click on this link.  And while you’re there please vote for it.

This book will help you see if you are trusting God.  To live a life where we completely and totally trust God can be a Christian’s greatest challenge. Sheila illustrates what that life should be through personal examples and stories of different characters in the Bible.

Reading this book made me feel as though I’m was sitting in a coffee shop with Sheila having a face to face discussion. It was as if she knew what I was thinking as I read each page and then answered me on the next. As I read each chapter, I found every bit of it relevant to the situation I faced at on that day.  The examples she gave of the different Bible characters really made me think. I had studied all their stories before, but reading them in this context and evaluating their level of trust with Sheila was a whole new experience for me. This is a book I won’t soon forget and will go back to read again and again. I think trusting is something we struggle with more than we realize. Our society has taught us not to trust.  But this book helps us learn the importance of trusting God with everything. I highly recommend it you read it too.

Thomas Nelson has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book through their Booksneeze program.

Each one comes with a FREE gift if purchased Feb. 26-28 from the listed site.

Visit them all!

Be sure to visit our other participating authors/illustrators involved in this Virtual Book Fair!Purchase signed copies, get give-a-ways and more!

Tara Michener- author of the “Who I Am Series” that promotes self-esteem & diversity in kids. “Who I Am Not What I Am” Meet Janelle, A fun girl who discovers the secret to happiness is loving herself for who she is, not for fitting into what others want her to be. 100% Real-What does it mean to be real? Meet Zoey who wonders the same thing after her classmates question her about being adopted. With the help of a close friend in Janelle and her parents she discovers that she has more in common with her family than she thought. www.taramichener.com

JD Holiday-Janoose The Goose likes life in the barnyard very much. She is visiting her cousin, Molly duck and her baby, DeeDee. Her vacation is over and Janoose must go home because there are no job openings on the farm. When her flight arrives home she learns that the fox has begun a crime spree. Janoose is the only one who can stop him. www.jdswritersblog.blogspot.com

Adra Young-The Everyday Living of Children and Teens Monologues (Volume I and II)
This series is in a class by itself. These books address multifaceted issues that kids are faced with. Parents may utilize these books to address sensitive subject matters and establish stronger bonds and communication with their kids. These books have been acknowledged for creating an acting guide that addressees appropriate socialization skills. www.ardannyl.me

Grace Hatton-The Guys The Roses & The Regrets; the Girl to Girl Dating Guide Written by a teenage girl for teenage girls this book offers practical tips and real life stories that will help teenage girls and young women navigate the crazy world of dating, relationships and break ups. This book is an Amazon Best Seller! www.gracehatton.wordpress.com

Riley Carney-The Fire Stone (Book one of the Reign of the Elements) Sixteen-year-old Riley Carney works magic in this high fantasy adventure story with memorable, vibrant characters, fast-paced action, and humor. This book chronicles a journey of courage, friendship and danger as a groups of teens, led by fifteen-year old Matt, attempts to save their world from an evil elf who can harness power of the elements. www.rileycarney.blogspot.com

Colleen Murray Fisher-The One and Only Bernadette P. McMullen This book promotes appreciating who you are, as well as accepting others. Does liking peanut butter and pickle sandwiches, or painting with your toes, or even havining an imaginary friendmake a person strange? That’s what kids say about Bernadette. But when Bernadette meets her new neighbor, Sofie she realizes that her uniqueness is nothing strange at all. www.colleenmurrayfisherbooks.com

Dan Bodenstein-The Tale of Eartha the Sea Turtle Based on the true story of a loggerhead sea turtle names Eartha, this enchanted tale tells the story of a young sea turtle who finds help in the last place that she expected. Through colorful imagery it helps kids to help injured animals…www.danbodenstein

Patty O’Brien Novak-Engineering The ABC’s Imagine a world without cars and computers, or toys and televisions, or movies and microwaves…then imagine a world without engineers. This book answers questions about how everyday things work and how engineering relates to so many parts of a child’s daily life http://www.pattyobriennovak.com/

Dawn Stephens-The Little Pot Soon after a potter forms a new pot and declares that he has important plans for his creation, the little pot begins to wonder what its purpose will be. Will it be used to hold important documents? Great riches? Beautiful flowers? As various expectations prove wrong the little pot is cautioned to see…The little pot is a simple profound story about inevitable reversals. During the fair, you will get FREE shipping on this book and get a free little pot filled with Strawberry Gummies!  Click here to buy this book

Ingleside Elem. School in Norfolk, VA

It was written by Ms. Clark, Art teacher.

Grade/Class: Kindergarten

Big Idea: Celebration

Lesson: Clay Pinch Pots

Essential Questions:

• Why do artists use clay?
• What sorts of things are made out of clay?
• How can artists manipulate clay?
• What can a pot be used for?

Art SOL(s)/Objective:

K.3          The student will identify and use textures—sight and touch; and patterns—natural and man-made.

K.9          The student will describe the sequence of steps in the making of a work of art.

K.10        The student will use motor skills (e.g., pinching, pulling, squeezing, twisting, pounding, rolling, folding, cutting, modeling, stamping) to create two-dimensional and three-dimensional works of art.

K.11        The student will identify people who make art as “artists” (e.g., painters, sculptors, printmakers, architects, graphic designers).

K.12        The student will identify the purposes for creating works of art.

K.16        The student will discuss and explain ideas and expressions in personal works of art.

Other SOL Correlation:

K.4       Investigate and understand that objects can be described (by color, shape, texture, size, and position)

K.00 NC          Communicate ideas by explaining processes

Assessment (Rubrics):

The student will follow a sequence of directions.

The student will demonstrate motor skills by manipulating clay.

Materials: Red  low-fire clay, one styro tray per student, assorted clay tools, clay cart

Visuals/Instructional Resources:

5  Artists/Artwork:

5  Children’s Literature/Picture Books: The Little Pot, Dawn Stephens

Vocabulary: clay, pottery, potter, kiln, author, illustrator, pattern, texture

Motivation/Anticipatory Set: Author/Illustrator Dawn Stephens will visit the classroom and read her book, The Little Pot.(setup clay and trays during the story)

Procedure (include checking for understanding and independent practice):

Demo the steps in making a clay pot:

1. Make a ball.
2. “The Hokey Pokey” Poke your thumb into the ball of clay.
3. Pinch and turn, squeezing the sides so the hole gets bigger.
4. Use tools: Add texture, pattern, and eyes to your little pot!

Read the rule: The clay must stay on the tray, or we’ll take it away!

After reviewing the steps, students go to their seats to make their pots.

Teachers and assistants will write the students’ NAME and CLASS on the bottom with a pencil.

Closure: As students are finishing their pots, ask, “What will you put in your pot?” and “If you were a pot, what kind of pot would you be?”

]]> http://dawnstephensbooks.com/2010/02/19/little-pot-teaches-the-sols-a-kdg-lesson-plan-for-va-public-schools/feed/ 1 http://dawnstephensbooks.com/2010/02/18/little-pot-500/ http://dawnstephensbooks.com/2010/02/18/little-pot-500/#comments Thu, 18 Feb 2010 21:00:12 +0000 Dawn Stephens http://dawnstephensbooks.com/?p=819 Help us reach 500 Fans by joining the Little Pot Fan club!

by being a member of the fan club, you’ll get the most recent information on Little Pot and be able to participate in a lot of contests and games! It is lots of fun.

Click here to join!

Week 4 is about rebuilding the Ancient Ruins

During this week Beth Moore led us into an depth look back at our ancestors and family. For me, it was a tough week. I realized how disconnected from my family I’ve become. On the first day where she asked us to describe our grandparents and parents – I didn’t have much to write. My mom died when I was only 19, so what I know and remember of her was pretty brief. My grandparents on both side of my parents were very old and I never really saw them too much. My dad is still living but our relationship has grown farther apart as the years have passed. I was able to see how the lack of relationship has affected my relationship with m heavenly father as well. The overall theme for the week really taught me to take the good and leave the bad. I was able to evaluate how certain traits my family has have caused me to struggle in m relationship with God – and I also saw how many traits have caused me to remain faithful to Him throughout life.

Week 5 is about Bindinig up the Brokenhearted

During this week, we covered different reasons that your heart could be broken. -From childhood, betrayal, and loss. Through the study this week I’ve been able to discover that the times my heart has been broken, I’ve had opportunities to know God more completely. A broken heart can lead to captivity because it is so easy to loose our faith when we are brokenhearted. We can become a slave to the disbelief that enters us. The very thing that breaks our hearts, however, can lead us to a deeper fellowship with God. Just as a friendship grows when two people experience tragedy together – I can honestly say that the tough stuff I’ve been through has made me closer to Christ and I am thankful to know Him more intimately through the pain I’ve experienced.

You can join us on Little Pot’s Facebook Events too. -click here

To read my thoughts on week three – click here

To read my thoughts on week two - click here

To read my thoughts on week one – click here

The very first Fruit of the Spirit listed in Gal. is Love. We need to show Love to everyone. So this valentines day,

save the image above and print as many copies as you need to share with everyone you know.

Have a wonderful Valentines Day!

I’ve been so blessed to marry someone who shares my faith in Christ. I’ve met plenty of woman, however, that have either gotten saved after they got married or fell in love with a non-christian and became unequally yoked. I’ve prayed and cried with them all over finding ways to witness to their husbands. A huge benefit of being an author, is that you meet other  authors with their own mission and stories of greatness. Deborah McCarragher is one of those authors. I am doing our fruit bearing blog about her today. Her book will help many woman with the possible mission that seems impossible at times!

Deborah began her journey of creative writing soon after coming to know Jesus as her personal savior in 1989.  She uses her spiritual gifts of encouragement and teaching in her home church.  She also enjoys in-depth bible study in her personal time, and is a small business owner of over twenty years.  Her love of the Holy scripture and bible study are evident in her poetry and literary works.  She and her husband attend Hibernia Baptist Church in Green Cove Springs, and reside in Fleming Island, Florida.  Her primary goal is to share her personal testimony with others while bringing hope and practical help through her books.

Intro

Mission Possible is a unique book in the Christian marketplace.  It addresses a subject that is often overlooked and misunderstood.  It is a candid look at my struggles and quest to reach my husband for Christ.  I became a believer seven years into our marriage.  It is written as I have lived it, and applies scripture and biblical context to each chapter.   The book has bible study application questions at the end of each section, as well as three self-reflection points to help the reader “digest” what they have read.  Mission Possible was nominated for Christian Small Publisher’s Assoc. Book of the Year Award for 2009.

Mini-Interview

Tell us a little about your background.

I grew up in a Navy family and moved frequently as a child.  I married my first husband right out of high school.  That marriage ended in divorce four years later. I remarried in 1982 (to my current husband) and we’ll be married 28 years in January 2010.  Seven years into our marriage, I gave my life to Jesus as Lord and Savior.

What inspired you to write this influential book?

I was involved with a local intercessory prayer group at the time, and was prompted by God during prayer to write down what He was conveying to me about my husband and his salvation.  It was quite literally written while inspired, and without much effort on my part.  I just typed on the computer as He led me to bible verses and topics to talk about.  I remember writing down the names of the (7) chapters during prayer time on a tablet – just looking at them afterwards in awe.  It was quite a moving experience.

What primary advice do you have for women who are married to “non-believing” husbands?

I think the most important advice is to have faith in Who God Is and His sovereignty.  We can’t “pre-package” our spouse’s conversion experience, and God will always do what will bring Him the “most glory”.  We also have to remember that we don’t wrestle against flesh and blood.  Our spouse (if unsaved) isn’t governed by God’s Spirit – so we have to release them from that accountability.  We must have faith that rests in God and not in our own understanding, or by sight!

What kinds of reactions has the book generated thus far?

I have had great reaction to my little book.  Some women love it because it is not lengthy, and they can read it quickly - yet refer back to it over & over again.  One woman emailed me a testimony that she was nearly ready to leave her husband, but after reading the book, felt that God was leading her to give her marriage another try.  That was very humbling and gratifying for me.  I just want to help women see that there is an alternative to being miserable in an unequally yoked marriage.

What’s the main message that you’d like readers to take away from it?

I would love readers to discover that God has a plan for each marriage that is in spiritual disunity.  It involves us, but it is always done HIS WAY!  I want readers to know that it is a process that evolves over time, that we must not put Him (God) in a box, but give Him room to move in our spouse’s life.  They need to know that because we are not perfect and continue to sin, that satan will harass us (women) and try to influence us to believe that our “mission” is not possible – but with God, all things are possible!

Any final thoughts you’d like to share?

Just that I know how difficult it is to be married to a spouse who doesn’t share your love and devotion to the Lord Jesus.  I, like many of my readers, get frustrated and disillusioned, but I know God has perfect timing and our best interests at heart overall.  He wants our spouses to come to a saving knowledge of Him and embrace a future together that brings glory to Him.

How can our readers learn more about you and contact you directly?

They can visit my website at www.Godmissionpossible.com or email me at deb@alabasterboxpublishing.com They can also visit my Blog page at www.Godmissionpossible.blogspot.com.

There is a lot of teaching and learning that can take place around the Superbowl, and Little Pot is excited to share some ways with you!

This activity will help students to learn math skills. They will be counting by tens, adding subtracting and multiplying. You will make up your own questions so you can adjust the activity to fit the level of the students you work with.

Lay out a piece of paper that looks like a football field. Have all the yards marked correctly on it. You can use this image and print it if that helps.

Then use little clay pots as the players. Each student will need to have their own Little Pot.

Begin to ask the student various math problems and have them position their Little Pot on the field to “show” you the answer.

For Example-

“Your little pot is on the 50 yard line. He moves 3 lines to the right. Each line is worth 10 yards. How many yards has it moved?”

ANSWER: 3 x 10 – 30. Little Pot has moved 30 yards.

“Since Little Pot started on the 50 yard line what yard line is it now on?”

ANSWER: 50-30=20. Little Pot is now on the 20 yard line.

Continue asking questions and evaluate to see if your student knows the answer and the math behind their answers.

Once your students understand how to move their little pots and work the problems by themselves, you can write moving directions on cards for students to draw. Then they can do the problems in the form on a game. If they end up in the end zone they score a touchdown. Each time a Little Pot gets a touchdown place a small manipulative inside that pot. Who ever has the most touchdowns and objects in their pot at the end of the game is the winner.

Obviously the game will be more fun after students have read The Little Pot. make sure you have a copy for your students to read before they play the game.