Dawn Renee Stephens's Blog, page 8

5 Eye-opening Reasons why people think of God as a Potter

We think of God as a potter for many reasons. I have explored this idea more and more after writing three children’s books about a vessel and its creator. As a result, these books are all allegories that represent the relationship mankind has with God.

The main character is a vessel named Little Pot. In the book, Little Pot discovers why the potter made it. In this blog, Little Pot wishes to share the process of being made. The process a potter uses to create a vessel will illustrate important truths about how God makes into a vessel ready to be used by Him

God the Potter

It may be obvious, but it is important to note that God is the potter. He is the creator of all. The Bible has ninety-two different verses that reference potter or clay imagery. A list of some can be found here.

I recently read a thesis project by Karl Alan Stelzer who is a potter and a minister. He gives incredible insight into the imagery of God as a potter. You can also listen to a sermon he gives on this topic here.

Clay in the Potter’s Hands

A potter creates vessels and God created us. Likewise, there is something more personable about how a potter forms the vessels. The potter uses his hands to form vessels. If you notice when God created everything in the universe, He spoke it into existence. However, with mankind, he formed them from the dirt (or clay). Watching a potter form a vessel is different than watching other creators. A painter with a brush, a writer with a keyboard, a builder with bricks, or even a carpenter using a saw is not the same as a potter who puts both hands around a lump of clay.

Yet you, Lord are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter, we are all the work of your hand.

Isaiah 64:8

You are the Potter and I am the Clay

The following five steps will illustrate reasons that we can think of God as a potter.

1. God as a potter, wedges the clayWedging is the first step that the potter does.

His hands work out unwanted air bubbles. He softens it into a pliable lump that is ready for the wheel. This is known as wedging. To successfully wedge a piece of clay, the potter throws it onto a hard surface pushes, pulls, and smacks the clay. Also, a lump of clay holds the memory of its previous container. Wedging it will remove the memory of that form and prepare it to be centered on the wheel. When we allow the potter, God to wedge us He removes unwanted spaces. He helps us to move past the form that we previously held. It may feel a bit painful as He pushes and pulls at us too.

2. God as a potter, centers the clayCentering is the next step.

Once the potter feels the clay is ready, he places it on the wheel for centering. Centering brings the clay in balance. Centering the clay requires that the potter move and control the clay. A beginner potter allows the clay to move their hands. Likewise, we try to move God in the way we want to go. However, a master potter will spin and apply pressure to the side and top of the clay. Finally, the clay will rest and succumb to the potter’s hands. Only then is the clay balanced. Just as we become in balance when we no longer try to go our own way and rest in God’s hands.

3. OpeningThe Potter then opens the clay.

The third reason is that the potter must open the clay. In order to open the clay, the potter finds the center and gently pushes it downward. This makes a small indentation at the top center of the clay. The potter does not dig the clay out. Instead, he gently moves it while widening the opening. In this step, the lump of clay becomes a vessel and the change has begun. Once the opening is wide enough the potter can take a sponge and clean the inside. He continues to check for balance as well. This step illustrates how we are to be completely open to God and willing for Him to control us.

4. Lifting UpGod lifts us up.

After opening the clay, the potter quickly begins lifting it upward. The hands of the potter guide the clay into a tall cylinder. The clay is very fragile at this stage because the walls are very thin. The potter does not force the clay. He simply uses both hands to guide it moving it always up. The potter gently puts one hand inside the vessel and the other on the outside. When the clay is moving with the potter on the inside, the outside of the vessel takes care of itself.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

1 Peter 5:6

The Lord upholds all who fall

    and lifts up all who are bowed down.

Psalm 145:14

5. ShapingGod shapes us into the vessel He wants us to be.

Lastly, the final step is for the potter to shape the clay into the form he has planned. During this step, the potter slows the wheel down and spins very specific details into the clay. In addition, the potter never takes his eyes off of the vessel. Each stroke the potter does has a purpose in shaping the vessel. The clay still must remain completely centered and at the will of the potter. The slightest shift can mean that the clay will collapse, making it necessary to start the process again. As Jeremiah 18:4 describes, when the vessel becomes flawed, the potter forms it into a new vessel.

Once the potter has finished, he has created a vessel for a specific purpose. In the three books: The Little Pot, The Tea Pot, and The Oil Lamp, the different vessels discover their unique purposes. We are each given a specific purpose too. Our potter, God created us in a specific way to fulfill the plans He has for us. (Eph. 2:10)

God as a potter wants you to grow the fruit of the Spirit

Little Pot also helps children (and adults) become fruit-bearing vessels! Therefore, I want you to have this FREE booklet. It will show you and your children how “the Potter” will grow the fruit of the Spirit through you. When you sign up, you are added to the email list. Consequently, each Friday you will receive a short, fruitful email of fun information and additional freebies. I hope you will join me. You can unsubscribe at any time.

The Little Pot, The Tea Pot, and The Oil Lamp are also available on Amazon.

Disclosure: The links above are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

If you prefer to buy the entire set as a signed copy, go here. If you would like to schedule Dawn for a speaking engagement or author visit, go here.

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Eight Ways to Celebrate the Month of Poetry with a New Nursery Rhyme

The month of poetry falls in April. It is a great time to help our children learn to appreciate and understand poems and various forms of poetry. Children need to know and understand poetry. The Bible itself contains poetry. In fact, 30% of the Bible is made up of ancient poetry. Therefore, exposing our children to poetry will help them understand scripture. Likewise, understanding scripture and reading biblical poetry will deepen their relationship with their creator. Learning a new Nursery Rhyme is a great way to begin.

When I taught kindergarten and preschool, I knew that helping children to learn traditional rhymes would make it easier for them to learn to read. Because there was much more to teach than reading, my colleague and I rewrote the poems to include scientific and mathematical concepts. I have made each of these new nursery rhyme lyrics into a downloadable book. They are called the Mother Goose Meets Mother Nature series and include eight Mother Goose Rhymes.

1. Month of Poetry with Jack and JillJack and Jill Learn About Water

In the traditional lyrics of this rhyme, Jack and Jill go up a hill to fetch a pail of water. In our version, Jack and Jill hike up a huge hill that is more like a mountain. They go high enough that they are not filling their pails with water, but with snow and ice. When they return back down the mountain, they discover the ice has melted into water. Discovering that it is the temperature that changes the state of the water, they apply more heat, boil the liquid and make steam.

2. Mary Learns About Animal CoveringsMary Learns About Animal Coverings

In the nursery rhyme, Mary had a Little Lamb, the lamb’s wool is referred to as fleece. Helping a child to learn about fleece and wool is a great start to children learning about different animal coverings. In our version, Mary has one lamb. Then she has two snakes, and finally three birds. The book purposely follows a sequential order of 1, 2, and 3, so that children will be inspired to continue the pattern with additional numbers and other animals. The three types of animals chosen (a lamb, snakes, and birds) were selected to illustrate fur, scales, and feathers. In science, children discover that God created animals with different coverings for the purpose of adapting each species to different habitats. This book pictures different landscapes to help children identify not just an animal’s body covering, but its habitat as well.

3. Month of Poetry with Humpty DumptyHumpty Dumpty Learns About Positions

In the traditional lyrics of Humpty Dumpty, an egg is sitting and falling off a wall. In our version, the egg is a baby eagle and is sitting on a very high ledge where an eagle nest is located. The eggs are baby eagles or eaglets. The new text teaches children positional words that are also opposites. Children need to understand and use these words in Science so they are able to describe the relationships that objects have to one another and the perspective of their observations. In the story, Humpty decides to go out of the nest and hang his feet over the edge, The other eggs want Humpty to get back in the nest. But, Humpty breaks out of his shell, and flies above, under, and around. Not only does Humpty learn positional words, but he also motivates children to try their best.

4. Little Miss Muffet Learns About SpidersLittle Miss Muffet Learns About Spiders

We are sometimes afraid of the things we do not understand. Therefore LIttle Miss Muffet must learn more about spiders to help her overcome her fear of them. In this version of the poem, she compares and contrasts a spider to an insect and learns the differences between them. Children learn about the specific number of body parts for each. They also learn the number of legs and eyes for spiders and insects.

5. Jack B. Nimble Learns About ShadowsJack B. Nimble Learns About Shadows

Instead of jumping over a candlestick, Jack is trying to jump over his shadow. Before Jack can understand if he is able to jump over his shadow, he first must learn the science of where shadows come from. The lyrics within this rhyme teach students what makes a shadow and that it must move with its source. A great activity after reading this book is to take the children outside and see if they can jump their shadows.

6. Month of Poetry with Jack SpratJack Sprat Learns About Food

Jack Sprat ate no fat and his wife would not eat lean. In our version, Jack helps his wife to understand the different food groups. In this text, children learn what a healthy diet includes. Mrs. Sprat prepares a well-balanced meal for Jack that includes meat, milk, cheese, fruit, vegetables, and bread. However, Mrs. Sprat will not eat the meat, Therefore, Jack explains that she is missing important protein, and offers her nuts and beans as a substitute. The new lyrics help children learn and understand the science behind a healthy and nutritious diet.

7. Month of Poetry with Peter Peter Peter Peter Learns About Decay and Growth

Peter Peter put his wife in a pumpkin shell? That is an odd thing to do until you realize that in our version Peter Peter is a squirrel who loves eating pumpkins so much that he wants his wife to live in one. However, pumpkins make terrible homes because they rot and decay. Peter Peter learns all about this process and how new pumpkins can grow.

8. Hickory, the Mouse Learns About TimeHickory, the Mouse Learns About Time and Routines

In this Hickory Dickory Dock nursery rhyme, Hickory is a mouse who learns that his day follows a routine. In addition, his routine follows the hours of the clock. Therefore, he must learn to tell time. Children will learn that telling time is important because it helps us move through our day with purpose.

If you do not wish to use the entire set during them month of poetry, we recommend you use them throughoput the year in the following order.

The Mother Goose meets Mother Nature Recommended Timeline

September: (Routines and Schedules) “Hickory, the Mouse Learns About Time” and “Teach About Time with Hickory, the Mouse”.

October: (Pumpkins) “Peter-Peter Learns About Decay and Growth” and “Teach About Decay and Growth with Peter-Peter”.

November: (Healthy eating habits) “Jack Sprat Learns About Food” and “Teach About Food with Jack Sprat”.

December/January: (Snow and ice, States of Matter) “Jack and Jill Learn About Water” and “Teach About Water with Jack and Jill”.

February: (Shadows) “Jack B. Nimble Learns About Shadows“ and “Teach About Shadows with Jack B. Nimble”.

March: (Animals and Habitats) “Mary Learns About Animal Coverings” and “Teach About Animal Coverings with Mary”.

April: (Insects and Spiders) “Little Miss Muffet Learns About Spiders” and “Teach About Spiders with Little Miss Muffet”.

May: (Life Cycles and Positional Words) “Humpty Dumpty Learns About Positions” and “Teach About Positions with Humpty Dumpty”.

Sign up for the 7 steps to become fruit-bearing vessels and we will notify you each month when a new teacher’s guide is released.

If you want to read more on this topic, check out the Helpful Professor.

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Three Happy Ways to Celebrate Easter Basket with Little Pot

There are ways to celebrate Easter Basket. Little Pot and its friends have three new ways that can make the Easter season more delightful.

A Little Pot as the BasketUse a clay pot as an easter basket and read The Little Pot

Instead of a traditional basket, why not use a clay Pot instead. You can fill it with traditional Easter basket items or use it to plant something that will grow. Pair the easter pot with The Little Pot picture book to create a truly happy gift.

Ways to Celebrate Easter Basket? Make Tea Pot the Basket.A teapot can be used for an Easter basket.

You can also use a Tea Pot instead of the traditional Easter Basket. Pairing this container with The Tea Pot picture book makes a great way for children to connect the Easter holiday to serving others.

The Oil Lamp as an Easter GiftRead The Oil Lamp and discuss how important it is to shine at Easter.

An oil lamp is too small for an Easter basket. However, pairing it with The Oil Lamp picture book will help children to realize that even though they are small, they have a bright light to shine. Their lights shine brightest when they tell others about Jesus and Easter is a perfect time to share Him with the world.

Each of these vessels has a unique relationship with its creator, the potter. Easter is more special and happy when our children are in a close relationship with their creator too. After all, we need to make sure our children are celebrating the day that Jesus rose from the grave instead of a day when they eat candy from baskets. Consequently, I would love to help you instill a stronger friendship between your child(ren) and The Potter. Discover the unique way you were created. Just fill in your name and email below to get started.

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Ideas to Celebrate Easter with Scriptures for Resurrection Sunday

Ideas to celebrate Easter can be more than a one day event. Holy week begins on Palm Sunday, one week before Easter. A lot takes place in the week between Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey while people are shouting Hosanna to the day he is risen. This week tells us so much about Jesus and His love for us. Therefore, I’ve provided some scriptures to read each day followed by an activity.

Begin to celebrate on Palm Sunday Begin on Palm Sunday and follow the activities listed.Read Matthew 21:1-11 together.Collect branchesLay them along a pathImagine Jesus on a donkey walking over them.Talk about what Hosanna means, Then sing Hosanna, clap, dance, and play any instruments they might make. You can find Hosanna songs on Youtube to sing along with.On Monday, read what Jesus does in at the temple.On Monday, read the scripture about Jesus in the temple.Read Matthew 21:12-17 together.Use blocks to build with. Have them name the building they built.Talk about what Jesus said the temple should be called.What were the merchants doing at the temple?What did Jesus do at the temple?Spend time praying together.The Ideas to Celebrate Easter Continue on TuesdayOn Tuesday, read about the cursed fig tree and learn how Jesus continues to reveal Himself as God.Go on a nature walk and talk about which trees are growing or blooming?Stop and read Matthew 21:18-22 together.What happened when Jesus spoke words over the fig tree? Why?How did this event reveal that Jesus was God?Enjoy a snack of Fig Newtons.On Wednesday another important event happens.Learn about how Judas traded coins to tell the guards about Jesus

During this day, children can learn a lot about how they feel about Jesus. My own grandchildren absolutely love having money. If I give one of them coins, the other one will beomce quite upset that they do not have any. They will fight over who has more pennies. It amazies me, because they do not understand the value or worth of a the money they so desperately want to hold. On this day, they will see that Jesus is better than any money.

Read Matthew 26:14-16 together.Get 30 coins. (If possible, 30 silver dollars or 30 quarters)Ask your child to count it.How important is money to us?What parts of knowing Jesus do we trade so we can have money?Go on a shopping trip. Instead of buying something for yourself, get something to give a friend in need. Or, give the coins to a homeless person.Thursday is all about the Lord’s SupperOn Thursday read scriptures about the Lord’s SupperPrepare some bread and juice.Read Matthew 26:26-30 together.Discuss what Jesus did, why he washed the disciple’s feet, and what was illustrated with the bread and wine.Eat a piece of bread and drink some juice together.Wash each other’s feet. Discuss how it feels to have someone else wash your feet and how it feels to wash another’s. What can we learn from this?On Friday, read about the crucifixion.Read Matthew 27:15-31 together.Discuss the text. How do you think it felt to Barabbas?Why was Jesus willing to die in his place? Make a cross with two sticks and a piece of string.Jesus died in place of us too. Discuss that the Bible tells us that death is the payment of our sin. Talk about specific sins we commit each day and then discuss that Jesus died for those sins too.Pray and thank Him for loving us that much.Ideas to Celebrate Easter on Saturday and SundayOn Saturday and Resurrection Sunday, read about the empty tomb.Read Matt. 27:62-28:7 together.Discuss the text. What did Jesus say would happen and what did happen?Using a small clay pot, a clay dish, dirt, and stones make a replica of the tomb. You can find a lot of examples online.Use a larger stone to cover the opening of the tomb.Then on Easter morning, roll away the stone covering the opening of the empty tomb.Explain that Jesus is alive and that is why we celebrate Easter!

These are things you can do for the week of Easter. However, Little Pot celebrates Jesus year round by growing the fruit of the Spirit. We would love you to join us on our fruit bearing journey by signing up below.

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3 Ways Lyrics to Mary Had a Little Lamb Nursery Rhyme Teach About Animals

The lyrics to Mary Had a Little Lamb Nursery Rhyme has been used with children for centuries. There is some dispute about where they originated. However, most believe the original poem was written by Sarah Hale and based on a girl named Mary Sawyer from Sterling, Massachusetts.

As a part of “The Mother Goose Meets Mother Nature” books, we’ve designed a resource that uses the lyrics to Mary Had a Little Lamb to teach about animals. In addition, it helps children to grow spiritually, socially, and academically allows them to become produce the fruit of the Spirit.

These three areas are more specifically described in the whole child approach and the holistic education model.

Mary Had a Little Lamb Rhyme

In the new nursery rhyme created with Mary and her lamb, Mary had one lamb, two snakes, and three birds. The “Mary Learns About Animal Coverings” printable guided reading book extends children’s knowledge of different types of animals and their body coverings. You can read more about this resource in another post. Additionally, teachers and students can use this new nursery rhyme to grow three ways with our book and the: “Teach About Animal Coverings with Mary and Her Lamb” (available as a bundle on Teachers Pay Teachers)

Grow spiritually, socially, and academically with Mary Had a Little Lamb Nursery Rhyme Lyrics1. Spiritual Growth using Mary Had a Little Lamb

In the lyrics to our version of the Mary Had a Little Lamb Nursery Rhyme, children are learning about different animal coverings. They explore fur or lamb’s wool. LIkewise, the learn that snakes have scales and birds have feathers. When children gain an understanding that God made animals with different coverings, it opens up a world of curiousity.

Our God is so creative and each and everything He creates is unique and different. He gives us what we need to survive and thrive within the roles He has created for us. This is not just true for humans, it is also true for animals. A wonderful verse to share with them as they learn about animal coverings is Genesis 3:21. In this verse, God creates coverings for Adam and Eve from animal skins. Adam and Eve had already tried to cover themselves but God provided a better means.

Older children can beging to understand that if God made clothes from the animal, He must have killed it and therefore, the animal’s blood was shed. This act covered their sin as well as the skins covering their nakedness. God provided just what was needed. You might ask the children to share how God provides clothes for them. Maybe they have an older sibling or cousin who gives them hand-me-down clothes.

From this discussion, you can talk to the students about why animals don’t wear clothes. Adam and Eve did not need them until they had sinned and learned to be ashamed of themselves. Animals are not ashamed of their bodies. In the teaching resource, students get to create clothes for Adam and Eve.

Grow spiritually by learning God’s Word with Mary Had a Little Lamb activities.2. Social Growth with Mary Had a Little Lamb

Allowing students to work on an activity as a team promotes social growth. Have children search for pictures of animals in magazines, the internet, even in their toyboxes. Then create areas where children can sort the animals according to the coverings they have. You should have a groups for fur, scales, and feathers. In addition, you can have groups for shells and skin. Children might discover tha some animals could go in two different categories. This is a great time to create Venn Diagrams. In the teaching resource, students are provided labels and animal pictures to creat posters or interactive journals.

Social Growth happens when we stem integrity and form good relationships. The activities with Mary Had a Little Lamb help children to grow socially.3. Academic Growth with the Lyrics to Mary Had a Little Lamb Nursery Rhyme.

Extending the learning beyond science will allow students to grow their knowledge of math and reading too. Therefore, the lyrics to Mary had a Little Lamb Nursery Rhyme within this resource purposefully move in a sequential counting pattern. Mary has one lamb, two snakes, and three birds. The children should then test their knowledge by continuing the pattern with additional types of animals. What animal could Mary have four of? If Mary lives on a farm, what animals might she have? If she visits the jungle, what animals would she find? How does an animal’s covering help it survive within the climate that it lives in? During this study, it is a great time to visit a zoo and record the many animals and their coverings.

Learning about the animals and their coverings help children to grow academically

In conclusion, you can find other creative teaching resources that use different Nursery Rhyme Lyrics each month. And, because Little Pot believes that spiritual, social, and academic growth produce the fruit of the Spirit, each guide contains these three sections. Sign up below to get notified when a new resource has been released.

The Mother Goose meets Mother Nature Recommended Timeline

September: (Routines and Schedules) “Hickory, the Mouse Learns About Time” and “Teach About Time with Hickory, the Mouse”.

October: (Pumpkins) “Peter-Peter Learns About Decay and Growth” and “Teach About Decay and Growth with Peter-Peter”.

November: (Healthy eating habits) “Jack Sprat Learns About Food” and “Teach About Food with Jack Sprat”.

December/January: (Snow and ice, States of Matter) “Jack and Jill Learn About Water” and “Teach About Water with Jack and Jill”.

February: (Shadows) “Jack B. Nimble Learns About Shadows“ and “Teach About Shadows with Jack B. Nimble”.

March: (Animals and Habitats) “Mary Learns About Animal Coverings” and “Teach About Animal Coverings with Mary”.

April: (Insects and Spiders) “Little Miss Muffet Learns About Spiders” and “Teach About Spiders with Little Miss Muffet”.

May: (Life Cycles and Positional Words) “Humpty Dumpty Learns About Positions” and “Teach About Positions with Humpty Dumpty”.

Sign up for the 7 steps to become fruit-bearing vessels and we will notify you each month when a new teacher’s guide is released.

If you want to read more on this topic, check out the Helpful Professor.

The post 3 Ways Lyrics to Mary Had a Little Lamb Nursery Rhyme Teach About Animals appeared first on Inspirational Children’s Books & Creative Teacher Resources.

How Corduroy’s search for a friend can lead us to one.

We all search for a friend at times. Young children need friends from the stuffed animals surrounding their bed to the strangers they boldly say hello to in stores and restaurants. God created us with a desire for relationships. We were created in His image and He desires a relationship with us too. It is through our searching for a friend, that Christ finds us. A great book that I believe illustrates our searching and God’s finding is Corduroy by Don Freeman.

A bear named Corduroy searches for a friend.Finding the best friend of all with a bear named Corduroy.

Long before there was Toy Story, there was a bear named Corduroy. This children’s book written by Don Freeman was first published in 1968. I can actually remember reading it as a child. In the story, a little stuffed bear sits on a shelf with other toys. The book explains that the bear waited day after day for somebody to come along and take it home. No one ever seemed to want this little stuffed animal. Eventually, a young girl named Lisa comes into the store and looks straight into Corduroy’s eyes. She asked her mom if she could buy him and her mom said she cannot. The reasons are that they’ve already spent too much money and that the little bear does not look new. It is missing a button on its overall strap.

A search for a buttonHis search for a button led to Corduroy finding a friend.

Corduroy never knew his button was missing until Lisa’s mother pointed it out. Just as we do not always see our faults until someone else points them out. Corduroy believed that having a button would make him worthy of Lisa’s love. Therefore, he set out to search for his missing button. Likewise, we often feel we need to do things to earn God’s favor as well.

As Corduroy searched through the department store that night, he discovers things about himself and is able to experience things he has always wanted to do. For example, as he stumbles onto an escalator, he thinks he is on a mountain and decides he has always wanted to climb a mountain. Then at the top, he sees furniture and thinks he is in a palace. He has always wanted to live in a palace. Corduroy is similar to Little Pot because he believes each new experience will bring him happiness.

Eventually, he does find a button attached to a mattress and tries to pull it off. As he tries to remove it, he knocks over a lamp. He is then found by a security guard. The guard returns him to the toy shelf without his missing button. Corduroy is right back where he started. I don’t know about you, but whenever I try to do things on my own without God, I usually end up right where I started as well.

A search for a friend that rescues and saves.Friends rescue and save us. Jesus rescued and saved us from our sins, making Him the best friend of all.

The next morning, as Corduroy awakes he sees Lisa, the same girl from the day before. Her search for a friend included going home and collecting money from her piggy bank to buy the little bear. She had paid the price to make Corduroy her own and to take him home. At Lisa’s home Corduroy gains the two things that he knows he has always wanted: a home and a friend.

Jesus has done the same thing for us. First, he paid for us. His death on the cross was the cost that was required. It forgave us of our sins. He paid that price so that we could be welcomed into His family, be His friend, and have a home with Him.

Lisa also gives Corduroy a new button. Although, she tells Corduroy that she likes him just the way he is. She sews a button on his overalls to make him more comfortable. God loves us just the way we are too. However, He provides the things we need as well. Buttons and all.

Our search for a friend leads us to Jesus.

Don Freeman never intended this story to be a vessel that would tell the gospel. I was even told once that he was an atheist. I am not sure if that is true, but I think it is wonderful to know that God’s story exists within all stories. Sometimes we are being vessels to grow His fruit without ever trying.

If you want your stories to tell others the Good News of Jesus and know the steps to growing the fruit of the Spirit? Little Pot and I can show you. Just sign up below.

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3 Ways Dr. Seuss lyrics can easily teach children how to read

Dr. Seuss lyrics can be heard on Dr. Seuss Radio. In short, it is a fun way for kids to listen to different Dr. Seuss books. On the other hand, if you are looking for a list of Dr. Seuss’s books, we suggest you look here. Meanwhile, this blog will discuss the ways Dr. Seuss’s lyrics easily teach children how to read.

Imagine That! How Dr. Seuss Wrote the Cat in the Hat

If you have not read Imagine That! How Dr. Seuss Wrote The Cat in the Hat. I suggest you do. Similarly, this story describes some of what is discussed in this blog.

A book about the writing of The Cat and the HatThe history before Dr. Seuss lyrics

Before The Cat and the Hat, when schools were first established, there were no books in the schools, and children were asked to bring the books they had at home. The most common book that children brought was the Bible. These schools had many levels and ages of children learning together. The teaching focused on individual letters and phonics.

Early 1900s

The first popular reading textbook was the McGuffey reader first printed in 1836. This series of primers for grades 1-6 were used in American schools from the mid 19th century to the early 20th century. In addition, there are homeschoolers still using these books today. The pages in these books are filled with words that students read in isolation of sentences and stories. When a child could read enough words he or she would be given a book like The Circus Book published in 1913. This was a common book during the 1930s.

historical books that taught reading1940s

During this time, educators realized that some children had difficulty with sounds. Consequently, the whole-word reading method was implemented. In addition, there was a greater emphasis on illustrations, and children were taught to look at the entire word and read by sight. This led to the creation of the Dick and Jane books. These books were introduced in the 1940s.

1950s

The Dick and Jane books were supposed to relate to a child’s experiences. However, the setting of these books was a suburban neighborhood where all the characters were white. Their father worked and their mother stayed home and took care of the house.

More importantly, the text-only allowed a limited number of words and therefore, never created a plot. Children were inadvertently taught that books and stories were boring. They had little motivation for reading.

Why we celebrate Read Across America during Dr. Seuss’ Birthday.We celebrate Read Across America Week during Dr. Seuss’s birthday.

In the 1950’s something wonderful happened. Theodore Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, had been writing books for kids that were anything but boring. At that time, this book and others by Dr. Seuss were very popular. Therefore, two prominent textbook publishers asked Theodore Geisel to try and write an exciting book using only two hundred and twenty specific words. He did it and In 1957 The Cat and the Hat was published. This book changed everything. It provided three important aspects children need when learning to read.

3 reasons why Dr. Seuss’s lyrics are a great way to teach children to read.1. Dr. Seuss lyrics tell an exciting story

We have spent a lot of time discussing the importance of the story. However, there still exists curricula and textbooks that demonstrate to children that the elements of a good story are not necessary within the cover of a book. Therefore, I caution you to not allow your children and students to only read simple readers that have no plot. Today the reading of books competes with endless movies and video games. Both of which are exciting to children. More than ever, we must help them to see how the world of reading can be exciting. Likewise, books will allow them to venture into a dangerous and astonishing journey.

2. Dr. Seuss lyrics rhyme and teach word families

Everyone knows that Dr. Seuss is masterful at making up rhymes. Words that rhyme are typically spelled the same at the end. Therefore, we say they are in a word family. Words like cat and hat teach students reading through both phonemic awareness (sound) and sight.

3. Dr. Seuss lyrics reach across all cultures

Children need to see themselves in the books they read. They need to be able to identify with the characters in the book. As our world changes, so does children’s literature.

1960s

During the civil rights movement in the 1960s, President Lyndon Johnson worked to improve educational opportunities for underprivileged students. After that, book publishers knew their books needed to reflect a more diverse population of students. Even The Dick and Jane series gained their first African-American character.

Today with Dr. Seuss lyrics

The Dr. Seuss books have been a leader in the efforts. Just recently, three books were taken out of print because they were not a good representation of all people. His first book, “And to Think That I Saw It On Mulberry Street” is one. You can read about it here. Publishers continue to seek books that represent all cultures.

Also, use books that introduce children to their creator

As a teacher, I lived through many of the changes in reading methods and books. That is one reason, I worked to create the Mother Goose Meets Mother Nature Series. Consequently, these downloadable books contain easy to memorize texts that help children see and say new words. In these books, new nursery rhyme lyrics teach important science and math skills. You can read more about them here. We are also developing teacher guides for each book and a yearly curriculum that implements spiritual, social, and academic growth into each book.

Mother Goose Meets Mother Nature Curriculum Schedule

September: (Routines and Schedules) “Hickory, the Mouse Learns About Time” and “Teach About Time with Hickory, the Mouse”.

October: (Pumpkins) “Peter-Peter Learns About Decay and Growth” and “Teach About Decay and Growth with Peter-Peter”.

November: (Healthy eating habits) “Jack Sprat Learns About Food” and “Teach About Food with Jack Sprat”.

December/January: (Snow and ice, States of Matter) “Jack and Jill Learn About Water” and “Teach About Water with Jack and Jill”.

February: (Shadows) “Jack B. Nimble Learns About Shadows“ and “Teach About Shadows with Jack B. Nimble”.

March: (Animals and Habitats) “Mary Learns About Animal Coverings” and “Teach About Animal Coverings with Mary”.

April: (Insects and Spiders) “Little Miss Muffet Learns About Spiders” and “Teach About Spiders with Little Miss Muffet”.

May: (Life Cycles and Positional Words) “Humpty Dumpty Learns About Positions” and “Teach About Positions with Humpty Dumpty”.

And a fourth quality that books should have

Personally, I think that books should also contain a fourth quality. In addition, I believe that books should point children to their creator and help them to know Him personally. The books: The LIttle Pot, The Tea Pot, and The Oil Lamp do just that. They also help develop children into fruit-bearing vessels. Therefore, if you sign up below, I’ll send you a 7-step workbook that teaches you how to grow the fruit of the Spirit.

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3 Retro Mother Goose Books

Since it is Retro Day, we thought it would be fun to share our retro mother goose books with you.

National Retro Day

Retro Day started in 2017. Robert Duran witnessed his neighbor throwing away an old projection screen and then contacted the National Day Calendar to see if there was a day to celebrate the way things used to be. There was not. Therefore, Robert founded National Retro Day. It is celebrated every year on his birthday, February 27th. Schools often celebrate this day during homecoming weeks where they dress up in costumes from different decades.

Because we use the retro mother goose rhymes as a basis for our Mother Goose Meets Mother Nature book series, we thought it would be fun to look at three Mother Goose books from back in the day.

If you search the internet for mother goose books, you will find hundreds of versions from all different periods. You see, Mother Goose has been around a very long time. The lyrics to these nursery rhymes have been published in books for many years. Consequently, I currently have three that I will share with you today.

The Real Mother Goose published in 1916 and 1944.The Real Mother Goose Book ©1916 and 1944

The oldest is a copy of The Real Mother Goose ©1914 and then renewed its copyright in 1944. The book was printed each year until 1977. If you were to purchase a copy of this book, you would pay anywhere from $12 to $60 depending on its printing date and condition. This is one of the most complete books of nursery rhymes containing over 300 rhymes in 128 pages.

Mother Goose Rhymes published in 1953.The Mother Goose Rhymes book was published in 1953.

Mother Goose Rhymes. This book was published in 1950-1953. The copyright years are written in roman numeral form. MCML-MCMLIII. The Platt and Munk Company began in 1921 in New York by Geo Platt and Arnold Munk. Arnold Munk is also Watty Piper, who is famous for writing The Little Engine that Could. They published children’s books and also sets of crayons. In 1971, Quester Education Products bought the company but kept the name Platt and Munk as a division.

This retro Mother Goose book has 90 different nursery rhymes and beautiful full-page illustrations by Eulalie Minford Banks. The illustrations are what make this retro Mother Goose truly special.

Sylvia Long’s Rendition published in 1999Sylvia Long’s Mother Goose book was published in 1999

Chronicle Books published a more recent Mother Goose collection in 1999. This collection contains more than 75 classic rhymes. Sylvia Long is the illustrator. As an illustrator myself, I find her work so inspiring. Through her illustrations, the very old Mother Goose rhymes come alive once again. feel very fortunate to own a signed copy of this retro Mother Goose book.

Mother Goose Meets Mother Nature – 1996 and 2021The Mother Goose Meets Mother Nature Books published in 1996 and 2021

As a teacher, I know that nursery rhymes are an excellent resource to teach children how to read. They’re easy to memorize texts help children to see and say new words while tracking simple phrases and sentences. That is why I worked with other teachers to develop the Other Goose Meets Mother Nature series. In these books, we rewrote nursery rhymes to teach important science and math skills. The new nursery rhyme lyrics keep the original characters and rhyme scheme.

We actually began writing these books in 1990. I guess that makes them retro too! You can read more about them here. We are also developing teacher guides for each book and a yearly curriculum that implements spiritual, social, and academic growth into each book.

September: (Routines and Schedules) “Hickory, the Mouse Learns About Time” and “Teach About Time with Hickory, the Mouse”.

October: (Pumpkins) “Peter-Peter Learns About Decay and Growth” and “Teach About Decay and Growth with Peter-Peter”.

November: (Healthy eating habits) “Jack Sprat Learns About Food” and “Teach About Food with Jack Sprat”.

December/January: (Snow and ice, States of Matter) “Jack and Jill Learn About Water” and “Teach About Water with Jack and Jill”.

February: (Shadows) “Jack B. Nimble Learns About Shadows“ and “Teach About Shadows with Jack B. Nimble”.

March: (Animals and Habitats) “Mary Learns About Animal Coverings” and “Teach About Animal Coverings with Mary”.

April: (Insects and Spiders) “Little Miss Muffet Learns About Spiders” and “Teach About Spiders with Little Miss Muffet”.

May: (Life Cycles and Positional Words) “Humpty Dumpty Learns About Positions” and “Teach About Positions with Humpty Dumpty”.

Sign up for the 7 steps to become fruit-bearing vessels. Then, we will email you when each guide is released.

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5 Ways Las Vegas Makes Me Imagine Heaven

Today I am writing this blog from fabulous Las Vegas and imagining Heaven. As I gaze out my hotel window, I am filled with the sentimental reflections of an eternal and heavenly journey. Each time I have visited this city, something significant took place in my life. The last time was in 2010. The Little Pot book was just released. Consequently I was enjoying seeing my name listed as a children’s author. Having a published book was a dream of mine and my own piece of what I could imagine heaven to be. Add that to all the wonders of being in Vegas, and I can remember the heavenly feelings that surrounded me at the time.

Heaven is the most fabulous City.

I know, for a lot of people, Vegas represents the farthest thing from heaven because it is a city full of activities Christians categorize as sinful. However, I am not one to participate in a lot of drinking and gambling. Therefore, I see Vegas as a place of magnificent lights, buildings, and design structures, I cannot help think how man’s attempt to build something this spectacular pales in comparison to what Heaven will be. Heaven is going to be the most fabulous city.

Since I do not come to Las Vegas very often, it is fun to see what has changed in the city and reflect on what has changed in my own life. Looking back, I realized I wasn’t necessarily on my way to the continuous and fulfilling writing career I had hoped for. During my last visit, I was praying over the decision of accepting a position as a school principal. I said yes to that role and am now a completely different person than I was back then. You can read about my finishing of that role here.

Since I am in Vegas again at a completely new season of life, I thought it would be fun to make a few brief comparisons between Vegas and Heaven. Afterward, you might see the eternal perspective these trips give to me.

Heaven and Las Vegas are Cities that Never Sleep.We will not need sleep in HeavenA City that Never Sleep

Las Vegas is the city that never sleeps. The lights along the strip stay on all night and it truly never gets dark. The casinos are open 24 hours so there is constant activity happening all around. Even now, two years into the pandemic, the town is full of busy people. We do not know if we will sleep in Heaven. However, we know that our heavenly bodies won’t need rest to recharge from the exhaustion of all the pain and suffering in this world.

Heaven and Las Vegas are Cities full of Light.Heaven is the Ultimate City of LIght.A City of Light

Las Vegas is the City of Lights. If you’ve followed my blog or read the Oil Lamp, you know that the concept of God being Light and our ability to shine for Him is a topic I enjoy exploring. Therefore, I cannot wait to see how Heaven will be illuminated from Jesus (Rev. 22:5). The spectacular colors that John tries to describe to us in the Bible leave me wondering. In the meantime, the light shows that exist above the streets in Vegas help me to imagine the beauty to come.

Never-Ending ResourcesHeaven will have streets of gold.Streets of Gold and Never-Ending Financial Resources.

At The Fashion Show Mall is Las Vegas, the streets look as though they are made of gold. Likewise, Heaven will have streets made of gold throughout. And the idea of gold being so accessible that it can be used as asphalt is crazy. Heaven will have endless resources available to us. To the average Vegas tourist like me, resources seem endless here. it’s easy to get caught up in the hype of paying more for something just because you are buying it in Vegas. That leads me to the next point.

There’s No Where Else No where else exists. “What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas”

Vegas has done an excellent job with the marketing campaign that what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. We have the sense that whatever we do here will have no lasting affect on anywhere else. We have a sense that this is the only place in existence. Honestly, that concept of Heaven is one of the most attractive. I love the idea that we can be in one place together with God and those that have gone before us for all eternity.  

Heaven and Las Vegas … Always Growing and ChangingThe MSG Sphere is the newest attraction being built in Las VegasAlways growing and changing.

That is not to say that we will not be busy when we are in Heaven. I already mentioned how each time I visited Vegas, I enjoy seeing what has changed. Buildings are constantly being torn down. New extravagant structures are going up. It is nothing to be walking through a casino and see workers continually repainting surfaces is an attempt to keep things sparkling new.

During this visit, the MSG Sphere was being built. It is beyond magnificent. I do not know if things beyond our own bodies will ever wear-out in Heaven. However, I look forward to being in the place that Jesus has prepared for me. Not just to exit there but to be busy there too. 

Time is a tool that God uses and eternity is the absence of time. When we finally live in the place we refer to as Heaven, we will not see things through the lenses of time. Until then, It does my heart good to reflect on the journey of this life and these short visits to Vegas as a reminder of the wonders to come.

Our eternal journey to Heaven begins when we know our creator and invite Him to live in us, growing the fruit of the Spirit. Want to know the steps to grow fruit of the Spirit? Little Pot and I can show you. Just sign up below.

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How to explain what love is. Action, Emotion, Feeling, or Fruit?

Explaining what love is can be difficult when we are talking to adults. Likewise, it can be even harder when we are teaching children. We use the word to describe so many things. It is an action word and something that we feel. We say that we love things that make us happy. Most of the time we speak about it as conditional. It is cause and effect. Something makes us feel good. Therefore, we love it. Small children are not always able to grasp the idea of cause and effect, however. They are usually repeating something they have heard. However, that is not to say they do not know how it feels. Children feel the affection of others and it is an important part of their development. We have all heard about the studies of older children who were developmentally delayed because they lacked affection as young children.

Let’s see if we can explain it as a fruit.

The fruit of the Spirit is love.

Galatians 5:22-23 tell us what the fruit of the Spirit is. It begins with love. Other places in scripture speak about love too. If you want to define it the Bible is a great source. From it, we can learn what, who, why, when, and how.

LOVE- who? what? where? when? how?What?

It is patient and kind. It is not proud, self-seeking, easily angered, or boastful (See 1 Corinthians 13).

Who is love? Who should we love?

Simply put, God is (See 1 John 4:7-21). This is why the fruit of His spirit embodies it too. Likewise, we are to love God (See Deuteronomy 6:5 and Matthew 22:37) and each other (See Matthew 22:39 and John 15:12). We are to show it to our enemies (see Matthew 5:44). We are to show it to our neighbors (see Leviticus 19:18 and Romans 13:8-10).

Why?

We love because God loves us (See 1 John 4:9) and so that others will know we are followers of Jesus (see John 13:35).

When?

God wants to know of our love for Him each morning (see Psalm 143:8). We are to love always and it should never leave us (see Proverbs 3:3-4).

How?

We put it on (see Colossians 3:14) and live in it (see 1 John 4:16). It is important to love deeply and forgive each other (see 1 Peter 4:8). We are to be genuine (see Romans 12:9) by honoring others and putting them above ourselves (see Romans 12:10). Ultimately, the greatest act of love is to be willing to die for someone else (see John 15:13).

Why God loves us.How much God loves us.

Let’s consider for a moment how we feel about something we have made. With children, think of that awesome tower they built in the block center. Or the picture they painted in the art center. When we help create something we have a greater passion for it. As parents, we completely understand this concept because of the deep affection we have for our own children. In the books about the potter and his vessels, children understand that the potter loves them because he made each one. You can read more about these stories here. Consequently, God loves us because he made each of us.

The second reason why God loves us is that he chose to die for us. We already learned that Bible (John 15:30) tells us the greatest act of love is to lay down your life for someone else. And that is exactly what Jesus did. He died so that we would not have to. His death was necessary to forgive our sins and allow us to be with Him forever.

For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son. God gave his Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to judge the world guilty, but to save the world through him.

-John 3:16-17 icb

The equation of loveLove = God. With God in us, we can = love too.

If God is love, and God lives in us then His love is in us too. If we abide in love, we abide in God. (see 1 John 4:16 and John 15:9-11). And, if love is the fruit of His Spirit we can only grow it when we are attached to God. Just as the parable of the vine and the branches illustrates in John 15:1-17.

Here’s a short video I made with kids about what love is.Want to know the steps to grow fruit of LOVE? Little Pot and I can show you.

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