By William Van Zyl Published in December 2022. “One moment, please tell me, what is the name of the dog?” asked the reporter. “His name is Jason. I’ve had him for 6 years. He is my most trusted friend.” “What makes Jason special to you? Do you have any significant stories of Jason?” asked the… Continue reading Get the name of the dog.
Category: Writing
Writing skills, ideas, concepts and more. Articles and eBooks.
Do these things – right now – to elevate creativity and innovation.
By William Van Zyl Published in November 2022. “I am not going to suffocate my children with literacy and numeracy. I don’t care what people – and even teachers – say. I want my children to be creative and innovative,” said the agitated mother. “My kids come home from school, and they express their boredom.… Continue reading Do these things – right now – to elevate creativity and innovation.
Our diverse world needs to be more culturally responsive. Are you responsive?
By William Van Zyl Published in November 14, 2022. Culturally diverse countries like Germany, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, France, Spain, Italy, the United States, and the United Kingdom face huge challenges as their communities become more diverse. These countries and their teaching cultures are continuously challenged on how they deliver their embedded Cultural Responsive Teaching… Continue reading Our diverse world needs to be more culturally responsive. Are you responsive?
World War 3 Victory Gardens: ThingSpeak and Eels save the day.
By William Van Zyl. Published on November 8, 2022. A high-frequency air raid siren goes off above Jacob’s head. He flinches. Urgent notifications ping on his phone – a row of warnings. His wife clings to his arm in the anti-nuclear bunker. Two large grey-coloured grasshoppers with huge eyes are looking into one another’s eyes.… Continue reading World War 3 Victory Gardens: ThingSpeak and Eels save the day.
To Forgive, or not to Forgive, is the Question.
By William Van Zyl Published in October 2022. Listen to the Podcast of this article: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-za7fb-12da550 At last, he gets him. They are both bloodied, exhausted to death—the tomahawk slices through some of his fingers. The assailant looks at his hand in disbelief. He is missing a couple of them; blood starts to trickle from… Continue reading To Forgive, or not to Forgive, is the Question.
He Never Gave Me a Name.
By William Van Zyl – published Aug 2022. “He never gave me a name,” whispers the rejected monster as he prepares to die. His facial expressions are gruesome – the stitches crisscrossed over his face, neck and head. It tells a story of science that has gone wrong, horribly wrong. The pain in his eyes… Continue reading He Never Gave Me a Name.
Midnight-muffin-men stun the baking world by beating face recognition software – a Bake-O-Drama.
By William Van Zyl. Published in June 2022 Listen to the Podcast (Podbean): https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-q75me-126d3de The three men walked past the scanner. They look like three ducks – marching in a row. Black and white. “Beep, beep, beep,” sounds the piezo speaker of the surveillance camera. The three black and white – bearded ducks – marched… Continue reading Midnight-muffin-men stun the baking world by beating face recognition software – a Bake-O-Drama.
Scuba Diver Defeats Unknown Depths of Hopelessness.
By William Van Zyl – Published June 2022. *Listen to the podcast: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-nsx8y-125b8e9 “Swoosh” The rusted cable and long pipe flashed briefly as it hurtled towards the experienced US Navy diver. “Watch out!” he shouted as he looked up. At the same time, he pushed and pulled the person next to him out of harm’s… Continue reading Scuba Diver Defeats Unknown Depths of Hopelessness.
Crystal Radio shortens Gravedigger’s night.
By William Van Zyl – Published June 2022. *Listen to the podcast while reading: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-e78d4-124aaff “At the sound of the gong, it will be exactly 1 am on 2ZC radio.” “B-O-I-I-I-N-G” “You are listening to the music selected by Dave – Dave Marney,” announced the broadcaster. “Our next song is a song that goes with… Continue reading Crystal Radio shortens Gravedigger’s night.
Pneumatic words destroy reinforced concrete.
By William Van Zyl – Published in May 2022. Listen to the podcast while reading this post: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-tuiyc-123001e PNEUMA (a very short poem) Spoken words are pneumatic. It has pressure, it pushes, it shifts. Like pressure waves, they move forward. Those uttered words exert pressure; it impacts. They work for you – all day long;… Continue reading Pneumatic words destroy reinforced concrete.
William Draws.
By William Van Zyl (April 2022) Listen to the podcast on Podbean (or Spotify): https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-xuyxy-1211da4 – William Draws Have you seen Peter Draws on YouTube? It is quite an experience. He is a gifted artist. With his down to earth approach, he has established a popular channel with 968,00 subscribers. Some of his videos have over 16… Continue reading William Draws.
Champollion’s (JFC’s) death – French Decipherer of the Rosetta Stone – underlines one of the age-old killers: Sex, Money, Power, and Fame. Which one could it be?
By William Van Zyl (April 2022). Listen to the podcast while reading this article (Podbean- ‘The Extravagant Podcast’: https://williamvzyl.podbean.com/e/champollion-sjfc-sdeath-%e2%80%93french-decipherer-oftherosetta-stone-%e2%80%93underlines-oneof-the-age-oldkillerssexmoneypower-and-fame-whichone-c/ In 1822 – in a moment of joy and ecstasy – JFC ran breathlessly into his brother’s office and shouted: “Je tiens l’affaire!”, “I found it!” he dropped to the floor and collapsed. He was unconscious… Continue reading Champollion’s (JFC’s) death – French Decipherer of the Rosetta Stone – underlines one of the age-old killers: Sex, Money, Power, and Fame. Which one could it be?
Insect behaviour – Deception, Confusion, and Opportunity – Stuns Scientists.
By William Van Zyl (Published March 2022). In the undergrowth, an actual undercover code – which will be uncovered in this article – will stun you. A pattern and a foreknowledge that is beyond comprehension. A unique pattern – decoded in the modern times we live in – decoded by scientists. David Attenborough’s documentary Life… Continue reading Insect behaviour – Deception, Confusion, and Opportunity – Stuns Scientists.
21-st Century Skills: Are students being prepared to solve real-life problems?
By William Van Zyl (Published March 2022). Abstract: One of the most important questions you can ask educators is ‘Are you preparing students for the 21-st century?’ From research, we know what those critical aspects are: Students should be able to be critical thinkers, able to find creative solutions, able to do extensive collaboration, and… Continue reading 21-st Century Skills: Are students being prepared to solve real-life problems?
Four Million-pound-heavy millstone sunk an ambitious family, while Harry’s feather-light happiness floats on the Thames – an enlightening contrast.
Life’s contrasts. By William van Zyl (Published February 2022). Here is a more extended title for this article: Life’s contrasts: Harry’s weather-feather-light decision floats happily on the River Thames. While – in comparison – a 4 million-pound-heavy millstone sends an ambitious family to Davey Jones’ Locker. Two true stories – a contrast. I touch on a… Continue reading Four Million-pound-heavy millstone sunk an ambitious family, while Harry’s feather-light happiness floats on the Thames – an enlightening contrast.
Memory of the Heart.
By William Van Zyl. Published in 2016. Edited and republished on January 13, 2023. ‘Is it possible that the human heart uses its own memory to communicate…?’ Cellular memory is a new area of interest, revealing startling facts. The Human Heart. Your heart could be the reason why you are making such excellent decisions that… Continue reading Memory of the Heart.
Leaving Your Comfort Zone Requires Courage. A Brave Move Will Make You More Efficient! A Lesson from ‘The Little Prince’ (Famous Novel by French Writer: Antoine De Saint-Exupèry 1943).
By William Van Zyl. Published in 2021. A pilot’s bracelet lost at sea was found in a fishing net—what a coincidence. The bracelet belonged to a pilot that had gone missing many years ago – in fact, just before the second world war ended in 1944. The pilot was reported to be lost at sea… Continue reading Leaving Your Comfort Zone Requires Courage. A Brave Move Will Make You More Efficient! A Lesson from ‘The Little Prince’ (Famous Novel by French Writer: Antoine De Saint-Exupèry 1943).
Poem: A Strong Tower/ Gedig: N Sterk Toring
A Strong Tower (English version) / N Sterk Toring (Afrikaans version) By William Van Zyl. Published in 2016. Deur William Van Zyl. Gepuliseer in 2016. Poem: A Strong Tower (dedicated to Nena by William) My mother stands mountain tall She towers high above the stratosphere Storms have no business with her She waves her hand… Continue reading Poem: A Strong Tower/ Gedig: N Sterk Toring
Inside Out.
‘Real change starts from the inside out’. This fundamental truth can be recognised as that significant change that starts deep within and eventually becomes visible on the outside. Applying this principle is powerful for behaviour modification. Hence the title ‘inside out’. Introduction The clock on the cover page can be used to illustrate how the… Continue reading Inside Out.
Die Beiteltjie (The Stonemason’s Little Chisel/The Little Cold Chisel). AFRIKAANSE GEDIG
Deur William Van Zyl. Gepubliseer in 2017. Agtergrond: Hierdie gedig was in die Nasionale Senior Sertifikaat Eksamen (RSA) vir die Afrikaanse Eerste taal eksamen in 1976 – my final jaar op skool (Hentie Cilliers, Virginia, Vrystaat).Op daardie stadium het ek nie die diepte van die gedig besef nie. Ek kon dit nie in soveel diepte… Continue reading Die Beiteltjie (The Stonemason’s Little Chisel/The Little Cold Chisel). AFRIKAANSE GEDIG