TIPS for Writing your Botany ABC Book Entries

》Tell your reader facts about the plant that everyone should know. 

》Tell your reader some history, care advice, the plant's Latin name, and/or zone in which it thrives.

    What is its main use? Medicinal?  Ornamental?  Symbolic?  Nutritional?

》Tell your reader something VERY interesting and/or surprising and/or little known.

》You must include a great illustration. Be sure to wrap your text.

》Hold your reader's attention with LAGNIAPPE. You might weave in a quote, folklore, 

    a legend, a song, old wives' tale, urban myth, or an anecdote.

 

Writing Prompts

 

AI Overview of the History of Eyeglasses

 The history of eyeglasses and their lenses includes many key events and developments, including: 

• 13th century

  Italian monks are thought to have created the first shaped lenses for reading, made from beryl quartz. These lenses were convex and worked like magnifying glasses. 
• 1352

  A painting by Tommaso da Modena depicts monks using eyeglasses to read and write. 
• 1600s

  Spanish craftsmen created the first frame temples by attaching silk ribbons or strings to the frame and looping them over the wearer's ears. 
• 1727

  British optician Edward Scarlett invented the modern style of eyeglasses frame, which could be placed over the ears and nose. 
• Industrial Revolution

  Large-scale production of eyeglasses made them more affordable and available to the middle class. 
• World War I

  The war cut off America's traditional lens sources in Europe, which led to the first volume factory production of ophthalmic glass in the U.S. 
• 1972

  The FDA mandated that all lenses need to be shatterproof, which led many glasses makers to turn to plastics. 

Other notable events in the history of eyeglasses include: 

• Abbas Ibn Firnas developed the first corrective lenses in the 9th century. 
• Pince-nez, which translates to "pinch nose", were a 19th century innovation that had a spring clip to hold the glasses in place. 
• The invention of electric light by Thomas Edison in 1879 allowed people to read into the night without straining their eyes. 

The History of Glassblowing

 Who was the first glassblower? How old is glassblowing? Keep reading for a brief history of this incredible art form.

The First Glassblowers

The craft of glassblowing is believed to have originated in the 1st century BC in areas now known as Israel, Iran, Palestine, and Lebanon.

The Roman government went on to be the first to establish large glass workshops, with glass being formed for both utilitarian and decorative purposes.

A few decades later, craftspeople then discovered that they could use molds to create different designs — designs that were more complex and inventive. The result? The introduction of mold-blown glass.

Venetian Glass

Trade with the Middle East eventually brought glassblowing to Venice, an area which became a leader in the industry.

The secrets of forming Venetian glass were considered so special, and the glasshouses so numerous, that in the 13th century the Italian government relocated Venetian glassmakers to the island of Murano to preserve their knowledge and to prevent the growing city of Venice from burning from the numerous furnaces.

It's said that the glassblowers were actually forbidden to leave because they were considered that important. However, some glassblowers fled Murano and took their techniques to other parts of Europe.

The secrets of Venetian glass then spread even further in the late 1660s when a glassmaking guide called L'Arte Vetraria, written by the alchemist and glassmaker Antonio Neri, started to be republished.

Glassblowing comes to America

Meanwhile, in what is now the United States, in 1607 the Virginia Company of London established Jamestown, England's first permanent colony in North America.

Although attempts at a local glass industry failed due to climate and economic factors, this did lead the way for future glassmaking in the New World, and in 1739 German colonist Caspar Wistar founded the first successful American glasshouse in Pennsylvania.

Glasshouses in New Jersey and Massachusetts also operated for many years, creating windows for the new colonies by spinning molten glass on the end of a pipe to create flat sheets that could later be cut into window panes.

Glassblowing and Science

It was also in the 1600s that glassmakers in Europe discovered the magnification properties of glass when formed with particular curves, which brought us the telescope and microscope.

As medicine developed, the demand for glassware and glass tubing grew and in order to satisfy that need, larger furnaces were created that would allow for ribbons of glass to be extruded and then placed into molds of desired shapes — ultimately a less labour intensive and faster process than stretchy and shaping glass freehand.

In the mid-1600s English glassmakers invented what was known as "black glass" (it was actually dark green in colour). This glass created thick dark vessels that were perfect for transportation, as the glass stood up to shipping and protected the goods inside from sunlight. This development soon placed England as a leading bottle distributor.

In 1676 an Englishman named George Ravenscroft lead another development in glassmaking when he created a formula for making glass using lead. The lead glass, or "flint glass", remained workable for a longer period of time than other glass. Given its remarkable weight and clarity, people started to make vessels that didn't have decoration, but instead focussed on form.

The Art and Appreciation of Glassblowing

While use of glass and styles of decoration, engraving, and cutting changed through the 17th and 18th centuries, it wasn't until the late 19th century that the industry saw another big development.

It was at the 1878 Paris Exhibition that designers Eugene Rousseau and Emile Galle lead the Art Nouveau period that would last until the 20th century — an art style characterized by curves that matched well with the fluidity of glass.

Almost 100 years later, a world leader in glass knowledge and creation emerged with the formation of the Corning Museum of Glass by Corning Glass Works in Corning, New York. Arthur Houghton Jr. and his cousin Amory Houghton opened the museum as a non-profit educational institution in 1951. Today, the museum features collections, exhibitions, research, and teaching facilities with 460,000 visitors stopping by annually to learn about glass.

Then in the 1960s, the studio glass movement was born. American glassmakers shifted from factory environments to independent studios. Among the pioneers of this transformative movement was Harvey K. Littleton, who worked with the Toledo Museum of Art and scientist Dominick Labino to develop smaller, affordable furnaces perfect for individual artists. Instead of being characterized by a particular style or philosophy, this movement has been focussed on the glass itself, the artists who make it, and an overall sense of community amongst creators and producers.

Today, glassblowing is an international art form that continues to grow and change, with glassblowers continuing to develop and share new techniques and ideas.

source: https://www.gatherbreweryandglassworks.com/blogs/news/history-of-glassblowing?srsltid=AfmBOooo4OyF-kBm1oyA1SRwSY7XC2sFTdCr07T6zl-7pHEqAVd6xgAg

PLOT OUTLINE Title: "The Secret of Willow Creek"

 1. Introduction/Exposition In literature, exposition is a literary device that introduces background information about a story's characters, setting, or other elements.

• Setting: The story takes place in a small, picturesque town called Willow Creek, surrounded by lush forests and a sparkling river. The events occur during the summer of 2024.
• Characters:
  • Lily: A brave and curious 12-year-old girl who loves exploring nature. She enjoys spending time with her friends and dreams of finding the hidden treasure rumored to be in the woods.
  • Max: Lily’s best friend, who is more cautious and prefers reading about adventures instead of experiencing them. He often worries about the consequences of their escapades.
  • Emma: A new girl in town who is adventurous and has a mysterious past. She is eager to prove herself and becomes a key part of the group.
• Background Information: A legend exists about a treasure hidden deep in the woods of Willow Creek, left by the town’s founders. Many have tried to find it, but no one has succeeded.

2. Rising Action

• Conflict: Lily convinces Max to join her and Emma in searching for the treasure after they find an old map in a dusty library book. However, they face challenges along the way, like overcoming their fears and dealing with a storm that threatens to ruin their plans.
• Events Leading to the Climax:
  • The trio discovers clues in the woods that lead them closer to the treasure, while also testing their friendship.
  • They become lost and have to work together to find their way, learning to rely on each other.
  • They face external obstacles, including a rival group of kids from school who also want to find the treasure and try to sabotage their efforts.
  • 
    

3. Climax

• Turning Point: The climax occurs when Lily, Max, and Emma finally discover the location indicated on the map—a hidden cave. Inside, they face a final challenge: a riddle that protects the treasure. After much discussion and teamwork, they solve it, but they hear the dangerous rival group approaching. They must quickly decide if they will take the treasure or leave it behind in order to work together to protect each other.
• 
  

4. Falling Action

• Events After the Climax: After solving the riddle, the group chooses to leave the treasure behind, realizing that their adventure, their friendship, and their safety are more important than material wealth. They escape the cave just in time to avoid confrontation with the dangerous rival group.
• Resolve Secondary Conflicts: Lily and Max learn to appreciate each other’s strengths, while Emma feels accepted as part of the group. Their fear of the rival group fizzles out as they realize that working together makes them stronger.

5. Resolution

• Conclusion: The story ends with Lily, Max, and Emma sitting by the river, reflecting on their adventure and laughing about their experiences. They decide to keep searching for more adventures together in Willow Creek, with a newfound respect for teamwork and bravery.
• 
  
• Theme or Moral: The story teaches that true treasure lies not in gold or riches but in friendship, teamwork, and the experiences shared with those we care about

How to Indicate for the Bravery Essay (Freesia WM)

Properly Indicate:

one "because"  BUILDING BLOCK

one "ly adverb" BUILDING BLOCK

one "www.asia" BUILDING BLOCK

one (1) OPENER

one (3) OPENER

one (SIM)

Examples of how to properly indicate the required stylistic elements.

"because"  BUILDING BLOCK

She was tired because she had a long day.

one "ly adverb" BUILDING BLOCK

My sister eagerly wrote her essay.

one "www.asia" BUILDING BLOCK

My Mom enjoys walks when it is cool outside.

one (1) OPENER

(1) Because Toby studied, he made great grades.

one (3) OPENER

(3) Suddenly the cat dashed up the tree.

one (SIM)

 (SIM) My Dad roars like a lion when we he is angry.

Remember that  (SIM) stands for simile.

A simile describes by comparing using the word like or the word as.

Examples:

(SIM) He was as quiet as a mouse.

(SIM) She sings like a bird.

Cursive

 

    Like many millenia-old practices, the invention of cursive writing was more of a collective effort than something we can attribute to one person. It goes as far back as the Roman Empire, after written language first developed. Square capitals were used on inscriptions or buildings and monuments (some of which are still standing), but cursive (or script) was used for daily writing.

    Later, in the eighth century, monks created the Carolingian script — the earliest form of standardized cursive that others built upon. This script evolved during medieval times, and its twists and curls became harder to read before the Renaissance revived the Carolingian way. The earliest form of cursive you probably recognize is called Copperplate. Calligrapher Timothy Matlack penned Thomas Jefferson’s words on the original copy of the Declaration of Independence using the Copperplate script.

    While beautiful, this fancy calligraphy wasn’t practical for everyday writing, so a teacher named Platt Rogers Spencer developed a new form of penmanship around the mid-1800s. He came up with the name “chirythmography,” from the Greek words for “timed handwriting.” He used a metronome for writers to keep pace with his elliptical letters, which he claimed were inspired by nature. The “Spencerian” method was taught in schools for the latter half of the 19th century.

    Quick-working clerks and telegraph operators translating Morse code into script found the Spencer cursive still too time consuming, though. Enter: Austin Palmer and the Palmer Method. Palmer’s idea was to make cursive writing more practical and lose the fancy flourishes from the Renaissance days. This form of script was very popular in the early 20th century and can probably be seen in old letters from your great- and great-great-grandparents.

    From there, penmanship started to become big business. It was taught in grade schools, and adults entering the business world got a leg up if they completed a course in a penmanship school. The Zanerian College of Penmanship became the Zaner-Bloser Company, selling handwriting instruction material to schools. (Fun fact: Zaner-Bloser, Inc., still publishes Highlights for Children magazine.) The Zaner-Bloser cursive and the later D’Nealian cursive are the simple scripts that were taught in grade school during the second half of the 20th century. While many school districts dropped cursive curriculum in the 2010s, it recently began regaining a foothold across the United States. In 2024, California became the 22nd state to require teaching cursive handwriting in its schools. 

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 P1   (7)

Like many millenia-old practices, the invention of cursive writing was a collective effort.

Its invention is not something that can be attributed to one person. 

Cursive writing goes as far back as the Roman Empire in the 5th century.

It appeared after written language first developed. 

Cursive, also known as script, was used for daily writing.

At the same time, square capitals were used on inscriptions or buildings and monuments. 

Some of these still standing. 

   

P2  (11)

Later, in the eighth century, monks created the Carolingian script.

This is the earliest form of standardized cursive upon which the others are built. 

This Carolingian Script ↓ evolved during medieval times.  

The earliest form of cursive familiar to most people is called Copperplate. 

Calligrapher Timothy Matlack penned Thomas Jefferson’s words on the original copy of the Declaration of Independence using the Copperplate script. ↓ 

Although beautiful, this fancy calligraphy wasn’t practical for everyday writing.

A teacher named Platt Rogers Spencer developed a new form of penmanship around the mid-1800s. 

He came up with the name “chirythmography,” from the Greek words for “timed handwriting.” 

He used a metronome for writers to keep pace with his elliptical letters.

Spencer felt the script was inspired by nature. 

This “Spencerian” ↓ method was taught in schools for the latter half of the 19th century.

P3  (19)

Cursive is a faster form of writing than printing and was used by clerks and telegraph operators.

Telegraph operators translated Morse code into script,

Quick-working clerks and telegraph operators found the Spencer cursive still too time consuming. 

Enter: Austin Palmer and the Palmer method! 

Palmer’s idea was to make cursive writing more practical.

The first step was to lose the fancy flourishes from the Renaissance days. 

The Palmer method script was very popular in the early 20th century.

It can probably be seen in old letters from your great- and great-great-grandparents.

Penmanship started to become big business. 

It was taught in grade schools. 

Adults entering the business world were more esteemed if they completed a course in a penmanship school. 

The Zanerian College of Penmanship, which later became the Zaner-Bloser Company, sold handwriting instruction material to schools. 

The company was very successful.

Fun fact: Zaner-Bloser, Inc., still publishes Highlights for Children magazine. 

The Zaner-Bloser cursive, one of the simple scripts, was taught in grade school during the second half of the 20th century. ↓

The other simple cursive script taught in schools at that time was D’Nealian cursive.

Many school districts dropped cursive curriculum in the 2010s. 

Recently has begun regaining a foothold across the United States. 

In 2024, California became the 22nd state to require teaching cursive handwriting in its schools. 

https://wordsmarts.com/history-cursive-writing/