needed the most. Trust me, however, whenever a child needs any of these two, principals and school administrators are trained when to call for assistance (back-up).

 

Going to my website is an added choice – an option – just another resource made available of the many out there. I not only offer people (fans) visit my website, I also stream live with various topics on bullying, diversity and related topics. There are many resources available out there. Authors love to give fans choices.

 

What some few critics fail to understand is this: Authors like me have many stories in our heads. We write from various experiences, but cannot possibly write all our books in one setting. This book took another angle that many appreciate.

 

Additional Note from Me

This reviewer responded back to me saying I should have expanded the story giving uneducated parents, or caregiver options. She went on to say children need to learn how to deal emotionally with a very complex, and often cruel world, stand on their own two feet, deal with the bumps of everyday life, and even away from the protected home, or school environment. She also said her great grandson needed bullying assistance in a different way, so my book was of no help for their family situation.

 

My Final Note to Viewers and Fans

While not everything this reviewer said was bad, she had a few great points, but she missed the story-line point of this one little book (of many I’ll write from varying standpoints about bullying), and failed to realize that sometimes children just need to tell someone.

 

Children should know its okay to speak-up and out in an attempt to seek help, if they need to. They should realize they’re not alone and should not be intimidated or made to feel they are tattle-tales

for not enduring bullying abuses of any kind.

 

Bullying is real, and so is Suicide.

 

My Goals for Writing Various Story-lines

My goal for writing books with multiple story-lines centered on bullying and diversity issues is to make every child feel comfortable in their environments. Children must realize they are not alone, and that there are people available to assist them.

 

Please Comment

If you are reading this post and have a thought, or two, or if you have viable solutions, and/or recommendations on this subject, please comment and share your view points. I’d certainly appreciate it and other readers will too.

I hope to hear from you very soon!