Ellwyn Autumn's Blog, page 26
September 11, 2018
Hauntingly Good Reads Halloween Giveaway
*Open to International* Daily sharing/tweeting entries available!
HAUNTINGLY GOOD READS AUTHORS/BLOGGERS HALLOWEEN GIVEAWAY $84 PAYPAL CASH GRAND PRIZE!OPEN TO ENTER UNTIL NOV 1 AT MIDNIGHT!! 28 Authors & Bloggers offering you 50+ prizes!Many entry options, but you have until midnight at the turn of Nov to get them all in. Do a few each day.
Check out our GRAND PRIZE!! $84 Paypal Cash. Over 50 Prizes & as many chances to win!
It's always FREE to enter & if you've entered our giveaways before you can go ahead & take the points for any actions already completed on the Rafflecopter
Letters From Emily by M.L. Pennock
NEW RELEASE PRE-ORDER
On Oct. 2, Emily Long's letters will finally be revealed. The story that began in To Have culminates with Emily's side of the tale, a tale that is heartbreaking at times.
Letters from Emily by M.L. Pennock
When Emily Long agrees to be in her friend’s wedding, she doesn’t plan on backing out a few weeks before the ceremony and merely going as a guest.
Being charmed into a one-night stand with a flirty groomsman also wasn’t on her list of things to do. But the morning after the wedding, she finds herself hung over and wrapped up in Brian Stratford’s bedsheets.
Several weeks, a positive pregnancy test, and an ultrasound later, Emily finds herself on Brian’s doorstep questioning how her life ended up where it is.
As the new couple processes how to co-parent without loving one another, Emily’s fate takes a turn for the worst.
It isn’t until years later when Brian finds out what happened …
and that Emily left letters behind for the people she loves most.
Pre-order Letters from Emily
Universal Link: books2read.com/LettersFromEmily
Amazon US: http://bit.ly/LettersFromEmilyUS
Amazon UK: http://bit.ly/LettersFromEmilyUK
Amazon AU: http://bit.ly/LettersFromEmilyAU
Amazon CA: http://bit.ly/LettersFromEmilyCA
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/LettersFromEmilyBN
iBooks: coming soon!
Kobo: http://bit.ly/LettersFromEmilyKobo
Add it on Goodreads: http://bit.ly/LettersFromEmilyGoodreads
Follow M.L. Pennock on social media at:
facebook.com/mlpennock
twitter.com/mlpennockauthor
instagram.com/mirandalpennock
goodreads.com/author/show/14020494.M_...
mlpennock.com
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Join the discussion!
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About the Author
M.L. Pennock is a former journalist turned author. She attended Alfred University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in English and communication studies, before going on to earn a Master of Arts in communications from SUNY College at Brockport. She lives in Central New York with her husband and three daughters.
M.L. Pennock is the author of the To Have series.
Visit facebook.com/mlpennock or mlpennock.com for more information about what she’s working on next.
September 10, 2018
August 31, 2018
Bullying In Schools Article on CHW
https://pixabay.com/en/bullying-child-finger-suggest-3362025/Click the link to read my article on Coffee House Writers about bullying.
Kamyla Chung and the Classroom Bully Book Release
The second installment to the Kamyla Chung Series is available on Amazon
Kamyla Chung loves school! Then one day everything changes when a classmate named Nikita begins to disrupt the classroom. Kamyla grows anxious about Nikita's hurtful behavior. It's hard to learn and have fun in school with Nikita constantly misbehaving. One day the two girls have an argument and Kamyla gets hurt. Afterwards, Kamyla learns of Nikita's own struggles. Saddened by the unfortunate news, Kamyla rises to the challenge to help her troubled classmate.
August 26, 2018
Interview With Children's Author Dianna Wyles
Photo courtesy of: Dianna WylesI recently had the good fortune of interviewing author Dianna Wyles. A native of Northern California, Dianna is a Christian writer with two book publishing credits to her name: Heart Blessings: A Children's Seek and Find and Beautiful Blessings & Babbling Brooks. Through her books, Dianna hopes to inspire a positive attitude and a gratefulness for life.
When she isn't writing, Diana teaches, actively participates in the worldwide online ministry, Refreshing Hope Ministries, blogs, meditates, pursues her passion for photography, and spends time outdoors. Diana has a powerful belief in God that has nurtured her creative spirit.
Now that you've been introduced to Dianna, let's get to know a little bit more about this busy woman.
Pin Me Please!Hello, Diana. Welcome to Lemon Drop Literary. Thank you for agreeing to do this interview.
Hi, Ellwyn. Thank you for having me.
In addition to being a published author, you are also a teacher. Why did you pursue a career in education?
I became an early educator years ago. When my own children were old enough for school I loved helping in their kindergarten classes so much that I started taking classes to become a teacher.
What grade do you currently teach?
I teach Preschool. This year I'm teaching three and four-year olds, but I have experience with ages ranging from birth to 12 years.
How has your teaching experience influenced your writing?
Well, since I am a Preschool teacher, it seemed easiest to format a children's book. As a teacher I understand how important it is for children to have a high self-esteem, as well as, to be trained in coping skills and healthy life choices.
Inviting children to find the good in their daily lives is a wonderful way to cultivate the important attribute of gratitude. My intent was to create something that is simple and childlike in format, yet ageless in content and inspiration. I think both of my books deliver powerful inspiration in a way all ages can understand and appreciate.
What inspired you to become a writer?
I was going through a season of struggle with multiple family illnesses, eventual loss, grief and into healing. I meditated and prayed my way through that time! In one particular meditation (I always meditate on God's Goodness, Love, Peace, and Healing for all) when I was done, everywhere I looked I saw hearts...in the sky, in the trees, on the rocks...everywhere!
I felt like I had just been hugged by God and a sense of peace beyond understanding came over me. I still see those hearts each day.
Tell me a little about how you wrote your first book?
Heart Blessings: A Children's Seek and Find came to me after praying a lot about the writer's block I was having. I was trying to write an adult inspirational book describing my experiences and how blessed it all leaves me feeling.
It took about an hour to put together and then about three to four months to format and perfect.
I my opinion, it was a gift from our loving Heavenly Father for me to share with the world; to teach from a very young age, that if you search out His blessings daily, He will not disappoint you.
Your books have a strong spiritual theme. Can you tell us how your beliefs have impacted your writing?
I am a Preschool teacher and a photographer in search of God's blessing in everything. I enjoy spending time hiking, birding, mining and taking pictures in the great outdoors. I use this time to reconnect with our Lord through his beauty and wonder.
Humbled and amazed by the beautiful signs and gifts given by God, I have a unique gift of seeing heart blessings in nature and my surroundings. I love to capture these heart blessings with my camera and share them with others to strengthen faith and give hope where needed.
I am a naturalist by nature. I love God, family, kids, hearts, wildlife, and all things related to these subjects.
It is my heart's desire for my books to somehow show God's beauty and wonder to a world that has yet to meet our awesome creator, and to touch the hearts of those who already call him Father.
What are you working on now?
I have a third children's book in the works. It's a counting book where we count heart rocks, but I must admit to writer's block with the formatting section of this project. I promise I will get past my block and publish, Counting Blessings 1, 2, 3, Rock Hearts, Rock Hearts, Can You See?
Can you tell us about this upcoming book?
In the book my grandchildren and husband go on an adventure to find and count heart rocks. It's a fun rhyming book where counting your blessings is the name of the game. Look for it in the near future!
What has been your most rewarding experience since publishing your work?
I think giving my books to people in need has been my most rewarding experience. My vision is to take my books to hospitals in my area like Shriner's and UC Davis Children's Hospital, to read and gift to children battling serious illnesses.
I'm still working on that vision, but I have sent copies to of my books to people battling cancer and other serious health concerns.
That my books can bring peace and hope has been a great blessing.
What advice would you give to writer's just starting out?
Just write! Write about things that have meaning to you. Write about your passions. Write because you have something to say! Write because you can. Most importantly, never stop believing in yourself and your dreams! Just write!
Is there anything else you'd like your readers to know about you?
I am an active member of Refreshing Hope Ministries, a worldwide online ministry system where I lead a photography group called, "Creation Photographers", a private group for victims of abuse called, "Haven of Hope", and I write a blog now and then. Our wonderful Pastor Dion Todd leads a live interactive service each week, as well as, daily devotions, a prayer team, and so much more! Come check out our ministry at https://www.refreshinghope.org/.
Do you have a website/facebook page?
You can find my books on Amazon.
I can also be found on various social media:
Wordpress blog
Bookbub
Goodreads
Thanks again, Dianna, for spending time with us and sharing your story. We wish you lots of luck in the future and continued success!
August 2, 2018
Summer Reading Crunch
Photo courtesy of: Kinga Cichewicz@ all_who_wander
When I was at the library the other day I saw parents and children hunting down books assigned for the summer reading break. Depending on how much time your child has to complete the book, this can be a hassle, especially if they procrastinate. The book may not be in stock at the library or the bookstore and it needs to be reserved (thank goodness for the Nook and Kindle); or your child is sulking about the prospect of trading out their blinking and beeping electronic device for some old prosaic paperback. The horror!
Ahh, I remember those days with my own children fondly. The bargaining, the time setting, the reward systems, the intense debates.
For those lucky folk pioneering into this new territory of parenthood (or those who've been braving it out for many a year), I would like to pass on what I learned during my struggle to convince my kids that reading can be fun.
Pin Me Please!1. Set a time limit The amount of time you expect your child to read depends on their age. Beginning readers should strive to read 15-20 minutes a day. As my children grew in age and skill, I extended their summer reading time. 2. Reward System When my children reached middle-school age, if they wanted to play video games, they had to read for an hour first. 3. Take Turns Alternate reading portions of the book with your child. You can break it down by page, character, or chapter.
4. Change the location Read at the park, or the beach, or wherever you feel inspired.
5. Make it fun Read with different accents. Thanks to the Harry Potter Series we've got some pretty stellar British accents in my house.
Whether your child is a baby or in high-school, readingeveryday is great for their health. It's good for grown-ups, too. So, grab a novel, curl up next to your budding reader, and get lost in a book!
How do you get your children to read?
Photo courtesy of: Leandro DeCarvalho
July 24, 2018
Diary of a First Year Kindergarten Teacher: 16th Entry
https://unsplash.com/photos/K3uOmmlQm... CopyTextMonday, September 23 Needless to say it was a long weekend. I spent most of my time lesson planning on good touch, bad touch. I also emailed the school nurse. I was hoping she'd be able to speak to my students about personal safety, but due to her limited schedule, she just doesn't have the time. When I came to work today there was a notice of a two-day suspension for Tyrone Whiting in my mailbox. I wasn't able to speak with Ms. Temple, the disciplinarian, or Mrs. Bernard to find out what the next step is for Tyrone because they were in meetings all day.
Pin Me Please!To my surprise, Katie Thomas was present today. I guess her parents were unable to have her moved to my grade partner's classroom because she arrived in my line this morning. Katie's stepmother offered me a kind smile and simply asked to be notified if Katie had any trouble. Thankfully, there wasn't any for Katie; some of my other students weren't as fortunate. There were a couple of fights during snack time involving my usual heavy hitters: Devon Wilson, Brandon White, Christopher Matthews, and Rafael Cruz. I know it's only the very beginning of the school year but some of my students just aren't comprehending the classroom behavioral expectations.
How do you deal with difficult behaviors in your classroom?
July 8, 2018
Diary of a First Year Kindergarten Teacher: 15th Entry
https://pixabay.com/en/white-earbuds-...
TRIGGER WARNING: Contains sensitive material about sexual assault.
While this is a work of fiction, situations like those depicted in this story do occur in classrooms. I believe it is essential for these stories to be told. You can't cure a disease without knowing the symptoms first.
Friday, September 20 I stayed late today to tidy up the classroom (It seems that if I don't sweep the floors, vacuum the carpet, wash the tables, and wipe down the bathroom it won't get done.) and get my lesson materials ready for Monday. Since I was unable to complete the individual behavior charts yesterday for Devon Wilson, Ramona Johnson and Christopher Matthews, I did them this afternoon. Sadly, I also had to write a pink slip for one of my students. The behavior was much too serious to leave it undocumented. So in order to cover all of my bases, I was left with only one option. The child needs help and a consistent paper trail is one way to make sure he gets it. An incident that I had never conceived of occurred in my classroom this morning. A sexual assault. A sexual assault in kindergarten! I was completely blindsided by this. The boy who acted out the harmful behavior was, Tyrone Whiting, one of my better-behaved boys. Thankfully, Miss Mary was present for the incident, so I had a witness as to how I handled the situation. After a reading of, "No, David!" the children were directed to the tables to draw a picture of David and write the title as best they could. During this time period, Miss Mary was working with a small group of students who needed support to complete the task. I was rotating among the tables to offer assistance as needed. I was in the middle of correcting Christopher Matthews for eating his crayons, when I heard a commotion at the table behind me.
When I turned to face the students seated there, Katie Thomas, Tyrone and Cyrus Jackson were all staring, wide-eyed, at me. I knew immediately that something was wrong. "What's going on?" I asked. Katie told me Tyrone had touched her inappropriately while Cyrus nodded in agreement. Naturally, everyone in the class stopped what they were doing to look at the trio. My mind started spinning as I tried to process what I had just heard. I knew that I had to act quickly before I lost control of the situation. I told the children to flip their papers over and draw whatever they wanted on the back. I asked Miss Mary to keep the paper flowing for those who finished their drawings. After that, I separated Tyrone and Katie and called down to the office to report what had happened. "Mrs. Conroy will be up in a minute," Ms. Monroe had said. Mrs. Conroy is the school counselor.
Pin Me Please!By the time Mrs. Conroy entered my classroom, I had taken three separate statements from Katie, Tyrone and Cyrus about the incident. Although Tyrone admitted to touching Katie inappropriately, he said he'd touched her by accident. In contrast, Katie and Cyrus stated that they both had told Tyrone to stop what he was doing, and he didn't until Cyrus threatened to tell the teacher. When Mrs. Conroy arrived we spoke briefly about what had taken place. She advised me to write a pink slip and an intervention form for Tyrone; she would handle the rest. After that, she left with Katie and Tyrone. Katie's father, Mr. Thomas, had a few angry words for me at dismissal. "Where were you while this was happening?" "Weren't you paying attention?" "What kind of a teacher let's this happen?" Katie had gone home shortly after the incident with Tyrone, but her father had returned to pick up his other children. I explained to Mr. Thomas that, I wished I had become aware of what was going on with Katie sooner, but I couldn't see what was happening because it had occurred under the table and was out of my line of sight. Mr. Thomas didn't seem too happy with my defense, and as a parent, I guess I can understand that. However, there are 25 children in my classroom and I'm dealing with a lot of difficult behaviors. After I left work at 6:00, I called my husband and told him what had happened with my students. To help lift my spirits, he took me out to dinner. At the restaurant, we sat at the bar, and although I don't usually drink, I had a few glasses of sangria and got a little tipsy.
Have you ever dealt with a similar situation?
