#also figuring out how to draw teardrops was like. really fun.

[darkdakota8998]

“Memories”

rbs very appreciated!!

[toartemis]

Come on Love, Draw Your Swords - Part 6

Look at me, I’m posting this here the same day I posted on Ao3! You can read this chapter there if you’d like. 

Feel free to listen to Maester by Ramin Djawadi while reading this chapter, it sets the mood.

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 & 4, Part 5.

Summary: 

Sing to me, Moonlight For you, dear, are honey-tongued I dream just for you.

Or: The one where Jude finds out she's pregnant, and Cardan begins collecting a thousand plants.

Word Count: 1,851

Warnings: None

Preview:  

And then the sun breaks over the land, warmth overflowing with it, and Jude gasps. It’s one of the most breathtaking things she’s ever seen.

-------

Three weeks until the baby is supposed to arrive, Cardan spends an entire day not-so-subtly suggesting that Jude visit his greenhouse. It surprises her when she realizes that she’s never been, because It’s something that’s become so important to him over the months. Though Jude’s felt incredibly bored as time passes and she gets farther along, able to do less and less of what she used to, she hasn’t given a thought to visiting in her increasing amount of free time.

 She supposes she’s placed it into a box, like she does with most things; she filed it away. Cardan’s greenhouse seemed off-limits, like a sacred place she wouldn’t dare step foot into so as not to disturb anything. Also, the plants are annoying and mean and very, very strange, apparently. 

 “One of my most recent flowers sprouted almonds,” Cardan says out of nowhere, leaning in to her ear as they sit next to each other during a gathering of their Council. Nothing important is being said at the moment, or at all, really. Jude decides to play along.

 “The way those horrible things grow, I can’t say I’m surprised.”

 Cardan leans back, affronted. “They’re not horrible. They’re unique.” The pride in his voice causes Jude to snort, which earns her a few stares. They settle after that, like children in a classroom. Jude suppresses a smile for the rest of the meeting.

 -------

 “I’m raising a Venus flytrap that developed the ability to laugh,” he says as Jude does her stretches around midnight, sheets of paper strewn before them. The emphasis he puts on the name of the plant makes her lips twitch up. 

 “Really?” she asks, voice indifferent. Her mind is foggy from hours of negotiations with the Court of Moths. They’re currently looking over written agreements for… something. Jude hasn’t been paying all that much attention. It’s harder to, lately. Her mind is understandably elsewhere. 

 “Indeed, I think it sounds rather like yours,” he drawls.

 Jude glares at him, trying to imagine it. A plant with her laugh? Is he making fun of her? Cardan’s gaze stays on the papers. His tail is out, curling near his leg. It’s like that most days now. 

 “What do you do to them?” 

 He ignores her. “I find it amusing when I hear it.” 

Jude huffs. He doesn’t seem to want to say anything else, his silence speaking for him. They get back to work.

 -------

 She’s reading in a newly cushioned nook in the corner of their bedroom, candles placed along shelves near her. It’s near moonset when Cardan whispers, “They’ve grown so beautifully.” 

 It takes Jude a moment to catch on to what he’s saying. She looks up from her book when she does, taking in his appearance. He’s dressed in a loose, cream-colored, silk shirt. It cuts low enough to expose his sternum. His plain trousers match with a long, thin coat that she sees him wear often when he wanders off to tend to his plants. “Have they? They used to annoy me. They were obnoxious.”

 Cardan’s brows furrow, and after a moment he says, “They were, yes.”

 He looks as if he will say more, but he stays silent, bare feet gliding silently over the floor to sprawl on a futon made of fine fabrics and plush pillows near the fireplace. Jude takes a few more minutes to read—this book is for her own pleasure, but not one of her usuals that focus on strategy and war. This one's about interpreting the stars—before she gets up. 

 She puts on a thin slip dress for bed, because soft, loose fabrics are much more comfortable for her to wear in her current state. Cardan’s eyes are on her as she takes her hair from its long, intricately woven braid, combing her fingers through swooping waves. When she walks into the main room of their chambers, he follows closely, stepping around her to make for a wardrobe full of coats and shoes. 

 Jude assumes he’s going to look after his plants when he pulls on a pair of smudged boots, the telltale sign of once being mud-clad, but are now wiped clean. She’s rifling through papers at a writing desk when he leaves, pulling one of the doors open to the hall. The guards stationed outside straighten to attention, and Cardan lingers before the in-between of the doorway. Jude stills, watching.

 “You’ve yet to visit with me,” he says, eyes front at hall, but it’s directed at Jude and she can hear his message loud and clear: Come with me this time.

 It’s what she’s been waiting for. 

 Jude only nods and makes to grab a velvet hooded cape from the wardrobe, slipping on her favorite pair of riding boots and waddling to stand beside him. Cardan hides his happiness in his eyes, his face a neutral mask. Jude can see it all the same.

 He laces their hands together and they walk past the guards further into the palace, then outside a Northern exit. They’re silent as they make their way, passing only a few fey and knights. The former all seem startled to see both of them, especially dressed the way they are. Jude couldn’t care less.

 Dawn is in the midst of breaking outside, soft orange and lilac spilling over the horizon beyond the hills. The grass is wet beside the stone path they walk on, its pleasant scent soothing to Jude. She’s seen the greenhouse before, so she isn’t fazed when they come upon it. It’s a strange building; small and made of gold and glass, dark wood paneling spread throughout. It has sloping crystal-paned roofs on either side of the main entrance. 

 They stop before the thin glass doors. Jude can make out the faint outlines of green from within, but not much else. She glances at Cardan in question and finds him looking uncertain. Then, he tilts his head up and pushes the doors open. 

 Jude notices the air first. It is thick, a strange mixture of soil and attractive aromas hitting her senses, and it’s almost as if she can taste it all. And then the sun breaks over the land, warmth overflowing with it, and Jude gasps. It’s one of the most breathtaking things she’s ever seen. 

 Greens, blues, whites, and more sit before her. Light refracts through crystalline walls that look like massive gems from her perspective inside. The room hums with a distinct magic.

 And all at once, Jude finally understands. Everything she can see, all of the swaying, docile things, they’re all proof. Maybe for her, maybe for himself, she doesn’t know, but they’re a testament nonetheless.

 Each one of these plants, once unremarkable from the mortal world, now twisted and strange after being in Cardan’s care, is thriving. The room itself is alive, magic flowing through each root, stem, and leaf of its occupants.

 “Do you like it?” Cardan asks, voice hesitant, interrupting her wonder. 

 “Cardan,” she says, “This is incredible.” Jude pads to the nearest bunch of flowers. They look delicate, all a soft blue color, but a sticky, clear goo coats them, dripping onto jade stones that sit on top of the soil. The substance flickers, like tiny shards of iridescent glass is sprinkled throughout it. The flowers bend towards her, not menacing in any way, but like a cat purring for a scratch on the head. 

 She moves further down, weaving through vined plants hanging in ceramic bowls from the bright ceiling. The appendages brush against her like fingers. One strokes through strands of her hair, alive and curious, and she laughs in amazement. Cardan follows at a distance.

 Jude stops in front of a cactus with so many spines it looks like a porcupine. Oak loves those creatures. The succulent flexes and relaxes as if breathing.

 “How?” she asks, an overwhelming ache in her chest. She wanders to a small tree that twists and swirls around itself, berries like teardrop candy hanging from its coiled branches. When she turns to face Cardan, she feels the urge to cry. 

 He stands some feet away, watching her, hands behind his back. Every living thing in sight reaches towards him, stretching and curling. It would be a disconcerting sight if not for the fact that she knows these plants are alive and it is out of clear affection. He has breathed life into every one of them, coaxed them into friendliness. This is what he’s been doing almost every day at this hour; he’s been out here working, learning, helping them grow. Jude’s throat feels tight at the thought.

 “I was… afraid,” he says. “I wanted something to challenge me. I wanted to make something without magic. So, I thought if I could raise a few plants from the mortal world, in a way I might have a chance at being a father.” He smiles bashfully, shaking his head. “It sounds strange, now.”

 Cardan reaches for one of the plants sprawling from the ceiling, its tiny leaves wrap around his finger like a child. There’s a fondness to his eyes when he looks at it. 

 “It ended up not being a few, as you’ve noticed. Though I was certain I was keeping them alive by mortal means, I couldn’t keep my magic from corrupting them. They began to act out. It upset me… I felt like I failed.” He pulls his hand away, grazing a sparkling bush near his waist. The foliage rumbles at him, startling Jude, but Cardan is unperturbed, as if he deals with it frequently.

 Oh. He does.

 “Then, after I moved them in here, I began to figure them all out. Each was a puzzle of sorts. Every one distinctly its own. I’ve grown to care for them, genuinely.” 

 He steps in front of her, hands by his sides. “They are for you. None will lash out any longer; in fact, they all have rather gentle personalities.”

 Jude’s heart feels close to bursting. She takes Cardan’s hands in hers and brings them to her belly, pressing them lightly.

 “You will be the most wonderful father,” she says, and she means it with everything she has. The smile he gives her is blinding, and Jude marvels at how beautiful he is. Truly, it leaves her breathless.

 “You like them,” he states, still grinning and looking around at his creations, because, yes, that is what they are. 

 “I love it all.” She leans up on her toes to kiss him, hands going to his shoulders. 

 They spend the early morning in the greenhouse, Cardan showing her around, introducing her to so many interesting and pretty things. She can’t keep her eyes off of him for more than a few seconds at a time. Her thoughts stray to what he will be like with their baby, how he will look with a child in his arms. One of her hands stays resting on her stomach during those hours, the other stays clasped in his.

 Jude realizes she’s happy. She couldn’t make the content smile leave her face even if she tried.

-------

Big oof. This chapter was my favorite of all of them, even though it was so short. I just love the idea of Cardan freaking out over having a kid and trying to raise plants as practice. It’s so dumb, but :’) 

Thank you all so much for reading even with absolutely 0 plot. There’s only one chapter left and it’ll close out the entire series, I’m excited!

[bnhaworld]

Happy New Year :) May I request? When Katsuki was abducted by the league of vilians, his fem s/o was also abducted, her quirk powerful too. How would Katsuki react if his fem s/o actually hesitated and thought about joining the league because she's been betrayed before and is angry about the past? Angst but a fluffy ending? Thank you!

This put me in my bag, anon. I’ll try my best to live up to your expectations! I also think this is the best one I’ve written thus far sO ENJOY -Calamari

Put Me Back Together // Katsuki Bakugo x Reader

Tw: Mentions of bullying and abuse; Reader is being restrained; Mild cursing; 

Katsuki was in the midst of arguing with the gaggle of villains who believed he’d make a good villain. He was excessively caught up in his anger and yelling, that he hadn’t even noticed you tied up in the corner as well.

“Ka..tsuki..” You murmured softly. Your head hurt, and your entire body felt quite heavy with exhaustion. Every ounce of your being was pleading with you to go back to rest, but you couldn’t bring yourself back into a drowsy state the moment you caught whiff of the situation.

“You’re crazy if you think I’d run off with the likes of you! Especially since-” The moment you voice drifted into his ear, his crimson eyes widened. He flicked his neck toward you, and he only began to stir with much more determination than before. He turned toward the head villain, Tomura Shigaraki and emitted a low growl.

“Interesting..” Tomura muttered to himself. It seemed as though negotiating with the ferocious blond had no way of moving forward with his agenda. Therefore, he turned to the latter, taking steady steps toward you.

You shook your head softly, willing away the pain. You stared at Tomura, and almost instantly, you were hit with a rush of adrenaline. You prepared to fight him, but the restrains held you back. You huffed quietly against the ropes, eyes watering.

“What the hell do you want?” You spat. You tried your best to hold a tough facade, much like your partner would, but it took so much more strength for you than it did for him.

“Well, (Y/N)..” Tomura began, speaking softly as though you were a rabid animal in need of a calming syringe. He gave a gentle tug to your rope, pieces of it fluttering softly to the ground under his touch. He chuckled, pulling both his hand and attention of the rope and focusing himself on you.

“I had a proposition for you, you see.” He continued to speak, a devilish knowing tone laced in his voice. “(Y/N), you poor sapling. You had such a tragic upbringing, didn’t you?” 

You felt your heart drop, and almost instantly, tears began to form in the corner of your eyes. You wished to silence him in any manner possible, but your voice seemed to fail you. A reaction like this one pleased Tomura, and you could barely sneak a single peek at the way his cheeks rose in a ghoulish grin.

“All those years of torment under the hands of youth. You should be strong now..” He draws his hand down your cheek. “..but you are still but a young, helpless sapling. You can snap at any moment. That is why I come to you with such a proposition.”

He removes the hand that covers his face, his red eyes glistening with mischief and malformed face contorting into a sickly grin.

“Join me, (Y/N). We will stop those who think they deserve the title of hero. I mean, look at him, for fuck’s sake, (Y/N). Do you have any idea of the trauma he has caused? And he thinks he can be a hero..” He breaks out into sickly cackles, finger pointed accusingly at Katsuki.

You turned slowly to look at Katsuki, whose head hung like a kicked puppy with remorse for his actions. Something took a hold of your gut and twisted it with guilt of your own. You ignored the feeling and turned away from him, locking eyes with the fiend’s rubies. Before you can protest against his speech, a soft giggle bubbles through him. Tomura leans forward, eyes locking onto yours.

“You have so much pain in you.” He whispers. He is whispering softly, as though he is only enraptured by your attention, but something within you tells you, he is willing Katsuki to listen in as well.

 “All those years of teasing you, making fun of you, calling you foolish names,” He licks his lips, indirectly teasing you to connect the dots. “.. and pushing you around.. Do you not tire of it? You don’t want to.. let out all your inner fury? I can tell you do. All that’s left is for you to join me. Join us.” 

Your heart and mind felt as though they were tearing away at each other. You couldn’t figure out what you wanted. A part of you wished to fight back and tell them to go to hell, that you didn’t need to avenge anything. However, the pained part of you opted for revenge. You needed sweet, sweet relief from the pain you had suffered through for years. There was an animalistic urge that had settled within you for years to fight against those who had wronged you so in the past.

You let your mind wander with your eyes as you scanned the room. These were people who wanted you to give in to such urges, to find direct release from the agony that had always held you back. They had chosen you for a reason. Perhaps you were there for a reason. 

Tomura sat in front of you, face eager to hear your reaction. He was sure from the way your face depicted thought that you were genuinely considering his bargain. 

Of course, when your eyes slowly found their way to Katsuki’s, you came in touch with the real you. He was staring at you with shock etched across his face. He had been wanting to cry out to you and Tomura. To tell that dehydrated fucker that you’d never give in to the likes of him. But when you had become so pensive to the simple thought of becoming a villain, he felt helpless. 

Was he really a good boyfriend if you were willing to even give the villain life a thought? 

Though it was him that may have been salvation from the very thought in the first place. Every memory and friend you had made up until this point was truly the explanation to an answer you didn’t know you had.

“I’ll do it. I’ll join you.” 

“(Y/N), you..” Katsuki laughed with fearful madness. “You can’t possibly be fucking serious?” He looked so lost, hurt and overall; betrayed. Useless, salty tears pricked the corners of his eyes, and his anger quickly warped into pain.

“Your precious sapling made a choice. Let it go.” Tomura snickered at him. “Dear, (Y/N), with us, you will grow into a tree of fortitude. I promise. Spinner, get her out of her bounds.”

You felt the ropes loosen up around you. You felt a small smile work its way onto your lips, and your body’s exhaustion leaving you in exchange for a brighter rush of adrenaline. The moment your bounds were removed, you stretch out your arms, taking in a soft breath. 

“Thanks.” You murmured quietly, inspecting the subtle indents on your arms. You peered upward at Katsuki and shot him a cheeky wink. He refused to look at you though, his eyes trapped on the floor. 

“This idiot doesn’t realize what he could’ve had, huh?” You asked, tilting your head a bit. The group in the room broke into scattered laughter as you waltz over to him, placing a hand gingerly beneath his chin and making him face you. “You’re so dense.” You murmured, scanning his face. Though his face was in your direction, his eyes weren’t concentrated on you. “So.. so dense.”

In a brief flash, you quickly reached for his bounds, pulling them apart in the single tug Spinner had used to release you. Katsuki broke away from his broken stupor and immediately rushed toward you, scooping you up in an arm and using his other arm to drop explosives on the team. There was a huge gasp among every villain, save for Tomura who opted to yell out an angry scolding.

“You bitch!” He cursed out, his voice cracking halfway through his words. You took a peek over Katsuki’s shoulder, and watched as he began to scratch his neck vigorously.  

Katsuki broke through the hideout, and held you tightly as you reached the skies. The air had caused forming tears of his to fall freely as you held onto him tightly, afraid of even loosening your grip. The flight was spent in silence, except for a few moments where Katsuki would take in a shaky breath or curse himself out.

You came to a landing, softly in the back of a huge crowd forming before a screened television. He set you down gently at first. You reached forward, trying to take his hand in yours but he snatched his hand far away from you. You winced a tad at the action.

“Suki..” You walked a bit faster, placing a hand on his shoulder. He whipped around, eyes full of anger and spilling tears.

“Don’t call me that. What the fuck were you thinking?” His voice came out broken, as though more tears than those falling were already spawning and threatening to fall out once more. 

You felt anger bubbling in your stomach, but you knew it was the proper reaction to what had happened. You placed a hand on his cheek, and at once you felt the warmth fill your hands. He reluctantly leaned into your hand, taking in a shaky breath.

“What were you thinking..?” He whispered softly, tears falling from his eyes. You wiped away each tear with your thumb, letting out a shaky sigh of your own. You felt yourself grow teary-eyed as well.

“I was thinking.. about the offer. I didn’t want to take it, but he had a point. I.. I am hurt.” You sighed, your head lowering as you felt a tad ashamed to be admitting what you had to. “Ive been hurting for so long, Katsuki. I couldn’t give in to that, though. Not after I managed to get you to love me through all the pain.”

“Of course, I would, you dumbass. You think I’m proud of that shit that I did? Every day I want to take it back, and every night it’s the reason I can’t sleep. How the fuck am I supposed to be a hero if I can’t even get my girlfriend to believe in me?”

“I never said I didn’t believe in you. Believing in you was the very reason why I didn’t give in. Please understand, Katsuki.” A single teardrop slid down your cheek, a choked sob punctuating the end of your words. 

He only nodded, leaning toward you and placing a gentle kiss upon your lips. It was a kiss full of need, and full of guilt. But it was also a kiss that made a promise. A promise to do your best for him. And for him to do his best.

Maybe he wasn’t going to be the greatest hero ever. But as long as he was a hero to you, than maybe it wouldn’t be so bad.

[tassium]

#TAYLOR SWIFT APPRECIATION LIFE

PART 2 - Fearless 

(click here for part 1)

So. This was supposed to go up yesterday. But then work ate my soul. And THEN it was supposed to go up this morning.... and I slept half the day after how tired I was from work eating my soul.

So! My timeline is all sideways but I’m GOING TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN DANG IT.

Without further ado, let’s get into @taylorswift‘s sophomore album.

1. Fearless

This! Song! I love this this song so much, oh my gosh. It opens perfectly - that drum hit and then that iconic guitar riff, which bleeds into TWO lead guitar pieces and then her VOICE comes in and just. Aaaah, I am a heart-eyes emoji over this song, honestly. I love the way it builds, the way it goes from, like... yeah, all the instruments are involved in the first verse, but they kinda kick it up a notch for the turnaround into the second verse, and then... the chorus hits. The drum build into the first chorus is so fun, but it’s not my favorite one - that title goes to the drop at the end of the third verse. The drums behind “capture it, remember it” are the best thing e v e r.

This song for me is absolutely all about the instrumentation, if you couldn’t tell. I like the lyrical content, and I think Taylor delivers a great vocal performance, but the production overshadows all of that for me. This song is definitive dancing-around-my-bedroom countrypop for me, and I think it is the ideal way to kick off this album.

2. Fifteen

I have... kind of a love/hate relationship with this song. I always have, thought I have to stay I’m a LOT less bitter about it than I was when it first came out. I won’t go into the gory details of it, but suffice to say that 15 was the age when I kind of... self destructed a little (it was the Disorder finally rearing its ugly head) and I was super bitter about the idea that for some people being fifteen meant ‘feeling like there’s nothing to figure out’ and first dates and meeting new best friends when I was like. Literally falling apart at the seams.

BUT! Now that I’ve grown up and started to come into being A Person with a metric ton of perspective dumped on me along the way, I think this song is really cute and endearing and nostalgic for a life I didn’t have, but in a good way. ESPECIALLY is this true when I listen to “in your life you’ll do things greater than dating the football team” and remember that this album came out a year after Taylor won the horizon award (”definitely the highlight of her senior year” oh my god don’t get me started about that speech)

And you know what? Time really can heal most anything.

3. Love Story

This album is just packed with iconic guitar leads, and I love it to pieces. This track is another excellent example of Taylor’s habit of building a track from softness into something a little more intense. I love her vocals on the second verse especially (that little oh-oh! in the middle just fills me with an unexplained joy) and then... there’s the fiddle turnaround into the bridge, which. If you read part one of this series, you know I have an obsession with those. (And it comes back for the play down to the outro, which. yes, good, I’ll take it.)

I’m something of a Romeo and Juliet fanatic, so maybe that’s part of what draws me to this song, I like the idea of a happy ending to the concept - Marie Kondo says throw it out if it doesn’t bring you joy, so. You know.

4. Hey Stephen

*Dreamy sigh* god I love this song. It’s such a feel good jam, and there are parts of it that I just find delightful, even though objectively they would drive me crazy in another setting (that electronic church organ sound in the background is one of them). And then! Taylor is just! so cute! that GIGGLE at the end of the bridge. Gosh. Who legalized this?

I think my favorite vocal thing that Taylor does in this song is the last post-chorus that leads into the actual final chorus and the way she leans into it. And if I was pressed to a pick a favorite ‘ad-lib outro’ thing, it would be this one.

5. White Horse

This song is such an interesting track to have on the same album with Love Story - they’re just total opposites and I think it’s an excellent choice of alternate narratives. (And yes, I’m aware that Romeo and Juliet isn’t technically a fairytale, shhhh)

I don’t have particularly strong feelings about this song until the bridge, because I love the bridge so so much. Honestly this song feels like a more mature version of Should’ve Said No (and if you read the first part of this series you know how strongly I feel about that song so...) Because it has the same sort of “you say you’re sorry but it’s too late for that” feeling to it.

Overall this track is an excellent example of lyrical storytelling - especially that “small town there in my rearview mirror disappearing now” is such an evocative lyric. I don’t have hierarchies for any of Taylor’s albums, but if I tried, I think this track would settle comfortably in the upper middle.

6. You Belong With Me

I. Love. This. Song.

It wasn’t until this listening to the album, actually, that I realized how much of this album contains more mature versions of the messages from the first album. Like, tell me this song isn’t like a more assertive version of Invisible or Teardrops on my Guitar. This feels like Taylor looking back at those experiences and saying ‘hold up, i’m not letting this happen again, get BACK HERE and let me tell you how I feel!’

But. Listen. We need to talk about this music video. This music video is like the ultimate coming of age ten movie condensed into 4 minutes. Tell me I’m wrong.

Never in my life have I felt so connected to Taylor Swift than during that dancing-in-her-bedroom scene. that’s exactly the kind of shenanigans I STILL get up to to this day. (Also, I will fight anyone who says they don’t love the Junior Jewels shirt.) I vividly remember seeing this video for the first time and thinking that having the Other Girl played by a brunette version of Taylor was just. Brilliant. And of course we have the classic scene of the girl entering the school dance and stealing away the boy for the happy ever after - still not sure why he would have that piece of paper with him, so I’ll just chalk it up under suspension of disbelief.

...But, really, Taylor.... who holds books like that?

7. Breathe

This song fills me with such a melancholy feeling - not that I’m complaining, because I love this song to pieces. It’s permanently connected to one of my friends, because we recorded a cover video of this song at about 1am the night before I left the first time we met in person.

I love love love Colbie’s harmonies on this song - a whole lot better than how I felt about some of the male harmonies on the tracks from Taylor’s debut.

I don’t have a lot to say about this song, but that doesn’t mean I love it any less. I like the more stripped down quality to the song, even though it’s not really that stripped down - all the same pieces are there, it’s just all in how they’re applied.

8. Tell Me Why

Once again, what an arrangement! I love this song for the lyrical content, yes, but this is another song that I love for the instrumentation more than anything.

Speaking of the lyrical content, though, this song is a look at a surprisingly toxic sounding relationship for Taylor’s usual topics. A lot of the things about this track sound like classic abusive tactics - though I don’t think that’s exactly what she’s trying to portray. This song doesn’t even have to be about any kind romantic relationship in the first place. It could just as easily be about a toxic friendship (god knows I’ve had enough experience with that to know just how applicable this song’s lyrics are)

But to talk about the music as well, real quick, just. The fiddle opening!! and the drums!! and the tasteful small additions of steel guitar! and Just. so much about this track that I love. Is it just me or does it seem like this album has a much more driving backing track on most of the tracks than we saw on the self titled?

9. You’re Not Sorry

It’s fascinating to me that Taylor paired this song with the previous track for her album lineup - they’re very similar themes - but this song seems... angrier, almost. That’s not quite the word I’m going for, but I don’t know what word I AM going for, so it’ll have to do.

I just. need to talk about Taylor’s vocals on this song. This is another one I would love to hear Taylor perform with her current vocal abilities, because I feel like it would be absolutely outstanding. There are spots in this track (’tired of being last to know’ and ‘there’s nothing left to beg for’ in particularly) where she leans into them a little bit, but I feel like given just a little bit more, they could really knock it out of the park.

10. The Way I Loved You

I have... mixed feelings about this song. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t dislike this song, and I think it builds really beautifully, but... It’s just not one of my favorites. I just don’t have particularly strong feelings about this one either way. I’ll still sing along to it in the car just as intensely as to any of them, and there are moments of it that I like - the almost military beat in the second verse and her strident delivery of “he calls exactly when he says he will” is a very nice piece, but... overall, it’s just not my favorite.

11. Forever and Always

THIS SONG HOWEVER. heck man. I love this song. I will go ham for this song anytime any day. There are so many good choices in this track - the drumming is brilliant and I think Taylor’s vocals on this song are better here than on the previous track, which makes it kind of refreshing.

Favorite parts include the bassline in the first verse, the way everything drops out from behind “coming down to nothing” except for the drums, and the “you didn’t mean it baby, I don’t think so” instrumentation, which builds up into the solo so well - and then we get the bridge. which is. just. stunning. I have no other words for it. 

I love this song!!!!

Bonus commentary from the platinum edition:

The piano version of this song is so much more heart wrenching than the standard version. Her delivery is so much softer (those soft high notes are my favorite), there’s a lot more hurt in her voice, and I love her harmonies over her own vocals. Beautiful. Especially the bridge, those harmonies and her delivery of those lines... I get chills every time.

And. Listen. It’s called the piano version, but the strings added onto the second half is such a good choice. A++

12. The Best Day

Okay, so. Listen. This song is absolutely every bit as saccharine as people say it is, but I really think it’s entirely a choice. From my perspective on it, it’s supposed to read as if it’s got the point of view of someone much younger than Taylor’s, what, 18 years at the time of release? I love the line “I’ve got my big coat on” because that’s SUCH a great choice for a line about a five year old.

Now I just. Need to talk about my FEELINGS about this for a second.

u g h god this song kills me every time. From hearing other people talk about this song, it seems like it doesn’t hit you as hard if you aren’t a daughter or if you don’t have a good relationship with your mom. I am privileged enough to have a great mom, just like it seems Taylor does, and so I can barely listen to this song without crying through half of it.

Then again, that might just have more to do with the fact that I’m a total crybaby.

13. Change

WHAT AN OPENING. I will never not love the way it just blazes into life from the word go and then goes a little softer for the verse, as if giving you a moment to breathe before it throws that chorus at you. There are some incredible examples of instrumentation choices in this song (it all comes back around to the drums for me, I don’t know what it is)

And then there’s that one note - which, comparatively speaking, isn’t really impressive, but it certainly blew me away the first time I heard it. The build-up to it is so well done, with the quiet bridge-y bit leading into the explosive drop into the full chorus and then that instrumental outro-- be still my heart.

Time for the bonus tracks! All six five of them. >.>

14. Jump Then Fall

I love this song. This is tied to a friend of mine as well, primarily because of the line “I realize your laugh is the best sound I have ever heard”, which is also my favorite line in this song.

There’s a quality to the instrumentation at the very beginning of the song that makes me nostalgic for the days of recording tracks off youtube and ending up with these horribly compressed versions of them - even when i’m listening to it on spotify part of me questions if I have a corrupted mp3.

I can’t not smile while I listen to this song, especially to the second verse - “I like the way you’re everything I ever wanted” is the cutest thing ever and if you disagree, get out of my face.

There’s something so youthful and fluttery and cute about this song, it makes me feel as if I really am the one with this unbearably huge crush on someone in the best shivery way possible.

15. Untouchable

I didn’t know until I was listening to @stateofswiftpod (and yes i’m going to continue repping them because. amazing.) that this track is a COVER. I was blown away because... okay. Listen. I looked up the original version and... Taylor worked magic with this track. The original really is just... an average to mediocre pop punk song, okay? It’s exactly the kind of vibe I’d normally be into but then it just. doesn’t hold me.

But Taylor’s version is just Stunning. Her vocal delivery is spot on, and the final chorus makes me so happy, with the alteration of the melody. Honestly, her mind. To think that she listened to the original song and heard the potential for this piece of musical art just blows me away.

16. Come In With The Rain

This isn’t one of my favorites - honestly I have no strong feelings about any of the remaining bonus tracks - but there is something about the message of this song that hooks me. The idea that you’ve been wishing and hoping and thinking about something so much for so long that you’re just. tired. Too tired to keep worrying about it, so you just leave the path for it open and let yourself focus on something else.

17. SuperStar

This song also kind of fascinates me. The concept of Taylor as the fan instead of the star, set at possibly the very last point in her life where she could realistically sing the bridge - “I’m invisible and everyone knows who you are” - is just... there’s something about it, you feel? It’s like a time capsule from that exact time of Taylor’s life, and it’s wild to think how many people feel like this about her now.

18. The Other Side of the Door

I’ve elected to ignore the obvious read of this song where it’s just. Young failure to communicate and unhealthy relationship dynamics.

Here’s my take on the song: It’s about that feeling where you want things to go like a 90s teen movie, but that ideal teenage experience isn’t real, it’s all fictionalized for those exact movies. And you know that’s the case, you know that it’s all too good to be true, but you’re still kinda salty about it.

Side note, I really like the delivery on the ending lines, with the way it kind of contrasts against the music behind it.

Roll credits, we’ve made it to the end of another album! I don’t know about you guys, but I need a break. So I’m gonna do that, and we’ll be back with another review after a word from our sponsors.

Next up: Speak Now

[writer-and-artist27]

10Q x a billion

Tagged by: @owlsofstarlight

Put under the cut for the sake of not being long.

1. What’s one genre you really love the idea of, but are disappointed when you go to read/watch it?

Romance, because so many harem shows and so on just make it way too dramatic and painful to get through. Aside from Cardcaptor Sakura and stories like @langwrites‘ Catch Your Breath, which did amazing Slow Burn, I rarely go into Romance genre stuff.

2. Feelings about fire in general? (where my fellow pyros?)

Neutral. As long as it can help keep the house warm and cook food, I’m good.

3. Which of your OCs is the kinkiest?

In terms of hints/innuendos? Hikari, since she does tease Judai on occasion when they’re alone. Of course, this happens when Tomoko is not around. Hisako does troll Tomoko a little bit herself, but not in that category since sex-related stuff is very iffy for Tomo in general.

4. What is the one thing you most want a fan to say someday?

“Could I draw fanart for you?” or “I was hoping if I could write a fanfic of your fanfic?”

I’d be squealing all day if that happened.

5. Which OC do you think readers will like the most?

From personal opinion? Tomoko, Hisako, and Hikari, since those three ladies stand out so much in CP and in S&S. From what I’ve seen of FFN reviews though, Hikari’s the Ensemble Darkhorse, and that’s awesome.

6. Were your OCs born naturally, with pharmaceutical assistance, or via c section?

Aside from Hisako, because Nobody status for Tomoko, all my OCs were born naturally. I honestly think Judai was the only one that came from c-section, because his mother (and in turn, Tomoko’s paternal grandmother) suffered from some health problems. I can’t expand on it aside from that because I haven’t exactly thought about Judai’s parents. For as long as Judai himself knew, he was an orphan.

7. What is the single emotion that is the absolute hardest for you to write? (loneliness, loss, hopelessness, joy, etc)

Seething anger to the point of extreme action. I can get close with my empathy and sympathy to many different emotions, but anger in that level (where a character might even kill or something) is something I can’t imagine. Nor the simple mess that is Orochimaru’s craftiness, because all he is in my head is a pedophile snake that deserves to die.

8. If your OC were a cookie, what sort of cookie would they be?

Tomoko would be a sweet red velvet cookie. Hikari would be macademia nuts, Judai a chocolate chip protein cookie (because ninja status), and Hisako would be peanuts and M&Ms.

Tomoya, on the other hand, I see being birthday cake, because she’s still figuring out who she is past her assigned male gender.

The Hitoshi family would all be oatmeal cookies that got badly burnt in the oven. :d

9. How important do you think it is to describe a character’s appearance?

Pretty important, but not so much to where you dedicate entire pages to them. The reader should get an idea of how they look, but also leave some room for interpretation/fanart opportunities. Hence why when I do describe appearances in writing, they’re simple and sweet so that art has a leeway to come in.

10. And, spitballing off that, which OC do you think is the prettiest?

Right now? Hikari, since she can rock almost any outfit. Also helped by how she makes her own clothes. Tomoko is still growing, but she’ll get there.

11. Your absolute most evil OC is startled by a toaster popping. What happens next?

Mamoru (the original Drunk Guy) would kinda smash it with an alcohol bottle. Only for Natsumi to go on and yell at him because that was still a perfectly okay toaster. Satoru would be rolling his eyes and heading out the window to avoid another argument on his parents’ parts.

12. One of your OCs is in a Disney animated movie. What’s the “big” song of that movie? (Pocahontas’ was “Colors of the wind,” Aladdin was “A Whole New World,” Hercules was “Zero to Hero” etc.)

If it was Tomoko, the song would be Let’s Just Live from RWBY Volume 4. Simple as that.

For Hisako, it’ll be Neon, also from RWBY, this time being Volume 3.

For Hikari, it would probably be Taylor Davis’s violin cover of My Heart Will Go On from Titanic.

Judai naturally gets Teardrop by BOWL.

Tomoya would probably get something like Mirror Mirror, Part 2 from RWBY Volume 3.

13. Do you think having to write while stuck out in the wilderness by yourself (in a heated cabin, food and water but no wifi, tv, or phone service) would help or hurt?

I think it would help for a while, since I get peace and quiet, not to mention my laptop already having offline editing accessible. But after a few weeks, I would just get worried about how to get back to my family, since I’m still living with them and I love them very much.

Leo and Josh would probably be the first ones to blow a gasket out of worry about me, aside from my Mom and Dad.

14. You have written or thought about writing dirty fanfiction. What is it?

…Really? You’re asking this? From the sex-repulsed, demiromantic?

Well, I thought of fanfics where an adult Tomoko and Kakashi went and did it, but got too much second-hand embarrassment to even think of writing. I’m not even going to bring Kei into this, because Lang kinda had to witness my reaction to the revelation of Kei and Kakashi’s relationship going sexual by OSF firsthand last year, and it’s sorta painful to look back on because getting triggered sucks.

15. Someone offers you thirty million dollars to ghostwrite a book about how Hell is real and all dogs go there, good or bad. Do you do it?

Nope. My uncle has a sweet Corgi dog by the name of Yuko, and I do not want to think about a story where all dogs go to Hell. Yuko deserves better, and I can get the money elsewhere. If anything, I’d just point at that person with a blank face, say, “You’re just a scam,” and walk off.

16. You will automatically get a million dollar contract for anything you write, but it has to be at least five thousand words long AND you can only use as many letters of the alphabet as complete pullups you can do. How does that work out?

I’d have to exercise more, because I do more push-ups and rollerblading than pull-ups. So no. I’d prefer writing for fun, not for the money.

17. Your dog turns into a person and writes a book about your lives together, and it gets turned into a movie. During the premiere of the movie, your dog turns to you and tells you that Hell is a place of our own making. What kind of popcorn do you order?

I would order a medium popcorn with extra butter. And I don’t think I should worry about the dog part since I actually don’t have a dog. The only dog I interact with is the aforementioned Yuko, and she’s too sweet to say something like that.

18. What’s a genre of fiction you don’t think you’d ever get the hang of writing?

Smut, because sex-repulsed demiromantic here. And any despair-inflicting stuff since I know fluff runs in my veins so much better, hence why I’m still surprised about the Danganronpa crossover that’s been going in my head. Hell, the things my head has come up with for S&S Tomoko past the Memory Arc have been less than cheery, and I have to thank Lang and by extension, Os and Abalisk for getting me out of that mindset many times, because the things she has coming up hurt.

19. How similar is your story world to the Earth we live on?

Aside from the ninja and feudal Japan-like aspects, pretty similar. The only thing Tomoko misses is freedom of speech and democracy, because despite America’s flaws, it did allow Vy’s parents to immigrate and find better lives to meet each other.

20. What inspired any of your WIPs?

Catch Your Breath. I’ve said it enough already, and owe Lang many things.

21. What song best explains the squad in your WIP?

Let’s Just Live from RWBY. Because it’s the main theme for CP in my opinion, and going onto S&S, the message of moving forward is something I think everyone in the squad tries to aspire towards.

22. Do you use Pinterest for your characters/stories?

I have a Pinterest account, but I don’t use it. It’s kinda clunky, and Tumblr and FFN has been shown to be better in my opinion.

23. Do you have an Asshole character?

The entire Hitoshi Family. Even if Satoru hasn’t shown up in S&S (because all the flack surrounding him in his initial arc in CP was bad enough), the family’s bad.

24. What superhero is similar to or is idolized by your OCs?

I feel like Tomoko would idolize Starfire and Wonder Woman, since both had to deal with coming to new worlds and adjusting to life with new people. Not sure on the others though. Judai might sympathize with Batman, but aside from that, I’m blanking.

25. Do your protagonist and antagonist get along?

Nope. Tomoko would probably want to yell her head off at Madara for being so stupid in her opinion, and grab her Wayfinder to slash Black Zetsu with. Hisako agrees with the Zetsu sentiment, but would probably want to kill Madara more than yell at him.

Danzo on the other hand, is someone Tomoko and Hisako haven’t exactly encountered. Judai, though, would want that bastard as far away from his family as possible, since Danzo has offered Judai a place in ROOT back before he met Hikari. It was not pretty, to put it lightly.

26. How many of your current WIPs do you plan to publish, if you are publishing?

I’ve published most if not all of my WIPs on FFN. I don’t know about cross-posting on AO3, since it’s a pain in the butt, but yeah. The Danganronpa thing should come out when I get more chapters of S&S done, and when I finish the anime.

27. Is there a song that inspires you to write, or inspired any of your WIPs?

Let’s Just Live comes up yet again in this long post, but I also have to credit many of Kyle Landry’s piano covers of Kingdom Hearts, because his work on the already great soundtrack gave me the idea to make Tomoko into a pianist in the first place.

28. What trends do your OCs use/wear/etc.?

Anime-inspired kimono stuff. And casual, comfy wear that’s simple and pleasing.

29. Do you listen to music or ambiance while you write? Or just silence? If it’s music, what genre?

When I need to write somber moments, I use silence while sitting in a corner of my room. For everything else, I bring up piano music to keep up the theme of CP having piano themes.

30. Are any of your characters sassy?

All of them can be sassy in some ways, but the people that really dominate the “sassy” category have to be Hikari, Tomoya, and Hisako. Those three can really rip into someone if they want to.

31. How did you come up with the idea for your current WIP?

For CP? The simple question of, “What if Kakashi had a best friend from the near beginning?”

For S&S, though? “How would things be better or worse for Kei if she met Tomoko and they worked together?”

32. How long have you been working on your current WIP?

CP: a little over a year.

S&S: nearing a year, since its first anniversary is coming up in 2 months.

33. Are you planning to publish your current WIP?

Uh, they’re already up on FFN if that’s what you mean. Because honestly, I don’t see myself writing past fanfiction.

34. If your MCs were youtubers, what kind would they be? (ex. vlogger, artuber. booktuber, comedy, etc.)

Tomoko would be like Kyle Landry in putting up various piano covers of the songs she finds.

Hisako would be half comedy, half vlogger/booktuber as she comments on the many things she sees in Tomoko’s head and through Tomoko’s eyes. The booktuber part comes from Hisako’s home being Tomoko’s mental library, so she might be reviewing the books/memories that come her way while in front of the camera.

Hikari would probably be another musician, teaming up with Judai on occasion to be like the real life Videri String Quartet, only as a duo because they both handle stringed instruments.

Tomoya would probably put up piano covers like Tomoko, but also film advice videos for those who are trying to transition like she is.

35. What season do you associate with each of your characters, and why?

Hikari is spring, since she brings along the most cheeriness in the house when Tomoko can’t.

Tomoko is autumn, since she picks up the pieces after summer passes.

Tomoya is winter, since she’s still unsure about herself and trying to find her way in the world.

Hisako and Judai both share summer, since they can be pretty hot-headed when it comes to people they care about.

36. Is there one scene that you are particularly excited to write, or had a lot of fun writing?

In terms of scenes I’m excited to write:

CP has me waiting for Kakashi’s ANBU arc to come by, since Tomoko and Kakashi are already in a relationship at this point, and I’ll be able to flesh out both civilian and ninja sides since the two are going to be kinda separated as a result of ANBU forcing Kakashi to get his own apartment in the ninja barracks for security purposes.

For S&S, I’m looking forward to the Commencement and Memory Arcs, since October Tenth and Sorayama were two events that really impacted Kei’s life originally in CYB. Tomoko being there will lead to significantly different emotional aftermaths, so exploring that has me shaking in my shoes (in the good way).

In terms of scenes that I had fun writing…

CP had Kakashi buying his signature outfit for Kannabi in Chapter 42, because Tomoko (the innocent dork) is finally starting to recognize for real that she loves her best friend and honestly doesn’t want him to die while in the field. Also for Hikari being that fashion badass that I wanted her to be.

S&S had Tomoko’s bulging duffle bag of things in Chapter 16, since that was something I had in mind since the beginning of the brainstorming stages for the story, because Kei’s shown that she can be reckless already. Our civilian pianist, on the other hand, takes things to a completely different level, and I’m kinda sad no one commented more on that scene in the reviews anyways.

37. What would the ship name be for your favorite romantic pairing in your WIP?

For CP? KakaTomo, taking the first 2 syllables from Kakashi and Tomoko’s names to get this.

For S&S? It’s a crack and sunk ship at this point, but KeiTomo kinda grew on me since writing S&S.  More so since Tomoko has been shown in S&S to be very dedicated to Kei in a way that’s different from her CP counterpart’s love for Kakashi. It would’ve been pretty interesting to explore, but talks with Lang confirmed it wouldn’t exactly work (as KeiRin shippers from CYB can probably attest to), but thoughts of it are cute to think on.

38. Are you a planner, or a pantser, or in the middle?

In the middle. I plan, but also leave enough holes for the characters to fill in with their actions.

39. What’s your favorite detail that you put into your worldbuilding?

All the family relations between the characters and how a simple network of loved ones can easily make so many changes in the Narutoverse. I’m still happy about how everyone on FFN was so receptive to the CP version of Kannabi, because that was planned from the very beginning of the story. To know that all the build-up, family and fluff moments and all, showed the natural progression of how a canon-doomed mission turned into one that was mostly heartwarming and partly bittersweet.

40. How long are your chapters, usually?

From 5k to 10k words on average. The most I’ve done, I think, is 14k words.

41. If you could meet one of your characters, who would it be?

Tomoko, since I’d be able to assure her that everything will be okay and that she doesn’t have to worry too much.

42. If you could meet any fictional character (not yours), who would it be?

Kei, since Kei’s a dork, and I think I’d be able to get her to relax a bit more by introducing all of RWBY to her and updating her on what’s happened since her past self’s death.

43. Which character is the most fun to write?

Hisako, because she’s a nicer version of Monokuma. She can say so many things that Tomoko just doesn’t say, and without any consequences.

44. Which character is the most painful to write?

To be honest, Judai, since I’m still lurking on his Interlude that expands his backstory leading up to Tomoko’s birth, and trying to make all the Yugioh GX elements transition into Naruto-terms hasn’t been easy.

45. What are some of your favorite tropes?

You Are Better Than You Think You Are, You Are Not Alone, Glomp, and True Companions.

46. What genre is your favorite to read? What genre do you usually write?

Hurt/Comfort as well as a good Mystery mixed with Fantasy are my favorites to read. For genres I write, it’s obviously Friendship, Hurt/Comfort, and Fluff.

47. Earbuds or headphones?

If given an absolute choice, earbuds because portability, but both are fine.

48. What made you want to write what it is you’re currently writing?/ What was that first spark of an idea?

As I’ve said many times before, Catch Your Breath from Lang. The next spark was actually Inoue Shiori by Hermionechan90, since her take on civilians and their relationship with ninja got me thinking.

49. What are your project’s main themes or undertones? (Yes, I do really like this question)

“Keep Moving Forward for Yourself and the People that Care for You.”

“Don’t give into your own doubts — use them as a motivation to improve yourself.”

Also, quoting Madoka from the last episode of the TV series:

“If someone tells me it’s wrong to hope, I will tell them that they’re wrong every time.”

50. Which of your characters do you relate to the most, or has the most of ‘you’ worked into them? And what aspect of you is this? (If you’re comfortable with sharing).

Tomoko obviously has the most of “me” worked into her, because of her status as an SI-OC. The biggest aspect though? Her heart, emotions, and desire to help others. That’s something I still share with her greatly, despite maturing, so seeing her grow as been a wonderful thing to witness.

51. What are the main points of inspiration/original concepts or aesthetics behind your main characters?

There’s a reason why I keep turning back to Let’s Just Live, because it shows just how much aesthetic these characters take from the song and in turn RWBY. You shouldn’t give up just yet, even when life is unfair. You have to keep moving forward, because the ones who have passed on and loved you would’ve wanted you to. If you can’t live for yourself, live for the people that are still alive and that still love you. That’s why I believe Chapter 13 of CP and Chapter 9 of S&S are still so powerful, because it’s something that Sakumo and everyone else needed to hear, and why it still stays despite all this conflict.

52. What’s your favorite quote from your project so far?

From Tomoko herself:

“Don’t take the coward’s way out. Face your pain, your mistakes, head on, and recognize what happened. You can’t change the past, but you can change the present. The future. Don’t start to cherish something when it’s long gone. Recognize what you have now, and treasure it with your life. Remember all the positive moments you’ve had, all the people you’ve loved, and just live. Don’t fear loss or pain. Take it in, endure it, and use it to help others. Because in the end, life is a gift, but short, and with the world the way it is, wouldn’t it be better to impart love and care to our loved ones before the inevitable?”

53. What’s your favorite book and why?

Don’t know if I have one aside from manga and fanfiction.

54. Do the books you like/ genre you read influence your writing style at all?

Yep. Cardcaptor Sakura was all about fluff and positive relationships, for one thing. I can’t list more off the top of my head right now, but that’s a big one.

55. Do you have a weird writer thing? Like a habit or obsession or something that’s just generally unusual when it comes to scribbling words?

Sometimes, when I’m really stressed, I just put on my headphones and pull up hairbrushing ASMR videos, because the sound of hairbrushing is surprisingly relaxing and nice when I need to get into the right working-mood.

56. Are you a hand-writer or a screen-typer?

Screen-typer.

57. What’s your favourite character from a text you’ve been forced to study and why?

Surprisingly, even though I haven’t finished the book yet, Werther from Goethe’s The Sorrows of Werther stands out, because he’s the first male protagonist I’ve seen in historical texts that is so emotional and open, and considering how my HUM professor likens his development to that of the Romanticism Movement that I already unconsciously took from, all the right bells were hit.

Tagging: No one. Whoever wants to do this, go ahead! Just pick 10 from the questions up above. :)

[briteboy]

yelling @ santi, i’m evil again (what else is new), SOME REALLY REALLY OLD ASKS, one GoT spoiler at the very bottom (beware)

*angrily slaps santi* GET YOUR SELF TOGETHER YAH POOP HEAD

Lou and Fiona deserve happiness pls let it happen ty

they do ;-; it will happen, don’t worry, no one suffers forever <3 i’ve actually been planning out lou’s story and i’m excited to actualize it hehe

I just read all of Santis story. Dear god, it is amazing. I cannot begin to describe how much I love it. I have been really sick lately and have such a hard time concentrating on anything for more than one second but I have not been able to look away from this story, not even when I re-read it for the third time. You are an amazing writer and I have fallen in love with every charachter you have introduced. I teared up so many times and my heart began beating fast, it was really an experience.

OH MY GOD ;___________; YOU READ IT THREE TIMES WHAATDOSOIGODFSKL holy shit thank you so much, i don’t even know what to say right now lmao ;-; i’m just kinda in awe that i was able to grab your attention like that and that you enjoyed it so much and just askjdjfsd THANK YOU i can’t say anything else but just thank you, people like you make this all worth it <3 

A case of the novembers is the kinda story you read and you just know its going to stick with you for awhile. Like ones day, you'll be long gone in the future, doing something totally different, older wiser, all that bullshit, and you'll just randomly remember what a bittersweet story it was.

OMFG ;___; holy heck asjdjnfkdkjs this really got me right in the heart lmao. that’s the kind of story it’s always been for me and seeing other people interpret it that way as well is just mind boggling, thank you <3 

You are evil. My poor heart hurts. ;______________;

you've ruined my life

Life hack: listen to the entire Hamilton soundtrack whilst working out at the gym. By the end of it, you'll have lost half your body weight due to sweating and crying at the same time (pls help this was such a bad decision)

OMG that’s me with grimes’ art angels lmao i go hord to kill v maim and venus fly

hamilton fans also go hord i respect it. learn more about history get swole killing two birds with one stone

Okay this is so fucking random but a while ago you did a post where you talked about perfect bby gianni saying that he spent a lot of time in introspection and like Thank you 'cause now I have a word to put on this thing I do when I try to figure why I feel certain things or what my relationship with people/random shit is and why and yeah I kind of understand myself a little better now so thx a lot!!! 😘😘😘 Also, you're great.

i think i was actually talking about santi (’cause that’s where we’re at right now, in that period of introspection for him heheh) but YES omg that makes me so happy ;-; it’s a good word lmao and i do the same thing, in fact i’m always trying to figure out my relationships with everything in order to understand myself more. that’s kinda why i’m so into astrology haha. i’m glad you finally got to pin down that feeling for yourself, it’s the best when that happens <3 YOU’RE GREAT TOO 💫

NOOOOOOOO MY FAVS THIS CAN'T... LOU.... SANTI PLS... THIS IS A RIOT 😭😭

let’s start protesting santi in the streets

Hi!! Umm I'm guessing you do but just in case, did you know there was a tear accessory? I think it's an eyeliner (cause you mentioned having to draw them yourself)

yeah i do! i mentioned the ones by s-club, i’ve used those a couple times. but i like drawing them myself because i feel like it’s weird to have the same single teardrop every time one of my characters cries (and we all know they’ve been crying a lot lately lmfao) if they didn’t cry often i probably wouldn’t feel compelled to draw the tears. but i don’t mind drawing them honestly, it’s kinda fun lmao. thanks for your consideration <3 

so im sitting here thinkin....... what if santi goes on this trip and coms back and lou is in a relationship!?!?!

👏santi👏get👏it👏together👏

HE’S TRYIN

i want to die

AAAH SOLE DEVELOPMENT BETWEEN CUTE DEVIL CHILD AND I ALMOST DIED TWICE TATOO MAN YES

I HAD TO READ THIS LIKE THREE TIMES TO UNDERSTAND IT LMFAOSDOJDKF BUT YES their relationship kills me the most ;__;

wait santi tried to kys :'(

WHERE U BEEN he did  :{

what font do u use in your histories?

arial!

hi u have a really pretty blog and I hope you have a good day

THIS IS SO SWEET I DON’T DESERVE IT ;-; I HOPE YOU HAVE A GOOD DAY TOO HONEYBEE 🌻

nyooooooom

I WENT M.I.A FOR A LITTLE AND I COME BACK TO READ UP ON THE STORY AND HOW DARE YOU ASHDDJFKL

@teishajenaie on instagram looks like Rooney to me, idk if you'd agree but ??

i see it!! definitely in the eyes and nose. also sorry i answered this literally like 3 months later lmao

gooey by glass animals gives me santi vibes :) ive been listening to it on repeat (bc im tht bitch) and it was making me think of you and his story! c: i hope you dont mind me over here lmao anyway, im excited to see where it goes and real excited for a back story for lou!! <3 lots of love

omg haha that’s actually funny because i used it in that one scene of him tripping, although it’s like completely a gianni song to me (at least personality-wise, it’s even on his playlist on my character page) and noooo i don’t mind, i love that song and i love when people recommend me songs!! i have a whole bunch of recommendations in my inbox that i need to acknowledge omg. anyway I’M EXCITED THAT YOU’RE EXCITED, especially for lou’s story, it’s coming up reeeeeal soon <333

i feel so late to the party but i Just started reading your story like five minutes ago and im absolutely entranced by it already and i cant wait to catch up and finally understand what to heck is going on

this was sent literally forever ago when santi and molly were out there being wild in the desert lmao so i hope you caught up and everything. “entranced” omg that’s such a wonderful word i’m honored

i didnt think i could love you more but the fact that you watch arrested development makes me so happy. i cry. my boyfriend has a mr manager, bluths frozen bananas shirt thats literally my favorite thing ever.

OMGGG YES i watched it once forever ago and i need to re-watch it asap lmao. I’M PRETTY SURE I BOUGHT THAT SAME EXACT SHIRT FOR MY BROTHER FOR CHRISTMAS ONE YEAR

Just a biiig prank. Huge

this one is from so long ago i don’t remember the context but i laughed at loud when i read it. huge

i was playing with uncharted for the first time today and they said Navarro in it and i was like THATS MY BOI SANTIII

santi infiltrating everyone’s lives my bf played uncharted tho!! it looked cool. like indiana jones. i liked the marketplace part. a monkey stole his apple

Hi sunny! I really am in love with your story (even if it's tearing me apart at the moment) and just wanted to say you're cool Stay strong ma dude

HI THANK YOU <333 you’re also cool my dude and i’m sorry for tearing you apart (if it makes you feel any better this story tears me apart on a daily basis)

what packs and expansions do u have for ur game?

ummmmmm all of them except vintage glamour and fitness stuff. i wish i didn’t buy some of the stuff packs lmao but what can ya do i actually didn’t even get vampires or bowling or parenthood until like a month ago lmao i’m late to the party

Oh shit she's been dead hasn't she. Like this is all a drug or alcohol infused bender of mollys memory, she's probably never left. They're probably still at the hospital. I hope I fucking wrong but shit I also hope not. Poor santi

we’re so far past this but i just wanted to publish this anyway lmao it was a good theory! and this person was so sure of it it kinda made me wish it was true lol. sorry if that disappointed you but i’ll always remember this one in my sad sad heart 💔

how long did it take for you to make friends here? I started a simblr because I really like storytelling with my sims & I thought it'd be fun to meet people who enjoy that, too, especially since I don't have many friends irl...but I've been here for quite a few months now and it seems like no one even cares that I'm here....everyone I try to interact with pretty much ignores me after a message or two....I'm just feeling really discouraged about my presence here :/

I’M REALLY SORRY I DIDN’T ANSWER THIS SOONER ASKJDKJFSDKA (i’m sure it didn’t help the fact that you feel ignored, i really really hope you see this) but okay uhhhhhhh i only had acquaintances from 2015 up until like this year? then i started really becoming close with people. so it took a while lol, but i think everyone starts off slow because it’s mostly about the actual game we’re playing at first and then making friends just happens through that. don’t get discouraged, like i said it took a while for me. you really just need to reach out to the people you’d like to become friends with, reply to their posts, give your genuine thoughts, say something that’ll make their day...people notice that no matter what they have going on, i promise. i hope you’re still here and hanging in there. don’t get caught up in who’s talking to you or not talking to you, just do your thing, enjoy what you do, and people will notice you. <3

3. Hi so I just wanted to say that I love your story, I'm here for every update. I'm an s3 player I play s4 every once in awhile but s3 has my soul. I love Santi and I know he will be happy in the end, whether it's with Lou or not(hopefully it is tho) I only want him to be happy. I go through so many emotions in one post, like this is a tv drama and I can’t wait for the next episode. This is the end of my cut and paste. Have a nice day.❤️

HI HELLO <3 this is so sweet and i can’t believe you actually care about my story lmao thank you i’m glad you have faith in his happy ending, i don’t want anyone to think i genuinely like making my characters suffer lmao. i only do it to make the happy ending more satisfying. asjdfjksd comparing my stuff to film or tv always makes me so giddy so THANK YOU ily <333

"Suicide before you see this tear fall down my eyes" (Beyonce) reminds me of Molly's situation soooo muchhhh aaaahhhhh

OMG YES what a good connection. good song good connection yaeeahhh better call molly with the good hair

Ummmm... hello! I just read through your whole story with Santi and I'm like... holy fuck. Not only is your story wonderful, your editing is so good. I'm surprised I didn't shove my eyes up against my computer screen. Please continue making wonderful things and being great. Signing off 12:31 in the morning, I hope you have as much fun as you want to

“as much fun as you want to” omfgasdkngjd why did that make me laugh so much. don’t have too much fun, have the responsible amount of fun anyway HELLO thank you soooooO much ;-; pls don’t shove ur eyes up against the screen i’m almost positive that’s not good for them. but i appreciate this so much thank YOU for being great <3 signing off at 2:18 in the morning after ignoring this message for months now (i’m sorryyyyyyy) but um ily

HELLO??? I JUST READ A SERIOUS CASE OF NOVEMBER FOR THE FIRST TIME AND I'M LIKE CRYING???? y u do dis to me I hate you and love you at the same time

(I need to rant I'm sorry) My uncle is really positive towards the army and war and stuff like that and all day he's been going on about how it should be mandatory to serve in the military, especially for "little brat girls" like me? And it's stressing me out so much I want to cry :( The army and war is something that genuinely scares me and I don't want anything to do with it, but he's just going on and on! What should I do?

this is literally sooooooooo late and i feel so bad i’m sorry, i hope this still helps you out and i hope you see it tho okay. i’m pretty sure this was even before the trans military ban like whew idek what your uncle must think about that. tbh just ignore him, like i know it’s hurtful but like...what is his point in telling you this? i would’ve literally been like (sarcastically) “ok then sign me up” but i’m also a lil shit so that’s probably not the best thing to say. but really like the only thing he’s trying to do is feel powerful by means of expressing his militaristic (no pun intended) opinions to someone far younger than him. it’s so that he feels bigger and better than you (especially by calling you a brat). he’s a sad man and anyone who relies on the military, of all things, to shape a person probably doesn’t have a strong sense of self anyway. i love you okay, just ignore him, don’t let him stress you out <3

I'm a little high and it's late but I have a lot of courage now so I've been following you for a while and I just want to tell you how much I love your story! I have come across other places on tumblr who do this but none have captured me as this one did! You are amazing and I am in love with this story! Thanks fo being you! :)

ONMG YOU HAD TO BE HIGH TO SEND THIS LMAO that was me this weekend anyway thank you so much, it floors me every time anyone says these kinds of things to me and it never gets old ;-; you are so amazing ok <333

you can't possibly be offended by a homophobic joke in game of thrones, it's set in medieval times. they had several lgbt characters in it, it's not the show that's homophobic, it's the characters, which is accurate for that time period.

o i can and i will lmao i mean i get where you’re coming from but with that logic you could say it’s only accurate to put homophobic jokes in today’s media just because people are still homophobic in the time live in. i know it’s the characters, but you do understand that someone writes those characters, right? it’s bad writing. it’s lazy and pandering and because of that it’s offensive. idk if you know the exact dialogue i was referring to but it was so completely unnecessary lmfao. they could’ve made a million other jokes. regardless of how it offended me it was just BAD lmao

SPOILER BELOW OK DON’T SAY I DIDN’T WARN YA

@ I wanna watch GoT anon: don't. It's just so fucking bad. The definition of overhyped tbh (and btw, sunny, PLS HELP HE SCREWED HIS FUCKING AUNT WTH)

LMAO SOMEONE ACTUALLY AGREES WITH ME? wow bless u. it is definitely overhyped, like it was good at first but it’s been riding that hype through these past couple of seasons to disguise the bad writing. i understand being entertained by it, but i’m always surprised when people think it’s actually well written at this point...it’s so cringey and now thanks to the season finale this fanbase will be justifying incest. great!

OK MOVE ALONG NOW

[theparaminds]

It’s not as though much in Wes Park’s current state makes endless sense to him. He isn’t always sure who he’s supposed to be, what he’s supposed to do or where he’s supposed to go. Yet, through it all, he has found the constant guiding force of creativity. No matter the day, no matter the insecurities, his art is his greatest friend. 

He makes art not for glory, opting instead to do so for the health of his heart, for happiness to constantly be within his existence. Every sunrise can be a misguided mess, a day without a pathway for Wes, but, he knows his music will overturn that. He knows his creations will bring him peace. He knows, through all the confusion, that his creativity will guide him to a new plateau, one previously desired, yet never grasped as of the present.

Our first question as always, how’s your day going and how have you been?

Today was tough. I have midterms this week and I’m starting to get really busy with school, but otherwise, I’m doing pretty well. Could be a lot worse.

Have you been enjoying school and all it entails? Have you found the new city to be enjoyable?

It was really odd adjusting to school away from home at first. I think i got the hang of things and the general rhythm of campus life pretty quickly, but the midwest is way different from so-cal, so it’s a big change. Definitely enjoyable though. It’s nice to see snow in the winter.

To start, how did you find your original location to be influential to your introduction into music and becoming a musician as a whole?

My friends back at home were the biggest influences to me doing music in the first place. I think as early as like 8th grade we’d share cool bands we found. My bud Rohit, he goes by the moniker Dark Tape right now, really got me into a lot of the music I listen to today, so I can only thank him for that. In high school, I met Harrison (Harry Teardrop) and we started a band together called Sundive. He was a huge inspiration and that’s about when I really got serious into writing and producing music. It was kind of like back and forth, sharing each other’s demos and figuring out cool riffs, and from then it was almost like a persistent goal to just get my stuff out there for people to listen to. Also, my childhood friend Tony always backed me up on guitar, so I could always count on him. I haven’t found anyone like these awesome people back in Irvine.

But when was it that you realized music was a legitimate path and calling for you? Was there a moment or spark that you realized you had to pursue this as more than a hobby?

Just watching my favorite musicians travel and get paid to do what they love was always an attractive idea for a future in music. Even still hearing feedback from people about how they can connect to my music is a really motivating and rewarding aspect that keeps me going. I definitely had an aha moment when I met Harry in high school since he really stepped up the production quality game and kind of externally motivated me to get my music online. I think since then when I was 16, I always wanted to be like a rockstar or pop star or something sweet like that. Music is still technically a hobby to me, but I probably spend more time working on music than on studying and doing homework.

As a whole with your music, what is the largest goal and vision? What is it you’re working towards and hoping to build?

My biggest goal is probably to get a large enough following to travel to interesting places and play music for people. Honestly, the dream is to tour with my old bandmates as our own separate projects. Right now I’m just trying to get better at writing/producing cause I want to put out songs that I’m really proud of. The goal is still in the back of my mind always, but I’m just trying to get into a chill habit of working when I feel like working or when I’m inspired to. Not burn me out and get discouraged or tired of making music.

To shift gears a little, where do you find your current artistic inspirations stemming from? What artists, events or ideas have inspired your new pathways?

Currently, I’ve been REALLY into that new Kero Kero Bonito album ‘Time n’ Place’. It really opened my eyes to experimental noise and power pop sounds that I’m trying to incorporate into some of my new tracks. My roommate also got me really into Japanese City Pop. I love how catchy the synth melodies are and I started playing around more with synths. And generally, I have a playlist of current jams that I listen to for inspiration (Mitski, Beach Fossils, Homeshake, etc.) Oh yeah and also my friend Deaton Chris Anthony’s live performances are super inspiring. Like HELLA inspiring.

Those are amazing people to pull from. What would you say of all time is your favourite album and artists and how did they truly affect you?

My all-time favorite album is probably Ella Fitzgerald sings the Cole Porter Songbook. I used to spin it every night in high school before going to bed, and I learned a lot about cool chord progressions and variations from the instrumentation. I also always loved how genuinely sweet and romantic the lyrics are in vocal jazz, which kind of inspired me to experiment with that. I think also Beach Fossils was really influential when it came to guitar music, especially their album Clash the Truth. Their entire discography is great, but the drum parts, driving basslines, and perfect guitar tones are especially dope on that album. I think for like 2 years I was trying to emulate the sound of Clash the Truth in some way.

It seems like you have great care and love for instrumentation, is that something you focus and put special effort within your sound? Or are you more in the base of caring for lyricism and aesthetic.

Definitely. I think I prioritize instrumentation and how well different parts play with each other a lot more than just going for an aesthetic since it’s really satisfying hearing very singular parts come together into something totally new and full. And I think the aesthetic aspect really comes naturally once its all orchestrated, so it was never something I had a primary aim for when writing. I do focus on lyricism a lot, but I still think I'm really lousy at poetry and writing lyrics. I’m trying to practice more and be more honest with myself, so we’ll see where that takes me. But for the instrumentation, do you ever hear like one small part of a song and it makes you shiver? Like all you want to do is repeat that one section over and over and over because it’s so perfect? That’s what I’m trying to do.

Absolutely, those moments are so beautiful, is there one you think of a lot when you talk about those moments?

YES. In one of Deaton’s old songs, Nylon Heart, the ending is awesome. It's just like FM piano and sparkly chimes and cymbal swells while he's saying “I’ve fallen in love, I can't get up” and then it ends on this very pretty chord on the keys.

That song is so good. With specifics to lyricism, where do you draw inspiration for that side of your music and how do you approach lyricism as a whole?

Believe or not, I used to never write lyrics down. I used to freestyle and just use the 3rd or 4th take, like on Washington Square Park and Midnight Low, I literally made those lyrics on the spot. Now I tend to just write about what's on my mind in a journal, then organize them into coherent lyrics for songs. A lot of the time I feel like it's essentially me venting. But again, I gather most of my lyrical inspiration from vocal jazz since it's so romantic and kind of gooey. Like there’s this one Ella Fitzgerald line on the Errol Garner song Misty that always stuck with me, “walk my way and a thousand violins begin to play.” stuff like that where it's very real but also dreamy, imaginative, almost like watching an old movie.

Would you say that’s what you’re trying to do with your new music? Create a film style quality? Or is there a different motive and purpose to the new sounds and avenues?

Yeah, I guess. My music is pretty much a soundtrack to my life at this point, but I’m still very much willing and open to experiment with new sounds. I don’t know, it’s kind of up in the air where I could go next. I don’t really have a definite motive, but I  guess subconsciously I’ve been slowly shaping a narrative of my life and the people around me through the songs I’ve been putting out.

Do you have any work set in stone to come out though? And if so, how does it differ from past works?

I have nothing set in stone, but I’m trying to conjure up enough good work for an EP soon. I have a couple tracks finished and I’m pretty happy with the direction I’ve been taking, I just don’t feel like I have enough just yet. For the new stuff, expect a lot of noise and distortion and a lot more synth. It’ll be a big departure from my slower repertoire from past years, but I think it still sounds very much like me.

What fears or anxieties have you found existent while in this next stage of your work and career? What is it you’re unsure or nervous or questioning still?

I’ve always feared that my work wouldn't amount to anything big, and the potential of kind of flopping and falling out has always been a HUGE anxiety of mine. Like watching my friends around me blow up and get noticed is super inspiring, but I kinda feel like I’m missing out, you know? That’s kind of on me since I’ve been severely slacking though. But I think that I shouldn’t really worry about things and just let whatever happens play out. I’m really unsure about how people will react to my new music, but I’m definitely not afraid to do new things since I’m having so much fun and satisfaction on my own just music as it is.

Is there, through this new mindset and ignited creativity, a message or ideal that above all you hope resonates with listeners of your work?

Yeah, I really want everyone to express themselves! To find something, anything, they can use to express themselves and share it with the world. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there, there are a ton of people out there who share your anxieties and fears. That’s what I’ve learned myself and it's been amazing. If there's anything you could take from my music, it's probably that.

If money were no object, where would be one location you would play a live show at?

I would kill to go to New York and play a show with a bunch of friends. If money and logistics were completely out of question, then I would want to go to Korea and play a show so my parents can come watch!

That’s so sick, do you find your Korean heritage to be something you draw from? Or is it something you hope to pull closer to with time?

I really want to create a really strong tie between my music and Korean heritage. I think the connection is really lacking currently, which is a bit disappointing since I identify myself so closely with that cultural background. I was raised in a pretty ‘korean’ household, so I’m really familiar with like all the foods, slang, cultural norms and stereotypes. The catch is I’m god awful at speaking Korean, and it’s kind of embarrassing being a phony. But I’m working on it! I definitely want to experiment with Korean lyrics in future songs once I overcome my embarrassment.

Honestly as longs you're trying to get closer to it, it matters. To go back to live shows, what are some of the performances you’ve seen in your life that have had a significant impact on you and your work?

Saw Wavves in 2015 with Rohit. From then on always aimed to have a super fun and hype shows. I also think I said before that Deaton’s live sets are really inspiring. I can’t really say much about his live set, it’s hard to explain and it wouldn’t do justice to how good it is. I saw Homeshake too I think last year around May or something. They play very tight live and Peter uses his sampler creatively live. I’m trying to find a sweet spot somewhere in between really outrageous and really tight and clean.

If you could recommend one film to everyone reading this currently, what would you tell them to watch and for what reason?

I guess not a movie per se, but I’ve been watching Cowboy Bebop lately. you should watch it, it’s really fun and has great aesthetics.

Always meant to get into it, always been a Dragon Ball guy at heart. To wrap up, do you have anyone or anything to shoutout or promote? The floor is yours!

Shout out to my band Sundive, the boys Harry Teardrop, Tony, Dark Tape. Shoutout to my buddy Deaton! New album dropping soon. And listen to my song Holding flowers it came out in February, but it’s the latest single as of this interview. Hopefully, I get around to finishing up an EP. Thanks so much for the interview, oh and let's give a quick shoutout to Christina Applegate.

Follow Wes on Twitter and Instagram 

Listen on Soundcloud and Spotify

[succeedly]

5 Ways to Help Numbers Come Alive

Dr. Rebecca Klemm on episode 175 of the 10-Minute Teacher Podcast

From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis

Follow @coolcatteacher on Twitter

Dr. Rebecca Klemm @numbersalive shares how to help numbers come alive for all ages. From toddler to teenager to Ph.D., Rebecca informs us about the building blocks that build math success.

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Listen Now

Listen to the show on iTunes or Stitcher

Stream by clicking here.

Below is an enhanced transcript, modified for your reading pleasure. All comments in the shaded green box are my own. For guests and hyperlinks to resources, scroll down.

***

Enhanced Transcript

5 Ways to Help Numbers Come Alive

Shownotes: http://ift.tt/2hWxr5D

Vicki: So today we are talking with Dr. Rebecca Klemm, the “Numbers Lady” about five ways to help numbers come alive in our math classroom. So Rebecca, what’s our first way to help numbers come alive?

Tip #1: Notice numbers and shapes everywhere with students

Rebecca: First of all, math is everywhere and I like to use the numbers to tell the story of where they are in either shape, quantity, order, or name. So, you just look around the classroom.

And one of the things I love to use, cause you probably have windows or if you don’t something else…just look around and find where the numbers are and let the kids pick them out and maybe make a book of it.

So some of them will find shapes. If they’re looking for five, they’re gonna find a pentagon somewhere. If you’re looking at windows you get to decide what is a window, and that’s a really good place sometimes to do multiplication. Because you see them in pairs and you have the horizontal and vertical.

But use that for a great introduction a lot of time in could be whatever size windows you have and you decide what a window is. Or you look at the colors of the shoes, you look at whatever is around the classroom and relate geometry, order, name, and quantity in all the different ways that we encounter numbers.

Pick up the clock, look at the calendar for seven days of the week, or if they figure it out. And let them make a little list and book of the things they find. They can draw them or you take pictures. And it’s a great homework. I like that kind of homework where you go home and you do the same activity with the people you live with. So you look around your environment, take pictures or draw examples of what you see and bring them back. You see that they’re everywhere in all those varieties.

Math Tip #1: Look for Math in the Classroom Russian Classroom windows – Wikimedia Commons

Vicki: That is so important because of we want kids to relate math to the real world. Rebecca, what’s our second?

Tip #2: Combine Geometry and Arithmetic

Rebecca: The second is combine geometry with arithmetic. So often, we teach shapes with colors, I’ve seen everywhere on all kinds of posters and books.

And then there’s counting.

No, the counting and geometry should go together, and that’s one of the things that I put together in my Number Linx puzzle. That, in fact, teaches them together.

Using simple language: points instead of “vertices”

So you count the points or sometimes people like to call them vertices. But I’m a Ph.D. mathematician and I like to keep the language simple for learners. But let them count with the shapes that actually relate geometrically to the counting of the size or points.

I use a heart for two because it comes into a point at the top and at the bottom.

Math Tip #2: Combine Math and Geometry

Heart – Wikimedia Commons

I use a teardrop for one point and an oval for zero. So I like to relate geometry with counting rather than separately as it typically is done.

Vicki: And you know so many times kids will take algebra and then they go into geometry and they just feel like it’s two separate things. And really they are connected.

Rebecca: Very much so. And in fact, they were developed together.

Geometry is not proofs

And Geometry by the way, because I taught everything from elementary through Ph.D.

Geometry is not proofs. The Greeks did it as proofs because they didn’t have Algebra yet. Their language was beauty, their language was Geometry, there was no zero at the time. So the history concept is really an important part of what I do in teaching teachers about what math is. It’s rarely part of the curriculum for getting people ready to teach that subject.

Vicki: What’s our third?.

Tip #3: Use Units when you’re counting

Rebecca: Third is, use units when you are counting. Two plus three equals five, well let’s make it two dolls plus three dolls, let’s make it three socks plus four socks, make it something that’s relatable, leave the abstraction for later. And in fact, it brings the idea in also of sorting by color and size and shape.

So if it’s one of your shoes that may be different from one of my shoes.

So you can say, “Oh, this is a tennis shoe versus a different kind of shoe. But make them have units and it becomes real.

Vicki: That is excellent advice. Now, what grade level does abstraction come in?

When students can start understanding abstract numbers

Rebecca: Well, I think you can bring it in as you’re starting to get into second grade, third grade. Once they see the pattern of them. Once students begin to realize, and it depends on how sophisticated the students are. Some of them can at a later date, but if you actually start with units and they’ve had a strong pre-school and it’s all about units that’s fine. They may even need to start with the units for sure when they are in first grade.

But as they evolve after that and they’ve got the concept that you’re only adding when they’re same things. So what is it you’re trying to add, and it goes back to the windows.

What is a window? Before you add the windows, count how many windows there are, you need to decide what a window is. Is it one of the panes or is it the complete entire piece?

Vicki: And keeping it the same and understanding those units can even set us up for Algebra. Because we’re going to have those variables. I love how you’re building these building blocks, I think with the end in mind, aren’t you?

Rebecca: Yes, very much so. Because I am looking at what you’re going to be doing for math lifelong.

And getting you ready for creating new math things because the math we teach is not necessarily the math we’re going to need in the future.

It’s an evolving subject, it’s not static.

And I think that’s one of the things people don’t realize about math. It has evolved over the centuries and it is still evolving.

And one of the fun things I have there is that out of my creating a puzzle for young children goes into adults and now is a new conjecture in Geometry. It’s a new idea, that came out of trying to think about putting Geometry and Arithmetic together. I just wanted to put them together, I didn’t realize as I started making that in fact, it evolved into a new conjecture.

So that is a very interesting lesson for children to do. And to see that there are new ideas in math all the time.

Vicki: So what is our fourth idea?

Tip #4: Put subjects in the learner’s world

Rebecca: Put the subjects in the learners‘ world. If they like to make clothes, I’ve had a middle school Algebra teacher say, ”My children just don’t like the subject“. I said, ”You need to make it related to their world“.

So you say all the girls want to do is sew clothes and decorate their lockers. I said Fabulous! Think about all the math that is in there and the measurement. Everybody measures and everybody does arithmetic and some geometry in their entire life. And he said, but I don’t know anything about that. I said, Don’t worry.

They’ll teach you about what’s interesting to them, then you work with them on where the math is relevant to their interests. It flips it, don’t teach the stuff and then you’ll apply it. I did this when I taught university. What are you interested in as your subject. And let’s figure out what arithmetic, math, calculus, it didn’t matter what part of math it was, that’s relevant for your area of interest.

Vicki: Make it relatable. Okay, what’s our fifth?

Tip #5: Don’t tell learners they can’t do something

Rebecca: And the fifth is don’t tell learners they can’t do something. I have an article that went out this March that is the story of a little boy whose teacher told them you can’t subtract three from two. It’s called from Toy Trucks to Trade because it turns into a teaching lesson. I asked him what do you think it would mean?

And he talked about how he has three trucks and his other friend had two. They get together, they have five trucks, notice the units are their trucks. But he wanted to borrow his three trucks and leave him two – he owes me a truck. And I said, “that’s precisely where it came from.” So it’s a teachable moment, ask them why they have a question, and not tell them it can’t be done. I know we all as teachers have good days and bad days but let them ask and tell you what they think it means. And then you can mentor them from that.

How to be an amazing math teacher

Vicki: So Rebecca as we finish up, could you give us a thirty-secondpep talkk for math teachers about how to be amazing math teachers?

Rebecca: Well, I think the first thing is really – work with the children, learners of all ages. Cause I’ve done university and PhD students also, it’s the same.

I put it stories for young children where the numbers are trying to match up their meaning. They’re wandering the world like children are, like we all are for our whole life, we’re trying to figure out what we’re here for and what we’re up to.

So I have the numbers doing that and making it fun and engaging.

They have to see that it is relevant to their world. And if they see that, they’re off and running very fast. Textbooks and worksheets are too often just abstract.

You do need repetition but if you put units on them and if you count the wheels they you can say are they all the same kind of wheels?

So you get into sorting and counting by putting them together in groups. Then the arithmetic makes sense to the things they are interested in and off they go.

Vicki: Well, we got some great advice from Dr. Rebecca Klemm, the Numbers Lady, about how to make numbers come alive in our classroom. And you know what, it relates to every subject we teach. Because it’s all about helping things relate to a student’s world, so that it means something. And that my friends is remarkable!

Bio as submitted

Dr. Rebecca Klemm, also known as The Numbers Lady, is an accomplished mathematician, statistician, world traveler, and teacher. Since receiving her Ph.D. in Statistics, she has specialized in explaining mathematical concepts via everyday language.

After running her own research firm for many years, she founded NumbersAlive! (http://ift.tt/2hVRotf) to share her love of numbers with kids. Dr. Klemm has received numerous awards for her NumbersAlive!® apps, books, puzzles, and games which make math meaningful for all ages.

Blog: http://ift.tt/2hVRotf

Twitter: https://twitter.com/numbersalive

Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored podcast episode.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via cash payment, gift, or something else of value to include a reference to their product. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I can recommend. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.) This company has no impact on the editorial content of the show.

The post 5 Ways to Help Numbers Come Alive appeared first on Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis @coolcatteacher helping educators be excellent every day. Meow!

5 Ways to Help Numbers Come Alive published first on http://ift.tt/2jn9f0m

[athena29stone]

5 Ways to Help Numbers Come Alive

Dr. Rebecca Klemm on episode 175 of the 10-Minute Teacher Podcast

From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis

Follow @coolcatteacher on Twitter

Dr. Rebecca Klemm @numbersalive shares how to help numbers come alive for all ages. From toddler to teenager to Ph.D., Rebecca informs us about the building blocks that build math success.

Today’s Sponsor: GradeCam lets you create assessments with formats including multiple choice, true/false, number grids, rubrics, and even handwritten numeric answers that can be read and scored by Aita – Gradecam’s Artificial Intelligence Teaching Assistant.Score assessments, generate reports, and transfer grades automatically. Work smarter instead of harder. Sign up for your 60-day free trial at gradecam.com/coolcatteacher

Listen Now

Listen to the show on iTunes or Stitcher

Stream by clicking here.

Below is an enhanced transcript, modified for your reading pleasure. All comments in the shaded green box are my own. For guests and hyperlinks to resources, scroll down.

***

Enhanced Transcript

5 Ways to Help Numbers Come Alive

Shownotes: www.coolcatteacher.com/e175

Vicki: So today we are talking with Dr. Rebecca Klemm, the “Numbers Lady” about five ways to help numbers come alive in our math classroom. So Rebecca, what’s our first way to help numbers come alive?

Tip #1: Notice numbers and shapes everywhere with students

Rebecca: First of all, math is everywhere and I like to use the numbers to tell the story of where they are in either shape, quantity, order, or name. So, you just look around the classroom.

And one of the things I love to use, cause you probably have windows or if you don’t something else…just look around and find where the numbers are and let the kids pick them out and maybe make a book of it.

So some of them will find shapes. If they’re looking for five, they’re gonna find a pentagon somewhere. If you’re looking at windows you get to decide what is a window, and that’s a really good place sometimes to do multiplication. Because you see them in pairs and you have the horizontal and vertical.

But use that for a great introduction a lot of time in could be whatever size windows you have and you decide what a window is. Or you look at the colors of the shoes, you look at whatever is around the classroom and relate geometry, order, name, and quantity in all the different ways that we encounter numbers.

Pick up the clock, look at the calendar for seven days of the week, or if they figure it out. And let them make a little list and book of the things they find. They can draw them or you take pictures. And it’s a great homework. I like that kind of homework where you go home and you do the same activity with the people you live with. So you look around your environment, take pictures or draw examples of what you see and bring them back. You see that they’re everywhere in all those varieties.

Math Tip #1: Look for Math in the Classroom Russian Classroom windows – Wikimedia Commons

Vicki: That is so important because of we want kids to relate math to the real world. Rebecca, what’s our second?

Tip #2: Combine Geometry and Arithmetic

Rebecca: The second is combine geometry with arithmetic. So often, we teach shapes with colors, I’ve seen everywhere on all kinds of posters and books.

And then there’s counting.

No, the counting and geometry should go together, and that’s one of the things that I put together in my Number Linx puzzle. That, in fact, teaches them together.

Using simple language: points instead of “vertices”

So you count the points or sometimes people like to call them vertices. But I’m a Ph.D. mathematician and I like to keep the language simple for learners. But let them count with the shapes that actually relate geometrically to the counting of the size or points.

I use a heart for two because it comes into a point at the top and at the bottom.

Math Tip #2: Combine Math and Geometry

Heart – Wikimedia Commons

I use a teardrop for one point and an oval for zero. So I like to relate geometry with counting rather than separately as it typically is done.

Vicki: And you know so many times kids will take algebra and then they go into geometry and they just feel like it’s two separate things. And really they are connected.

Rebecca: Very much so. And in fact, they were developed together.

Geometry is not proofs

And Geometry by the way, because I taught everything from elementary through Ph.D.

Geometry is not proofs. The Greeks did it as proofs because they didn’t have Algebra yet. Their language was beauty, their language was Geometry, there was no zero at the time. So the history concept is really an important part of what I do in teaching teachers about what math is. It’s rarely part of the curriculum for getting people ready to teach that subject.

Vicki: What’s our third?.

Tip #3: Use Units when you’re counting

Rebecca: Third is, use units when you are counting. Two plus three equals five, well let’s make it two dolls plus three dolls, let’s make it three socks plus four socks, make it something that’s relatable, leave the abstraction for later. And in fact, it brings the idea in also of sorting by color and size and shape.

So if it’s one of your shoes that may be different from one of my shoes.

So you can say, “Oh, this is a tennis shoe versus a different kind of shoe. But make them have units and it becomes real.

Vicki: That is excellent advice. Now, what grade level does abstraction come in?

When students can start understanding abstract numbers

Rebecca: Well, I think you can bring it in as you’re starting to get into second grade, third grade. Once they see the pattern of them. Once students begin to realize, and it depends on how sophisticated the students are. Some of them can at a later date, but if you actually start with units and they’ve had a strong pre-school and it’s all about units that’s fine. They may even need to start with the units for sure when they are in first grade.

But as they evolve after that and they’ve got the concept that you’re only adding when they’re same things. So what is it you’re trying to add, and it goes back to the windows.

What is a window? Before you add the windows, count how many windows there are, you need to decide what a window is. Is it one of the panes or is it the complete entire piece?

Vicki: And keeping it the same and understanding those units can even set us up for Algebra. Because we’re going to have those variables. I love how you’re building these building blocks, I think with the end in mind, aren’t you?

Rebecca: Yes, very much so. Because I am looking at what you’re going to be doing for math lifelong.

And getting you ready for creating new math things because the math we teach is not necessarily the math we’re going to need in the future.

It’s an evolving subject, it’s not static.

And I think that’s one of the things people don’t realize about math. It has evolved over the centuries and it is still evolving.

And one of the fun things I have there is that out of my creating a puzzle for young children goes into adults and now is a new conjecture in Geometry. It’s a new idea, that came out of trying to think about putting Geometry and Arithmetic together. I just wanted to put them together, I didn’t realize as I started making that in fact, it evolved into a new conjecture.

So that is a very interesting lesson for children to do. And to see that there are new ideas in math all the time.

Vicki: So what is our fourth idea?

Tip #4: Put subjects in the learner’s world

Rebecca: Put the subjects in the learners‘ world. If they like to make clothes, I’ve had a middle school Algebra teacher say, ”My children just don’t like the subject“. I said, ”You need to make it related to their world“.

So you say all the girls want to do is sew clothes and decorate their lockers. I said Fabulous! Think about all the math that is in there and the measurement. Everybody measures and everybody does arithmetic and some geometry in their entire life. And he said, but I don’t know anything about that. I said, Don’t worry.

They’ll teach you about what’s interesting to them, then you work with them on where the math is relevant to their interests. It flips it, don’t teach the stuff and then you’ll apply it. I did this when I taught university. What are you interested in as your subject. And let’s figure out what arithmetic, math, calculus, it didn’t matter what part of math it was, that’s relevant for your area of interest.

Vicki: Make it relatable. Okay, what’s our fifth?

Tip #5: Don’t tell learners they can’t do something

Rebecca: And the fifth is don’t tell learners they can’t do something. I have an article that went out this March that is the story of a little boy whose teacher told them you can’t subtract three from two. It’s called from Toy Trucks to Trade because it turns into a teaching lesson. I asked him what do you think it would mean?

And he talked about how he has three trucks and his other friend had two. They get together, they have five trucks, notice the units are their trucks. But he wanted to borrow his three trucks and leave him two – he owes me a truck. And I said, “that’s precisely where it came from.” So it’s a teachable moment, ask them why they have a question, and not tell them it can’t be done. I know we all as teachers have good days and bad days but let them ask and tell you what they think it means. And then you can mentor them from that.

How to be an amazing math teacher

Vicki: So Rebecca as we finish up, could you give us a thirty-secondpep talkk for math teachers about how to be amazing math teachers?

Rebecca: Well, I think the first thing is really – work with the children, learners of all ages. Cause I’ve done university and PhD students also, it’s the same.

I put it stories for young children where the numbers are trying to match up their meaning. They’re wandering the world like children are, like we all are for our whole life, we’re trying to figure out what we’re here for and what we’re up to.

So I have the numbers doing that and making it fun and engaging.

They have to see that it is relevant to their world. And if they see that, they’re off and running very fast. Textbooks and worksheets are too often just abstract.

You do need repetition but if you put units on them and if you count the wheels they you can say are they all the same kind of wheels?

So you get into sorting and counting by putting them together in groups. Then the arithmetic makes sense to the things they are interested in and off they go.

Vicki: Well, we got some great advice from Dr. Rebecca Klemm, the Numbers Lady, about how to make numbers come alive in our classroom. And you know what, it relates to every subject we teach. Because it’s all about helping things relate to a student’s world, so that it means something. And that my friends is remarkable!

Bio as submitted

Dr. Rebecca Klemm, also known as The Numbers Lady, is an accomplished mathematician, statistician, world traveler, and teacher. Since receiving her Ph.D. in Statistics, she has specialized in explaining mathematical concepts via everyday language.

After running her own research firm for many years, she founded NumbersAlive! (http://www.numbersalive.org) to share her love of numbers with kids. Dr. Klemm has received numerous awards for her NumbersAlive!® apps, books, puzzles, and games which make math meaningful for all ages.

Blog: http://www.numbersalive.org/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/numbersalive

Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored podcast episode.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via cash payment, gift, or something else of value to include a reference to their product. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I can recommend. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.) This company has no impact on the editorial content of the show.

The post 5 Ways to Help Numbers Come Alive appeared first on Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis @coolcatteacher helping educators be excellent every day. Meow!

from Cool Cat Teacher BlogCool Cat Teacher Blog http://www.coolcatteacher.com/e175/

[succeedly]

5 Ways to Help Numbers Come Alive

Dr. Rebecca Klemm on episode 175 of the 10-Minute Teacher Podcast

From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis

Follow @coolcatteacher on Twitter

Dr. Rebecca Klemm @numbersalive shares how to help numbers come alive for all ages. From toddler to teenager to Ph.D., Rebecca informs us about the building blocks that build math success.

Today’s Sponsor: GradeCam lets you create assessments with formats including multiple choice, true/false, number grids, rubrics, and even handwritten numeric answers that can be read and scored by Aita – Gradecam’s Artificial Intelligence Teaching Assistant.Score assessments, generate reports, and transfer grades automatically. Work smarter instead of harder. Sign up for your 60-day free trial at http://ift.tt/2gzEf8G

Listen Now

Listen to the show on iTunes or Stitcher

Stream by clicking here.

Below is an enhanced transcript, modified for your reading pleasure. All comments in the shaded green box are my own. For guests and hyperlinks to resources, scroll down.

***

Enhanced Transcript

5 Ways to Help Numbers Come Alive

Shownotes: http://ift.tt/2hWxr5D

Vicki: So today we are talking with Dr. Rebecca Klemm, the “Numbers Lady” about five ways to help numbers come alive in our math classroom. So Rebecca, what’s our first way to help numbers come alive?

Tip #1: Notice numbers and shapes everywhere with students

Rebecca: First of all, math is everywhere and I like to use the numbers to tell the story of where they are in either shape, quantity, order, or name. So, you just look around the classroom.

And one of the things I love to use, cause you probably have windows or if you don’t something else…just look around and find where the numbers are and let the kids pick them out and maybe make a book of it.

So some of them will find shapes. If they’re looking for five, they’re gonna find a pentagon somewhere. If you’re looking at windows you get to decide what is a window, and that’s a really good place sometimes to do multiplication. Because you see them in pairs and you have the horizontal and vertical.

But use that for a great introduction a lot of time in could be whatever size windows you have and you decide what a window is. Or you look at the colors of the shoes, you look at whatever is around the classroom and relate geometry, order, name, and quantity in all the different ways that we encounter numbers.

Pick up the clock, look at the calendar for seven days of the week, or if they figure it out. And let them make a little list and book of the things they find. They can draw them or you take pictures. And it’s a great homework. I like that kind of homework where you go home and you do the same activity with the people you live with. So you look around your environment, take pictures or draw examples of what you see and bring them back. You see that they’re everywhere in all those varieties.

Math Tip #1: Look for Math in the Classroom Russian Classroom windows – Wikimedia Commons

Vicki: That is so important because of we want kids to relate math to the real world. Rebecca, what’s our second?

Tip #2: Combine Geometry and Arithmetic

Rebecca: The second is combine geometry with arithmetic. So often, we teach shapes with colors, I’ve seen everywhere on all kinds of posters and books.

And then there’s counting.

No, the counting and geometry should go together, and that’s one of the things that I put together in my Number Linx puzzle. That, in fact, teaches them together.

Using simple language: points instead of “vertices”

So you count the points or sometimes people like to call them vertices. But I’m a Ph.D. mathematician and I like to keep the language simple for learners. But let them count with the shapes that actually relate geometrically to the counting of the size or points.

I use a heart for two because it comes into a point at the top and at the bottom.

Math Tip #2: Combine Math and Geometry

Heart – Wikimedia Commons

I use a teardrop for one point and an oval for zero. So I like to relate geometry with counting rather than separately as it typically is done.

Vicki: And you know so many times kids will take algebra and then they go into geometry and they just feel like it’s two separate things. And really they are connected.

Rebecca: Very much so. And in fact, they were developed together.

Geometry is not proofs

And Geometry by the way, because I taught everything from elementary through Ph.D.

Geometry is not proofs. The Greeks did it as proofs because they didn’t have Algebra yet. Their language was beauty, their language was Geometry, there was no zero at the time. So the history concept is really an important part of what I do in teaching teachers about what math is. It’s rarely part of the curriculum for getting people ready to teach that subject.

Vicki: What’s our third?.

Tip #3: Use Units when you’re counting

Rebecca: Third is, use units when you are counting. Two plus three equals five, well let’s make it two dolls plus three dolls, let’s make it three socks plus four socks, make it something that’s relatable, leave the abstraction for later. And in fact, it brings the idea in also of sorting by color and size and shape.

So if it’s one of your shoes that may be different from one of my shoes.

So you can say, “Oh, this is a tennis shoe versus a different kind of shoe. But make them have units and it becomes real.

Vicki: That is excellent advice. Now, what grade level does abstraction come in?

When students can start understanding abstract numbers

Rebecca: Well, I think you can bring it in as you’re starting to get into second grade, third grade. Once they see the pattern of them. Once students begin to realize, and it depends on how sophisticated the students are. Some of them can at a later date, but if you actually start with units and they’ve had a strong pre-school and it’s all about units that’s fine. They may even need to start with the units for sure when they are in first grade.

But as they evolve after that and they’ve got the concept that you’re only adding when they’re same things. So what is it you’re trying to add, and it goes back to the windows.

What is a window? Before you add the windows, count how many windows there are, you need to decide what a window is. Is it one of the panes or is it the complete entire piece?

Vicki: And keeping it the same and understanding those units can even set us up for Algebra. Because we’re going to have those variables. I love how you’re building these building blocks, I think with the end in mind, aren’t you?

Rebecca: Yes, very much so. Because I am looking at what you’re going to be doing for math lifelong.

And getting you ready for creating new math things because the math we teach is not necessarily the math we’re going to need in the future.

It’s an evolving subject, it’s not static.

And I think that’s one of the things people don’t realize about math. It has evolved over the centuries and it is still evolving.

And one of the fun things I have there is that out of my creating a puzzle for young children goes into adults and now is a new conjecture in Geometry. It’s a new idea, that came out of trying to think about putting Geometry and Arithmetic together. I just wanted to put them together, I didn’t realize as I started making that in fact, it evolved into a new conjecture.

So that is a very interesting lesson for children to do. And to see that there are new ideas in math all the time.

Vicki: So what is our fourth idea?

Tip #4: Put subjects in the learner’s world

Rebecca: Put the subjects in the learners‘ world. If they like to make clothes, I’ve had a middle school Algebra teacher say, ”My children just don’t like the subject“. I said, ”You need to make it related to their world“.

So you say all the girls want to do is sew clothes and decorate their lockers. I said Fabulous! Think about all the math that is in there and the measurement. Everybody measures and everybody does arithmetic and some geometry in their entire life. And he said, but I don’t know anything about that. I said, Don’t worry.

They’ll teach you about what’s interesting to them, then you work with them on where the math is relevant to their interests. It flips it, don’t teach the stuff and then you’ll apply it. I did this when I taught university. What are you interested in as your subject. And let’s figure out what arithmetic, math, calculus, it didn’t matter what part of math it was, that’s relevant for your area of interest.

Vicki: Make it relatable. Okay, what’s our fifth?

Tip #5: Don’t tell learners they can’t do something

Rebecca: And the fifth is don’t tell learners they can’t do something. I have an article that went out this March that is the story of a little boy whose teacher told them you can’t subtract three from two. It’s called from Toy Trucks to Trade because it turns into a teaching lesson. I asked him what do you think it would mean?

And he talked about how he has three trucks and his other friend had two. They get together, they have five trucks, notice the units are their trucks. But he wanted to borrow his three trucks and leave him two – he owes me a truck. And I said, “that’s precisely where it came from.” So it’s a teachable moment, ask them why they have a question, and not tell them it can’t be done. I know we all as teachers have good days and bad days but let them ask and tell you what they think it means. And then you can mentor them from that.

How to be an amazing math teacher

Vicki: So Rebecca as we finish up, could you give us a thirty-secondpep talkk for math teachers about how to be amazing math teachers?

Rebecca: Well, I think the first thing is really – work with the children, learners of all ages. Cause I’ve done university and PhD students also, it’s the same.

I put it stories for young children where the numbers are trying to match up their meaning. They’re wandering the world like children are, like we all are for our whole life, we’re trying to figure out what we’re here for and what we’re up to.

So I have the numbers doing that and making it fun and engaging.

They have to see that it is relevant to their world. And if they see that, they’re off and running very fast. Textbooks and worksheets are too often just abstract.

You do need repetition but if you put units on them and if you count the wheels they you can say are they all the same kind of wheels?

So you get into sorting and counting by putting them together in groups. Then the arithmetic makes sense to the things they are interested in and off they go.

Vicki: Well, we got some great advice from Dr. Rebecca Klemm, the Numbers Lady, about how to make numbers come alive in our classroom. And you know what, it relates to every subject we teach. Because it’s all about helping things relate to a student’s world, so that it means something. And that my friends is remarkable!

Bio as submitted

Dr. Rebecca Klemm, also known as The Numbers Lady, is an accomplished mathematician, statistician, world traveler, and teacher. Since receiving her Ph.D. in Statistics, she has specialized in explaining mathematical concepts via everyday language.

After running her own research firm for many years, she founded NumbersAlive! (http://ift.tt/2hVRotf) to share her love of numbers with kids. Dr. Klemm has received numerous awards for her NumbersAlive!® apps, books, puzzles, and games which make math meaningful for all ages.

Blog: http://ift.tt/2hVRotf

Twitter: https://twitter.com/numbersalive

Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored podcast episode.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via cash payment, gift, or something else of value to include a reference to their product. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I can recommend. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.) This company has no impact on the editorial content of the show.

The post 5 Ways to Help Numbers Come Alive appeared first on Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis @coolcatteacher helping educators be excellent every day. Meow!

5 Ways to Help Numbers Come Alive published first on http://ift.tt/2jn9f0m