The word essay has its roots in the old English  word “assay” tied to science in the 1400s. Think metallurgy. In the lab, scientists hypothesize and try ideas out. As a writer, I am often saddened by what has become…

Over the course of five weeks, in the Level 4 Integrated Literature and Writing units, high school students are led on a journey through an exceptional work. Not only will they journey through, but they will document the journey, creating…

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?…

Soon Print Shop will be loaded with goodies designed to enhance  your primary, elementary, or middle school student’s ELA journey. Simply click the “Print Shop” link from the orange bar at the top of the landing page of our website…

It all began with Little House in the Big Woods. Published in 1932. This book is the first in the series of her memories growing up in the American Midwest during the last quarter of the 19th century. While these…

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…

Coming Soon! Blackbird & Company will be expanding its offering to support primary students (TK, K, 1st, and 2nd) in the art of gaining skills that are often overlooked in our electronic era. Cutting, pasting, coloring, painting, folding, and making…

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.…

Does your student struggle to spell well? Stumble to decode simple words and phrases? Or do you have a student who just needs a bit more direct instruction, a bit more time for slow, methodical practice? Summer’s here! Time to…

Being a West Coast dweller, I’ve never engaged in the quintessential summer activity of catching lightning bugs (fireflies) in a jar. But I’ve seen it on film, in photographs, and I’ve certainly read about the activity! Here, in California, we…