The Baker's Post Christmas Advent 6

 

Sometimes I get busy doing things that I really shouldn’t be fussing with. I can fuss with all that sticky stuff and get it all over my sponges and scrub brushes. Or I can let that stuff soak and just pour it out easily. Same thing with drying the dishes. I can let God do that while I do things that are more important. Like taking Joy for a walk or taking out the trash. Matthew 10:29 - “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your father’s care.”

PS. Jesus is my spiritual Steramine. Lol.

The Baker's Post Christmas Advent 5

 

The spoon was wet when I scooped the yeast. All those magical organisms. I scooped every last one into the batter for a lovely, aromatic award. Luke 6:38 - Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, and running into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

The Baker's Post Christmas Advent 4

 

It looks beautiful. But it was gross. I was so caught up in the idea and getting it finished that I violated a key rule: Taste as you go. I should have been enjoying and monitoring the flavors as I was baking. I am reminded of a favorite verse: “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.” (Psalm 34:8) I slowed down, tasted and tested, enjoying the process of baking. The results were worth it.

The Baker's Post Christmas Advent 3

 

There’s this big jug of oil. It’s too big to fit in the shelf. And really wonky when measuring out a

tablespoon at a time. I poured some into a smaller jug to make it easier to handle and store. 

I am reminded of 1 Corinthians 10:13. “No temptation [regardless of its source] has overtaken or enticed you that is not common to human experience [nor is any temptation unusual or beyond human

resistance]; but God is faithful [to His word—He is compassionate and trustworthy], and He will not let

you be tempted beyond your ability [to resist], but along with the temptation He [has in the past and is

now and] will [always] provide the way out as well, so that you will be able to endure it [without yielding,

and will overcome temptation with joy].” (AMP, 1 Corinthians 10:13). 

Seek the way out

Endure without yielding

Resist in faithful trust

Revel in His compassion

Overcome with joy

The Baker's Post Christmas Advent 2

 

Two batches of honey wheat sat on the counter while I made two batches of white sourdough. Each batch makes two loaves. It’s so satisfying how a little flour and simple ingredients grow and expand to make something bigger than they are alone. As I bake, I pray for God’s goodness to rise in us all - to make us more than we could be without the leavening of His love.

The Baker's Post Christmas Advent: 1:

 Because, you know...I was baking. 

You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil.

My cup overflows with blessings. Psalm 23:5. 

In the picture is the magic sauce we use to make the sourdough bread.

Today, the kitchen is warm while the jalapeno loaves are baking.

I looked over at the start and saw the foam bubbling up and over the lid.

Immediately, I thought of the verse about my cup runneth over.

But I had forgotten that it was part of Psalm 23 - The Lord is my Shepherd.

We bake with joy to prepare a feast for you.

But all of the porch presents are part of God’s providence to be the Shepherd for the people of Ukraine

who indeed are walking through the valley of the shadow of death. My cup runneth over with the joy of

serving The Lord. 

Lucy Calkins isn't the Devil: And Neither are Fountas and Pinnell

     Texas didn't send me through "the" science of reading course so I could bash people OR programs. Nothing in the world is "the" answer. Texas sent me through a science of reading course so I could be the Reading Scientist that knows how to select instructional approaches, texts, and lessons that best meet the needs of my students. Texas wants to empower me to be an expert that can rally and adapt materials and resources that help me empower my students with their reading practices. (More could be said about "the" science of reading, but Dr. Paul Thomas does a much better job at that than I can.) And, as a side note - Texas really can't tell us what programs to use. That's a district decision. 

Here's a perfect example that Lucy Calkins isn't the devil. Emma has written her Valedictory graduation speech after completing the Introductory Unit in Texas Home Learning for English IV. (The unit was FABULOUS, by the way. And Emma is my niece. My 81 year old mother home-schools her.) Now I need her to practice delivering the speech with passion and power. 

Well Lookie Here: 

Right there is Grade 8, Section 7 of Calkin's Units of Study "Unleashing the Inner 

Dramatist to Give Speeches More Impact." Now I have a beautiful resource complete with "Tips for Rehearsing and Giving Confident and Stirring Speeches" along with a model of a teacher's think aloud 

that I can adapt for my own writing to share with Emma. I also have a model student level exemplar 

that is just perfect for her to see and hear what her work should look like and sound like. I also have 

movie clip examples that she can watch to learn other techniques. And guess what? The unit concludes with an authentic graduation speech that is just the perfect way to help Emma practice the direct address that she imitated from a mentor text. 

Here's a snippet of her introduction. 

     During my senior year, I was told that I would be Valedictorian at my school.

Which makes sense, since I’m the only one in my class. Then I was told I had to make a speech and

I wondered how someone who is still growing (that would be me) could advise older more experienced

people  (that would be you). 

Now, the devil might be in the details, but Calkins turned out to be the angel I needed to move Emma to the next level of sophistication.