Shannon Gunter

Hi! I’m Shannon! I was an 8th Grade American History teacher. I am currently a freelance writer, public speaker, tutor, and homeschooling mama of 10. I love finding activities that appeal to kinesthetic learners, storybooks that teach something in an engaging manner (“living books”), and anything that is both edible and educational. I am a Christian and am looking forward to the return of Christ.

Explore My Articles

  • Getting My Children to Ask for Violin Lessons

    December 17, 2015 The violin is my favorite instrument. Even Albert Einstein agreed: “A table, a chair, a bowl of fruit and a violin; what else does a man need to be happy.” Convincing my children of that, however, isn’t the easiest task…especially when drum sets sound their siren call from their earliest age.…

  • Butterfly Lesson for Children

    December 17, 2015 Do you have a young child who loves butterflies? Create butterfly crafts and snacks, play butterfly games, and more in this fun, hands-on lesson exploring the amazing world of butterflies! I created this “lesson” to do as a two hour “play date” with my young children and some of their friends.…

  • Cabot, Cartier, Drake, Hudson, and Astronomy Lesson

    Dec 14, 2015 This is part 5 of a 5 part hands-on unit on Explorers. Bake constellation bar cookies, create star finders, act out Cartier’s expedition, and more! My lessons are geared toward 2nd-3rd grade level children and their siblings. These are lessons I created to do with a weekly co-op. We meet each…

  • The Amazing Smoothie for Toddlers, Pregnant Women, and Everyone Else

    December 14, 2015 This is what I had for breakfast every.single.day for the last 4 months of my pregnancy…and it’s what my 1 year old and 3 year old begged to have for breakfast each morning as well! When I was pregnant with my 6th child, I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. My ob…

  • How to Start Homeschooling When Transitioning from a Public or Private School

    December 14, 2015Image credit: http://www.life123.com/parenting/education/homeschooling/the-pros-and-cons-of-homeschooling.shtml Welcome to the exciting world of homeschooling! I totally remember how overwhelming it is when you first start homeschooling. I’ve been homeschooling for 4 years, so the fear, anxiety, excitement, dread, etc. of starting homeschooling is still fresh in my mind. Many families have asked for my advice on…

  • History and Forces of Flight Lesson

    Dec 13, 2015 This is part 4 of a 5 part hands-on unit study on Floating & Flying. Learn about the history of flight from the time of the Greeks through present day. Design and redesign foam fliers, balloon jets, parachutes, drag-chutes, and more as you examine the relationship between flying, thrust, and drag!…

  • The Constitution and President George Washington Lesson

    Dec 12, 2015 This a hands-on lesson plan on the the Constitution and President George Washington. Dance a minuet, cook and eat Nelly’s Hoecakes, go on a “fox hunt”, make a Constitution tree, and more! This lesson follows my 6 part unit on the American War for Independence. My lessons are geared toward 2nd-3rd…

  • Floating and Flying Unit Presentations and Field Trip Ideas

    Dec 11, 2015 For the culminating activity for our five part hands-on unit on Floating & Flying, make ship and plane-themed dishes (recipes are included below) and present on famous planes or ships. Also included is where we went for field trips during this unit. My lessons are geared toward 4th-5th grade level children…

  • Southern States Lesson

    Dec 11, 2015 This is part 9 of a 9 part hands-on unit study on the 50 States. Race in the Kentucky Derby, make and eat Key Lime Pie & homemade peanut butter, celebrate Mardi Gras, make a swamp diorama, dance Zydego, and more! My lessons are geared toward 4th-5th grade level children and…

  • Battle of Yorktown, Benedict Arnold, Swamp Fox, & John Paul Jones Lesson

    Dec 11, 2015 This is part 6 of a 6 part hands-on unit on the American War for Independence. Make drums, write a secret code and seal it with wax, make and eat hominy, act out the battles of Bonhomme Richard, Cowpens, and Yorktown, and more! My lessons are geared toward 2nd-3rd grade level…