Snow Day Contest!

Are you stuck in a winter wonderland? Don't get mad-get your pen and paper! The best writing works can come from something as simple as a snow day. Would you like to describe the snow in your best way using imagery?
Do you want to make a fun fictional poem like if the snow turned to ice cream? Think of something fun and submit your entries to me before 9 p.m. The submissions should be sent to whoiamnotwhatiam@yahoo.com
The winner will get a special prize courtesy of Tara Michener Industries, LLC.
So let's get creative and write about the white stuff or lack of white stuff (depending on where you are)
Can't wait to read your poem or short story!
-Read something great!

Literacy Love note....

From time to time I intend to thank those who helped me to have a love for literacy. Today's post will be dedicated to my parents! Tamera and Duane Eddington. These two read to me as a child, held me accountable as I entered school and always applauded me for loving to read.
I recall being the winner of the fourth grade spelling bee and my mom and dad bragged to all of their friends about my achievement. This always made me feel special. I realized that accolades pushed me to work harder and to be as outstanding as possible in my studies.
Have you helped someone to be a lover of literacy? Share with us how. Have you been assisted by someone who aided you in your literacy skills? Have you thanked them? This might be the right time to let them know what it meant to you. It has been said that it takes a village to raise a child. I think that it also takes a village to help a child become a lover of literacy. If you would like to help out my literacy project with Operation: Kid Equip feel free to use the donation button to help kids embrace the joys of summer reading.
-Read something great!

CW 50 Detroit

CW 50 Detroit

What the cool kids are doing...

My hubistrator and I have the privilege of working with some of the most amazing young teens in the area. Yesterday instead of eating chocolates or planning a valentine's event we tried something different. The kids made beautiful valentines for the troops who are serving our country. They added their own flair and style and added personal messages to encourage those who sacrificed for our freedom. As a young teen I'm not sure that I was as giving and as thoughtful as these young people. Their tenacity to give their best to others stands out and that is why today's blog is all about them! Have you planned anything special for this year's valentine's day? Tell me! I'd love to know. If you have not thought about doing something out of the box...let these amazing kids open up some new ideas for you!
-Read something great!

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/tara michener cyrus webb/profiles/feed.rss

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/tara michener cyrus webb/profiles/feed.rss

A Fair to remember!

I am so excited about a special event coming up the weekend of February 26th! Can you imagine children's book authors from every category blogging in unity? How about having the opportunity to buy signed books from your favorite authors from the comfort of your own home?
Get ready! The last week of this month will go out with a bang. Experience words of wisdom, give-a-ways and autographed books from some of the best authors around! The traditional bookfair has always been a crowd pleaser but I wanted to take it a step further. The virtual children's bookfair will be a great way to connect and use the best of modern technology to buy your books! Save the date!
Tell your teachers and friends and get ready to read and take literacy to a whole new level!
-Read something great!

A month to remember...

Today is the first day of Black History month! This is a special time for people from every culture to explore and find out more about the history of African-Americans. I find when we take time to learn about each other the benefits are endless.
The first time that I remember hearing about Black history month was when I was in the fist grade and my teacher had a display of pictures of many famous African-American people. I saw Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Some photos of Motown stars and I also saw unfamiliar faces. I remember learning about Harriet Tubman and her courage to free herself and others from the bondage of slavery. I saw information on Sojourner Truth and even learned about George Washington Carver and his inventions that continue to serve us well today.
I find it amazing that every year I am exposed to a new African-American person that made strides during their lifetime to make this world a better place.
Looking at the history of my culture and learning about magnificent and brave people from today and yesterday allows me no excuse to hold back my talent.
It has always been legal for me to read, write and to attend school. These are things that I could easily take for granted if I did not reflect on those people who looked just like me who were denied the rights of education.
My commitment to writing and to literacy go beyond face value. In a time when everyone can learn and enlighten themselves I feel that it is my dream to help them to get the resources needed to flourish. I refuse to take for granted those privileges that so many great people fought for me to have even before I existed. Have you ever thought about it like that?
Think for a second about your heritage.
How did your family come to be where they are at today?
Who fought on the behalf of your culture to help you to experience upward mobility?
A great project for a class is to write a letter of gratitude for the contribution that a person from history made to make life easier for you. This allows for the child to practice their literacy & history skills in a way that nurtures their kindness. If you try this project-let me know how it goes!
-Read something great!