Just a Flag, a BEAUTIFUL Flag!

So, last Monday was Memorial Day. What did you do? Go the shore, maybe? Have a picnic? Watch a beautiful sunset?

In case you're wondering where this holiday came from, read THIS. http://www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.html.

Now, let the writing begin. Make a list of every word you can think of when you see this flag.

Is there a story in there?

Hold the Phone, I Mean the Homophone

First of all, let it be known that I find these little buggers, known as homophones, fascinating. Words that sound the same but have different meanings? How cool is that!

HERE's quick quiz from Using English.com to brush up on your homophones. Try it out. It's pretty grate/great!

A Mean Ol’ Schoolmarm Moment...…

I just love the Mean Ol' Schoolmarm.
See her picture HERE. She's a little scary, right?

Today she's talking about how to use either or neither, and she has made it easy to understand by explaining it like this:
“Either” has a positive meaning.
“Neither” has a negative meaning.

The use of either or neither is tricky and Mean Ol' Schoolmarm has a sure fire way to make sure your sentence is correct. So, please read the rest of her post (HERE) and study a few more examples.
Then, try adding these words to your writing!

Will Write for Cookies

Looking for a giggle this morning?
This is from an interview I recently did, and I thought you'd enjoy the questions and my silly answers.

Did you have a conscious moment when you realized you wanted to write stories with nature themes, or did it just sort of happen?
Sort of both. Take cookies, for example. They are in the pantry and since I (consciously) love them, I’ll eat a bunch. It just happens. Nature is all around, and since I’m an outdoorsy person who loves science and the natural world, I can’t help but write about it.

What's the most fun or rewarding thing (or both) about being a children's author?
I can act like a kid and no one can say it’s not part of my job.

More here:
http://www.summeredward.com/2013/04/interview-with-nancy-viau.html

Have a SWEET day!
; )
N

Hey Kids, Call Your Parents in for THIS post.

...because THIS post is for them.

Below is a link to an article by Samantha Parent Walravens of the Huffington Post. She talks about how parents can help kids become better writers.

The title of the article is: "Ten Tips to Help Your Child Become a Better Writer" and it is good advice. I give it my ALL CAPS STAMP OF APPROVAL.

Parents, read on and take notes!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/kid-writing

See Ya Later National Poetry Month

Hey there, kiddos!

Remember the shoe prompt from last week? Cathy Ballou Mealey was inspired by that photo of the sneaker, and by the cover of LOOK WHAT I CAN DO!.
LOOK what she came up with:

SPRING CHALLENGE

The eggs hatch. The chicks grew.
They peck, and flap and squawk.
One day they launch into the blue
And join their feathered flock.

by Cathy Ballou Mealey
http://bildebok.wordpress.com

Pretty sweet poem to end our month long celebration of poetry! Be sure to visit Cathy's blog!