Weaving through The GNAW Project

What is The GNAW Project?

When free breakfast was canceled and ‘their reduced’ priced lunches went up in cost, some kids came running to my class complaining. We brainstormed ideas to help the situation. This book project- done by my students- becomes their vehicle to publicize the plight of some USA kids that need free or reduced breakfasts as well as lunches and dinners.

In Seminole County, my students at SHS in 2008 called their efforts The GNAW Project , which stands for Granola bars, Nuts, Apple sauce, and Water. The thought was that these non-perishables would be purchased and given to their peers in need.

You can preview The GNAW Project Kid’s book online @ http://www.scribd.com/mchanson714.

You can, ALSO, read essays from The WEAVE as I randomly place them on my blogs.

What is The WEAVE?

The year before this project, my students in similar situations did a weaving project with some other classes. They turned plastic bags into thermal, weather proofed blankets for the homeless. They wanted the plight of the homeless and their solution to get out to the community; I helped produce their book entitled The WEAVE. I will be sharing their essays as news articles on my blogs @ http://mchanson714.weebly.com/blog.html & http://mchanson714.blogspot.com. I hope you will STAY TUNED to those blogs checking in from time to time on their mirrored messages from the kids.

An essay from The WEAVE follows:

What Quilting Meant to me!
By: Miriam

I am going to present an essay containing what quilt weaving has meant to me. In the first paragraph, it will deal with why it’s good for a homeless person. The second paragraph will be about how I feel about this assignment that we had to do. In the final paragraph, I will be discussing how the quilt was made. I think that this is good for a homeless person because it gives them something to have if they have nothing. He or she can use this quilt as a blanket, or they can use it as a bed to lie down on. When it’s cold, they can warm up from the blanket. The blanket is waterproof so they don’t have to worry about the blanket getting wet and being destroyed.

It’s a good thing for them because the quilt is free. If it’s raining and he or she has no shelter, the blanket will prevent them from not getting wet.

I think this is a good thing that my class and other classes are doing.

It’s good because it provides the homeless with either a blanket, a bed or even like a raincoat for when it rains. I like doing this project because I know I’m helping out the homeless people that are in need. I know that I’m doing something good. I know I only do a small part but with everyone’s and my help we are all doing something good. I like to know that I helped the homeless out just a little, or it could be a lot. I am happy to know that I helped out in some way or another. When we use plastic bags, it helps out our community in a way.

First, we collected plastic bags; the bags could be from anywhere.

You can get bags from any store. Once you get enough bags, you tie the bags together. Then, once they’re all tied together, you start to weave it. You can either start straight up or from the side. First, you just tie the bag in place. Then once all the bags have been tied down you start to weave it.

When weaving the quilt, you have to go up then under, you can’t go up up or under under. It has to be up then down or down then up. If you don’t do it that way the quilt wouldn’t come out right.

I have just presented my essay to you. In my essay, it has points.

The first one is why plastic blankets are good for the homeless. Next, I stated how feel about doing this for project the homeless. My final paragraph is on how you make the quilt.

DISCLAIMER: Having some issues with publishing this book, corrections were made in keeping with copyrights. HOWEVER, rest assured this book is for the kids and proceeds have already gone and will continue to go towards feeding children. You can trust me because I used to be one of them growing up with a disabled dad that went without working for periods of time. That lifestyle taught me through ‘the school of hard knocks’ that I wanted to survive and finish college. My hope is that some students fed by The GNAW Project funding will break the chains of poverty, too. Many people jump to the rescue when a plight is highlighted in the media but this book is meant to sustain the cause with hopefully unending sales and royalties earmarked for those children barely surviving their current life situation.

Find more information about books on my author page @

http://mchanson714.weebly.com/index.html including the ‘True Stories’ tab @ http://mchanson714.weebly.com/true-stories.html.

My books are for sale @ the following links:

My e-books are @ ITUNES, Kindle Amazon, & http://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=mchanson714

My print books are @ http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=mchanson714 & http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/mchanson714

My Blog link is @ http://mchanson714.weebly.com/blog.html & http://mchanson714.blogspot.com

For my New Year’s resolution I’m going to continue ‘going green,’ giving my free item from BOGO sales to those less fortunate than me, and promote The GNAW Project. Please, JOIN ME in 2012!

If we survive 2012?

For my New Year’s resolution I’m going to continue ‘going green,’ giving my free item from BOGO sales to those less fortunate than me, and promote The GNAW Project.

NOTE: If you read The GNAW Project paragraphs already, jump down to the first indentation to read new material from The WEAVE!!!

What is The GNAW Project?

When free breakfast was canceled and ‘their reduced’ priced lunches went up in cost, some kids came running to my class complaining. We brainstormed ideas to help the situation. This book project- done by my students- becomes their vehicle to publicize the plight of some USA kids that need free or reduced breakfasts as well as lunches and dinners.

In Seminole County, my students at SHS in 2008 called their efforts The GNAW Project , which stands for

Granola bars,

Nuts,
Apple sauce,
and
Water.

The thought was that these non-perishables would be purchased and given to their peers in need.

These teens wanted to help with a book that they could create so they submitted ideas and the two stories contained in The GNAW Project won the class and teacher (me) vote.

Meanwhile, some of my students were hungry and homeless but imagined The GNAW Project was for others. It helped with their pride to pretend but truly healed their spirits to participate in the creation of this children’s picture book anthology. Now, it's your turn please buy this book (eBook).


What makes your book(s) unique?

This book was written for preschoolers by ‘AT RISK’ students.
This CHILDREN’S book, The GNAW Project, was WRITTEN BY KIDS. It can be a coloring book as well as EDUCATIONAL TOOL; it was created to inspired and help others in many different ways including using the royalties for curing the gnawing pains of poverty!

You can preview The GNAW Project Kid’s book online @ http://www.scribd.com/mchanson714.

You can, ALSO, read essays from The WEAVE as I randomly place them on my blogs.

What is The WEAVE?

The year before this project, my students in similar situations did a weaving project with some other classes. They turned plastic bags into thermal, weather proofed blankets for the homeless. They wanted the plight of the homeless and their solution to get out to the community; I helped produce their book entitled The WEAVE. I will be sharing their essays as news articles on my blogs @ http://mchanson714.weebly.com/blog.html & http://mchanson714.blogspot.com. I hope you will STAY TUNED to those blogs checking in from time to time on their mirrored messages from the kids.

An essay from The WEAVE follows:

Weaving is an Honor

By: Retricia

Weaving quilts for the homeless is an honor to me. I mean I can live my life daily and wonder how I can help in some way. But- to really help them is very special. I feel good about myself to do something for someone who needs help in some way. Weaving a quilt mean a lot. Before they didn’t have nothing; now, they have something. The quilt is reliable.

The quilt is made from plastic bags. When it rains, they will have a waterproof quilt to wrap themselves in. Not only is it waterproof- it is free.

That’s a good deal to get a free quilt. I know they are happy to see someone really cares about them. It will cause them to be happy.

You know what they say, “What you do unto other they’ll do unto you!” Maybe, just maybe, someone will do a good deed for me. Even if they don’t, I’ll still feel happy to know I did a good deed for someone. I can picture the look on their faces when they see they got a quilt to keep them warm.

Now, that the quilts are made, let me tell you how they were produced. First, we heard about the homeless organization where they make quits for the homeless out of plastic bags. My teacher thought to help make some quilts. She made a deal that the class that brings in the most bags would get a pizza party. That made the whole quilt making so interesting.

I’ve told you about the quilt making project for the homeless. It caused us to really think about what was being done. The quilts are very important. Without it, the homeless will be cold. When it rains, they will get wet. But- now- due to our quilts, not one of them should be cold or wet.

DISCLAIMER: Having some issues with publishing this book, corrections were made in keeping with copyrights. HOWEVER, rest assured this book is for the kids and proceeds have already gone and will continue to go towards feeding children. You can trust me because I used to be one of them growing up with a disabled dad that went without working for periods of time. That lifestyle taught me through ‘the school of hard knocks’ that I wanted to survive and finish college. My hope is that some students fed by The GNAW Project funding will break the chains of poverty, too. Many people jump to the rescue when a plight is highlighted in the media but this book is meant to sustain the cause with hopefully unending sales and royalties earmarked for those children barely surviving their current life situation.

Find more information about books on my author page @

http://mchanson714.weebly.com/index.html including the ‘True Stories’ tab @ http://mchanson714.weebly.com/true-stories.html.

My books are for sale @ the following links:

My e-books are @ ITUNES, Kindle Amazon, & http://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=mchanson714

My print books are @ http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=mchanson714 & http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/mchanson714

My Blog link is @ http://mchanson714.weebly.com/blog.html & http://mchanson714.blogspot.com

After glow of 'A New Year Dawing' 2010-11

For my New Year’s resolution I’m going to:

1. Take advantage of BOGO specials to buy things for the needy without ruining my budget. Each time I purchase one can of vegetables get one free I’m bringing one to my kitchen and the other to the local food shelter’s pantry. If it is clothing or shoes, there are plenty of drop off locations in town to help others receive one basic need. I did this for a year; a priest stopped me one day to thanks me for my BOGOs; I explained that it was no big deal because I spent nothing extra that year to provide food for others.

2. Remember that when I save using coupons, the found money is going to a collection to help others enjoy shelter. I did this BUT mostly to save and shelter relatives and friends due to layoffs and UNEXPECTED medical expenses.

3. Rid my pantry of the junk food collected during the holidays without replenishing it. This act should help me with a resolution to be more health conscious as well. I did this and then added back the junk food; I did it like ‘Ground Hog Day’ the movie!

4. Find time to enjoy and reflect on the goodness of the day while finding solutions to the harder events whenever possible. Still a work in progress....


5. Try to have a green lifestyle. (See my blog entitled “My Soap Box IS EMPTY” dated April in the content choice lists; the direct link to it is http://mchanson714.blogspot.com/2010/04/my-soap-box-is-empty.html) *Getting Better all the time!"

Save yourself time; follow my resolutions or at least this blog. Happy New Year 2012!

BTW- maybe you'll get lucky and only have to do it until October? LOL

NOTE: This is copyrighted material and cannot be used in any media format without permission.

Please, go to AMAZON.com or Smashwords.com to check out The GNAW Project- a book to help feede poverty stricken children. The proceeds from that book go to Shiloh Baptist Church and The Saint Vincent DePaul to feed hungry children in Seminole County, Florida (as seen on '60 Minutes' the county has a higher population of sheltered and street children).

The GNAW Project

Your name: Cynthia Meyers-Hanson & some of my Students

Short AUTHOR Bio:

In Seminole County, Florida, I taught ‘AT RISK’ of dropping out of high school students reading skills. Some struggled because their pantries and refrigerators had no food; others because they lived in shelters or locations with even less ‘creature comforts.’

When Free breakfast was canceled and ‘their reduce’ priced lunches went up in cost as well, some kids came running to my class complaining. We brainstormed ideas to help the situation. This book project- done by my students- becomes their vehicle to publicize the plight of some USA kids that need free or reduced breakfasts as well as lunches and dinners.

My students at SHS call their efforts The GNAW Project , which stands for

Granola bars,

Nuts,

Apple sauce,

and

Water.

These non-perishables will be purchased and given to their peers in need.


Why did you decide to do children’s books?

These teens wanted to help with a book that they could create so they submitted ideas and the two stories contained in The GNAW Project won the vote.

Plus, some of my students were hungry and homeless but imagined The GNAW Project was for others. It helped with their pride to pretend but truly healed their spirits to participate in the creation of this children’s picture book anthology. Now, it's your turn please buy this book (eBook).

What age is your target market? Anyone that experiences hardships might find this book cute and uplifting. It was written at pre-K and Kindergarten level.

What makes your book(s) unique? This book was written for preschoolers by ‘AT RISK’ students.

Promo:

This CHILDREN’S book, The GNAW Project, was WRITTEN BY KIDS. It can be a coloring book as well as EDUCATIONAL TOOL; it was created to inspired and help others in many different ways including using the royalties for curing the gnawing pains of poverty!


Excerpt: Puppy Love then A Cat Tale ( text ONLY meaning without the great illustrations by my students and me.)

Walk your puppy,
But do not let it get away
And walk itself.


###


We are going to use the common, vowel sounds that follow:

A as in PAT,

E as in PET,

I as in PIT,

O as in POT,

U as in PUT,

And

Y as in BUNNY.

A

I have a lazy cat.
He is getting pretty fat.

###

Find more information about books on my author page @

http://mchanson714.weebly.com/index.html including the ‘True Stories’ tab @ http://mchanson714.weebly.com/true-stories.html.

My books are for sale @ the following links:

My e-books are @ ITUNES, Kindle Amazon, & http://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=mchanson714

My print books are @ http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=mchanson714 & http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/mchanson714

My Blog link is @ http://mchanson714.weebly.com/blog.html & http://mchanson714.blogspot.com

DISCLAIMER: Having some issues with publishing this book, corrections were made in keeping with copyrights. HOWEVER, rest assured this book is for the kids and proceeds have already gone and will continue to go towards feeding children. You can trust me because I used to be one of them growing up with a disabled dad that went without working for periods of time. That lifestyle taught me through ‘the school of hard knocks’ that I wanted to survive and finish college. My hope is that some students fed by The GNAW Project funding will break the chains of poverty, too. Many people jump to the rescue when a plight is highlighted in the media but this book is meant to sustain the cause with hopefully unending sales and royalties earmarked for those children barely surviving their current life situation.

Patti's- Author Bio

AUTHOR: Patti Roberts


TITLE: Paradox - The Angels Are Here

Paradox Series: Spanning over centuries to the present day, this is a story about love, loss and betrayal. The horrifying discovery that nothing is as it seems. When there is nowhere left to run & letting go is your only choice.

Nine hundred years ago, under the complete cover of darkness, the Grigorian army rose silently from their underground lair and attacked the Bulguardian Royal Palace. The bloody and violent battle between the two most legendary houses raged on. All but destroying the majestic Royal City of Altair.

It was not the first war that Juliette had endured between good and evil. And it most certainly would not be her last.

Today, a little girl's world is turned upside down by a visitor,the Angel of Death. She finds herself trapped in a nightmare, consumed by her paralyzing loss and overwhelming grief. The haunting visions and untimely deaths of others are a constant reminder that life and death are only a heartbeat away.

She eventually befriends the unusual little girl who moves in next door with captivating violet eyes and a profound knowledge of things that far exceeds her tender years.

A saga crossing over two worlds. Two souls being drawn precariously together over the centuries.

When your destiny has been written in blood, and you are left with one burning question. Is your Guardian Angel from Heaven or Hell?


What some readers have said:

Miss Reviewer rated it Five Stars
Shelves: interesting-idea, original
I picked this up based on a recommendation and am glad I did. Roberts knows how to spin a good tale that appeals to our deepest emotions and makes us wonder what may be hidden behind the portal to our world.

A well written and emotional tale, Paradox: The Angels are here tells the story of Grace, a girl with a huge secret. Sent into this world, she has a purpose, a mission to fulfil. Behind her, the dark houses of angels are plotting, waiting to take over the world and the people inhabiting it. Who will win the fight? Who will lose? And is there a winner or loser, or simply just pain and mystery for those whose souls may be lost forever?

Paradox: The Angels are here was a chilly ride full of emotion and suspense. It’s so well written, I kept turning the pages, wondering what would happen next. The second book in the series cannot be out fast enough.

Review by: Suzy Turner on July 28, 2011 : Five Stars
This is so totally different from anything I’ve read recently and I have to say… WOW. Patti Roberts is a truly remarkable writer. The way she weaves her tales among the story is extraordinary. I can honestly say I was in awe of the way she managed to do it. I’d love to have that talent. The story was so unusual… in fact it was a story within a story, or should I say a story within a story, within a story… I could go on because there are several different tales going on in the book at different times in history. And it’s not confusing, Patti Roberts has managed to intertwine these aspects beautifully.

I also love the fact that Lisbon has been incorporated (I live in Portugal, but I won’t say anything more!) My only criticism is that I NEED to know what happens next!! I can’t wait for book two!

5.0 out of 5 stars EXCELLENT
By N. Valdes “VampLOVE” (New York,NY)
This review is from: Paradox – The Angels Are Here (Kindle Edition)
After reading dozens of Angel based books, I cannot recall a time when I said, hey- I like this. Well, surprisingly, I loved this. This book is up there on my list of favorites. First of all, the writing was excellent, I was literally flabbergasted and felt inferior in anything I’ve ever written. There’s no slow parts, just a mind-blowing of information you devour with willingness. I don’t know too much about Angel history, but it sounds like research was done and I’m going to take Roberts word for anything she tells me about Angels from here on out, truth or not. This is how much I became sucked into this world. And with all my disappointment, it ended. Just like that, I was like no way. That cannot be it, and it isn’t because then I remembered she has a sequel coming out! Grace, is a character I can very much relate too, and even as a little girl, it’s obvious she will grow to be a wonderful adult. Cannot wait to see what’s in store for the lovely Grace. =]
--

Australian ebook - bookstore
ebook from Smashwords - all formats
US - ebook from Amazon
UK - ebook from Amazon
Barnes & Noble - Nook
Createspace Here (paperback)
Thesaurus Bookstore Melbourne - paperback in store soon.
YouTube Paradox Book Trailer
Paradox Blog
Twitter
Facebook



Paradox - The Angels Are Here (Book 1 in the Paradox Series)


I love Patti’s style of writing, it is a book you have to read slowly and carefully, but only so that you don’t miss anything, Patti does such a phenomenal job at describing every detail. I have to thank Patti for allowing me to read her novella and I would recommend this book to all. It is a superb book and I think you will all enjoy it as much as I did. Patti, yes I loved the book, can I ask one question, can I pleaseeeeeee review book 2 for you - it really was the most amazing book I have read in a long time, and that cliffhanger at the end *panting for more* !! Natalie Hillier

Review by: Suzy Turner on July 28, 2011 : Five Stars
This is so totally different from anything I’ve read recently and I have to say… WOW. Patti Roberts is a truly remarkable writer. The way she weaves her tales among the story is extraordinary. I can honestly say I was in awe of the way she managed to do it. I’d love to have that talent.

I wasn't supposed to read this book until I finished two others I had in front of it. After a peak inside I was sucked in and finished the book in one evening. I rarely give five stars, but the fact that I couldn't sleep until I finished it deserves it. Julia Crane

Patti Roberts writes clearly and evokes an emotional reaction as well as deep thought in her readers, clearly an amazing writer. The reader will look forward to the sequel of this novel. – Krystal

I honestly couldn’t stop reading and finished the book in less than 3 hours because I wanted to know what was going to happen next – Alaiel Kreuz

For myself it gave me my first taste of the world of Angels through Patti Roberts eyes and I was not disappointed. – Darkiss Reads


Paradox - The Progeny Of Innocence (Book 2 in the Paradox series) Available November 2011.




FYI

Disclaimer: the owner of this blog does not warranty any disclosed information; the author blogs were for your entertainment, only.

The host of this author blog fest is Cynthia Meyers-Hanson. She writes real life inspirational stories about overcoming adversity as well as miracle tales some with Christian Near Death Experiences and other Heavenly encounters. She, also, writes children’s books. Meanwhile, with pen name, she writes novels about tough subjects such as a love story involving an HIV positive soul, blindness, murder, and other ripped from the headline topics. You can find all these books @

AMAZON paperbacks as well as Kindle e-books @ http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=mchanson714

SMASHWORDS with most e-formats @ http://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=mchanson714

LULU has some of the titles as well as hardcovers and paperbacks including children's books @ http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/mchanson714