Author Archives: Paige Givens

In the Classroom: The Power of Routine

Posted on July 11, 2017 by Paige Givens

It was inevitable. My voice was leaving me slowly but surely. The crud that had been going around my classroom had made its way to me, and my voice was sounding more and more hoarse as a result. I knew … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Teaching Kindergarten…I’m Through With Time Out And Pulling Cards

Posted on July 5, 2017 by Paige Givens

Or moving pins, or giving conduct checks, sad faces, stars, whatever you want to call it. I’m through with it, and I have ten years of reasons to share with all of you cringing teachers right now! I know what … Continue reading →

Posted in Teaching | Tagged , , , , | 45 Comments

When People Are Mean

Posted on June 20, 2017 by Paige Givens

My youngest son Peyton is such a likeable little guy. He’s funny, intelligent, and social. He’s a wonderful wordsmith, if I do say so myself (I’m a little biased, of course). He loves sports, mostly talking about sports, and he says … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 12 Comments

The Part that You Don’t Want to Read Out Loud

Posted on June 15, 2017 by Paige Givens

Remember when you were in grade school and your teacher did the dreaded Popcorn Reading fiasco? The one that was supposed to be a “better practice” than Round Robin reading? Oh, the lovely basal readers. I can still remember the … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotionals, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

When You Grew Up in a Small Church

Posted on June 6, 2017 by Paige Givens

First off, I love all kinds of churches. I have sung and spoken in a variety of churches across the board. Large ones, lively ones, quiet ones, and tiny ones. I’ve sung in churches with the coolest sound and light … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

A Year in Kindergarten

Posted on May 23, 2017 by Paige Givens

It is August. I look around my classroom. The floors are clean and shiny, the crayons are perfectly in order, every toy and game piece and manipulative is in its place.  The chairs are pushed in, the computers are working, … Continue reading →

Posted in Teaching | Tagged , , , | 12 Comments

When You’ve Got a Wrinkled Heart

Posted on May 16, 2017 by Paige Givens

I held up a perfect, red heart for my kindergarten kids to see. They ooh’ed and aah’ed in appreciation. “That’s beautiful, Mrs. Givens. I can’t even make one like that,” said the boy who proudly held the self-proclaimed Best Cutter Outer award. No one … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 9 Comments

Lean In…

Posted on May 9, 2017 by Paige Givens

This time of year, it can be tough for teachers. We are tired. We are frazzled. We are worn…and we have a LOT to do , while still trying to balance our classroom routine. Sometimes we get so busy doing … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotionals, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Thank You Mrs. Johnson

Posted on May 2, 2017 by Paige Givens

Fifth grade was the hardest year of my school experience. I struggled academically. I worried socially. I went on an emotional roller coaster daily. Until fifth grade, I had made good grades without really having to study too hard and … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotionals, Teaching | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Oh, The Questions They Will Ask!

Posted on April 25, 2017 by Paige Givens

Five and six-year-olds are good at many, many things. I mean, just think about it–they go so quickly from not even knowing how to write their names to actually reading and writing stories! The amount of knowledge that they soak … Continue reading →

Posted in Teaching, Uncategorized | 6 Comments