Alyssa Strauss, Author at Family Style Schooling

Curiosity Through Characters: Learning to Ask Better Questions

We have a new episode on the Rooted Minds Podcast. I’m Alyssa Strauss, and today we’re exploring a topic that’s central to both learning and human connection: teaching curiosity through literature. The Power of Deep Questions Have you ever noticed how some questions just scratch the surface, while others open up whole new worlds of…

My Journey: From Art School to Ministry School and Back Again

Hey! I’m Alyssa! I’m a part of the Rooted Minds Team. I have the privilege to call Andy, the face behind Latin With Andy, my brother, and Betsy, the founder of Family Style Schooling Blog, mom. Now I can also say my art is published! I helped with a new educational art book by Courtney…

The Time Machine by H. G. Wells

I recently read H.G Wells’s The Time Machine as a class assignment. When I was a kid, my mom gifted me an abridged kids version of the story, which I devoured within a day. But I didn’t stop there. I read that book at least five times, which grabbed my imagination every time. The book…

Painting en Plein Air: Creating in Community

I can’t fully explain it, but creating near other creatives is ten times better than creating alone. Picture this: you’re painting en Plein air, in a cute little harbor district, containing restaurants, boutiques, and a coffee shop! There is a lighthouse next to the docks you decide to paint. As you paint, you watch children…

Painting En Plein Air: Finding Peace with Paint

I painted en Plein air with oil paints for the SECOND time ever! In this episode, I painted at Rockledge Park in Grapevine. This location was absolutely beautiful! We met my cousin at the park and she and my dad and I painted together! For this painting, I used oils on a gessoed panel (links…