5 Reasons Coloring Soothes the Soul!

In today's world of go, go, go, we all need ways to relax and re-set.  Coloring does just that, it calms the nerves, and provides adults and children with a healthy coping mechanism when needed.  How does coloring soothe the soul?  Read on to find out!

Managing Emotions in the Classroom

As a teacher, parent, or specialist, we've all experienced times when children are simply unable to manage big emotions.  Perhaps anxiety, a disagreement, embarrassment, or something else led a child to experience big emotions, and now we are scrambling to put out the fire.  Our heart goes out to this child as we try our best to deescalate the situation, while also maintaining our own composure and emotions.

TpT Spring Sale!

Have you heard? The Counselors of TpT are having a sale March 31st - April 1st. Many sellers are putting their entire store on sale for 20% off, including Penelope’s Portfolio.

To see a list of participating stores, click here.

To visit my store, click here.

Hope you find some fun goodies and enjoy a fun Easter weekend!

Happy Spring!!!

Valentine's Day Contest

With TpT's Valentine's Day sale quickly approaching, I thought I would throw a contest!   The winner will receive a $10 TpT gift card and a resource of their choice (up to $10) from my store.

The directions are on this facebook post, (https://www.facebook.com/penelopesportfolio/photos/a.1598177313789756.1073741829.1544143359193152/2010252059248944/?type=3), and I will put them here as well.

4 Budget Friendly DIY Christmas Decorating Ideas

I love decorating the house for the holidays, and over the weekend, my crafty side made itself known!  I wanted to spruce up the house a bit, but I didn't want to buy any materials or new decor to make that happen.  Therefore, this is what my sometimes resourceful, budget friendly self came up with...

How to Create A Life-Size Advent Calendar!

The holidays are approaching, and if you are anything like me, you love this time of the year!  Attending holiday events, shopping for gifts, preparing holiday meals, decorating the house, and spending time with family, are just some of the reasons the holidays are precious to me.

This year, while I was getting my holiday mojo on, I was inspired to make my kids an advent calendar.  Hmmm.  I didn't know how I was going to make it, but I knew it was going to involve getting rid of an old tv box that had been taking up too much space in my garage for way too long!  So my desire to purge a little, mixed with my holiday mood, resulted in an epic life-sized advent calendar!

Want to make one?  If so, save yourself some money by hitting the dollar store, (at least that's what I did), and pick up these items.

8 Important Manners Every Child Should Know

Teaching good manners to my children has always been a focus in my household.  Perhaps that was due to my mother's influence on my childhood, and her father's influence on her childhood.  

Practicing good manners teaches responsibility, and leads to respect.  When people are polite, they feel good about themselves and others.  When parents see their children behaving in a polite manner, they feel