How to Manage Stress During the Holiday Season

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How to Manage Stress During the Holiday Season

There are only six shopping days left before Christmas! (Let that sink in for just a minute!) I know that Christmas is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, but right about now, I’m feeling a little less than wonderful! The very idea that I only have a handful of days left to select, purchase, and wrap gifts for my family stresses me out! I’ve never been this unprepared!

People deal with stress on a daily basis, but it’s no secret that stress runs extra high during the holidays. There are four

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Holiday Fun: A vocabulary game for the whole family

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Holiday Fun: A vocabulary game for the whole family

My family and I have played a really cool game throughout our years together. My wife and I thought it up when we were traveling on vacation several years ago, and it remains one of my all-time favorites (not sure anyone else agrees!!). It only requires a brain, a vocabulary, and a voice.

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A Guide to Verb Tenses

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A Guide to Verb Tenses

Verb tenses can be challenging for students and adults! In an effort to reinforce correct verb tense usage, why not play a little game? Let’s get started with a quick review of verb tenses.

Tense means time. So, that means that the verb in the sentence actually lets the reader know the time of the action.

There are three basic verb tenses that show when an action takes place:

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Summer Learning: How to develop your child's communication skills

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Summer Learning: How to develop your child's communication skills

Have you ever thought of scheduling a weekly family meeting during the summer months? It really is a great way to boost communication skills at home! Kids of all ages, when given the chance, can participate in structured discussions to recap the previous week and plan for the next one. Routine meetings can allow everyone to contribute personal thoughts, feelings, ideas, choices, etc., so that everyone has an opportunity to be heard. Topic possibilities are endless, yet providing this type of platform can build family connections and help children develop their personal communication skills.

Here’s how it works:

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Summer Learning: Let's go to the library!

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Summer Learning: Let's go to the library!

I fondly recall the summers I spent taking my son to the local library when he was young. I can still remember his excitement as he perused the library shelves, looking for just the right books to take home to read. Those weekly trips were part of our routine, and we both looked forward to them with anticipation!

Did you know that many libraries across the nation

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Creating a Summer Adventure List

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Creating a Summer Adventure List

As eager as your students are for the school year to end, it won’t be long until they are actually bored during their summer break. Yes, I said “bored.” Help your students stay focused and creative while they gear up for that day with this fun and creative classroom activity.

In this blog, I will share an activity that will teach students a valuable lesson as they create their own Summer Bucket List. The catch is that they will create it while working in small groups. As always, you can do as much or as little as you like with this idea. Here’s how to get started.

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Writing Extension: A Valentine's Day Haiku

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Writing Extension: A Valentine's Day Haiku

Do you need a new idea to get the creative juices flowing in your classroom? The Haiku offers that opportunity to your students by channeling their creativity into this unique form of Japanese poetry. Here is a great lesson plan to get you started. The best part is that it has a Valentine’s Day twist!

(You can find this lesson, along with many others, in the Unit Studies Section of your Shurley English book!)

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How to Manage Stress During the Holiday Season

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How to Manage Stress During the Holiday Season

There are only six shopping days left before Christmas! (Let that sink in for just a minute!) I know that Christmas is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, but right about now, I’m feeling a little less than wonderful! The very idea that I only have a handful of days left to select, purchase, and wrap gifts for my family stresses me out! I’ve never been this unprepared!

People deal with stress on a daily basis, but it’s no secret that stress runs extra high during the holidays. There are four

Read More

Holiday Fun: A vocabulary game for the whole family

/
Holiday Fun: A vocabulary game for the whole family

My family and I have played a really cool game throughout our years together. My wife and I thought it up when we were traveling on vacation several years ago, and it remains one of my all-time favorites (not sure anyone else agrees!!). It only requires a brain, a vocabulary, and a voice.

Read More

A Guide to Verb Tenses

/
A Guide to Verb Tenses

Verb tenses can be challenging for students and adults! In an effort to reinforce correct verb tense usage, why not play a little game? Let’s get started with a quick review of verb tenses.

Tense means time. So, that means that the verb in the sentence actually lets the reader know the time of the action.

There are three basic verb tenses that show when an action takes place:

Read More