April Unit Now Available!

     Hi, everyone!  I just posted my April resource pack at my TpT site.  Check it out if you are interesting in some activities for your classroom to increase the critical, creative, and affective thinking of your students.  Also includes tons of research and communication actitivities!  Have a great week, everyone!  Shannon :-)
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Awesome-April-Activities-for-Your-Classroom

Teaching Tip of the Week--Spring Break!

     Yay!  This wonderful week has finally arrived.  It is so funny to look around my classroom and wonder who has the most severe case of spring fever--me or the children! :-)  Seriously, whenever your Spring Break rolls around this year, be sure to relax and enjoy the beauty around you.  Take some time to share with your personal families, enjoy time with good friends, and pause to count the blessings around you!  Hope your Spring Break, whenever it comes, is filled with laughter, rest, and refreshment!  Blessings, Shannon :-)

Parenting Tip of the Week--Don't Be Afraid of Boundaries!

     During any given weekly church youth meeting, I am always intrigued to hear from our teenagers about their lives and concerns.  Their "take" on the world can be fascinating to those of us on this side of adulthood.  In fact, just this past week a teen shared that he had actually enjoyed his past month of restriction.  Why?  Because it forced him to spend needed time with his parents and provided him with a definitive reason not to go out with certain friends.  "Oh, I can't go to her house.  I'm on restriction, remember?!  You know how my parents are?!"

     Hearing this story reminded me of words often uttered by my own mom when I was younger.  She would say, "Let me be the bad guy, Shannon.  If something comes up and you don't feel that you should be a part of it, blame me!"  I didn't realize it at the time, but she was doing me a tremendous favor.  Sometimes kids need us to set healthy boundaries that they can live within.  Parent, don't be afraid to be the fall guy for your child. 

     Chip Ingram says that boundaries are the guardrails of life.  Now, your child might disagree with you on this some days, but trust me, in spite of their protests, setting these boundaries might be actually doing them a huge favor!  God bless you and yours!  Shannon :-)

Great Literature Resource!

     Yesterday I had the opportunity to go to the GAGC Spring session in Ashburn, GA.  While there, Annette Eger shared a great literature resource for encouraging critical and creative thought in students.  I have enclosed a picture and a link to Amazon in case you are interested in finding out more.  I am so excited about the future of gifted and regular education and realize how blessed I am to teach such a fabulous group of kids!!!!  Have a great weekend!  Shannon :-)

Amazon Link to This Awesome Book!

Free Resources to Teach Your Children about Lent!

     Today is known as Fat Tuesday; Mardi Gras if we were French!  Ever wondered what Mardi Gras really signifies?  Have you heard of Lent or Ash Wednesday and just had no idea where to begin?  This free resource was designed to help you and your children begin to establish traditions of prayer, fasting, and honoring the Lord through our choices and actions.  Hope you enjoy and find this helpful to you and yours!  God bless!  Shannon :-)

Free Lent Family Devotion Guide and Resources

Free St. Patrick's Day Devotion Ideas

     Hi, everyone!  Can you believe March is here already?!  I am soooo ready for Spring!  Here is the latest edition of my seasonal devotion resource packs.  Feel free to use with your own families or children that you teach during the month of March and around St. Patrick's Day.  God bless you and your little ones!  Shannon :-)

Free St. Patrick's Day Devotion Download

"March"ing Ahead and Lucky to Be Learning!

     Hi, everyone!  March 1st is here, and I am so ready for spring!  Trees are blooming everywhere around our house, and they are gorgeous! 

     Just a note to let you know that I posted my March resource pack today at my TpT store.  It is full of ideas to improve the thinking skills of your students!  I hope you enjoy it and find it beneficial in increasing the rigor and differentiation of your classroom!  This link will take you to it if you would like to preview it.  Have a great week, everyone!  I sure am "lucky" to have had you visit my blog today!!!

My March Resource Pack