Kim Allsup (she, her) is an author, environmentalist, blogger and former grade school teacher and gardening teacher. She lives on Cape Cod where she enjoys gardening, swimming, and outdoor adventures on a recumbent trike or piloting her all-terrain walker. Her current project, Lucy’s Way, is a heartwarming coming of age story set in the 2050’s, the era of climate healing.…
Sources for A Gift of Wonder
. Let go of your visions of most schools today, which may include anxiety about testing, days without recess, art, or music, kindergartens without playtime. Instead, be open to a picture of school as it should be, where children and their teachers are eager to step into their classrooms, where each day holds promise When you open the first page…
How to Motivate Children through Wonder: Worldwide Links to Sources for A Gift of Wonder, a teaching memoir
While A Gift of Wonder is set in an independent Waldorf school, it shows a spirit of teaching and learning that is relevant to parents, homeschoolers, pod schoolers, public school teachers and independent school teachers. The time tested methods shown here in the context of an inspiring story are relevant in all learning environments. Join me as I teach the…
Speak to the Heart of Children
I worry that as time goes on and, as schools increasingly focus on the “thing” that is the curriculum and the “thing” that is the test, we will forget what is missing at school. So, I want to invite you into my classroom in a school where teachers and their students are free to learn together without the interference of…
How Demosthenes Reached Across the Ages to Speak to William, a book excerpt
“It was as if my long-term students and I were taking a long journey by ship and it was my fault that, in the parlance of the controversial education law, William was being left behind.”
Sources for: A Gift of Wonder, A True Story Showing School as it Should Be
Readers say: Told in an easy to read style, this book is actually a page turner. This turned out to be the best book I’ve read in a long time. It has the emotional impact of a book of fiction, and the educational value of a non-fiction book. Perhaps, long ago, a teacher made a difference in your life.…
The Secret Prince: Chapter 75 — Missing Mother
Ronduin did not expect the tears that filled his eyes and ran down his cheeks. He thought this would be a moment of excitement, the beginning of a time of running freely across barn hill, a time when he was no longer stuck in the castle, away from friends. But, at this moment, as his parents slipped out of sight through…
The Secret Prince: Chapter 74 — Fare Thee Well
“Good Day to you Prince Ronduin!” proclaimed the strong voice. This voice called out from the forest near the barn kitchen. It seemed as if the trees themselves spoke to Ronduin. Yet, this feeling of surprise did not last, for he quickly recognized Roland’s booming voice. Looking down the hill path through the forest, he now saw Roland rounding a…
Inspiration on Sale
You can buy my inspiring teaching memoir, A Gift of Wonder, from Amazon for $13.70 if you buy it along with $20 of other items. Order soon as stock is low. Other sources are listed below. Amazon reviewers said: “This turned out to be the best book I’ve read in a long time. It has the emotional impact of a…
The Secret Prince : Chapter 73 — Evening at Barn Hill
Ronduin lay on the wooden floor of the barn loft. He closed his eyes but could not sleep. He heard Peter and Peyton snoring. But it was not their muffled snores that kept him awake. Nor was he kept awake by the hard floor that lacked his lovely feather bed. One at a time, Ronduin imagined the faces of his classmates. Are…
The Secret Prince: Chapter 72 — “Good Night Good Castle”
Cook Agnes sat on a stump, warmed by the signal fire which had died down to bright orange glowing embers. She still held the bundled kitchen cat. “We are going to introduce the kitchen cat to Robere, who no doubt thinks he owns barn hill,” said Cook Agnes to Ronduin who sat at her feet. Now Mirabel, holding Robere, walked…
The Secret Prince : Chapter 71 — The Lonely Castle
Note: Chapter 70 showed Ronduin and Mirabel walking on mud skis ahead of the rest of the group as they crossed the muddy fields from the castle to barn hill. At the end of the chapter they stopped on a grassy mound to have a conversation. Ronduin and Mirabel waited for the rest of the mud skiers and Cook…
Note to Secret Prince Readers, August 27, 2021
I’m writing to reassure everyone that I will be back to writing new chapters soon. I am working on another novel for children that is an upbeat story about climate change set in the year 2054. I am editing the complete manuscript before sending it to reviewers and this is using all my writing time. I look forward to returning…
The Secret Prince: Chapter 70 — The True Me
The joyful conversation at the kitchen table could be heard far down the hallway of the castle. Stepping out of the stairwell, the King was astounded by this cheerful noise, so he ran to the kitchen door where he stood, incredulous at what he saw. Noticing that her husband was so amazed that he could not speak, the Queen stood…
Growing Children 