Just Jot It January #28–Serendipity

  

“A Writer’s Playground”–A place to find wordplay, writing, and monthly calendar activities for kids and those young at heart.”

“Just Jot It January #28–Serendipity” by Linda Martin Andersen

I accepted a challenge for January: Just jot a note and submit.  I can’t participate every day this month, but I will join in when I can.

I decided to create a theme to write about:  I chose “celebrate.”

Today, I celebrate serendipity.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/serendipity

Serendipity is one of my favorite words to twirl around in my mouth and feel on my lips.  Zippy do da does the same thing for me.

Have you ever run into someone you hadn’t seen in years, who had special connections that could benefit you, just when you were feeling overwhelmed with a major transition in your life?  Well maybe not that exactly, but things just fell into place in an expected way?  Well, those are my examples of serendipity for today.

Finding the word serendipity…

This morning I read one of my favorite blogs and I found the word “serendipity.”   I hope you find the word too and you find serendipity in your day as well.

http://laurasalas.com/poems-for-teachers/poetryaction-for-p-zonka-lays-an-egg/

Writing Prompts:

1. When have you experienced serendipity? Please tell us.
2. What are your thoughts on “luck.” Do you believe in it?  Explain.
3. Do you believe good things are more likely to come by luck or hard work?  Tell about it.

Thank you for visiting “A Writer’s Playground.”  Come again soon and bring a friend. Please leave a comment.  I’d love to hear what you’re celebrating today.  Remember that children 13 and under need an adult to comment for them.  For more fun, sign up to follow my blog.  Thank you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just Jot It January 28th – Serendipity

 

 

Virtual Entertainment At My Blog’s Birthday Party

“Virtual Entertainment At My Blog’s Birthday Party” by Linda Martin Andersen

We’re still partying here at “A Writer’s Playground!”  Three years of blog posts to celebrate.  What fun!  I appreciate that many of you have shared how you’ll be traveling.  If you’re just joining in, please choose a virtual mode of transportation that allows you to arrive in style–in a style related to your writing.  For example, I’m arriving on elephant’s back because my current writing includes an elephant.  Enjoy the ride!

And now for the birthday blog entertainment…

After reading Laura Purdie Salas’ blog on Friday, May 15, I decided to re-blog her post as entertainment for this virtual party.

• I can imagine Laura Purdie Salas arriving by train carrying an armload of picture books and asking each guest to choose one.  After reading, name another book title that is similar in some way.  Finally, share what these books have in common.  Laura calls these “Bookalikes–2 books with a connection.”  This is an activity fit for any age reader.
• I can also imagine Laura asking each guest to write a poem based on the book.  Write a poem that summarizes the book or write something the book inspires.  Write rhyme, non-rhyme, or free verse.  Laura calls these poems  “Poetryaction–a poem in reaction to a book.”
• Check out Laura’s recent post on train books and an example of Poetryaction and Bookalikes.  http://www.laurasalas.com/blog/for-teachers/all-aboard-pf/
• Here’s a second sample for more inspiration:  http://www.laurasalas.com/blog/for-teachers/prxn-small/
• Have fun reading, writing, and sharing!
• Please post in the comment section.  I’m looking forward to reading your Bookalikes, Poetryactions, and general comments.

Laura Purdie Salas, thank you for providing our entertainment.  You know how to make a virtual birthday blog party very special!

Readers, if you’d like a chance at a book giveaway, follow the rules posted here:

https://lindamartinandersen.wordpress.com/2015/05/10/its-may-a-writers-playground-is-celebrating-3-years/

Please leave a comment.  Thanks for visiting.  Come again soon and bring a friend.  Children 13 years old or older are invited to  comment.  See: http://www.coppa.org/coppa.htm

 

 

It’s May! A Writer’s Playground is Celebrating 3 Years

“It’s May!  A Writer’s Playground is Celebrating 3 Years” by Linda Martin Andersen

Just for fun, I’m hosting a virtual blog birthday party for the remainder of May 2015.   If you are a writer (13+years) and you’d like to attend, please do.

No RSVPs necessary.  Instead…

1.  In the comment section below, please describe your selected virtual mode of transportation and tell how it relates to your writing.  For example:  My name is Linda Martin Andersen and my current picture book manuscript includes some wild animals (stuffed); therefore, I will arrive at  the party on elephant’s back. 
2. If you have published books, please provide a link to your website or book list in the comment section.  Other guests can visit your sites and select topics for socializing with you.
3. Check back here throughout the month of May and comment with others who are attending the party.  For example:  I am guessing that Laura Purdie Salas might arrive at the party on a floating leaf.  Why?  Because one of her picture books is called, A Leaf Can.  If she chooses some other mode of transportation, I could chat with her about that. No need to feel like a wallflower at this party.  Too much to talk about.

Earlier this month, I interviewed Laura Purdie Salas.  See here:  https://lindamartinandersen.wordpress.com/2015/05/02/an-interview-with-laura-purdie-salas-short-and-sweet-giveaway-too/

 I hope you’ll visit, if you missed it earlier.  The book giveaway is still available!  Check out the sample listing of Laura Purdie Salas’ book titles below.  I purchased one of them.  Which one? 

     4.  Choose one book title from this list.  Name your choice in the comment section here or on the earlier interview with Laura Purdie Salas.  Good luck. 

Titles which have been guessed are crossed off the list.   I am opening the contest to anyone interested, even if you’ve already guessed a title.  The first person to name the book, wins it.  Entry is due by May 31, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. (EST)   If no one has named the correct title by the deadline, I will conduct a random drawing for a winner.

Title #1:  Colors of Weather (Colors All Around)

Title #2:  A Leaf Can Be . . . 

Title #3:  Water Can Be . . .

Title #4:  A Rock Can Be…

Title #5:  BookSpeak!: Poems About Books

Title #6:  Stampede!: Poems to Celebrate the Wild Side of School

Title #7:  A Fuzzy-Fast Blur: Poems about Pets (Poetry)   

Title #8:  Whose Coat Is This?: A Look at How Workers Cover Up – Jackets, Smocks, and Robes (Whose Is It?: Community Workers)  

Title #9:  Whose Shoes Are These?: A Look at Workers’ Footwear – Slippers, Sneakers, and Boots (Whose Is It?: Community Workers)

Title #10:  Whose Gloves Are These?: A Look at Gloves Workers Wear – Leather, Cloth, and Rubber (Whose Is It?: Community Workers)    

Title #11:  Fairy Tale Garage Sale: Poems of After Ever After (30 Painless Classroom Poems) (Volume 3)     

Title #12:  C Is for Cake!: A Birthday Alphabet (Alphabet Fun) (A+ Books: Alphabet Fun)  

Title #13:  Always Got My Feet: Poems about Transportation (Poetry) 

Title #14:  Seed Sower, Hat Thrower: Poems about Weather (Poetry)

Title #15:  Tiny Dreams, Sprouting Tall: Poems about the United States (Poetry)

Title #16:  Why-Ku:  Poems of Wonder About the World (30 painless Classroom Poems)

Thanks for visiting.  Come again soon and bring a friend.  Thanks for celebrating with me!  Remember to leave requested information in the comment section ( See numbered sections:  1-4). I hope you enjoy the party as much as I know I will!

An Interview With Laura Purdie Salas–Short and Sweet. Giveaway too.

 “An Interview With Laura Purdie Salas–Short and Sweet.  Giveaway too.” by Linda Martin Andersen

Every day in April, Laura Purdie Salas offered a tip for sharing poetry.  If you missed this collection, April posts are still available here:  http://www.laurasalas.com/blog/

Laura is a poet with over 100 published books.  I am excited that she agreed to an interview.  To see a sampling of Laura’s books, check here:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Laura+Purdie+Salas

Short and Sweet Interview with…

Laura Purdie Salas, poet and author 

I asked Laura questions based on the book titles below.  Her responses appear in green. 

Welcome, Laura! I know you’re a poet and author.  I’d write an introduction in rhyme, if it were my strength.  Perhaps, I should at least open with some rhymes:  here, cheer, dear, fear, near…enough of that.  Take it away, Laura Purdie Salas!  We’re so happy to have you here.

Title #1:  Colors of Weather (Colors All Around)

Name an example of a color of weather.

Green sky when storms are brewing

Title #2:  A Leaf Can Be . . . 

a love note from a tree.

Title #3:  Water Can Be . . .

a shape-shifting wave.

Title #4:  A Rock Can Be…

a story-teller.

Title #5:  BookSpeak!: Poems About Books

Name an example of how a book speaks.

Mine say, “Forget the dishwasher…come finish me!”

Title #6:  Stampede!: Poems to Celebrate the Wild Side of School

Name one example of a “wild side of school.”

As a former 8^th-grade teacher, I have too many examples swimming around my head!

Title #7:  A Fuzzy-Fast Blur: Poems about Pets (Poetry)  

What is an example of a “fuzzy-fast blur?”

A hamster on the loose!

Title #8:  Whose Coat Is This?: A Look at How Workers Cover Up – Jackets, Smocks, and Robes (Whose Is It?: Community Workers)  

Name a community worker and his cover up.

Firefighter’s turnout gear

Title #9:  Whose Shoes Are These?: A Look at Workers’ Footwear – Slippers, Sneakers, and Boots (Whose Is It?: Community Workers)

Name a community worker and his footwear.

Librarian’s comfy shoes!

Title #10:  Whose Gloves Are These?: A Look at Gloves Workers Wear – Leather, Cloth, and Rubber (Whose Is It?: Community Workers)    

Name a community worker and the type gloves he wears.

Raptor rescuer’s leather gauntlets

Title #11:  Fairy Tale Garage Sale: Poems of After Ever After (30 Painless Classroom Poems) (Volume 3)  

Name a fairy tale character and something she might sell at a garage sale.   

Rapunzel’s conditioner—after she cuts her hair short!

Title #12:  C Is for Cake!: A Birthday Alphabet (Alphabet Fun) (A+ Books: Alphabet Fun)  

Choose an alphabet letter and its birthday match.

B is for Blushing—when everyone is singing to me

Title #13:  Always Got My Feet: Poems about Transportation (Poetry) 

Name a way to use feet for transportation.

Walk along Lake Superior to transport my mind to a wilder place

Title #14:  Seed Sower, Hat Thrower: Poems about Weather (Poetry)

What weather matches “seed sower, hat thrower?”

March wind!

Title #15:  Tiny Dreams, Sprouting Tall: Poems about the United States (Poetry)

What matches “tiny dreams, sprouting tall?”

A poem

Title #16:  Why-Ku:  Poems of Wonder About the World (30 painless Classroom Poems)

Name a “wonder about the world.”

(Inspired by a listener at a recent reading of A ROCK CAN BE…) I wonder if grouse and chickens ever eat too MANY pebbles, or if instinct tells them when to quit.

To celebrate “A Writer’s Playground’s” 3rd birthday, I’m giving away one of Laura Purdie Salas’ books to the first person who correctly guesses the title.   See the list above.   To personalize your gift, Laura Purdie Salas will provide a signed bookplate for the winner. Entry is due by May 31, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. (EST)  Please, only one entry per household.

Which book do you think I purchased to give away?   Please record your answer in the comment box below.  Include your email address also, if I do not have it.  It will be used for contest contact purposes.   Good luck!

Be on the lookout for a birthday celebration invitation coming soon!

Thanks for visiting.  Come again soon and bring a friend.  Children 13 years old or older are invited to  comment.  See: http://www.coppa.org/coppa.htm

A Word of the Year–Choose One of Your Own

“A Word of the Year–Choose One of Your Own” by Linda Martin Andersen

Laura Purdie Salas is another great poet I know. Today, she shares one of her traditions for starting each new year. She chooses a word and “embraces” its meaning all year. See more here: http://www.laurasalas.com/blog/for-teachers/word-of-year-2015/

Parents, teachers, and kids:   If you’re looking for poems and activities about poems, check out Laurie Purdie Salas’ collection called 30 Painless Classroom Poems on her webpage.  I recently bought a book of poems and activities based on fairy tales called Fairy Tale Garage Sale:  Poems of After Ever After.   Check it out here:  http://www.laurasalas.com/poetry/poetry%20books/30pcp_fairytale.html

I’d love to hear your comments.  Thanks for visiting. Come again soon and bring a friend. 

Children 13 years old or older may leave a comment. Read more about the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. (COPPA) See: http://www.coppa.org/coppa.htm

 

Is it a Poem? Is It a Book? No, It’s Poetryaction, a Poem in Reaction to a Book, created by Laura Purdie Salas

“Is it a Poem?  Is It a Book?  No, It’s Poetryaction, a Poem in Reaction to a Book, created by Laura Purdie Salas” and posted by Linda Martin Andersen.

Teachers are always looking for something new for their classroom such as…

•  Books to recommend to their students or books to read to their class.
• Prompts or a jumping off point for creative writing.
• Another type of book report.

Laura Purdie Salas is helping pave the way for teachers and students in recent blog posts called Poetryaction, a poem in reaction to a book. 

Follow these steps and create your own Poetryaction:

1.  Read a book, perhaps a picture book.  In this sample, Laura Purdie Salas chose The Promise by Niko A. Davies and illustrated by Laura Carlin.

2.  Write a poem about the book, the book’s setting, a book character, or an idea that comes to mind while  reading the book.

3.  Share your Poetryaction with someone else.  Laura Purdie Salas shared her poem here:

book:http://www.laurasalas.com/blog/for-teachers/prxn-promise/

 

Here are two more Poetryaction samples:

http://www.laurasalas.com/blog/for-teachers/prxn-treehouse/

http://www.laurasalas.com/blog/for-teachers/prxn-super-sniffers/

These poems demonstrate that Poetryaction can take you and your imagination beyond the story line.  Which is your favorite?  I loved the one about the dog.  It made me laugh.

Poetryaction is a great exercise for writers, students, or anyone wanting to have some fun.  Laura Purdie Salas, thank you so much for sharing Poetryaction with us.

Here’s another treat:  A scary Jack-o-lantern poem video for K-4 at Laura’s site today.  http://www.laurasalas.com/blog/for-teachers/scary-poem-vid/

Thanks for visiting.  I hope you’ll leave a comment.  Come again and bring a friend. 

Children 13 years old or older may leave a comment. Read more about the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. (COPPA) See: http://www.coppa.org/coppa.htm

A Dino at A Writer’s Playground

“A Writer’s Playground”–A place to find wordplay, writing, and monthly calendar activities for kids and those young at heart. 

“A Dino at A Writer’s Playground” by Linda Martin Andersen

Yesterday, I visited Laura Purdie Salas’ blog, one of my new favorite poetry sites.  Laura was sharing about the recent Children’s Book Festival in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, where she presented.

When I saw the photograph she had taken,  I felt like I was looking at a playground equipment catalog, perfect for “A Writer’s Playground.”  I believe every playground would boast ownership of a dinosaur.  Don’t you?  I know I would purchase one except I have a small equipment budget.  Not to be outdone,  I thought I’d reblog the dinosaur photograph Laura posted.  Take a look here:

http://www.laurasalas.com/blog/for-teachers/dino-15wol/

Now imagine the dinosaur in the photograph being stationed at “A Writer’s Playground.”  Instant dino and at no cost to me.  Thanks Laura.

How can I ever repay her?  I’m not sure I can, but maybe you can by viewing her blog.  Enjoy Laura’s poem of 15 words or less.  I know I did. While you’re there, check out her great books.

Another word about Laura’s photo.  It was taken at Bookworm Gardens.  Like the name?  Wouldn’t it make a perfect  garden spot at “A Writer’s Playground?” Maybe I can reblog the Bookworm Gardens another time.   For now, I’ll consider a virtual trip there.  Want to join me?  http://www.bookwormgardens.org/

What are your thoughts?  Where would you like to take a virtual trip?  What equipment would you suggest for “A Writer’s Playground?”

Thanks for visiting.  I hope you’ll leave a comment.  Come again and bring a friend. 

Children 13 years old or older may leave a comment. Read more about the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. (COPPA) See: http://www.coppa.org/coppa.htm