Hi, I’m Rebecca. I write books and I write here at This Joyful Mess to inspire everyone to find JOY in the everyday messes of life. Here you’ll find inspiration, educational resources, and so much more. Please explore and connect—I’d love to hear from you!
How do I get out of Reaction Mode?
I had dreams for my family life, for the kids education, for my own recreation time (which currently clocked in at daily total of zero minutes, zero seconds). I longed to do things like knit, read books with real pages, write for the joy of it. Instead, I was living life of reacting—not to God’s direction—but to people’s momentary expectations, urgent tasks all shoving and bickering to be FIRST on my list. I was desperate to get back to the most important focus of every day...
It's Almost Back to School! Printable Planning Pages for Home or Classroom
I created these school planning pages out of desperation. I SO needed to get back on track! Did they help? Some more than others. But I can say for certain that they are 100% cute. In this download you’ll find a weekly lesson plan, semester schedule, grade report sheets, and book/media record sheets. All can be sized for any planner, including the Happy Planner.
Ancient History Timeline Figures, Classical Style: Featuring Famous Works of Art!
Last summer I went a little nutty. See, I was SO excited that our curriculum recommended a timeline. SO SO excited that timeline figures came with it. Until ... I opened the packaging. The timeline figures were ... ugly. So I made ancient history timeline figures using classic art! And now I'm sharing them with you, free!
The Most Insane Parenting Decision I Never Thought I’d Actually Make
I couldn’t pay my kids to go outside. They’d drag out of bed, take bowls of cereal to the family room where they’d watch TV followed by hours of begging for “screen time” while I battled our way through the morning’s schoolwork. Months of this, years of it. We fought this battle day after day until we made a dramatic decision and drastic change.
Walk Through Lent With JOY!
Those of you who are familiar with Lent and what it’s all about will understand why the title: Walk Through Lent with Joy, is surprising. Lent is a time of penance and repentance, of fasting, of giving up joy … isn’t it?
Just in Time for Holiday Gift-Giving: My Year Nature Journal Paperback
My Year Nature Journal gives you 12 full months of nature journal activity and free-creation pages to support your nature/outdoor education. The journal is perfect for fans of Charlotte Mason, Montessori, kinesthetic and hands-on learning, or to simply enhance your enjoyment of the outdoors.
Comparative Literature Study: Little Red Riding Hood
Nearly every elementary school teacher will need to prep a lesson on fairy tales, specifically comparing fairy tale versions. Many wonderful options exist, and many we’ve used ourselves. One of my favorites has always been Little Red Riding Hood. Of course when it came time to write a fractured fairy tale of my own, I picked one of my favorite tales! Find a FREE comparative literature printable unit study based on Violet and the Woof and Little Red Riding Hood.
Retell Little Red Riding Hood (aka Violet and the Woof)!
I’ve created a set of Violet and the Woof stick puppets—complete with a puppet stage. Print (card stock is best for this), cut, paste onto craft sticks to retell the story of Violet’s adventure again and again. And be happy knowing you’re helping develop the love of literature and early reading skills.
Free Printable Coloring Pages for Violet and the Woof!
I am so delighted to share coloring pages. Some were lovingly prepared by me, and some by the marvelous illustrator, Dasha Tolstikova who illustrated Violet and the Woof.
Why Sequencing is So Important to Early Literacy Plus Free Printables!
Learn why sequencing is an essential skill for reading and literacy, and download free printables to practice using the picture book Violet and the Woof!