Sending Joy: Why Rhyme and Rhythm Matter
I wrote this little poem at an art festival. Someone was there inviting people to write a few kind words in a card that would later be given to someone who needed a little encouragement. I loved the idea. I also love light verse and the way rhythm and rhyme can make simple words memorable.…
Cultivating Diversity with Different, Beautiful Flowers
One of my favorite activities from the Respect Program focuses on cultivating diversity. When we talk about diversity, the goal isn’t simply to celebrate our differences. It’s also about learning how to live and work together. Cultivating diversity means actively listening to other people, learning about their backgrounds and experiences, and looking for the common ground…
The Red Wheelbarrow: The Beauty of Small Things
William Carlos Williams was a wonderful 20th-century American poet who had a true gift for writing poems that were simple and yet extremely powerful. One of his best-known poems is The Red Wheelbarrow. In just a few lines, he describes a red wheelbarrow near some chickens, glazed with rainwater. I like thinking about this poem. I…
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The Respect Program Blog
The Respect Program Blog explores how I teach literature, creative writing and art projects to help children develop a love of reading and build positive social emotional skills to address bullying and succeed in life.
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