Blog Tour: The Playbook by Kwame Alexander

 Remember I told you I was going to be part of a blog tour?   Well, today is my day to talk to you about this interesting book.  The Playbook: 52 rules to aim, shoot and score in this game called life. It has been written by Kwame Alexander.

Kwame Alexander is a poet, educator, New York Times Bestselling author of 21 books, and recipient of the 2015 Newbery Medal for his novel, The Crossover.   He as founded two organizations, Book-in-a-Day and LEAP for Ghana.   He is a literacy advocate and regularly travels to promote literacy.  He has served as Bank Street College of Education’s first writer-in-residence.  You can learn more about Kwame here.

If you are interested here is a link to interview and a reading from his previous book, Booked.

52 Rules.   Broken into four quarters: Grit, Motivation, Passion (halftime), Focus and Teamwork.   Each section is broken into training and words of encouragement from a variety of athletes that span all sports: basketball, Olympians and more.  Even quotes from Nobel Prize winners and poets. 

Rule 30 "There is not single formula for winning but you must have a game plan".
Rule 16 "You may not be a starter but always be star in your mind ready to shine at any time"
Rule 42 "Be unselfish, share the ball, work together, win together".

Filled with stories from his life and the lives of  athletes, this book is bound to appeal to the athletes among us, from children up to adults,though it is geared to youth aged 10-12.  There is much wisdom to be gained in the reading of this book, all from a sports mindset. 

I have to admit, I loved the graphics in this book.   Being a non-sports minded person sometimes I got a bit lost in the jargon, but I enjoyed the set up of this book, how it was divided into quarters, covered half time and was simply filled with encouragement for the young athlete to be a person of character as they play the game, whatever game that might be.  To see the character encouraged in the larger realm of life as well.

I can so easily see this book becoming the basis of teaching in a sports camp, or used by a coach with his team.  
 

The Playbook: 52 Rules to aim, shoot, and score in this game called life.
Author: Kwame Alexander
Illustrator: Thai Neave
Pages: 176
Publisher:  Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Ages: 10-12 years old.
Reviewed for: Raincoast Books

Here is Kwame at a Time for Kids interview.

Here is Kwame at an awards banquet, for the 2015 Newberry Award. He is so excited in this video.  It's just fun to see.   It's for a different book, but matters not.  Shows he has some fun and style in writing.

Other people participating in the blog tour can be found here:
The Book Wars.
Lost in Great Book.
Cherry Blossoms and Maple Syrup.
Fab Book Reviews.

Poem: Control

 Control

Child young

trust the folks

mostly

get a fright at

God loss

Keep control

for fear at bay

Control paramont

to not being 

noticed.

Teenager control

I fought

I yelled

God and I

battled

head to head 

feeling daily.

Young Adult Control

I made choices

I stayed away

I strayed

I fought.

God stayed constant.

I frowned .. A LOT.

Gradually.

Surely

God gained Control

Middle age

I fight

I struggle

I give way.

I learn.

And so control 

Is given away

And a peace 

a contentment

is found.

Less frowning.

less struggling

more surety

more security.

Control isn't mine

Control is where it belongs

God.

⁶ Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, ⁷ casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. ⁸ Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. ¹⁰ And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. ¹¹ To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.  1 Peter 5.
------------------------
Kate Motaung hosts a word prompt every Friday.   She gives us a word and a whole whack of people write for about five minutes.  A free write on a Single Word Prompt and it's fascinating to see where it takes people and how they approach it.    THEN the most amazing thing happens, people take the time to read what each other wrote and be an encouragement to each other.   It's great!   It's no small wonder that we keep coming back.  Won't you join us?   Today the word is CONTROL.

Bless my dear friend Lori who put the graphic together for me.  WONDERFUL job.  :)  THANKS!

Pride, the downfall of Egypt

The Word of the Lord comes to us this morning from Ezekiel 32.

Continuing our learning from Tuesday. 

God is not done with Egypt and Pharaoh yet.  

Again he attacks his pride: 

 You consider yourself a lion of the nations,

But makes sure that Egypt understands what it really is:
    but you are like a dragon in the seas;

you burst forth in your rivers,
    trouble the waters with your feet,
    and foul their rivers.

And gives a consequence:

³ Thus says the Lord God:
    I will throw my net over you
    with a host of many peoples,
    and they will haul you up in my dragnet.
⁴ And I will cast you on the ground;
    on the open field I will fling you,
and will cause all the birds of the heavens to settle on you,
    and I will gorge the beasts of the whole earth with you.

And it continues in vv 5-8 with how Egypt will be blotted out, strewn on the mountains and so forth.   God will put a darkness over the land.

The devastation will be so complete that the nations all around will be appalled with the horror of it.  How God branishes the sword at Egypt will make them : tremble every moment, every one for his own life, on the day of your downfall.

Who will God use to bring about this devastation?

¹¹ “For thus says the Lord God: The sword of the king of Babylon shall come upon you. ¹² I will cause your multitude to fall by the swords of mighty ones, all of them most ruthless of nations.

Art Series: Incredible Art Department

Today for my art series I wanted to tell you about a neat art Website that I discovered.  It is called the Incredible Art Department. 


I honestly was pointed it's way by someone and can't remember who so if it was YOU.. let me know and I'll extend kudos to you.

This is a rather neat site that is just plum full of art lessons and ideas. 

 The Incredible Art Department started at as a showcase for students in Indiana.

It has grown from those humble beginnings to a site full of art lessons and images.  A diverse range of ideas for teachers, educators, artists, parents and students.

Just a fascinating website. 




Check out this partial list of middle school materials

This is just a sample of the list and I find myself wanting to dig in, but I can't until we finish our current art project.  :)     The lad is doing his thing and I'm doing mine, and by the end of it, we'll understand the mountains of Canada better eh?  :)

So let's see... 

They have material for students from elementary up through highschool.  Projects that adults might want to take on, projects for individuals as well as classrooms.  Projects that involve more than pencil, paper or paint.  Imagine using clothing as a vehicle to communicate an art project.    Making Faberge eggs or using a chess board to create art.   

So many interesting projects just waiting for you to take on.

Give it a boo won't you?

 

IAD began as a showcase for elementary art students in Indiana and now includes a diverse range of subjects and topics of interest to art educators, general area teachers, students, parents, artists, and homeschoolers the world over. - See more at: http://www.incredibleart.org/#sthash.7cOv3rLJ.dpuf

IAD began as a showcase for elementary art students in Indiana and now includes a diverse range of subjects and topics of interest to art educators, general area teachers, students, parents, artists, and homeschoolers the world over.

On this site you can find free art lessons, news, art resources, art careers, schools, and help for new art teachers.

- See more at: http://www.incredibleart.org/#sthash.7cOv3rLJ.dpuf

IAD began as a showcase for elementary art students in Indiana and now includes a diverse range of subjects and topics of interest to art educators, general area teachers, students, parents, artists, and homeschoolers the world over.

On this site you can find free art lessons, news, art resources, art careers, schools, and help for new art teachers.

- See more at: http://www.incredibleart.org/#sthash.7cOv3rLJ.dpuf

Connections and Gratitude, Edition Jan 25, 2017

 
Connections

Counting Pinecones: Finish Line.    Just liked this post.  Bite sized goals are attainable, even in homeschooling.

When you Don't have a math Plan.   This post stimulated my thinking with my boy for math.  Though we are starting a new math program soon...perhaps this will work for the lad well...

Amazing Grace.   Learning the difference between grace and goodwill. 

2 Tim 3:16-17. A reminder of what scripture is good for.

I homeschool so they can be bored.   Boredom is good for you, you know?


Gratitude

1. Subway restaurants... what can I say.   One night I was tired from not sleeping, headachy and not wanting to even think of putting food together, everything seemed far to hard to think about, had to drop a boy off at a youth event and Subway restaurants was right there ... making sandwiches...people were fed.  It was a GOOD thing.  :)

2. Washing machines capable of washing all my pants at one time (especially when one realizes that one has FORGOTTEN to do laundry in the busyness of other life).  SO YEAH!!!   All my pants clean.. I have something to wear tomorrow .. WOOT WOOT!  :)

3. A boy child.  Seriously...this lad makes laugh.   I HAVE to show you this:   And it really wasn't a sad sad thing... we had fun and laughed a lot

4.   Cuddle Blankets.
        When you have a fellow who isn't sleeping well so can't keep himself warm.. cuddle blankets are the very essence of blessing.

 5. Colour on dreary days
       Guess what bloomed!  My Amaryllis!!!!!

  Helpful Posts

WorldWideClassroom: Homeschooling Help booklet.  An easy to fill out booklet to help refine homeschooling goals and needs. 

Learning about the Skeletal System.   This post came in helpful today, thought maybe it might be helpful to others as well.

Want to join in?

  I would be delighted If you wanted to join in.   Any post on gratitude or thankfulness for the things in your life are welcome.   Must be family friendly and the point must be on showing gratitude for things in your life.  Not for reviews (even if you are grateful for them).  :)

26 Reasons to love Homeschooling

The round-up challenge from the Homeschool Review Crew is this: What do you love about homeschooling?

I got to thinking about that and randomly wrote down the letters of the alphabet as I thought and started filling things in.. before you know it I had a whole list of things I enjoy about homeschooling.

• Annette and the lad, learning together
• beauty found in unexpected places
• Canada, using this land as a basis of study
• documentaries on the tube
• experiments
• field trips
• going out when we want
• house based business, small business opportunities,
• information to be shared with others
• joking around
• karate works for phys ed class
• leaps in knowledge
• minecraft becomes a part of schooling
• new materials
• other people - friends, teachers, family
• Pokemon go inspires exercise and learning opportunities
• queens, kings overthrown, a love of history
• rabbits, robots, religion
• stem and steam is fun hands on learning
• teatowels, dishes, laundry...all part of schooling
• umbrellas...learning how so much is connected
• victories in learning!!!!
• wondering what we will learn next
• xiphoid process - learning where this is
• yellow land and green skies...we can do art how we please
• zero needs to pack a lunch worrying about the allergies needs of others

What kind of things would you add to this list?

You can learn what others loves of homeschooling the crew has here. 

How do we bear one another's burdens?

You know something?   It's hard to get used to another churches way of doing things.  The church we are going to for the rest of January doesn't write down things like scripture passages, sermon titles or music used.   Makes it MUCH harder for me to take good notes.   I know that I missed a couple of songs this morning, but it is what it is eh?   And I made up a title based on the short message presented.

Hymns/Songs: 

Precious Lord take my hand
My eyes are dry by Keith Green
Set my spirit free by Charlotte Baker
Lord I need you by Matt Maher
Follow you by Ed Cash

Scripture: Psalm 31, Romans 12:9-13, Galatians 6

Text Romans 12
⁹ Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. ¹⁰ Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. ¹¹ Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. ¹² Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. ¹³ Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. 

Sermon Notes:

Our focus this week is on mental health.  We are called to learn and grow.
How do we care for those with mental illness in the church.

How do we bear one another's burdens?   Galatians 6
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. ² Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. ³ For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. ⁴ But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. ⁵ For each will have to bear his own load.

We need a Holistic approach,  moving toward the person instead of stepping away.

Why do we step away?
. Fear
. Not knowing how to help
. Seeing others as able to help better ie counselors

Romans 12:9-16
Cling to what is good,
Be devoted to one another
Walk with them
Be joyful in hope
Be hopeful for their recovery and let them know it's not the whole story
What does it look like to welcome the mentally into our hi,especially,  or even going into their homes
Be a blessing to them.
Show them how they are a blessing to you.

You might need to ask people with mental illness how you can help them, what support do they need?

THE REST OF THE SERVICE was taken up talking with health care professions, and having people with mental illness tell their stories and what has been most beneficial to them in getting better.   My notes are included as they may prove helpful.

Behold, Assyria was a cedar in Lebanon

Today's passage is taken from Ezekiel 31.   You can read more in my Ezekiel Studies here and here.

Here is a reading of Ezekiel 31.

The Word of The Lord again came to Ezekiel, this time with a word against the Pharaoh of Egypt.  He is to ask Pharaoh this question

“Whom are you like in your greatness?

He is to then give The Pharaoh the example of Assyria, how it was like a cedar in Lebanon, a great beautiful tree, towering above others, nourished with abundant waters.  It was so beautiful, tall and luxurious that not in the the cedars in the garden of God could rival it.                                       ³     Behold, Assyria was a cedar in Lebanon,
                                        with beautiful branches and forest shade,
                                           and of towering height,
                                           its top among the clouds.
                                    ⁴ The waters nourished it;
                                           the deep made it grow tall,
                                             making its rivers flow
                                               around the place of its planting,
                                                       sending forth its streams
                                                   to all the trees of the field.
                                   ⁵ So it towered high
                                     above all the trees of the field;
                                      its boughs grew large
                                       and its branches long
                                          from abundant water in its shoots.

Recipe: Lemon Cinnamon Cookies

Cream together
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter (cooler work better than warmer butter)
1 tsp vanilla

Add one egg and beat well.

Separate bowl mix together
1.5 cup flour
1.5 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp grated lemon peel
1/4 tsp salt

Mix dry ingredients into wet thoroughly.

Cover the bowl and let chill for two hours.

Shape dough into small bowls and roll in cinnamon sugar to coat.
Set cookies, one inch apart on a greased cookie sheet.
Cook at 350 for 10 minutes until edges are slightly browned.
Cool  slightly on pans and then remove to racks to finish cooling.

Verdict: These cookies are a HUGE favourite in our household.

B is for Beavers!

Welcome to blogging through the alphabet. Amanda and I are having a hoot with this series. Join us won't you?  Today we are at letter B.

I have to admit, beavers wasn't my idea, it was completely my son's.

He is all into Canada this year and beavers are an animal we just finished learning about.

I thought I'd start off with a simple primer on beavers, it certainly doesn't tell you everything, but it's a good intro anyways.

We learned some interesting facts about beavers

1. The sound of running water makes them build a dam.  This is why, if a culvert is running water and a beaver is anywhere nearby, they will keep building a dam as often as you tear it down.
2. They do not use their tails to carry mud.   They carry stones and mud in their very capable front paws.
3. Their tails are used as an early warning device for family members and other animals that live near the pond.  They sometimes slap the water for fun, and their tails are a fat resevoir to help them over the winter.
4. Their latin name is Castor Canadensis
5. They are North Americas largest rodent, weighing 40-60 lbs, and are clumsy on land, preferring to stay close to water for quick getaways. 
6. They compensate for their poor eyesight with an excellent sense of smell and hearing.
7. Beavers do not hibernate, in fact they build stash piles of wood under the water to hold them over the winter. 
8. They have a double layered coat, which is part of the reason they were hunted so extensively when Canada was forming as a nation.  Beaver skin hats and coats were guaranteed to keep the wearer warm. 
9. Vegetarians, with webbed feet that are strong swimmers.  Warm coats, large animals, beavers are an important part of Canada.
10. Beavers are a symbol of Canada.   The fur-trade was an important part of colonial North America bringing in people from all over to exploit this natural resource.  It brought in money for the developing colonies, which fed a range of other businesses, all helping with the growth of our nation.    They are seen as a hard-working animal and as such are placed on our nickel. 

Feel free to link up your family friendly posts using the letter B this week.   

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Rules:  

1. Linking time is Tuesday through Saturday.   
2. Family friendly posts on a variety of topics.  If you aren't sure, ask one of us.
3. If it isn't family friendly, it will be removed. :)
4. Linking back to us would be great.   Grabbing the button above might be the easiest way or you could link to this post.
5. If you need a hashtag, you might want to use #abcblogging
6. Visiting and commenting on others is always a great social thing to do.  Let's other people know you are reading them, and encourages them to read and hopefully share your great posts.
7. HAVE FUN.   That's the point you know?   Have fun and share what's on your mind.

An InLinkz Link-up

Playbook Blog Tour... it's on this week.

Did you know that Raincoast books and I are working together to promote a new book?

YEAH I KNOW.. first blog tour I've ever done and it's on a great new book by Kwame Alexander.

Anyways, here is who is doing what on which day this week.  As you might notice, my turn is coming up on Friday.

Anyways, I hope you'll come back and see what I have to say about The Playbook.