If your children or students are bored with writing a clear-cut “How-to” assignment, here’s a twist—let them write it in story or visual format with their personal commentaries. In keeping with the mission of the newSongpress.net, young authors also are encouraged to write with a Christian perspective. This blog post will present information to help young writers with writing how-to expository writing, with one example from learning an athletic skill and the other from hands-on furniture restoration. Plus, through March 1, 2023, there will be a contest. See the end of this blog post for details.

First--
Many children and teens like to write stories
Here’s a way to give their stories some structure…
Jesus often taught in parables. Throughout time, people have loved to hear stories, and it can be another great way to teach readers how to do things well. Plus, your children or students may want to add inspiring or inquiring words to share their faith in their stories.
 
Here’s an example you can share in teaching this approach--
​

​The sound of the whistle pierced the air. Olivia shot from the platform and into the pool. Dan dove in the lane next to Olivia's and whipped out dolphin kicks. The other racers joined in their own lanes, all face down. In seconds they worked the flutter kick, like machines in constant motion. Toes pointed. Legs straight. Power came from hips wobbling back and forth and legs rising and lowering fast. Power came from their arms, too, as they pulled them back through the water, one at a time. Quick side breaths were caught, in rhythm with the arms, for most, on the right arm reach. Next, each swimmer blew bubbles into the water, chin tucked, and reached forward with the other arm, thumb angled slightly downward, till the hand sliced the water. An extra stretch of the leading arm rolled the shoulder, keeping the swimmer streamlined, like a fish.
 
Each time Olivia pulled her arm back under the water, she scooped water with her hand, fast, fast, to get it out of her way. Then she rammed her bent elbow up out into the air, cleared her arm from the drag of the water and reached forward again for another watery slice.
No time to look at others. No time to pause, but in her brain, Olivia pleaded with God to give her strength. Words from Isaiah 12:2 lit her mind…the LORD is my strength and my song…
 
The shouts from the crowd on the side bleachers reverberated against the walls. Tick, tick, tick.
Dan flip turned first when he reached the far end of the pool. Before any bubbles could pop, Olivia flip turned. Her feet shoved off the wall. Think skills. Think skills.
Everyone splashed and glided through the refreshing water to claim the 50-yard finish line. Olivia and Dan led the pack. Then they both stretched an arm to touch the other end of the pool at the same second. Astonished, they laughed and slapped a high five. Olivia squeezed her eyes for a quick prayer of thanks.

​To get started…
Your children/students can make a list of things they enjoy doing and know very well. For instance, walking a dog, setting up a tent, cooking, or riding a bicycle. In my story, I captured the steps for swimming the front crawl, as some call it, freestyle. My challenge to your writers is to first think, picture, and then write the steps of how to do something and then turn it into a story. Did you notice that the story format caught your attention, but when I switched into expository writing to explain, the action was gone! Maybe you even noticed a slowdown in your interest?
 
Jesus knew people LOVE stories. He taught with many parables, which are short stories that teach a lesson or religious principle, such as the story of the Good Samaritan. Jesus used this story to help us learn about God’s awesome love for all of us. Through the powerful messages in this story, we also learn how to care for and help each other.
 
Parents and teachers, you can tell the young people in your lives, they don’t have to write a story every time to explain how to do something, but they can try it to see how their readers really pay attention to what they are teaching. Plus, they might have fun! They can even add in some humor, like--
 
My sheepdog stepped in the gooey, white glue I forgot to close and move out of the way.
That may sound more interesting than just writing--
When you are done with the glue, make sure to close it and keep it safe.
In my swim story, if a cut away from the action was desired, a funny antic by someone on the bleachers could be added.
Your writers can also add in more details than I did, such as what their characters look like and say to each other.

At the end of their how-to stories, writers can recap and list the important steps.
Like a recipe format, list all the needed supplies. Then list the steps in the correct order for making their creations or completing their skills.

(If your young writers are writing about their cooking projects, there are several kid-friendly recipes in Dig Deeper: a Discussion and Activity Guide for Victor Survives Being a Kid. It’s a free download and the recipes can show children and teens a format for writing their recipes. Click here if you want access to the free download. Also, at the end of this post I will refer to one of the recipes, from an earlier blog post.)

My friend, Silvia Ferrara, had an excellent idea, especially for young children with big imaginations. Write how unicorns brush their teeth. Sounds like a fun picture book to me! Then, I recommend young writers list the steps they use for brushing their own teeth. One could even turn this into a compare and contrast with how a unicorn vs. the writers brush their teeth. Children do need to learn how to write compare and contrasts! 😊 Now perhaps your young writers want to turn their how-to assignments into something preposterous first, have some fun, and then add on a more serious version that pertains to their personal experience. 


​Another story format is a personal anecdote, where the writer gives details of personal experience while creating a project or skill set.
​
We often see this in videos on YouTube. Because we are seeking for our children/students to develop their writing skills, here is a personal anecdote approach for a how-to- on furniture restoration. It was created by Amber Hale, a multi-passionate entrepreneur who writes on her two blogs, is a health coach, a social media manager for businesses, and also enjoys thrifting vintage items for resale. 

​May God bless your writing times with your children or students. May God’s love shine brightly on all your teaching, and may your young writers have much joy in sharing their How-to writing projects with family, friends, or classmates. This style of writing lends nicely for students to practice public speaking by presenting their own area of expertise with lots of hands-on items to show while they present. Who knows, maybe they will present their work on YouTube or another social media audience!
 
An important focus of new Song Press is to inspire Christian parents, teachers, and pastors to guide youth to be young authors. If your children/students are interested in starting a blog, you can go to kidslearntoblog.com to read about different programs such as Edublog and Kidblog.

Your young authors also might like to query other bloggers about being a guest blogger on their websites. They can ask the bloggers for a copy of the guidelines so they will know the topics that are of interest to the blogger, the preferred length for a blog post, and other details.  
 Now to learn about our…
 
CONTEST
From now through March 1, 2023
First, second, and third place winners plus honorable mentions
We look forward to publishing parts of winning submissions in an upcoming blog post, so children and teens can have the joyful experience of being young Christian authors who are published.
Send your How-to entry via Contact on newSongpress.net. You may also send a brief summary and you will be sent an email with instructions on how to send the complete version. Please include child/teens’ name and age in each entry. Enjoy!
 
If you are not already a regular reader of these blog posts, I invite you to sign up for my email newsletter, to receive periodic blog announcements to help guide children and teens in their writing. Click here to do so.

For the promised recipe for Fried Ice Cream and Caramel Sauce, click here.

 
Blessings,

Heidi Vertrees
Author/Educator
newSongpress.net

​Today, I want to share with you seven ways you can help your children or students transition from their summer vacations to embrace school writing assignments, by honoring prewriting as a powerful tool for writing. Too often children and teens are rushed to the “high board” by over-eager, short-on-time teachers and parents, and expected to jump into a writing assignment with little preparation for the topic. Letting students doodle briefly before writing, while you pray they are staying on topic, is not enough.
 
Your children or students probably have some happy and exciting memories from their adventures this summer. However, I do not think most students want to be required to grind out an essay of what they did over the summer. Still, I do think they often want to remember their fun memories. Through prewriting, they can be inspired to share them creatively.

2. If they think it’s fun, let them audio record what they share.

​3. Take time to look at any “touchstones” (memorabilia) from their recalled experiences this summer…brochures, photos, emails, posts, journal writing (if they accomplished this). Maybe revisit the location by seeing more on the Internet.

​4. Then, as they are recalling, help them jot down keywords that they share. These keywords can be as a list or written inside ovals across a page where they can add subtopics as stems from the ovals. (webbing)

5. Prewriting is a fantastic time for enrichment. Children can be gently encouraged to share what they learned from their experiences as well as what they are wondering about. As part of their faith walk, they can be asked what they think Jesus wants them to learn from all of this. This pondering can again be recorded in keywords, to help them with their writing assignment.

6. Prewriting certainly can allow for drawing, coloring, or painting. Many children process their verbal ideas this way.

7. Some children may do well with a caring soul interviewing them. I suggest first writing a dozen or so key questions such as--

1. What experience did you have this summer that you really enjoyed?
2. Who did you do it with? How did that go? Did you have a special job or goal?
3. Where was it? Was it your first time there? Would you like to go again? If you did, how would you like it to be similar/different?
4. Why did you go on this adventure/have this experience?
5. When did you need to start planning this with your family? What did you need to do to prepare? If you do it again, how would you plan for the next time?

 
Before the interview, show this list to each child or teen to think about before starting the interview. You can audio record the session, or involve a peer or older student to record the answers so they also experience authentic writing with a purpose. If you are working with a group, each student can write his answers and then share them in a group before they start writing. Or students can be partners, taking turns interviewing each other, while the interviewer writes down key thoughts.
 
 Parents, I applaud you for all the positive, memorable experiences you have blessed your children with this summer. Honestly, they might be writing and talking about some of these memories for the rest of their lives. As their ideas bubble up, let them share. If they only want to write a poem or song this year, God may lead them to turn those memories into a play script another year.

​Whatever they choose to write about is special to them and can be kept sacred to their souls by letting them create their writing assignment format.
 
The main thing is to embrace the experience, and then see how God wants to water that garden to grow. Last spring, I was involved in a town history day where children created sand paintings based on historical photos rallied up from the heyday when trollies zipped through our towns and hilly countryside. I can’t say the results of their artwork would have been much improved if their parents first took them to the nearby trolley museum or popped them on a restored trolley for a jolly ride, but certainly the project would take on a great deal more meaning for the children if they first were enriched by personal experiences with the project theme. Parents and teachers, thank you for all the “in the field” experiences you provide for children and teens in your lives.
 

​Here is a fun way to celebrate with your children or students after they complete their writing assignment about their memorable summer experiences. Since it is still actually summer in the northern hemisphere till late September, I invite you to make Fried Ice Cream, using a kid-friendly recipe I wrote in my Teacher’s Guide for my book, Victor Survives Being a Kid. The Teacher’s Guide is available as a free download. You can click here. newSongpress.net/Victor. Scroll down that page to see the option. But here is the excerpt with the recipe. You may duplicate it for teaching purposes. 
 
​
Fried Ice Cream and Caramel Sauce

Here’s a delicious dessert that will require working with a grownup’s help, especially when frying. It’s so yummy, but also requires patience since the ice cream needs time to freeze and refreeze. Either prep it one day and fry it the next, or start it at least 6-7 hours before eating.
Please note: Before cooking, always read a recipe through so you can anticipate what ingredients and supplies you will need and so you make sure you understand all the steps and timing needed. Reading a recipe is a type of functional reading…reading that helps us learn how to do things…a very important type of reading to practice. Have fun! Enjoy!
(Recipe inspired by recipes from Darlene Brenden, Jeri Zieman, and Villa Cocina.)
​
Ingredients:
1 quart vanilla ice cream
3 cups crushed cornflakes cereal or 2 cups each crushed cornflakes cereal and sweetened shredded coconut finely chopped
1 tsp. cinnamon
3 egg whites or 2-3 eggs or 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
2 tsp. vanilla
2 cups canola oil or other preferred oil, enough for partial emerging and stirring 1-2 balls at a time
 
Optional Toppings: whipped cream, slices of banana, strawberries, cherries, chocolate or caramel sauce, colored sprinkles
 
For Caramel Sauce:
1 cup sugar
½ cup butter, cubed
½ cup evaporated milk
 
Directions:

• Step 1.  Scoop ice cream into eight balls. (Tips: Dip ice cream scoop into hot water first. Also, really pack each ball while scooping.)  Place on no-stick pan or pan lined with parchment paper and freeze until firm. (At least one hour, up to three is good.) Exercise patience, so doesn’t melt when fried! :)
• Step 2.  Put cornflakes in sealable plastic bag and crush to smaller flakes but not powder. (Use three or two cups depending if you will add coconut flakes.)
• Step 3.  Combine cornflakes and cinnamon in a bowl. (Optional—Add sweetened coconut flakes.)
• Step 4.  In another bowl, beat egg whites till foamy. (Can also use whole eggs or whipped cream with vanilla flavoring.)
• Step 5.  Roll ice cream balls in your preferred liquid coating. Then dip balls in cornflakes. Cover ice cream completely. Repeat if needed or desired, but be quick. (Some cooks freeze the balls before re-dipping.)
• Step 6.  Freeze again until firm—about three hours.

 
Read and follow these cautions before frying with hot oil:
Work carefully with an adult. Have lid for fryer or heavy saucepan. Kitchen should have fire extinguisher. (Note: Never use water to put out a fire caused by cooking oil. Put lid on fryer or pot to reduce fire. Baking soda puts out oil fires too.) When the hot oil is not needed, cover the pot and put away from heat source.

• Step 7.  In deep fryer or heavy saucepan, heat oil to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius)

Use slotted spoon to fry one or two balls at a time for about 10-30 seconds, until golden. Drain on paper towels and serve immediately.

• Top with optional toppings. Drizzle sauce.

 
For Caramel Sauce:

• Step 1.  Heat sugar in heavy saucepan at medium heat till partially melted and golden, stirring occasionally.
• Step 2.  Add butter.
• Step 3.  Slowly add milk and stir for about eight minutes or until the sauce is thick and golden Keep warm.
  
  
  

If you would like to see more posts like this one, I invite you to sign up for my newsletter to keep you up to date on periodic blog posts.

I recently led a Writing Workshop for students from F.I.S.H. Hagerstown, a Maryland Christian homeschool group. One parent said in regard to her son, "It was a game changer for his writing." Another parent wrote, "They loved the creative aspect, with learning how to incorporate Jesus and their faith into their stories...They were encouraged by seeing others engaged and interested in writing."  Another mom wrote, "You helped my oldest break through his writing block and get excited about writing again."

 
“Ow!” Kathlynn yelped as she stumbled over a tree root. But she got up. She had to. Her family’s future was on the line.

Kathlynn pressed on, dashing as fast as she could, pushing through the forest underbrush. Her dress had already snagged on multiple branches, and she knew that her mother would have a fit, but she couldn’t think about that. Her father’s life was at stake.
​
Within a few minutes, Kathlynn reached a small clearing in the woods. Her house, a small stone cottage, stood warm and inviting a few feet away.

​Kathlynn’s mother was hanging clothes on the line in front of the house and Kathlynn immediately raced towards her. “Mother!”

Kathlynn’s mother looked up. “Kathlynn! What in the world are you doing? You’re a mess! Why, your dress is torn! You must clean yourself up …”

“Mother!” Kathlynn interrupted, panting. “They’ve found out! They’re coming for Father!”

“Heaven's child, calm down! Whatever are you talking about? Who’s coming?”

“The Queen’s guard!”

Her Mother's face went from shock, to horror, to grim.
​
Several months earlier, Kathlynn’s father had sneaked into the Queen’s palace and stolen a jewel from her crown.
 

He had been very stealthy about it. But when Kathlynn was in town, she heard that the Queen’s guard had been sent out to bring her father to justice. Kathlynn recalled being confused when her father had come home with the jewel. After all, Kathlynn’s parents had always said stealing was wrong. Though, that was before Kathlynn’s father had lost his job as a blacksmith. But did that make stealing right?
 
Kathlynn frowned. She wouldn’t think about right and wrong. The deed had been done and there was nothing Kathlynn could do about it.

“Kathlynn!”

Kathlynn jumped slightly at the sound of her mother’s voice, snapping her out of her reverie. “I’m sorry Mother. What were you saying?”

“I said that we need to leave immediately. The Queen’s guard could arrive at any moment. Go fetch your brother and pack your belongings. We’re going to your grandmother's house. Her mother’s face was so stern and serious that Kathlynn didn’t dare argue. She scurried off without another word.

“Mark! Mark! Quick!” Kathlynn yelled, throwing the door open.

Mark, Kathlynn’s sixteen-year-old brother, looked up from where he sat at the table. “Kathlynn, what is it? You look awful!”

Taking a deep breath, Kathlynn spewed out the story in a hurry. “…So, we both need to pack our things and help Mother and Father with theirs! Mother says that we’re going to Grandmother’s house.”

Mark nodded and stood. “Let’s get to work.”

Kathlynn and Mark packed their things and soon the family was ready to go. Kathlynn’s father sighed and looked back at the family’s home. “I’m sorry about all of this. I didn’t intend for things to turn out this way."

Kathlynn’s mother nodded. “We know. None of us anticipated this. Now, we best get walking. Grandmother lives a rather long distance from us.”

Kathlynn squared her shoulders and took a deep breath before turning her back on the house. There was no use looking back.
The family took a short cut through the woods since going through town would be too risky. The trek was long and tiring and Kathlynn nearly collapsed with relief at the sight of her grandmother’s cozy house.

Kathlynn’s grandmother met them at the door. She didn’t greet them with her usual warm smile. Her grim expression matched Kathlynn’s mother’s inch for inch. “I heard the news in town. Come in, come in.” Kathlynn’s grandmother had already known about the jewel theft from Kathlynn’s father and while she was extremely disappointed, she had agreed to keep it a secret to protect the family.

Kathlynn had always loved her grandmother’s big, airy house. It seemed safe and secure to her. That night in her bed however, she couldn’t seem to shake the terrible feeling that her family wouldn’t really be safe or secure if they were traitors. With a sigh, Kathlynn rose from her bed and headed for the kitchen. She lit one of her grandmother’s spare gas lamps, before she realized she didn’t need it. For in the kitchen, Kathlynn could just make out the faint glow of another gas lamp. Kathlynn entered the room and found her father sitting at the table with his head in his hands.

“Father?”

He looked up with a frown. “You should be in bed.”

“I know, but I can’t sleep.”

“Neither could I. Have a seat.”

Her father sighed. “Why can’t you sleep?”

“I’m confused.”

“About?”

“Everything! You and Mother have always taught us that stealing is never right, and that God doesn’t want us to steal.”

Kathlynn hesitated, but her father nodded at her. “Go on.”

“Why did you steal from the Queen?”

“Kathlynn, you know the answer to that already. We need the money.”

Her father looked thoughtful for a moment, but then he shook his head. “I suppose you are right, but it’s too late. If I turn myself in now, the Queen may very well have me executed.”

Kathlynn sighed. “I know.” She pushed away from the table and stood. “I’ll go back to bed now.”

“So shall I,” Kathlynn’s father agreed, but he didn’t. For a long time after she left, he just sat and stared into space. Finally, though, he put the lamp out and went to bed.

Bang, bang, bang! Kathlynn awoke with a start the next morning at the noise.

“Madam Dellham, by the power of her Majesty the Queen, open this door!” a deep voice boomed.

Kathlynn caught her breath. It was her worst nightmare come true. The Queen’s guard had arrived. Kathlynn stumbled out of bed and collided with her mother in the hall. Kathlynn saw the terror in her mother’s eyes and felt her own heart beating with anxiety.

“Kathlynn,” her mother whispered in a hoarse voice, “Hide!”

Those two words sent Kathlynn rushing back into her room. Her heart still raced fast and strong and her mind swirled with fear.

“Madam Dellham! Open this door!”

Kathlynn darted under her bed and listened with anticipation as her grandmother answered the door.

“Yes?”

“Good morning, Madam. I am sorry to wake you, but as part of the Queen’s guard, I must ask if you have seen or heard from a John Dellham.”

“Oh! I, well, why do you ask?”

“He has been convicted of treason. I am here because he shares your last name, and I wonder if you know him.”

“Well, I haven’t seen him. I’m sorry.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

“Then …"

“Wait!” a new voice interrupted.

Kathlyn gasped. It was her father! “Don’t lie on behalf of me, Mother. I’m here.”
​
Then with his deepest voice the guard said, “Then, by the authority bestowed within me, I arrest you in the name of her Majesty the Queen. Come with me, sir. Do you still have the diamond?”

​“Yes. Fortunately, I didn’t try to sell it yet. I have it right here with me. Here.”

“Very good. Come along.”

Kathlynn couldn’t be still any longer. She wormed her way out from under the bed and dashed for the living room. “No! Father! Please!”

But the only one still in the living room was her grandmother. “Grandmother! Where did they go?”

“They’re gone, Kathlynn. They are going to the palace.”

Deep sadness was etched in her grandmother’s face and Kathlynn burst into tears. Mark and Kathlynn’s mother entered the room, and everyone watched from the doorway as Kathlynn’s father was led away by the guard.
​
Kathlynn watched until the guard and her father were out of sight, tears continuing to soak her face. “Father! No!”

​The days following the arrest were riddled with sadness for Kathlynn’s family. Mark, Kathlynn, and their mother moved back into their cottage, but things didn’t seem the same without their father. On the first morning after the arrest, Kathlynn had bounded downstairs to look for her father, before she remembered and then felt a wave of sadness as reality swept back over her. The first few days, Kathlynn found herself crying a lot and sometimes staring out the window as if she could wish her father back. The rest of her family did the same.
After the third day of her father’s arrest, Kathlynn decided to stop looking back. She knew that it wouldn’t bring her father back. Instead, she busied herself with helping around the house as much as possible.

Kathlynn’s favorite chore was washing the dishes and that was what she was doing when she suddenly heard the front door creak open. With a frown, Kathlynn dried her hands and went to investigate. Her mother was taking a nap and Mark was supposed to be washing the family’s laundry out back.

“Are you done with the laundry, Mark?” Kathlynn asked, while entering the living room. She gasped with shock at what she found. There, standing in the living room, was her father! Alive and well!

“Father!” Kathlynn shrieked with joy, sinking into his open arms.
Mark and Kathlynn’s mother heard her shouts and what they found left them both shocked and filled with happiness. After everyone finished hugging and crying tears of joy, Kathlynn’s father settled in to tell his story.
​
“The guard who arrested me took me right to the Queen. She had me sleep at the palace while she decided what to do with me.
 

​When she finally did, I was amazed. She told me that she understood why I stole the jewel and even though it was still very wrong, she said that because I was cooperative and because I turned myself in, I could go. She gave me a warning, but I promised to never do anything like this again. And it was all because of you, Kathlynn! If you hadn’t talked to me that night about doing the right thing, I wouldn’t have turned myself in!”

“I’ve been thinking a lot about right and wrong. I had believed that what I did was wrong, but because I did it for the right reason, that made it okay. But that isn’t true. Wrong is wrong and because I tried to help my family by doing wrong, I got myself and all of you into even more trouble. I’m very sorry and I hope you can forgive me.”

“Of course,” Kathlynn replied, smiling. She couldn’t believe that she had been the one to help her father. And what her father said cleared things up in her mind. Kathlynn felt as though the whole family had been through a lot by her father’s actions. The family sat in solemn silence, all thinking about the past few days.

Kathlynn’s mother suddenly clapped her hands, ending the quiet. “Alright everyone, let’s get ready to go!”

“Go? Are we leaving?” Mark asked.

“We’re going back to your grandmother’s! We need to tell her the good news!”

Everyone smiled and started getting ready.
​
Kathlynn noticed that she felt happy for the first time in days. Grace, forgiveness, and joy, she thought, are wonderful gifts from God.
 

​If your group is interested in a Writing Workshop for tweens/teens with a Christian worldview, in person or virtual, please contact me at newSongpress.net/contact.


Joy in His Peace,
Heidi Vertrees
Author/Educator





       

​

            So, you are onboard as a Christian teacher or homeschool parent to give your children and teens ways to write with a Christian worldview. Perhaps you are tired of the nonspiritual, secular writing that’s heavily influencing those whom you teach. Perhaps your students or children want to speak out through their writing and share Biblical teachings, but they aren’t sure how to begin. 
 
Consider science writing as a great place to start in accomplishing this goal as a Christian.

"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." Genesis 1:1 (KJV)
"All things were made by him;" John 1:3a
 

Have you been searching for an engaging science book for kids with a Christian worldview? 
 
Lightlab: Lessons for Kids to Explore the Nature of Light and to Know Jesus, by Suzanne O. Shera. 
 
Suzanne O. Shera earned degrees in Optical Engineering and Physics and worked in research. After being a full-time mom, she has been teaching science and math to various age groups and has served in Christian outreach programs.

In her book, Suzanne Shera passionately shares the Gospel message to children and teaches them about light as a powerful tool, with excellent hands-on experiments. She teaches that as light is indispensable to human survival on earth, Jesus is essential to our relationship with our Father in Heaven.

To top it off, Suzanne Shera is a wonderful mentor for those teaching the twelve lessons in her book, as you can see on lightlabetc.com. We had great success with this program at our church both with in-person, hands-on science, and Facebook live videos. You may see In the News tab on newSongpress.net for more details.

Lightlab is intended for children ages 8-12. Children learn about the nature of light and Jesus as the light of the world. Each of the twelve lessons focuses on the characteristics of light, with engaging hands-on activities and Bible studies that encourage reading God’s Word to know who He is and how He wants us to live.

The book is designed for students to write in, somewhat like a Scout handbook, and can be used as a springboard for longer writing pieces.
 
Because of the exciting, hands-on science, and engaging Bible lessons linked to the science theme for each lesson, students are enriched with deeper understandings and then eager to write about their learning. 

The two featured scientists in Lightlab are James Clark Maxwell, the Father of Modern Optics and Michael Faraday, “the greatest experimentalist”.  As Suzanne Shera says, “Their scientific contributions and deep faith in Christ are cited to inspire readers to see that science and faith can be reconciled.”
​
I also highly recommend the three books--
Indescribable: 100 Devotions for Kids About God and Science, How Great is Our God: 100 Indescribable Devotions About God and Science, and The Wonder of Creation: 100 More Devotions About God and Science, by Louie Giglio with Tama Fortner. These super-popular devotions are available as books, eBooks, and audiobooks. A Spanish version is available, as well as educator’s guides.

The exciting, kid-friendly devotions focus on the wonders of the universe and honor our Creator God in order “to help kids discover the incredible creation of our indescribable God,” – Publisher Thomas Nelson
 
How wonderful for children to see God’s creativity with topics in space, earth science, animals, and our human bodies, along with fascinating text and superb illustrations.
​
Wonderful conversation starters and of course, ideas for children to write about!

​As Jack Prelutsky, highly recognized children’s poet, has written, “There is wonder past all wonders in the ways of living things.” (The Ways of Living Things) God is the giver of life. I pray your journey to share God’s beautiful and amazing creation with the children in your lives will be a marvelous process that blesses all of you over and over again.

Children and teens can delight in growing fruits and vegetables and keeping a journal of all their tasks and things they wonder about from their experiences. Yummy berry patches and fanciful teepee-style bean poles can add to their fun. Gardening is a great way for children to see consequences of good or bad behavior. What happens if they don’t water faithfully or pull weeds which can choke out the good vegetation? What happens if they pluck the fruit before it’s ripe…and how long must they wait for new fruit again? Do they give extra thanks to God before a meal when it includes foods they have helped grow? Sharing extra produce with friends and neighbors can teach children generosity of spirit. So many life lessons can be learned from gardening.

If you live in a small space, or want to start small, you can consider using large pots for gardening or building a salad table with your children. The University of Maryland at www.extension.umd.edu has good information on building a salad table. See the article, “Growing Vegetables in Salad Tables or Salad Boxes.”
​
From your children’s or students’ experiences and journal writing can come all kinds of further writing possibilities – poems, inspirational fiction, devotions for kids, letters and emails to family members, speech writing, persuasive essays, compare and contrast essays, research reports, how-to and explanation writing, and more.

If you would like to learn how to start a vegetable garden, I invite you to a blog post that I wrote for SusanUNeal.com (Healthy Living Series): 15 Tips for Starting a Vegetable Garden. Just click here. 

​As award-winning author, Susan U. Neal, says in her children's book, Eat God's Food! 

Children may be intrigued to write about God’s all-wise creation of the relationship between clown fish and sea anemones, or other wonders in nature. Clown fish, a small ocean fish with bright colors and stripes, find protection inside the poisonous tentacles of certain sea anemones, which live attached to coral reefs. How? Whenever the clown fish bumps up against this amazing fortress, it secretes a special substance in their mucous coating on their bodies, until this coating is so thick the clown fish can swim around the tentacles, safe from the poison and hidden from bigger ocean predators. They also feed on food undigested by the sea anemones, kind of like table scraps for a pet dog. 
 
How do clown fish help their hosts? The clown fish’s bright colors attract other creatures, which can then be caught and eaten by the anemones. Some scientists report that clown fish also chase away creatures harmful to the anemones, as they “stand” on guard. Sounds like a pet dog again. 😊 Clown fish help their hosts further, by cleaning the sea anemones and freeing them from parasites.
 

​The more we learn about the wonders of nature, whether in the sea or deep inside our hearts, we can stand amazed at the ways God has created and continues to create our universe. I hope this article helps you in your desire for children to see God in their daily walk and the world around them and how they can share this in their writing, too.
 
If you would like to learn more about this mission, I invite you to sign up for my newsletter to keep you up to date on periodic blog posts.

I pray this article will bless you and the children and teens you teach by helping all of you discover more faith, hope, and love in ways to pray to our Creator God. Dear parents, teachers, and pastors, may your journey to bless and guide children, even in their developing writing skills, bear much fruit. I can hear my sweet mother saying the famous expression, “The pen is mightier than the sword.” How about, “The Word is mightier than the sword, especially since the Sword of the Spirit is the Word of God. Since God is Holy, Sovereign, Love, and our Creator, we do best to seek God in prayer and in His Holy Word before we start “attacking” all our problems and endeavors, including writing, right?
 
“Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you. Sing Hallelu, Hallelujah.” This beautiful song can empower you as you prepare to teach children.
 
So how do we teach a “seek God first” habit in our students and children?
Make sure they learn the secret of how to do their BEST writing, and that is to seek God first! Teach them their loving God cares about their writing and He can help them.
 
As for God, His way is perfect: The LORD’s word is flawless; He shields all who take refuge in Him. (Psalm 18:30 NIV)
So, what do you say to the young writers who say, “But I just want to write about my new puppy or my dream vacation!” Let them know God is “all about” their new puppy and dream vacation, and He can also help them with the best words and ways to tell others about them in their writing. 
 
Children are much more likely to pray when they know some of the basic building blocks of prayer. Here are 3 steps to guide your child in prayer:

• First building block--Praise God. This is how we start our church services, so many children can connect with this.
  
  
• Second building block--Seek God’s forgiveness. God wants us to be humble, and in our weakness is His strength. Teach your children that God will cleanse them and prepare them to be better messengers of the Good News. Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. (Isaiah 1:18, NLT) After we confess our sins to God, He cleanses us and because of His great love, He forgets about those sins. He wants us to be renewed and ready to run the race He sets before us.
  
  
• Third building block--Ask. God wants to hear our requests. If we turn to Him, He knows we trust Him. Since He is our loving, Creator God, that makes Him happy! Requests can include asking for His help in our writing. Your students might also want to include prayer requests for those who will read their writing and how it may bless them.
  
  

Such joy they can have when seeing answers to their prayers even with their writing! When I received word that my recent podcast—("Helping Your Children Adjust to Change” ) came just when a family needed it to help their son, I was grateful for God’s guidance and answers to my prayers in writing my presentation.
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• Fourth building block--Thank Him with deep and heartfelt gratitude. Teach children to become aware of how God has and is continuing to help them and those whom they care about. God knows we will have more peace in our souls when we have grateful hearts. He loves us and wants us to know this peace.

 
As in the children’s praise song “Christ Redeemed Us” (from Child Evangelism Fellowship, we have so much to be thankful about--foremost God sending His Son to be our Redeemer. What a joyful promise He has given us!
 
Use these prayer blocks to guide prayer but be careful to keep prayers fresh and alive for children.
 
To help children and youth picture these building blocks for prayer, have them imagine going before a king with their requests. Wouldn’t they first want to show respect to the king and act humbly? After their requests were presented, wouldn’t they want to thank the king? Jesus is the King of all kings. Even the order of worship for many churches is modeled like these prayer blocks. We can think of an entire church service as one giant prayer. 😊

​Choose joy!

• When we go on a trip, we should start with a full tank of gas. Teach your children that likewise we should start each day with prayer, so we can “drive” well each day. Might call it “Joy Fuel,” to be joy-full!
  
  

Even young children can begin each day saying, “Dear Lord, thank you for this day and thank you for my life.” As they embrace Jesus to be their Savior, they can add, “…that is eternal life with Jesus.” Think of the joy children and teens can have starting each new day knowing this bright and wonderful future.
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• On a big trip we also usually stop midway in the day to check the car. Great time to pray, too! At midday review that morning’s events and gear up for what lies ahead for that day. Scripture says we should take one day at a time. Let’s teach this wise practice of focusing intently on God’s gift of the present.
  
  
• When we park our car at night, we should check it again. Nighttime “check-in” prayer with God is a great practice too. For children, this is an important time for parents to reassure them of a loving God in whom they can trust, as they prepare for sleep and rest.
  
  

While we are imagining a car, in the words of beloved evangelist Corrie Ten Boom, “Is prayer your steering wheel, or your spare tire?”
 
Praying first thing in the morning, three times per day before meals, and just before going to sleep are important daily moments for children and teens to learn to do. Building a strong family or group is beautifully done by praying before each meal. God is our Provider, and we need to thank Him for all things good including our nourishment. Frequently praying to our heavenly Father can help our children learn much joy. Since God wants a loving relationship with us, prayer is a key way to build that relationship.
 
When at the beach, I love walking along the seashore and admiring creative sandcastles. To get the sand wet enough for molding, one needs to be daringly close to the waves which ultimately in high tide sweep over those glistening castles and wash them away. Scripture says to build our homes on the Rock. That’s Jesus and with Him we will have a firm foundation that doesn’t wash away. (Matthew 7:24-27)
 
Jesus taught that the two greatest commandments are--Love God with all our hearts, souls, and minds, and love our neighbors as ourselves. (Matthew 22:37-39)
 
When we write, we are writing to an audience. Even if it’s scribbling in a diary, God is there. As I write, I try to picture my readers and write words of thoughtful help.

• When teaching children and teens the two greatest commandments, help them see the core: LOVE. Children may ask, How? How do we learn to love God and those around us?
  
  
• Through prayers children can begin to see God’s wondrous love for them in their lives. They can learn to trust God and know Him better. This builds their love for God and empowers them to have a sense of purpose and self-worth which makes it possible for them to love others.
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• As children and teens grow in this beauty of the LORD, they can more aptly shape their writing to be enriched by God’s love and power in their lives.

 
Children and adults can learn much from the short video, “The Meaning of ‘Strength’ in Hebrew,” produced by pursueGod.org, on loving God with all our mind and strength. I highly recommend it.
 
In the words of St. Richard of Chichester, “…O most merciful Redeemer, Friend and Brother, may I know Thee more clearly, love Thee more dearly, and follow Thee more nearly, day by day.”
 
May the children and teens in your lives come to cherish faith, hope, and love through a richer prayer life,
 
Soli Deo Gloria,
 Heidi Vertrees
 Author/Educator
P.S. See below for a free activity guide for kids. Also, please go to CONTACT if you would like to receive these blog posts via email.

“Where there is love, there is God.” –Leo Tolstoy

With Valentine’s Day almost here, we can count our blessings because of those whom we love. In some countries, such as Mexico, it’s also a time to celebrate our families. Whether you are honoring friends or family on Valentine’s Day,

I want to give honor to you as a parent and/or teacher of children and teens. Thank you for all the times you count to ten silently and forge ahead with the right things to do for the young people in your lives! Your love and constructive guidance are certainly appreciated by our Heavenly Father and most likely by your young ones, too. Please be encouraged to keep going with the good graces of God! Your wise teachings make such a difference as your children grow, and please take comfort in knowing that when they are adults, they can also claim a grateful understanding when they look back on how you taught them.

God has blessed me with many opportunities to teach hundreds of children, as a teacher in public and private schools, in churches, and as a mom, homeschool teacher, workshop and camp leader, Bible club leader, and swimming instructor.

I have had the added pleasure of getting to know children from different cultures and socioeconomic levels, as I have lived in New York, Colorado, the Philippines, Germany, Chile, Tennessee, Virginia, and Maryland, as well as traveled far and wide throughout our wondrous world. All the while, I have had a heart for Jesus and a heart for children.

NewSong Press can help parents and teachers guide tweens and teens to write with a Christian worldview that is personal and true for them.

I invite you to come along as we build the NewSong Press ministry to help children and teens write with a Christian worldview. Future blog posts are to help assist you in writing techniques, to enrich your teaching both nonfiction and fiction writing skills to young, budding authors as well as those children and teens who secretly want to discover that writing doesn’t have to be a grind!

My journalism training (BS with Honors, from the University of Colorado) has bounced me into many successful nonfiction writing and editing jobs with magazines, journals, and curricula publishers. My recently released fiction book for tweens, Victor Survives Being a Kid, has earned an international book award. For many years, my classroom experience as a teacher has given me great opportunities to help children with their writing.

To help you in teaching language arts (reading and writing) to your children or students, I am available for in-person and virtual workshops, presentations, and podcast and radio interviews. Recently I presented Writing Tips for Teens at a Christian teen writers conference (done virtually) and was interviewed by Cynthia L. Simmons on “The Heart of the Matter” on how to help children with adjusting to big changes. This program is scheduled to be aired starting March 3, 2022. This spring I will be teaching in-person Writers’ Workshops to homeschoolers ages 10- up. In 2021, through the Washington county, Maryland public library system I led Meet the Author workshops.

Also, in 2021 I team led LightLab Church Camp Facebook live presentations for children, one of which is on YouTube—Lightlab Church Camp July 5, 2021. We also had in person hands-on science lessons with Bible lessons to explore the nature of light and how Jesus is the Light of the World. (See lightlabetc.com for more information about this awesome program and book you can use with children.)

I wrote Victor Survives Being a Kid to help children experience God, good humor and courage, and the love of family even while going through major changes.

​It’s a high adventure novel particularly for boys and girls ages 9-12, is set in Colorado, and told through the eyes of Victor Ortega when he is in middle school, looking back over his fifth-grade year. Children delight in the Spanish (with translations) sprinkled in the story. A free, in-depth activity and discussion guide for Victor Survives Being a Kid is also available on newSongpress.net. The paperback and eBook for Victor Survives Being a Kid is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Christianbook.com.

As Apostle Paul said in Romans 8:38-39, nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord…neither height, nor depth… When I stood on the support bar of a small airplane wing, ready to jump with my parachute, God, in His infinite love was there. When I stared at a large black-tip reef shark one hundred feet deep while scuba diving in Mexico, God was there, too.

Maybe you are going through some mind-numbing, scary times as you muster the courage to teach and lead the children in your lives. God, in His infinite love, is with you no matter where you are. As said in Isaiah 41:10 “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” (KJV)

It is my prayer that you know this powerful love from God as you live each day and celebrate St. Valentine’s Day.

NewSong Press can be a source for you as you guide and help young people to improve their writing in ways that can bless them and others.

Please feel welcome to contact me via my contact form if I can help you further and may you be blessed by future blog posts on this site to help and support you with your teaching language arts to children and teens.

Many blessings in your writing!
Heidi Vertrees
​Author Educator

 As soon as I climbed out of my vintage Montego-blue Miata, and smelled late December rain, my eyes caught the large white lettering spread clear across the side of the maroon SUV next to me--Christ is King. Who could miss this great encouragement? My tooth ached and I soon would be tilted back in the dentist’s chair, but this car made me actually eager to go in the dentist’s office. Whose car was it?

The waiting room was typical 2021 for small town Boonsboro in the Maryland Appalachian highlands. Half a dozen of us sat in a circle, suited up with our masks. Not a peep. Polite. Minding our own business. But I knew someone behind these mystery masks had to have a strong faith. So, as a sometimes-unreformed New Yorker, I broke the silence.

 “So, who has the car that says Christ is King in big lettering? It looks great!”

 A much younger lady across from me smiled. These days we detect hidden, masked smiles when the eyes brighten and brim up from raised cheek muscles. “It’s mine.”

Then the intriguing story--
“I wouldn’t go out with this guy, so he keyed my car. Then I got the biggest Christ message I could find and put it across the scratches.”

Impressive! “I didn’t even notice the scratches.” Trust me, they are there; I checked later. Long, selfish, full-of-anger scratches. But the Christ is King message is healing the situation and stands out way bigger than any damage. He always does.

How about you? I bet you have a story to share. We all have a time we can share where Christ came and stood mighty as King in our tumult. Here are some tips to help you capture your thoughts in writing--

1. Use an exciting title and opening sentence that grabs your readers’ attention.
   
   
2. Make it clear from the start where and when your story is happening, and help your readers sense your special message or topic so they want to know more as they read along.
   
   
3. Give sensory details to help your readers feel they are there with you in your telling. Draw them in by remembering to share how all your five senses came alive, as well as thoughts, questions, and perhaps quick prayers you had in those moments. Show your personality, which in writing is called Voice. Like snowflakes, God made us all different and dear, so let your readers see you. Don’t strain to be someone you are not. Instead, make your "faith walk" real for them.
   
   
4. Pose questions and make statements that appeal to your readers. Aim to help them smile or feel deep chords playing in their souls.
   
   

When we write, it’s a gift to our readers. Make them happy and grateful they took the time to read your story. And who knows! Maybe you will motivate them to share theirs!

​Many blessing to you in your writing journey! 

​Heidi Vertrees
Author and Educator

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​Have you read my new book Victor Survives Being a Kid? If not, ask an adult to learn more about it with you by visiting my book page HERE!

When a song really grabs your attention, do you sing along? Does the tune go through your brain hours later? Some people say music is the universal language because it can move the hearts of people everywhere. Music can actually cause our brains and nervous systems to secrete hormones to make us feel better!
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 At Christmastime, we hear many joyful songs. Let’s have some merry fun and write lyrics based on your favorite Christmas carol. Once you choose one, see if you can find a recording. If you don’t have one at home, your parents might be able to find one for you on YouTube. Or maybe you are fortunate to have songbooks and a piano, keyboard, or guitar at home. Find a way you can listen to your favorite song many times until you can sense the tune, know the words, and sing along.

Great! When learning, we also want the new information in our long-term memory, so keep enjoying that song for several days until you sing it so well you feel like you “own it.” That’s when the song feels natural to you, and you can even give it your own special style. You can sing it in different parts of your home, while you are working, or out walking. Do you know the shower really does have extra good sound effects? Your pets and family may love to hear you perform your song. Speaking of animals, do you know elephant trainers have a special song for each elephant, so they each know whom the trainer is seeking? Animals love music as many YouTubes reveal, such as horses drawing near a violinist. The song you create may even have healing power for a pet. We once had a guinea pig who cried after his furry friend passed away. When I sang a gentle hymn, he calmed down. As you create your song, think of the people and yes, animals, you may bless!

Do you know prewriting is every bit as important as writing? Up till now in this project, your creativity has been with prewriting.  We are now ready to get creative with new words and ideas. Since Christmas carols celebrate the birth of Jesus, our Savior, in this assignment aim to maintain that wonderful message, but—here’s the challenge--create new verses that match the rhythm and the rhyme of the song you now know so well.
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Here’s an example to help you, but remember, you can choose your own Christmas song.  Written in 1962, “Do You Hear What I Hear” has a beautiful tune and a sweet storyline that you can use as a springboard into your new verses. This song is copyrighted. I suggest you listen to versions on YouTube. You may want, with a grownup’s help, to order the sheet music from Amazon.

Once you have heard this song, did you discover each verse has a different actor who focuses on a different part of our senses? The night wind sees, the little lamb hears, the shepherd boy knows, and the king tells everyone to listen to him. This song is packed with action and beautiful scenes such as a night star that dances and has a “tail as big as a kite.” Try to notice where words at the end of phrases rhyme. In fact, rhyming words can help you memorize a song. In this song, shivers in the cold rhymes with silver and gold. One more point about the lyrics in this song—the first character talks to the second character, who then becomes the major character in the next verse. This pattern goes all the way through the song. The night wind says to the little lamb; the little lamb then says to the shepherd boy, the shepherd boy says to the king, and the king says to the people everywhere.

If you use this song for your writing challenge, choose four new characters. Will they also be set in Bible times, or do you want to create a twist where your characters are in your present life? Maybe they are looking at a big, wonderful outdoor nativity scene and singing about the Christmas story.

Whatever you decide, think about what important messages you want to get across. Before I write a poem or lyrics that have rhyme and rhythm, I write a list or short paragraph with my key ideas. That way, my main points serve like a magic thread that pulls my words together.
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Consider using different verbs/action words to spice up your story, make some words rhyme, and set your words to match the pacing of the tune. You can discover words that rhyme by changing the first letter. What rhymes with night? Light! Of course, the final syllable spellings may be different, such as tree and sea. That’s fine as long as the endings sound the same. Perhaps you have a rhyming dictionary or can see lists of rhyming words on the Internet.
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As you write your new verse or verses to your song, sing along with the tune to make sure your words fit with the song. Whether you write one new verse or several for a favorite song of yours, you are now a lyricist! Yes, you have created your own lyrics. Congratulations! Sing a new song and enjoy sharing your sparkling new words with others.

Merry Christmas!
Heidi Vertrees
Author and Educator