Poetry Love

I have always loved poetry, and I am excited to see a resurgence of titles for all ages. In case you missed my roundup of Poetry Recommendations for National Poetey Month 2020, see a sampling here, compiled with help from Laura Standel, blogger and blogger @AReadingWarrior.

Find these books and more at ChildressInk.com, and ChildressInk, Book Reviews on Facebook, not to mention the Girls’ Life Magazine “Must-Reads”, always looking to share children’s books of excellence, infant to YA to Adult Interest.

POETRY LOVE

Simon B. Rhymin’, by Dwayne Reed, March 2021, Little, Brown & Co. Books For Young Readers, Ages: 8-12, 9780316538978

Genre: Middle grade, contemporary realistic, rap and poetry, humor, community, friendship, diversity

April is National Poetry month, and in case you missed this roundup in ChildtessInk.com, here are a few highlights below. I have always loved poetry all the time, and I am excited to see more coming from publishers for all ages!

“America’s Favorite Rapping Teacher” brings his passion for rapping and teaching together is this utterly heartwarming and much-needed tale that reminds young readers to follow their dreams, all while finding and keeping the beat of their own path. 

Publisher Description:

A humorous and heartwarming bounce-to-the-beat underdog story about a young rapper whose rhymes help bring his community together.

Eleven-year-old Simon Barnes dreams of becoming a world-famous rapper that everyone calls Notorious D.O.G. But for now, he’s just a Chicago fifth grader who’s small for his age and afraid to use his voice.

Simon prefers to lay low at school and at home, even though he’s constantly spitting rhymes in his head. But when his new teacher assigns the class an oral presentation on something that affects their community, Simon must face his fears.

With some help from an unexpected ally and his neighborhood crew, will Simon gain the confidence to rap his way to an A and prove that one kid can make a difference in his ‘hood?

PRAISE

• Upbeat and heartfelt, Simon B. Rhymin’ is a sure-fire hit!

 —Lincoln Peirce, New York Times bestselling creator, 

Big Nate and Max & the Midknights

• I love Simon. I love his heart, his rhythm and rhyme. We’ve been needing his voice for a long, long time. 

—Liesl Shurtliff, New York Times bestselling author of Rump

• An authentic voice, strong friendships and loads of laughs make rhymin’ Simon a winner. —Tom Watson, author of Stick Dog
• A heartwarming tale that combines Black boy joy with community connection.  

—Kirkus Reviews

• Dwayne Reed has succeeded in writing a story about a boy who is enjoying his life, exploring this theme without overtly coming across as teaching a lesson to readers. 

—School Library Connection

A Fire Like You by Upile Chisala

Published by Andrews McMeel Publishing

March 10, 2020

ISBN13 9781449499587 

Age: 14+

Genre: Poetry, Adult, 

Description: This is the third book of a collection of poetry that deals with themes of love, loss, and desire. Upile Chisala explores identity and what it means to be a black Malawian woman while reflecting on her life and promoting empowerment and self-love.

Avoid sarcasm

It hurts, sometimes deeply…

Sarcasm:  Cutting language, remarks that mean the opposite of what they seem to say and are intended to mock or deride.

Main Entry: sar·casm 
Function: noun
Etymology: from French sarcasme or Latin sarcasmos, both meaning “sarcasm,” from Greek sarkasmos “sarcasm,” from sarkazein “to tear flesh, bite the lips in rage, sneer,” from sark-, sarx “flesh”
1 : a remark made usually to hurt someone’s feelings or show scorn 

2 : the use of sarcasms 

<a speech full of sarcasms>

<this is no time for sarcasm>

Word History  sarcasm, “a cutting remark,” comes from a Greek verb, sarkazein, that literally means “to tear flesh like a dog.” Very early, this Greek verb came to mean “to bite one’s lip in rage,” and “to gnash one’s teeth,” and “to sneer.” The Greek noun sarkasmos, from which the English sarcasm comes, meant “a sneering or hurtful remark.” But even today sarcasm is often described as sharp, cutting, or wounding, recalling in a faint way the original meaning of the Greek verb. 

The World:

sarcasm

A tongue of which the user speaks of something the complete opposite of what the user means. It often has the best comedic value.

Ex. 1: “I’m okay. Don’t mind the gaping wound and the sword protruding from my back. I’m fine.

Ex. 2: 
“Is your car stuck in the mud?” 
“No, no, of course not. I’m only practicing how to spray mud using my tires.

Within our family, I remind siblings et al, we may hate to be around each other, you may be hurt by each other, you may be angry at each other, but remember, you would miss them if they were gone. 

Tips to Treasure every moment—good and bad.

Love each other

Forgive as you have been forgiven.

Look for the good

Be thankful for those God has brought into your life. 

Encourage each other

Say, “That’s great!” 

No

One-up’s

Think Positively

Replace every negative thought with a positive. 

Do the Right Thing

WWJD? 

Watch your words

You can’t take them back. 

Avoid sarcasm

It hurts, sometimes deeply

Pray for each other

That we would be open to God in our lives, that we may grow closer and stronger together, with God and through God in our lives. 

Don’t be deceived by the lies of the enemy

Guilt, doubt, despair

Spiritual warfare is real. 

1 Peter 5:8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Welcome to DORD Magazine’s “Women’s Empowerment” Issue, March 2021

DORD Magazine’s “Women’s Empowerment” Issue released March 30, 2021, with a focus on women entrepreneurs, including House of Wise founder Amanda Goetz; TikTok Influencer, Founder and Advocate, Bunny Barbie; and contributions by Childress Ink founder Kim Childress.

https://www.dordmagazine.com/current

Additional DORD Magazine March highlights:

• Depression My Old Friend, A personal look at lifelong depression
• Wake Up: The Hard Truth About Competition, A philosophical look at our relationship with competition
• An in depth look at how the Hygge Interior Design trend can play a part in improving our relationship with ourselves and our space
• Original illustrations contributed by artist Victor Blake

Additional features contributed by Spencer Miller, Kevin Donavan, Don Busch and Dr. Alice Hamachek.

Who else is feeling like this dude from our conflict resolution piece be honest?

-Diana Vilic

DORD is a mental health-based, literary magazine with a mission to educate, inform and de-stigmatize issues surrounding mental health. DORD was created to meet the ever-growing need for reader-focused content, offering education and healing, with hope and humor.

DORD shares stories of those who have struggled and overcome, with informative, relatable articles, with journalistic integrity and information from a wide array of professionals.

DORD Magazine focuses on mental health from a holistic perspective, offering language to express our unique stories.

To learn more, go to www.dordmagazine.com.

Recent News:

Award-Winning Editor and Childress Ink Founder Kim Childress Contributes to DORD Magazine’s “Women’s Empowerment” Issue, March 2021

Childress Ink Client DORD Magazine Releases “xoxo” Issue; Grand Rapids Literary Magazine, Educating & De-Stigmatizing Mental Health Issues

Contact Information
Diana Vilic, Founder, Publisher, Editor-in-Chief, DORD Magazine
dordmag@gmail.com, DORDMagazine.com

Contact: Diana Vilic, dordmag@gmail.com

GOD Moments

Elijah Prayer Warrior, original illustration by Kyle Douglas Henry

You enticed me, Lord, and I followed,

You overpowered me and prevailed.

I am ridiculed all day long;

Everyone mocks me. 

Whenever I speak, I cry out.

So the word of the Lord has brought me 

Insult and reproach all day long.

But if I say, “I will not mention his word

Or speak anymore in his name,”

His word is in my heart like a fire,

A fire shut up in my bones.

I am weary of holding it in;

Indeed, I cannot.

I hear many whispering,

“Terror on every side!

Denounce him! Let’s denounce him!”

All my friends

Are waiting for me to slip, saying, 

“Perhaps he will be deceived;

Then we will prevail over him

And take our revenge on him.”

But the Lord is with me like a mighty warrior,

So my persecutors will stumble and not prevail.

They will fail and be thoroughly disgraced;

Their dishonor will never be forgotten.

Lord Almighty, you who examine the righteous

And probe the heart and mind,

Let me see your vengeance on them,

For to you I have committed my cause.”

I sing to the Lord! 

I give praise to the Lord!

He has rescued this life, 

And will keep this life safe from the hands of the wicked.

Have you ever been ridiculed because of your faith? 

Being ridiculed for your faith is as harsh as being ridiculed for the color of your skin. 

Could you “sing” in the midst of being mocked? 

May I be gentle like the Lamb yet bold like the Lion.

from Jeremiah 20: 7-13

Faith Eyes

Faith Eyes

by

Kim Childress

Come, let us reason together,

Speak the truth,

In love.

What is faith?

Believing in the Super-Natural

The perception, the mindset,

The overflow into our actions,

What we teach our children,

All things are possible.

God is with you.

God is with us.

God is with Me!

He speaks to me!

My faith eyes have been opened.

I hear His voice.

Psychosis? Neurosis?

I say, when you open your heart and mind to what is possible,

You Will Hear the Voice of God.

Go to the source. 

The Word.

Faith comes from hearing the Word of God,

Seek, and a whole new world will be opened unto you.

As we question and rage and rail against God.

Why?

Why?

Why?

Perhaps so we may bless the lives of others. 

One other.

Where we are.

When we are Now.

In this present, this moment.

Entrusting all to the Lord,

Can you do it?

Can you fathom it?

Can you take that leap of faith and cry out,

“If you are there God, be with me?

And I will live for you,

As you would want me to,

The best I can do?”

May I everyday consider

And entrust my words and works to God.

My knowledge is little,

But I have seen Kingdom Living

With Faith Eyes.

The Kingdom of the Super Natural

Will be Opened to Your Eyes.

Gideon had disbelief, but God still blessed him.

God blesses us even during our disbelief.

“Surely, I shall be with you,” the angel said to Gideon.

“You are a mighty warrior, and you are going to defeat the enemies of the Lord.”

And Gideon said, “Show me a sign.”

In that moment, Gideon opened his heart, 

Gideon offered himself.

He gave what he had to give.

God gave Gideon what he needed to give

In that moment.

Perspective changes when something releases.

God knows the needs of our hearts even before we do.

Gideon sowed a seed,

And his ears opened to the angel speaking.

All the fears being faced in that moment,

Gideon let go,

He sacrificed his fears, gave them to God,

And in that moment God spoke, 

“I am with you. You shall not die today.”

What can we let go of 

To take one step forward?

Consider, “Lord, what is it you want of me?”

And may you come to know the miraculous Super Natural,

May you come to know the peace that is the LOVE of God.

God is love.

Jesus is the ultimate love.

Consider such things, 

Ponder, 

Wonder on them, 

Go to the source, read the Word. 

Find your own path. 

Each spiritual journey is only one.

We all have a story.

A calling.

As believers, we are Called. 

View life through the view of faith, not fear.

Defining Moment For You Right Now.

Cast off all that is old;

Seek the truth.

May you come to know and experience the Holy Spirit that connects us ALL.

God is with you.

Jesus is real.

God’s promises are true.

With God for you,

All Things Are Possible.

Who Can Be Against?

Faith Eyes.

His rod and staff comfort me… He prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies…my cup overflows…-Psalm 23

In the midst of the storms…

Remember…

IN CELEBRATION OF GENIUS: ARETHA

HONORING THE MUSICAL LEGACY OF ARETHA FRANKLIN

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC AND WATCH THE BANDS HOST VIRTUAL HBCU MARCHING BAND COMPETITION IN CELEBRATION OF

GENIUS: ARETHA, HONORING THE MUSICAL LEGACY OF ARETHA FRANKLIN

‘All Hail The Queen: HBCU Band Tribute’ To Award $5,000 Prize Announced on 3/25 on Nat Geo and Watch The Yard Social Platforms+Sure?

Virtual Marching Band Competition Coincides with GENIUS: ARETHA;

Starring Double Oscar^® Nominee Cynthia Erivo,

Airing Now on National Geographic through March 24,

With Episodes Available Next Day On Hulu+Sure?

Watch the Virtual Competition Here:

Ashford University Educational Conference:

The information you shared on childhood learning for young children is simply so helpful for educators, parents—and children’s book writers!

Words Chosen Wisely...

Incase you missed the conference yesterday my presentation on “homework” is located on the Youtube link below.  Remember there are several more presentations going on today if you are interested.

https://youtu.be/1s_Q3N2L-TM

You are Invited to the 4th Annual 2020 VIRTUAL Ashford Early Childhood Conference!

When: August 3rd, 4th, and 5th

Agenda (sessions, times, presenters etc):

https://sites.google.com/site/auecevirtualconference/

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World’s Largest Annual Study of K–12 Reading Habits Finds Digital Reading Doubled from Fall 2019 to Fall 2020

Annual What Kids are Reading Report offers help for parents trying to keep their kids reading

Renaissance’s annual reading study, the 2020 What Kids are Reading Report (WKAR) is now available for free download. As the most comprehensive, national study of student reading habits, the report is usually a powerful tool for teachers.

But In this year when so many parents are deeply involved in their children’s education, WKAR is chock-full of useful information about how families can keep kids reading books that they’ll love. Practical tools include:

• Popular book maps for each grade band and state
• Popular book lists for each grade level, including 
  • Popular topics
  • Top print books
  • Top digital books
  • Popular Spanish titles
  • “New and Now” books

The report’s lead researcher, Dr. Gene Kerns, vice president and chief academic officer, is available for interviews and sharing how parents can use the report to keep their kids reading books they love. I simply cannot recommend this highly enough, especially for parents. As a mom of four…

Together, Nearpod and Renaissance will become the instructional operating system of the classroom, combining live instruction and in-the-moment insights with personalized practice and assessment

Bloomington, Minn. (Feb. 23, 2021) – Renaissance, a global leader in student-centered, pre-K–12 personalized practice and assessment, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Nearpod, the leader in teacher-facilitated instructional delivery, to unlock an unparalleled level of student insights.

“In the past year, seismic shifts have changed education as we know it,” said Chris Bauleke, chief executive officer at Renaissance. “With the rise of COVID-19, this shift crossed a crucial threshold and created a demand for the edtech industry to provide solutions that don’t supplement or replace the teacher, but instead, pave the way for a new way to teach and learn. The combination of Renaissance and Nearpod will empower teachers to drive the full learner experience with a deep set of real-time data, content, and tools to accelerate learning and growth for all students.”

Nearpod offers an interactive instructional platform that merges real-time formative assessment and dynamic media for live and self-paced learning experiences, both inside and outside of the classroom, giving educators the ability to adjust in real-time, while easily seeing how their students are progressing. Teachers can choose from more than 15,000 interactive lessons, videos, and activities created in partnership with leading organizations like Common Sense Education and Smithsonian to quickly enhance their existing content.

Nearly a decade ago, Nearpod’s founders, Guido Kovalskys, Felipe Sommer, and Emiliano Abramzon, observed an influx of 1:1 devices entering the classroom. They recognized a need for a platform that could help teachers and students better connect with one another. Five years later, Nearpod raised financing from third-party investors and hired a team of industry experts, former educators, and engineers to create the platform that is now used by teachers in 75% of US school districts. In 2019, Nearpod acquired Flocabulary, a learning platform that engages students in academically rigorous K–12 concepts while promoting literacy through hip-hop videos. In 2020, teachers launched 19.5 million Nearpod lessons, collecting approximately 1.5 billion real-time insights into student learning.

“We’re thrilled to join Renaissance and to support the mission of accelerating learning for all,” said Pep Carrera, chief executive officer at Nearpod. “Connecting Renaissance’s deep insights of over 20 million students to the 1.2 million Nearpod teachers delivers on the full promise of personalizing learning across remote, hybrid, and in-person classrooms.”

Nearpod customers will continue to receive the support, service, and innovation they have come to expect and love from the company. Existing Renaissance customers can look forward to learning more about Nearpod in the months ahead.

UBS Investment Bank served as financial advisor to Nearpod in this transaction.

---

About Renaissance

As a global leader in assessment, reading, and math solutions for pre-K–12 schools and districts, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. Renaissance solutions are used in over one-third of US schools and in more than 100 countries worldwide. The Renaissance portfolio includes Star Assessments, for reliable, accurate insights into K–12 student learning; myIGDIs, for accurate assessment of early learning; myON, to increase students’ access to high-quality reading materials; Accelerated Reader, to support independent reading practice; Freckle, for teacher-led differentiated instruction; and Schoolzilla, to give educators actionable insights into trends in student attendance and achievement. For more information, visit www.renaissance.com.

About Nearpod

Nearpod offers an interactive instructional platform that merges real-time formative assessment and dynamic media for live and self-paced learning experiences inside and outside of the classroom. Nearpod works with any classroom technology, from tablets and smartphones to laptops and Chromebooks. The platform helps engage students with activities such as Virtual Reality, PhET simulations, and Desmos, and with more than 15,000 ready-to-run interactive lessons, videos, and activities created in partnership with leading organizations like Common Sense Education and Smithsonian. In 2019, Nearpod acquired Flocabulary, a learning platform that engages students in academically rigorous K–12 concepts while promoting literacy through hip-hop videos. Together, Nearpod and Flocabulary reach educators in 100 of the largest school districts in the US. In 2018, Nearpod was named EdTech Digest’s Company of the Year. To learn more, visit www.nearpod.com.

Ken Stoflet
Communications Specialist
Renaissance
(715) 424-3636 ext. 2332
ken.stoflet@renaissance.com

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Eating Healthy:

#HealthyLiving #HealthyHealing #NutritionalHealing #GutHealth #EatForLife

Words Chosen Wisely...

As a mother, educator, and writer I often find myself consumed with trying to search out healthy meals and choices for our busy lives. We have made the transition to eating all organic foods and eliminating gluten, as well as dairy from our diets. I can tell you that this was not an easy task and one that took a great deal of effort, especially for me! I love… dairy! The benefits we gained from this change was well worth the added stress. Everything from less earaches in my little ones to more energy and less feeling bloated and inflamed….

Well…this sounds like a good start to a new edition to my series on Benjamin Bear and the healthy food choices he can make!

In the meantime I have listed some of our favorite gluten and dairy free products below. I hope that you find them helpful! Until next time……

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