Author: Claire Sakelson

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The big Print Shop drop is coming up—get ready for The Writing Mentor

Poetic devices can turn prose into poetry.

Sprinkle in alliteration or oxymoron or polysyndeton and all of a sudden, a sentence is more than just a sentence. It’s art. 

But how does one teach the art of writing this sentence? Well, the One True Sentence: Tools of Style workbooks are a great place to start. Each workbook explores twenty devices that skillful writers have at their disposal. 

Sometimes, however, writers need more time to sit with these new techniques, time to contemplate and learn and practice. That’s why we created The Writing Mentor print-outs for our Tools of Style workbooks. Each downloadable 3-5 page worksheet (found on Print Shop) supplements a specific lesson from the workbook. With every lesson, students have a chance to learn, practice, and get creative. 

Zooming in, students will: 

  • Learn from a great writer’s example of the poetic device. We’ll break it down for you.
  • Practice with scaffolded activities where students identify the poetic device and write their own with guidance.
  • Get creative by unleashing their inventiveness, be it through writing beautiful sentences, composing short poems, or drawing imaginative pictures.

What better way to learn about amplification than by writing your own amplified sentences—or to practice anaphora than by writing an anaphoric poem about yourself? 

Download a Writing Mentor: Tools of Style worksheet starting on July 20th to cultivate the writer within!

DON’T FORGET TO PLAY BINGO!

Download your Summer Bingo for free on Printshop HERE and submit a picture of your completed bingo sheet below to enter the raffles. Bingo will run June 1st through August 31st—so print out your bingo sheet and get to crossing off squares!


Summer Bingo!

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Print Shop for Primary

Scarcity is not always a bad thing. Of course, when it comes to natural resources—water and food—scarcity creates a problem. 

But scarcity also might mean that something is unique, precious.

Sometimes scarcity might prevent waste. I work tirelessly to purchase fresh vegetables that will be used completely. Too often, when I was younger, lettuce and celery and carrots would wilt, berries would mold before I had a chance to prepare them for my family. Scarcity has helped me solve this problem.

I have a dear friend, a bonafide artist, who has made a pact with herself to not only work through all the materials in her studio, but to also see what might become of trash combined with a bit of imagination. Trash to ephemera—recycle, reuse, repurpose. Sandra’s “Sunset Clouds Over SLO” (oil on repurposed cardboard, 4 x 4) fits the bill whimsically.

Coming in July, Blackbird & Company will be expanding its offering to support primary students (TK, K, 1st, and 2nd) in gaining the skills that are often overlooked in our electronic era.

Cutting, pasting, coloring, painting, folding, and making actually set the stage for higher learning. More significantly, the activities we are providing will always offer a little nugget of knowledge. I smile remembering the piggy banks of olden times, likening out Print Shop for Primary being pennies and nickels and dimes and quarters that little minds are adding to their fund of knowledge.

Our concept of offering Print Shop for Primary ABCeDarian style, constrains and connects learning to the 26 letters of the alphabet where all of the English language originates. These 26 letters, organized individually or in combination creates the 44 sounds we humans use to communicate. This truly is an awesome example where scarcity is maximized. 

Included with our July Print Shop drop, will be our ABCeDarian Activity Box. This kit will include books and projects across domains of learning—anatomy, animal life cycles, color theory, fine art, craft, the alphabet, and much more. Everything in the box will promote independent learning, fine motor skills, focus, patience, and offer information to build the fund of knowledge. Simply stated, the ABCedarian box is certain to delight!

But here’s the thing: We are only making 50! Yes, FIFTY! Because of the handmade nature of the ABCeDarian Activity Box, we decided to treat it very special. That’s scarcity for you! Watch for the release next month when Print Shop for Primary goes live.

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ABCeDarian Activity Box

Scarcity is not always a bad thing. Of course, when it comes to natural resources—water and food—scarcity creates a problem. 

But scarcity also might mean that something is unique, precious.

Sometimes scarcity might prevent waste. I work tirelessly to purchase fresh vegetables that will be completely utilized. Too often, especially when I was younger, lettuce and celery and carrots would wilt, berries would mold before I had a chance to prepare them for my family. Scarcity has helped me solve this problem.

I have a dear friend (@sandra2paint), a bonafide artist, who has made a pact with herself to not only work through all the materials in her studio, but to also see what might become of trash combined with a bit of imagination. Trash to ephemera—recycle, reuse, repurpose. Sandra’s “Sunset Clouds Over SLO” (oil on repurposed cardboard, 4 x 4) fits the bill whimsically.

Coming in July, Blackbird & Company will be expanding its offering to support primary students (TK, K, 1st, and 2nd) in gaining the skills that are often overlooked in our electronic era.

Cutting, pasting, coloring, painting, folding, and making actually set the stage for higher learning. More significantly, the activities we are providing will always offer a little nugget of knowledge. I smile remembering the piggy banks of olden times. I’m likening our “Print Shop for Primary” projects to pennies and nickels and dimes and quarters that little minds are adding to their piggy bank of knowledge.

Our concept of offering Print Shop for Primary ABCeDarian style constrains and connects learning to the 26 letters of the alphabet where all of the English language originates. These 26 letters, organized individually or in combination, create the 44 sounds we humans use to communicate. This truly is an awesome example of maximizing scarcity. 

Included with our July Print Shop drop will be our ABCeDarian Activity Box. This kit will include books and projects across ABC domains of learning—anatomy, animal life cycles, color theory, fine art, butterfly craft, the alphabet, and much more. Everything in the box will promote independent learning, fine motor skills, focus, patience, and offer information to build the fund of knowledge. Simply stated, the ABCeDarian Activity Box is certain to delight!

But here’s the thing: We are only making 50! Yes, FIFTY! Because of the handmade nature of the ABCeDarian Activity Box, we decided to treat it very special.

That’s scarcity for you!

Watch closely for the release next month when Print Shop for Primary goes live.

Don’t miss out!

~Kim

HAVE YOU STARTED PLAYING SUMMER BINGO?

Download your Summer Bingo for free on Printshop HERE and submit a picture of your completed bingo sheet below to enter the raffles. Bingo will run June 1st through August 31st—so print out your bingo sheet and get to crossing off squares!


Summer Bingo!

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Submit to Reveal now—July 1st is right around the corner!

Everyone has a story to tell.

Everyone has an idea or an experience or a perspective so unique that it demands to be shared. 

That’s the magic of Reveal. Reveal is the finger on the pulse of our student community. When I read this journal, I catch a glimpse of the hearts of our students because with every piece of writing comes a sliver of the author’s soul. Writing carries power! It’s personal!

Reveal (our Blackbird & Company literary journal) is how we highlight students’ unique voices and big ideas. Check out the Reveal 2024 and Reveal 2025 editions to see for yourself.  

But don’t wait too long—submissions for Reveal 2026 close July 1st! 

Submit your student’s work here to give them a chance to be featured in this upcoming issue. 

May these printed words spur on your creativity!


DON’T FORGET TO PLAY BINGO!

Download your Summer Bingo for free on Printshop HERE and submit a picture of your completed bingo sheet below to enter the raffles. Bingo will run June 1st through August 31st—so print out your bingo sheet and get to crossing off squares!


Summer Bingo!

~ Claire S.

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Hop on a summer reading safari!

One of my favorite parts of summer is the freedom this season offers.

While it’s wonderful to explore literature through a structured curriculum, there’s a different kind of wonder in meandering through the literary jungle on your own, going wherever the wind and your whims take you. So what better time to traverse genres and worlds and stories than during this upcoming summer? Put on your safari hat and jump in the Jeep; it’s time to explore.

To get inspiration for which books to crack open as I lay at the beach, I asked Blackbird & Company teachers for recommendations. Take a look at these books and see if any strike a spark within your soul—personally, I can’t wait to bushwack  through these new worlds!

Ms. Cathi: The Keeper of the Bees by Gene Stratton-Porter

When I was young, I used to spend the night with my great-grandma in her tiny apartment. She had a wonderful collection of Reader’s Digest hardcover anthologies that was an early delight because I could devour an entire story in just one night, quietly snuggled in the bed next to her while she slept. She also had a collection of Gene Stratton-Porter books that eventually attracted my attention and kept me engaged for much longer than just one night of reading.

My favorite in the collection is The Keeper Of The Bees. Full of beautiful descriptions of nature, both human and botanical, I was drawn into the story of human tragedy, passion, heroic self-sacrifice, pure virtue, and devoted love on display amongst vibrant colors of flowers, trees, stormy clouds, and of course, bees.

I pull this favorite from my shelf once per year for a reminder of my Memaw’s legacy of rich reading she placed into my hands. I always read with tears and finish with a full heart as I am reminded of how wonderful life can be when not just lived, but shared lovingly with others around us.

          ~ Ms. Cathi

Ms. Lori: Five Children and It by Edith Nesbit

One of my all-time favorite romantic comedies is You’ve Got Mail. A great truth is revealed in this movie by the main character, Kathleen Kelly when she says, “When you read a book as a child it becomes a part of your identity in a way no other reading in your whole life does.” I was an avid reader as a child and each one of those books is not only seared in my memory, but they also molded my future literary tastes. I enjoy all genres—historical fiction, adventure, mystery—but fantasy/science fiction is my absolute favorite. I escaped into the world of Narnia through a wardrobe with C.S. Lewis, walked Middle Earth with J.R.R. Tolkien, and flew into outer space do battle against an alien race with Orson Scott Card. 

But what started it all was a book my librarian aunt read to me as a 4-year-old, Five Children and It, by E. Nesbit. This delightful, magical fantasy revolves around five siblings who come upon a sand-fairy buried in a gravel-pit. Now, don’t be thinking Tinkerbell, this sand-fairy is ugly and grumpy, and grants wishes grudgingly, and all wishes turn to stone at sunset. As you can imagine the children become involved in a series of adventures with unintended consequences. It is all great fun, so much so that the future author Edgar Eager was inspired to write a book for children based on it called Half Magic. His book is wonderful, but I highly recommend that you read the book that started it all, Five Children and It.

          ~ Ms. Lori

Ms. Clare: Wonder by R. J. Palacio

My favorite summer reads are the books you can read over and over again and still uncover something new in, be moved to tears by, remember something lost, and be reminded of the kind of person you want to be in the world. That is what the story of Wonder does for me. Mr. Tushman, the principal in the story, reminds us in his end of the year speech, to be “kinder than is necessary”—that we can make the world a little better and maybe, just maybe someone may recognize in us the face of God glimmering in human form.

Download your Summer Bingo for free on Printshop HERE and submit a picture of your completed bingo sheet below to enter the raffles. Bingo will run June 1st through August 31st—so print out your bingo sheet and get to crossing off squares!


Summer Bingo!


Summer Bingo!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let the summer inspiration begin!

~ Claire S.

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Did someone say summer fun? Bingo!

If you enjoy reading, summer, and fun, then you’re in for a treat: summer bingo is here! But this isn’t any old bingo—this is Blackbird & Company Summer Bingo!

For the months of June, July, and August, we have a unique challenge for you to conquer. Take a look at these 24 squares, featuring activities that range from the arts (like “Write a summer haiku” or “Read a Blackbird book”) to just pure summer fun (like “Make a smoothie” or “Draw on the sidewalk with chalk”). Over the next few months, you’ll have time to chip away at these activities.

Now here’s where the prizes come in. 

With every bingo you get (which means you’ve completed five activities in a row horizontally, vertically, or diagonally), you’re entered into a raffle to win the Corduroy book and stuffed animal set or the Matilda book and pencil pouch. The more bingos you submit, the more entries you have!


 

 

But that’s not all: If you get a blackout (which means you’ve completed every activity on the bingo square), you’ll be entered into a raffle to win a ANOTHER Solo Stove—this one being a Mesa Tabletop Fire Pit. With a blackout also comes a 20% off coupon code for one item!

Download your Summer Bingo for free on Print Shop HERE and submit a picture of your completed bingo sheet HERE to enter the raffles. Bingo will run June 1st through August 31st—so print out your bingo sheet and get to crossing off squares!


Summer Bingo!




Let’s live summer to the fullest.

~ Claire S.