Marcia Thornton Jones's Blog, page 73

How Playlists Boosted Reading in My Classes

by Debbie Poslosky [image error]

The sound of music...it should be a movie!  I cannot imagine a world without music!  Especially not without my own personal playlists.  Before this topic was given to all of us, I did not realize how much certain songs help me navigate everything in my world!  Any emotion, any time of your life can be paired with particular songs.  Although I have always loved listening to music personally, I happened upon the incredible effect music had on children when I first began teaching. 

Early in my career, I was blessed with “that 4th grade class”.  I mean the class that struggled to become a community, were very self-centered, and were also struggling readers.  I had not developed too many tools for my toolbox at that juncture of my teaching, so I relied on talking over and over and over about how I wanted the children to think about each other and themselves differently.  On my way home one day, I heard the theme song from “Cheers” on the radio.  (Yes, that is how old I am!)  As I sang along I remember thinking, wouldn’t it be so nice for my students to feel like they belonged and that I was really happy we were all here together!  For those of you that do not know the song, here are the parts I used with my students:

“Making your way in the world today Takes everything you've got

Taking a break from all your worries

Sure would help a lot

Wouldn't you like to get away?

Sometimes you want to go 

Where everyone knows your name

And they’re always glad you came

You want to be where everyone knows your name.”

Every single morning after that I played the song as the kids entered the classroom.  At first they were uncertain - not knowing whether or not to like it, make fun of it, or ignore it.  As I listened to their reactions, I took a few minutes explaining  why I was beginning this new tradition for our classroom.  Little by little, the kids began to really like hearing it as they walked into the room.  After a week, I put the printed lyrics and on their desks and asked them to read the words and highlight the ones that meant the most to them.  It was the breakthrough I had been looking for! Because it was so successful I added more songs to reflect whatever it was we were experiencing! 

Because they struggled so much, I started playing “Miracles” by Mariah Carey.  I told them so many times that I believed in them and that miracles do happen, but you have to believe they can!  It wasn’t until I started playing the song, printed the words, that true change happened.  I became intentionally aware of the learning needs I was seeing, and used more and more songs to help their brains be receptive to new ways of thinking and expressing their ideas without them feeling they had deficits!  It was amazing!  

Since reading was and still is the pinnacle of learning and of life in general, in my opinion, I really used music as a different way to create an understanding of words, phrases, and new ways to look at things.  The trajectory that took us on was then, when a child was struggling to read or write, we would go back to how that songwriter used language!  I also would challenge them to go to their favorite books, or listen carefully as I read aloud for either the same phrases or words, or similar ones in our books.  They LOVED that!  It became something fun to do with a book, when previously it was only a reminder of what they could not do.  Students started suggesting songs of their own to play because the words spoke to them!  At the end of the year I would create a “playlist” of songs from our year and copy it onto a CD and give one to every child as an end of the year gift.  

Unexpectedly, it really boosted reading for these kids.  They understood the power of words and how they can make you feel, and what has more words than books?  Even if the text was hard to physically read, they WANTED to read it to figure things out, and that internal power is what drove them to want to not only read, but be changed by what they read!  The bridge between songs and reading became very clear to me. After a while I would allow students to "audit" groups of readers who were talking about books where the text was too hard for them. The kids would do anything to be able to audit another book club. BOOKS! And the talented authors who understand the gift they have to change the trajectory of a person’s life is inspiring.  Music, to me, is such a beautiful way to help all of us understand and learn how to say things, and how to live our best lives!  It reinforces we are not alone, and there are ways to do something we might not have thought of.

A "PLAY" IN A LIST -- by Jane Kelley

When I work on a novel, I try not to rely just on dialogue and visual descriptions. Adding sensations and smells are really good ways to bring a moment to life. I especially love to include sounds. Not only do they enhance the reality of what I'm writing, they can add a rhythm to the prose, make a pause, or provide an exclamation point.

Could sounds alone tell a story? Of course I can "see" in my mind what I intended. But will it make any sense to you? For this blog, I decided to give myself-–and you the challenge. Finding intriguing photos often inspires my blogs. This time, I won't have any visuals--not even fun fonts. : - (  

[SOMEWHAT ANGRY RAP MUSIC.]

[KNOCK ON THE DOOR.]

[ANGRY RAP MUSIC PLAYS MORE LOUDLY.]

[POUNDING ON THE DOOR.]

[DOOR OPENS. MUSIC CUTS OFF ABRUPTLY.]

[FOOTSTEPS RUNNING DOWN THE STEPS.]

[DOOR BANGS.]

[FOOTSTEPS CRUNCHING ON GRAVEL.]

[SOUNDS OF TRAFFIC. HORN HONKING. BRAKES SQUEALING.]

[FOOTSTEPS RUNNING. HEAVY BREATHING.]

[LEAVES CRUNCHING.]

[FOOTSTEPS SLOWING.]

[BREATHING SLOWING.]

[WIND RUSTLING LEAVES.]

[BIRD SINGING.]

[SQUIRREL CHATTERING.]

[WIND BLOWING BRANCHES.]

[JACKET BEING ZIPPED.]

[DISTANT TRAIN WHISTLE.]

[SIGH.]

[STOMACH GURGLE.]

[CHUCKLE.]

[FOOTSTEPS WALKING THROUGH LEAVES.]

[OWL HOOTING.]

[FOOTSTEPS RUNNING THROUGH LEAVES.]

[TRAFFIC SOUNDS.]

[GRAVEL CRUNCHING.]

[DOOR OPENS SLOWLY.]

[TWO SETS OF FOOTSTEPS RUNNING.]

[SNIFFLING.]

[POPCORN POPPING. KETTLE WHISTLING.]

[SIPPING. CRUNCHING.]

[FOOTSTEPS CLIMBING THE STAIRS.]

[DOOR SHUTTING.]

[RAP MUSIC PLAYING--SOFTLY.]

A New Playlist!

Over winter break, my mom and I have enjoyed binging the new Netflix series Bridgerton. The show is set in the the middle of the Regency era of England, so it was quite a surprise to hear Ariana Grande's "thank u, next" play in the middle of the first episode. The series boasts a lot of modern changes to the stories made popular by Julia Quinn's novels, and modern music rerecorded as orchestra pieces is one of them. This was a fun aspect of the show for me. I played the violin all throughout middle and high school, and one of my favorite concerts was a Pop Culture Show where my teacher/conductor let us play current hits like "All About That Bass" by Megan Trainor. 

Most of these rerecorded songs were performed by the Vitamin String Quartet. I've found they have a ton of other orchestral covers of current music and have slowly been working my way through them and picking my favorites. That being said, I wanted to share a screenshot of the new playlist I've been working on! It's great for writing because the music is familiar and fun, but not distracting. (I find myself wanting to sing along a little too often when lyrics are present!)  

 

D-39: A ROBODOG'S JOURNEY Playlist

My newest middle grade novel D-39: A ROBODOG'S JOURNEY will be released from Charlesbridge in May. It's a dystopian verse novel about a tinkerer-girl named Klynt who finds (and fixes) a robodog—a robodog with a big secret. When the deathstretch* reaches the Worselands, they set out on a perilous journey and learn what it truly means to be a hero.

I didn't actually listen to music when I was working on this book. I find music to be distracting (unless we're talking birdsong or the swish of the dishwasher or the low murmur of my husband's tv show in the other room). 

Which is weird, because otherwise I LOVE music. I'm married to a human jukebox. And I play the cello. A lot. In fact, my Spotify list for 2020, of which I've listened to just ten songs so far, are all cello pieces! 

But it's not cello that comes to mind for this book's playlist. It's this:

When the government outlaws dogs, seizes property, closes schools, shuts down the internet: "Uprising" by Muse

When Klynt discovers an antique D-39 robodog in the barn: "Mr. Roboto" by Styx 

When Klynt hears her dead mother's voice calling, "Come to Everlake," and she decides to set out on a seemingly impossible journey: "Guaranteed" by Eddie Vedder (as featured in the movie INTO THE WILD)

When the journey comes to an end... and inspires a new beginning: "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" by Israel “Iz”Kamakawiwo'ole

 

*The book features A LOT of made up words. Deathstretch = war. Pre-orders available now. Thank you for reading!-----Irene Latham lives on a lake in rural Alabama. Winner of the 2016 ILA Lee Bennett Hopkins Promising Poet Award, she is the author of hundreds of poems and nearly twenty current and forthcoming poetry, fiction and picture books from publishers including Penguin Random House, Macmillan, Lerner, Charlesbridge, Boyd Mills/Kane, Candlewick, and others. Her books have been recognized on state lists and honored by NEA, ALA, NCTE, SIBA, Bank Street College and other organizations.

An Aspirational Writing Playlist for the New Year!

 

Hi everyone. The theme for this month is to create a playlist that relates in some way to writing. This playlist is not what I actually play when I’m writing (but maybe I should). It’s more of a thematic journey through my writing process. It also demonstrates that I am very OLD!

 

This being a new year, I am filled with resolutions! I’ve made lists of writing projects I’d like to begin. I’ve ordered research materials, some of which have arrived. Given that I’ve written almost nothing during the pandemic, the first resolution is to write. Write every day.

 

So the first song on the playlist is Everyday I Write the Book, by Elvis Costello. I can sing it to myself on mornings when I wake up and feel discouraged, like perhaps on that particular day I will not be able to write the book. It will encourage me.

 

The second song is Lady Writer, by Dire Straits. Maybe I can be on TV, like the Lady Writer in the song. I do know something about history, as she does. Even though the song seems to be comparing the Lady Writer somewhat unfavorably to another woman, she’s still a writer. So that also should encourage me.

 

Third, we have Paperback Writer, by the Beatles. How could I leave that out? I would like people to read my book! It did take me a long time to write!

 

Moving on, we should probably address the issue of actually getting the book published. Querying agents. Querying publishers. It’s enough to make a lady writer despair. What do I need? RESPECT! Cue Aretha Franklin.

 

So there I am, writing the book. And often I struggle to make the plot work, or the characters work, or the tempo work. Days go by and it still seems wrong. Until one day, something clicks into place and I stare at the computer screen, amazed. It’s actually working! It actually seems…dare I say it…good! And the appropriate song for that feeling might be You Are the Best Thing, by Ray LaMontagne.

 

Of course, then a few minutes later my neuroses creep back in, and I think, well, it’s not really that good, is it? Maybe I need to change it. Maybe I need to go for a walk.

 

Then there are times when the characters take off and do things I never expected them to do. Like in one of my middle grade books, when a character walks into the chess club meeting who I never had imagined would walk into the chess club meeting. A total surprise that made me realize this character had a lot more to him than I’d realized. My characters move in Mysterious Ways, as U2 might say.

 

And then one day, after writing and revising and revising and revising, I get to the point where I might actually be done. I question myself, but I realize it’s time to show this fledgling manuscript to my wonderful family and friends. An appropriate song here could be At Last, by Etta James. The relationship between myself and my book does represent an odd sort of love, doesn’t it?

 

I’ll end with a word of caution. There are days when I feel the need to do some errands and leave the computer behind (at least in the pre-pandemic days. Now I mostly order things online). Errands can be a good way to procrastinate. If you live in Montgomery County, Maryland, where I’ve lived for a good portion of my life, the odds are that you might do some of those errands in Rockville. In fact, I spent some time yesterday in the Curbside Pickup line at Best Buy on Rockville Pike instead of writing this blog post. So the best song for this phenomenon would be (Don’t Go Back to) Rockville, by R.E.M. I don’t want to waste another year.

 

Thanks, and happy new year!

 

--Deborah Kalb

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Planning on...well... (Holly Schindler)

I've been a full-time writer since 2001. That sounds like it's been my only job, doesn't it? Truthfully, I've been a full-time writer AND a part-time piano and guitar teacher, an antiques picker, editor, etc. 

Still. The writing's been my primary focus. 

The thing about a writing career is that it's un-plannable. Doesn't matter what stage you're at in your career, either. Even with several books having been published, I have no idea what's going to happen to any of my WIPs. Maybe a publisher picks it up, maybe not. Even if I plan to indie publish, maybe people buy it, and maybe they don't. Even the book itself can take crazy detours from the original outline or plan I had in mind. 

The only thing I can really plan to do is just show up. Every day. Show up and draft. Or revise. Or work on a new cover. Or whip up some new ads. 

Just show up. 

And the thing is, I feel better when I do. It's a big part of the reason I rarely take a day off. I feel like, no matter what's happened--I get a rejection letter, or an ad campaign or a special doesn't perform like I'd hoped--I've got something else to show for that day. Something other than a disappointment. 

I've been applying the whole just-show-up idea to pretty much life in general these past few months. I show up--to cook, to repair whatever's fallen apart in the house, to take care of my dog, to meal plan, to shop, etc., etc., etc. No day's ever a 100% success. But I guarantee something in there worked out. Maybe the bread didn't quite come out like I'd wanted, but I bet the cake's pretty good. And I guarantee, even in the midst of things not working out like I'd hoped, I learned a bunch. 

That's all I can do--just plan to show up, no matter what happened the day before. 

PLANNING???

 By Charlotte Bennardo

The theme is... planning. I don't know about anyone else, but after 2020, I'm afraid to plan anything. Any plan I've made: visiting my son in Los Angeles: cancelled. Summer pool and Fourth of July parties: cancelled. Weekly swimming at the YMCA: cancelled. Book festivals and conferences: cancelled.

Photo by energepic.com from Pexels

Everything. Gone. 

While Zoom and FaceTime and sitting outside at least 6 feet apart has helped us stay somewhat connected, it's not the same. There are no hugs. There are no friendly chicken fights in the pool. There are no pictures with fans when you autograph your book for them. Readers and students aren't really interested in spending more time in front of a computer so they don't attend online 'visits'.

There is a video of NFL coach Jim Mora, formerly of the Indianapolis Colts, who gave a funny reaction to a reporter's question about the Colts in the playoffs- when they were playing terribly and going to the playoffs was slowly slipping away. See his reaction:  Jim Mora - playoffs. 

That's exactly how I feel about making any plans. Are you (bleep bleep) kidding me? Even with the Covid-19 virus vaccine rolling out, by the time most of us can get it, it will be too late for most, if not all, public events. If I'm lucky, I may get to see my son around Thanksgiving of next year. So plans? No, I'm not making any. Especially in light of a new Covid-19 mutation. We could be stuck in this infection-vaccine-new infection, etc. loop for who knows how long. 

My Plan: 

1- Take all precautions to safeguard my health, those I love, and anyone I come into contact with.

2- Keep writing and submitting manuscripts. 

3- Stay as close as I can to people in my life by Zoom, etc.

4- Keep informed as to breakthroughs/setbacks in fighting this pandemic.

5- Exercise, eat right, and watch my health so once this is behind us, I can go anywhere and everywhere and once again spread my wings. 

6- Don't make any plans for the foreseeable future.

Honestly, I don't think I can do much more than that. 

Wishing you all a healthy, happy, and successful New Year.

Save the Cat!

 

Recently I discovered a wonderful book for beginning screenwriters called Save the Cat! Shortly thereafter, when a friend of mine who is a fantastic nonfiction writer decided to try writing a novel, I came across this gem: Save the Cat! Writes a Novel. If, like my friend, you're great with words but unsure of your skill in structure, this book is for you. I love that it takes the mystery out of plot structure and breaks it down so succinctly. After reading this book, my friend was more confident than ever that she could write the novel she'd been thinking about for a long time. 

Like most things, writing a novel is a lot less scary when you can break it down into clearly defined parts. It's so handy to have a guide that helps you do that.

Hoping all your plans succeed in the new year!

Ginger Rue's next book, Wonder Women of Science, is now available for pre-order. Co-authored with rocket scientist Tiera Fletcher, who is currently working with NASA on the Mars mission, the book profiles a dozen amazing women (besides Tiera!) who are blazing new trails in their respective STEM fields. 

Solstice Tree! Smack Dab in the Imagination by Dia Calhoun

 Every year I challenge my imagination by designing a Winter Solstice Tree. With the hope that it may bring light into these dark winter days, I'd like to share this year's tree, Butterflies & Bells, with you.

Click to see "The Ghosts of Solstice Trees Past"The Wildflower Garden Winter Solstice Trees 2019The Moon & Roses Winter Solstice Tree 2018
May you and your loved ones find light and joy this Holiday Season!

A Few Of My Favorite Creative Things

This pandemic year has been like no other.  It so many ways, it has brought out the best, the worst, and everything in between.  In the midst of all those ups and downs, I did not manage to get much "work" accomplished.  Who am I kidding?  Honestly, I feel like in many ways, I accomplished little or no work at all.  BUT, in looking back over the year, I realize that my lack of accomplishment actually allowed me to accomplish something that's pretty important for a children's author.  Something that often gets pushed aside in our busy lives - Activities and past-times that cultivate creativity. 

Many of the hours I usually spend doing my "work" were spent doing things that I love, but things I often don't make time for in my usual, busy life.  Things that spark my creativity.  Things that inspire me.  Here are several of my favorites:  

Painting - This is something I've never really done in the past, and something I am not particularly good at, but I completed two holiday inspired paintings.

Reading more - As a writer, of course, I always read, but reading is something that easily gets squeezed out of my schedule when I'm in the midst of drafts and deadlines and general manuscript frustrations.

Watching The Crown - Getting engrossed in a series like The Crown is a pleasure I don't often allow myself when I have too much to do.

Crocheting - I find it such a satisfyingly methodic thing to do while listening to music or watching television.

Sewing - I often forget how much I love to sew until I take the time to get out my sewing machine and begin a new project.

All these things use my mind in such a different way than writing does and this almost always sparks something creative in me.  I found painting to be relaxing and almost felt it took me to a different place the way reading a good novel does.  Reading of course always inspires me because I find myself admiring the writing of other authors or getting ideas of my own from the stories I read.  Watching a series like The Crown reminds me how powerful it is when characters are written so well they become real.  And things like crocheting and sewing, as they set my mind in motion in such a unique way, seem to uncover new ideas in my imagination, almost like digging up buried treasure. 

Now that I have taken stock in my lack of accomplishment this past year, I have realized, overall, this has been quite a creative time for me.  It has made me thankful for all that "work" I didn't do.  It's likely that the hole in life left by the missing work, which I filled with a few of my favorite creative things, is more valuable than the work I normally might have accomplished.  

Happy Reading, Sewing, Crocheting, Painting, or Whatever Creative Thing You Like to Do,

Nancy J. Cavanaugh

www.nancyjcavanaugh.com