In the Garden- An 1899 Excerpt
This time of year I am besotted by the garden, and have great difficulty staying indoors for any length of time at all. In fact, anything on my horizon that doesn’t need to be fed or planted seems dim and...
Author: Janice Campbell
Why Read Classic Literature?
“Literature in its most comprehensive sense is the autobiography of humanity.” Bernard Berenson “This is old stuff — how can it be relevant to my life?” I’ve heard this objection from both students and adults, as I’ve spoken through the years on...
In Memory of Old Yeller- 199?-2007
He was old and his sweet muzzle was white, but we weren’t really ready to say good-bye. But as we prepared to tuck in for the night last evening, I realized that I hadn’t seen Old Yeller for a good...
Coleridge on Math; Music for “Kubla Khan”
I have been coping with computer disasters of astonishing magnitude over the last week or so, but I had to share this wonderful quote with you. Leave it to a poet to tell the truth so very vividly! “I have...
In One Ear…
…and out the other. Remember that saying? Unfortunately, that’s almost completely true for visual learners. Auditory learners, on the other hand, could probably say “In one eye and out the other” with as much accuracy. I hadn’t thought of it...
TV Turn-Off Week- Why Not Just Toss It?
Turning off the television is always a fabulous idea. I don’t have one to turn off, but if I did, I’d certainly be happy to celebrate TV Turnoff Week. I can’t imagine why anyone would want to sit and stare...
Death Be Not Proud
In memory of those who died at Virginia Tech, April 16, 2007. Death Be Not Proud by John Donne (1573-1631) Death be not proud, though some have called thee Mighty and dreadful, for, thou art not so, For, those, whom...
Frost’s Prayer in Spring
I love Robert Frost’s gentle reminder to enjoy the beauty of today. It helps me remember to enjoy not only spring, but also my sweet boys. I hope you enjoy the poem as well. A Prayer in Spring by Robert...
Can You Write Persuasively?
I’ve been thinking about writing persuasively this week. There are many times in life when you want to write persuasively, and it pays to know how do it. Sometimes, nothing more than a refund is at stake, but at other...
Enthusiasm — It Makes Learning Stick!
“Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” Samuel Taylor Coleridge Have you ever thought about the part that enthusiasm plays in the learning process? I have noticed that when I’m interested in something, I learn it so much more easily...
I wandered lonely as a Cloud…
Spring just isn’t spring until I can share Wordsworth’s delight in daffodils. Poetry is experience distilled to its essence. Once you’ve enjoyed an experience through poetry, you’ll find that both experience and poem are enriched. The daffodils are in full...
Sentence Fragments- To Use or Not To Use…
I’m working on a small book on evaluating writing, so in my last e-mail newsletter, I asked if anyone had questions on the subject. One mom sent in the following question, and I thought I’d share it, along with my...
Enjoying Spring With Thoreau
I took my own advice this afternoon and went for a walk outside. It was a beautiful, balmy afternoon, so I walked the path my boys made through the woods for me, then went down to sit by the creek...
Spring & Compulsory Schooling- Carpe Diem!
I’m thinking about spring, and the need to seize the day, and do the thing that is appropriate for the moment. It’s time to emerge from our winter cocoons! Spring means being outdoors, breathing great gulps of crispy-fresh air, moving...
Thoughts on Choosing Literature from a 1903 Reader
I love old books. Although I strongly advocate reading whole works for high school literature, I find that old readers can be very useful in introducing an author and creating a taste for his or her work. I was browsing...
Copywork for Teens
“Mom, I need some copywork!” I thought my son was kidding when he approached me this morning. After all, he is taking college classes, and doing quite a lot of writing. I thought he’d finished with copywork years ago! As...
Thirty Books You Won’t Forget
I love to read, and on the back of my first business card I share some unforgettable books. Of course, this aren’t all my favorites — remember, the qualification is “unforgettable” — but I was constrained by the size of...
Welcome to Doing What Matters
Hi, I’m Janice Campbell, and I’m glad you’re here! I’ll be writing with the heartfelt goal of staying focused on things that matter — family, literacy, creativity, growth, and service (and for me, each of those is grounded in faith,...
