by Shannon Popkin | Oct 30, 2012 | Anxiety, Holidays, Humility, Jesus, Kids' Perspective, Mistakes
A repost from 2010–just because I love this story so much. :)Tonight, when I tucked Cade into bed, I could tell something was bothering him. It was his pumpkin. The one he made today, in first grade. “I tried to listen to the instructions, but I just...
by Shannon Popkin | Oct 29, 2012 | Holidays
When you’re planning a classroom party, sometimes you want to have some Fillers & Extras ready to go, to fill any time gaps that you might have.I like to use ‘Paragraphs with Holes’. You know–the stories with words missing that the kids...
by Shannon Popkin | Oct 11, 2012 | Holidays
The Mask Game: I’ve used this game for 1st- 5th grades, and it’s always worked really well!Prep: Either bring in an assortment of masks, or have the kids make their own masks, using paper plates with holes for eyes and yarn stapled to the...
by Shannon Popkin | Jun 16, 2012 | Family, Holidays, Love, Parenting
When I was expecting our first baby, I had driven to see my parents in Michigan for a few days over spring break. I was on my way back to Milwaukee–about an hour into the trip–when a car beside me started honking its horn.I glanced over to see a man...
by Shannon Popkin | May 13, 2012 | Holidays, Hospitality, Kids' Perspective, Women
Once when I was a new teacher, my mom gave me a perm. (It was stylish in those days to frizz your hair out like a big brillo pad.) When I went to school the next day, one of the other teachers said, “Oh, I love your perm! I wish I had enough money to get a...
by Shannon Popkin | Apr 9, 2012 | Christian Growth, Holidays, Marriage, Prayer
It’s Yellow Ball Monday, and Heidi has the ball…When I was in high school, I was convinced I’d marry a certain brown haired, attractively rebellious guy. I prayed and prayed that he would want me as his girlfriend, but God said, “No”. Instead God blessed...