First Days Project

     Way back a year ago, I took one of my final college courses before starting my Student Teaching semester last fall. The course was titled Classroom Management and we education majors were required to create a display revolving around the "First Days of School" theme. I randomly chose third grade, since it was my go-to grade level when writing lesson plans, and I called my hypothetical students Shining Stars. Until recently, I had forgotten about some unique things I created in this PowerPoint presentation, most notably my Classroom Creed. 

     The Creed was a set of rules I had created for a previous assignment, but this time around I wanted the classroom rules to be more than just written expectations. I wanted them to mean something, so I rearranged the rules into a simple creed which still means something to me, even after a year of revising it. I truly feel that one day, if given the opportunity to be blessed with a classroom and students to care for, I will hang this very creed on my wall! Well, the thought of my Creed sparked an interest in capturing some of the PowerPoint slides from the project and share them on this blog. Therefore, feel free to view the following images, especially my Classroom Creed!

Baking cupcakes

Yesterday, I was in the mood and decided to make some cupcakes. Unlike a few days ago, when I made some marble-cupcakes, I decided to make these special by applying frosting on them and using the frosting tools aside from just a spoon. The cake mix was red velvet, and the frosting was strawberry icing. They tasted okay. The end!

Bacon and Dogs!

Clip-art from Microsoft Office

     So, this morning, I was craving for some bacon for breakfast. I hadn't eaten any bacon for a long while, and I knew that there was some turkey bacon in the freezer. While cooking the bacon, one of my dogs ("Cinnamon") walked into the kitchen and could smell that I was cooking bacon. I could tell from her puppy-dog eyes that she was craving some bacon also, and I immediately felt a jingle coming along. 

     Now, I must say that, being someone who fancies humor a lot (I know, shocking!), I kind of established a habit of creating voices for my two small dogs. Don't worry, I'm not insane! Early on, it started out just for fun, to annoy/entertain family members, but over the years their voices have been a defining distinction about the two that the voices seem to match their own personality. For instance, Cinnamon is more laid back and always resembles an elderly grandmother in her actions, so her "voice" is slow and deep, like a very old grandmother. Chance is more active and quirky-looking, so her "voice" is fast, high, and she's more prone to "say" something off the wall. Well, I'm no dog whisperer, but since I sort of know them so well, the voices just come freely and strangely matches their actions so well that what once was entertaining to my family members now has become weird because they say it's like I can read the two dogs' minds (yeah, right)! Sometimes I'm told I'm in the wrong profession, that I should be a voice animator instead of a teacher! What's even more freaky is that the dogs know when their "voice" is used, because they'll stare at me (probably thinking that I have no clue what they're really thinking, and that their voice doesn't really sound how I portray it)!

     Well, I felt in the spirit this morning, so I started thinking of a jingle about bacon, in Cinnamon's voice. Don't judge me! Well, this is what I came up with:

Bacon!

Bacon, it’s so yummy!

Bacon, in my tummy!

I want a slice of bacon.

Please give me some more bacon.

It leaves me with a hankerin’

For more bacon!

     It was actually nice to do that again, since it has been a while since I attempted their voices. I have to admit, it is fun! I mean, just to do their voice and see their pitiful stare is the biggest reason I do it, because it's as if they're saying, "Oh, keep trying, buddy!" Sometimes, I think about writing stories revolving around the two having these outstanding adventures...then I think about the many books with similar ideas and reconsider. Perhaps one day, though, I'll write a story with them, just to say I did! Those two mean the world to me, and I hope they'll be around for many years to come (which is saying something, considering Cinnamon will be eleven years old this year). Here's a photo of the two: Chance is the blonde, while Cinnamon is the brunette.

Storybook Activity Idea

I recently read the book The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick and really enjoyed the story. But above all, I really enjoyed the artwork. My favorite part in the book happens somewhere in the middle, where Hugo recalls his father's favorite film, A Trip to the Moon, by Georges Melies. In the film, a group of travelers take a rocket ship to the moon and encounter strange inhabitants. In one particular scene, the rocket ship travels directly into one of the eyes of the Moon. I don't know why, but I simply love the still from the movie that depicts this scene. It inspired me to do an activity that showcases this particular scene in the book. 

All I did was use some easy molding clay (the kind you can find at any store in the arts & craft sections) and molded a flat circle, then molded a nose and two eyes and a mouth. Afterwards, I baked it in the oven for about 19 minutes and let it cool. Then, I decided on how I wanted to color it. After several trials and errors, I eventually went with a yellow exterior, because that's how the image of the moon looks like in the photo I based it on. Then, I covered the face with glue from a glue stick and then layered it with gold glitter. The eyes also were originally colored brown, but it didn't look that well, so I re-colored it with blue liquid glitter. Additionally, I made a background to go with it. All it consists of is black construction paper with a rocket ship and stars drawn around a space I designated for the moon. Here's how the finished product looks:

     The activity got me thinking about how cool it would be if I, once I have my own classroom, were to do something like this with my students. I really think that would make Language Arts more enjoyable - diving into stories with our students and then, once done, allow students to recreate their favorite parts by either acting out scenes, or drawing their favorite moments, or even creating scenes from the stories by using clay and making a diorama! This is simply what I did: I took a favorite part from a book I recently read, and I recreated my own interpretation. I really think students would enjoy this approach, and it would enhance their reading experience. Of course, this would also be a ripe opportunity to collaborate with the art teacher too! If there are worries that a regular teacher couldn't pull this off in his/her classroom, then collaborate with the art teacher to allow this sort of activity to be done!

     I remember being in 5th grade and having the chance to recreate a scene from one of the stories we were reading in class. The story was Summer I Shrank My Grandmother by Elvira Woodruff, and we were assigned, in class, to choose one of our favorite parts and illustrate the scene. One of my favorite parts was when the granddaughter woke up one morning to find that her grandmother had shrank to a tiny toddler, so I remember drawing the grandmother as a little girl with red curly hair, with a red wagon! 

     I see no wrong in doing this in a classroom. I mean, I look back on the times my teachers used these moments as teachable experiences and I yearn to have those same moments with my own students. That's one of the reasons I wanted to be a teacher in the first place! I understand that, in a world where we have to deal with teacher accountability and high stakes testing, it can be frustrating to abide by our requirements while also trying to fit in enjoyable moments...but we shouldn't sacrifice the enjoyment just to have more "learning", especially if the enjoyment enhances the learning experience!


     Well, to get off of that unintentional soap box, I close this entry with a look at the clip of Melies' film A Trip to the Moon, which inspired part of Hugo's storyline and my art activity. Oh, and don't feel shy of checking out The Invention of Hugo Cabret or Summer I Shrank My Grandmother from your local library!...They are two really good books!

Sleep

Clip-art from Microsoft Office

          Sleep

        By R. Andrew

       The memories that I keep

      run rampant, magically, into

stories that were never meant to be.

But when I am asleep,

all problems seem to cease.

All sorrows turn into joy.

The comfort that I find,

slips from me every time whenever

my soul awakes.

The darkness that consumes my rest,

blankets my silhouette.

While I sleep, it is my greatest escape.

Wishes

Clip-art from Microsoft Office

    Wishes

   By R. Andrew

I wish for peace for all people.

I wish for warmth for those who are cold.

       I wish for strength when times are difficult.

                        I wish for hope to find those who have none.

I wish that pain never existed.

I wish hearts were never broken.

I wish that loneliness would go away.

I wish that death would meet its match.

I wish the One above would hurry back!

I wish for my heart always to be pure.

I wish for joy and laughter to fill this place.

I wish that my faith would sustain through any

disastrous storms.

Run to Me

Clip-art from Microsoft Office

           Run to Me 
     (sequel to Shambled Soul and Surrender)

              By R. Andrew

Shambled Soul, will you run to me? You know that I can set you free. Let my Light be your guide in the night, despite your fright. Your surrender is all that I need. Run to me.

Run to me my child. I'll keep you safe from harm. I'll wipe away the tears from your face. All your mistakes are gone. You are precious to me.

The proof of my love is shown through the holes in my hands. When I see you, I smile, when your laughter is bright. But I cry when you cry, because your pain becomes my pain.

I long to hear your sweet voice say "Hello" or "How was your day?" Run to me, my child, before it is too late.

Surrender

Clip-art from Microsoft Office

           Surrender

            (sequel to Shambled Soul)

               By R. Andrew

I am a shambled soul. Will I run to you? I know you can set me free. I long for your light to be my guide in the night. I yearn to surrender.

My soul wants to be found. I wait patiently for my crown. But each hour is the same - full of silence and familiar pain.

I cry to you! Please answer me! They say you want to set me free. They say you're always there for me...so why are you silent when I make my plea?

Love is numb, and I don't know the word. It's hard to shed a single tear. Surrender is like a lonely, wounded bird.

For so long, I have yearned to be in your embrace. I have longed for the moment where I'm recognized by your face. I know you'll heal the pain I've buried deep inside. So hurry quickly; set me free!

My Book: The New Day

So, a long time ago, I posted a preview of my book, The New Day, on here when it was first published. I took it down due to insanity because I was afraid of my stories getting stolen and claimed as other people's (it's a fear I have). But, I've come to the realization that that idea simply isn't fair. It's not why I made the book. It's not why I posted most of those poems and short stories on this blog. I made those things so that others can enjoy them (if they did) and so that they can be helpful to others. Some of those poems dealt with feelings related to personal trials I've been through, and just writing most of them really have helped heal some deep wounds. And almost all of them deal with my faith and the need I yearn for in God and Jesus Christ. Even today, I look back on some of the poems and remember certain phrases and I feel better about a situation that I may be going through.

For example, I wrote the poem "I Will Worship You" a while back to combat against things I feared. To this day, there's a line that goes, "Stormy weather may make me frown, but my heart still wears it's crown. So long fear, you can't hold me down! With all my life, Lord, I will trust in you!"

I can't tell you  how at ease I feel when I quote that to myself to this day! I was once told by a friend that reading one of my poems really was empowering. That compliment gave me the strength to continue to share them with easy access. So, that is my plan. They'll go back up; on here or on my other blog, if they're not already. Because, I thank God for giving me this gift to write. Writing is my passion. It's one of my dreams (apart from teaching the little ones). And I have so many stories to tell! (I have a calling in me to reach young readers and young adults and change the way kids are being marketed in the publishing business, but, shhh, it's a secret!).

Nonetheless, I recommend, if you like the poems or short stories I've posted here, you might like to have them in book form. I, of course, won't receive any revenue (by choice, because it's not set up that way, and I don't want it any other way). You'd only be purchasing to have Blurb make you a book copy. By all means, though, print them off here if you like them (but some of them are revised in the book form). However, as someone who purchased the book form, I can say that I really love having them in a book form, and all under $10 (when you consider processing and shipping, which is cheap for a Blurb book)! I personally have the soft cover version, because I wanted to see my works in a book form (aside from being handwritten in a journal), and I just love the cream-colored paper that comes with the book form. Plus, the picture on the front and back cover was taken at a wonderful place I worked at, so it makes it more special, to me at least!

The point of this random blog entry, if you've enjoyed my poems or short stories like I have, thank you! And, if you'd like them in a book form (for your own enjoyment; I won't see any revenue from any sales) then you can click on the link within the book preview down below.

I know this was random, but this was on my heart so I thought I'd mention it here!

The New Day by R. Andrew | What's Your Story?

The Hunger Games' Story

It has almost been a year since I found out about The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. When I worked at my University's library, I remember seeing the book and it's sequels on the shelf countless times (and I possibly even checked it out to patrons many times; I think). However, it wasn't until news of a movie being made from it that I really started to take interest in this series.


Of course, it wasn't just because there was going to be a movie of this story; it was also because of the hype from people I knew who had been fans of the story for a while. That revived hype got me interested in reading the first book during the summer holiday.


You see, ever since J.K. Rowling finished the final Harry Potter book, I've been looking for a series that has an engaging storyline for its characters. I tried to "get into" the Twilight series (don't judge me!) but, by chapter ten, I just couldn't stand most of the characters and their descriptions and habits. (My sister said it was because I wasn't a girl. My feelings about gender discrimination aside, as someone who loves a good story, I don't think I didn't like the Twilight novel just because I wasn't "a girl.") So, after that failed attempt, I was kind of hesitant about reading another series (from an author I never knew of) that consisted of a fan base largely made of females. However, I love a good story, so I eventually checked out The Hunger Games last summer. (The summer time is usually the time I focus on reading new stories. Most of the time.)


My initial thoughts of the book were positive ones. It does contain a great storyline, and its characters are believable and experience a life in a world in need of a savior (go Katniss and her gang of people!). I like how it reminded me of the short story "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson (the way of choosing Champions), and a little bit of the television show LOST (the jungle scenes). Sure, being male, there were times, when Katniss played on the girlish flirting for the cameras, that made me cringe a little while reading certain scenes, because I knew it was against her character and that she did that to get sponsors. Although, I understand she did that to go with the flow that society expected her to be in this competition. Also, I find it a pet peeve if there are errors in books, and I found several errors in the copy I checked out from my library. (Just a few, near the end.) With that aside, I found it to be a good story. Although, I stopped reading after the first book, because there were other stories I wanted to read, and other things I wanted to do, during the summer before I started my student teaching. However, I really do recommend this story for those interested in a good adventure.


With that said, seeing the trailer for the movie adaptation of The Hunger Games really got me excited about the movie. However, soon after feeling excited, I soon felt sad. I mean, I'm pretty sure I'm not going to see this in the theater, solely because I don't want to be the one male in the room not forced there by his girlfriend. I mean, I am aware it's a story that captured a female fan base (which is wonderful, we need more, better/stronger female characters for young girls/ladies) and some males, but it's the kind of movie you know certain people are going to be squee-ing over solely for the male actors - every series (especially one like this) has those kind of movie-goers. Nonetheless, I will probably, most definitely wait until the movie is on DVD to enjoy it.

Did You Know...?

What a charming video about certain facts about some of the world's most famous classic children authors. Some of the information are things I already knew, but there are some nice tidbits that I didn't. I do agree with the narrator when he states that some authors use things close to home as inspirational works...although, I think that's a given!