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Shanel Academy, GPS/TT-0196-2679, PINAMANG Street, New York, NY (2026)

10/10/2026

7 Signs of a High-Value Person.

1. You disagree with people without disrespecting them or raising your voice.

2. You show up on time and committed to the task at hand. People know you for your punctuality.

3. You stop judging people for their looks. You stop judging people for speaking their minds. And you do not belong to nor entertain conversations that are about people.

4. Encouraging others to do better makes you become or feel better. You appreciate people for their efforts, not only for their results.

5. You stand up for people close to you even when they are not around. You talk well about people behind their backs.

6. Even if you can notice everything, you decide that you can still choose to not react to everything.

7. You stop getting bothered when people tell you that you cannot do something because you understand that they say it due to their limitations and not yours.

10/10/2026

UNIT 18

BE CAREFUL ON THE ROAD

In Unit 17 we read about travelling by land. When we have no vehicle or money, we walk. If you do not walk carefully, there may be an accident, and you will be in trouble.

There is an accident when a bicycle, a bus, a car or a lorry runs off the road. There is also an accident when a vehicle hits somebody. Again there is an accident when one car or lorry hits another.

Drivers may cause accidents. You can also cause an accident when you walk on the road. If people are careful, there will be no accidents.

How can we walk on the road safely?

We must walk on the left side of the road all the time. We must also walk far away from the vehicles. When we do this, vehicles will not hit us. Also, more than two people must not walk side by side on the road.

Look at this picture. The children are walking in twos. If three people walk side by side the third person will be too near the vehicles.

Sometimes there are accidents when people cross the road. Be careful when you are crossing a road. Look left, right and left again. Then cross the road.

There may be zebra crossings on some roads. If there is a zebra crossing, stop. Look left, right and left again. If there is no vehicle coming you can cross.

You must not cross the road in a curve. You must not cross the road if a vehicle is standing in front of you.

You must not play in the street. A vehicle may kill you if you play in the street. Be careful.

10/09/2026

THEY STRUGGLED TOO.
BUT THEY DIDN’T STOP THERE.

After understanding the boy’s challenge, the teacher did something else that was just as important.

He gave him hope.

He showed the class that many people we admire today also struggled at some point.

Some failed.
Some were misunderstood.
Some took longer to understand.
Some needed someone to believe in them first.

The message was simple:

STRUGGLING DOES NOT MEAN YOU CANNOT SUCCEED.

Sometimes, before a child can improve academically, we must first rebuild the confidence that repeated failure has taken away.

A learner who keeps hearing “you can’t do it” may eventually stop trying.

But one teacher can change that story.

One encouraging word.
One example.
One patient explanation.
One moment of belief.

That can be enough to make a child try again.

As teachers, let us remember:

DON’T ONLY CORRECT THE MISTAKE.
RESTORE THE HOPE.

A struggling child is not a finished child.

They may simply be waiting for someone to help them see that progress is still possible. ❤️📚

10/08/2026

THEY KEPT COMPARING HIM TO HIS BROTHER.

One child was doing well in school.

The other was struggling.

And instead of trying to understand the struggle, the adults around him kept reminding him of the one who was succeeding.

“Look at your brother.”
“Why can’t you be like him?”
“He can do it, so why can’t you?”

Words like these may sound ordinary to an adult.

But to a child, they can slowly become:

“I am the problem.”
“I am not as good as him.”
“Maybe I will never be enough.”

That is the danger of comparison.

Parents do it.
Grandparents do it.
Teachers do it.

Sometimes with good intentions.

But one child’s success should never become the measuring stick that makes another child feel small.

Children do not grow at the same pace.
They do not learn in the same way.
They do not shine in the same place.

When a child is struggling, comparison is not what they need.

They need someone to look beyond the marks and ask:

“WHAT IS THIS CHILD GOING THROUGH?”
“WHAT DOES THIS CHILD NEED?”
“HOW CAN I HELP?”

Please, let us be careful.

DON’T USE ONE CHILD’S SUCCESS TO WOUND ANOTHER CHILD’S CONFIDENCE.

Sometimes the child you keep comparing today may spend years trying to believe that they are enough. ❤️

10/07/2026

Dear Mommy Joyce Pinamang Williams,

This is Shanel.
I hope heaven is as beautiful as everyone says it is, and that you and my brother are together, surrounded by peace and rest.
There isn't a single day that goes by where I don't think about you both. The world down here moves forward, but the space you left behind in my heart remains irreplaceable. I carry your memory, your love, and your warmth with me in everything I do.
Some days are harder than others, and missing you hits with a deep ache, but remembering the happy moments, your laughter, and the strength you taught me brings comfort when the silence gets too quiet. I know you are watching over us, guiding us, and keeping a gentle eye on everything we are building and doing down here.
Please hold my brother close for me. I miss you both more than words could ever truly express, but until we meet again, I will keep honoring your love, making you proud, and holding you forever in my heart.
With all my love, forever and always.

10/07/2026

LIKE STARS ON EARTH.

I cried because I could see in that boy the struggles of many learners sitting quietly in our classrooms.

Some children are labelled lazy, stubborn, careless or unserious when, in reality, they are struggling with something they do not know how to explain.

And sometimes, instead of asking:

“Why is this child struggling?”

we simply say:

“He cannot read.”

Then the blame begins.

But what if the child needs something different from blame?

What if the real question should be:

What can this learner already do?
Where exactly does the difficulty begin?
What support does this child need?

A learner may change schools several times and still carry the same difficulty along, because changing the school does not automatically identify the reading gap.

DON’T STOP AT “HE CAN’T READ.” FIND OUT WHY.

Sometimes the child is not failing to learn.

We may be failing to find the right way to help the child learn. ❤️

10/04/2026

12 Important Lessons We All Should Learn:

1. Love yourself more than you want others to love you.

2. How you feel is your own responsibility.

3. Don’t think too much about your problems; take action to fix them.

4. How well you deal with unknown situations will shape your life.

5. To have a healthier mind, eat better and avoid unhealthy junk food.

6. Living your best life won’t need others to approve of it, but feeling insecure might.

7. The people around you will influence who you become, so choose friends carefully.

8. Being happy comes from having a purpose, not from owning things.

9. Sometimes you will only find closure by moving on without it.

10. To be successful, you need to do things even when you don’t feel ready.

11. You don’t need someone’s approval to do what makes you happy.

12. Finding real peace comes from focusing on what you can control.

10/01/2026

Simple Rules to Be Strong and Confident

▪︎Important Life Rules

1. Choose Your Friends Wisely: The people around you can help you succeed or bring you down.

2. Find Your Own Answers: No one else can tell you exactly what will make you happy or successful.

3. Live in the Moment: You can’t change the past, and worrying about the future can ruin today. Focus on now.

4. Right Doesn’t Always Mean Good: Sometimes, what we think is right isn’t the best choice.

5. Be Honest: Telling the truth might not make you popular, but it will help you find the right friends.

6. Don’t Worry About Others’ Opinions: The people who are the most unhappy care too much about what others think.

7. Comfort Can Hold You Back: Being too comfortable can stop you from reaching your dreams. You can be comfortable or brave, but not both.

8. Success Has a Cost: If achieving your goals was easy, they wouldn’t be valuable.

9. Your Choices Shape You: You make choices every day, and those choices define who you are.

10. Make Your Dreams Happen: Your dreams will only come true if you work to achieve them.

11. Winners Decide to Win: Successful people don’t just get lucky; they choose to succeed.

12. You Are Where You Need to Be: Every experience you have is important for your journey.

13. What You Want vs. What You Get: Often, what you wish for and what you actually receive don’t match perfectly.

▪︎Keep Your Thoughts Private

1. Money Matters: Don’t share details about your income, property, debts, or past financial problems. Keep some mystery.

2. Dreams and Goals: Be careful who you share your dreams with. Some people might make fun of them or not believe in you until you succeed.

3. Old Relationships: Relationships shape who we are. Don’t share your past mistakes with others.

▪︎Think Before Ending a Relationship

1. No One is Perfect: Before ending a relationship because of a few flaws, ask yourself if you’re perfect too. Everyone has faults.

2. Consider Your Choices: If you keep looking for the perfect partner, you might miss out on great people.

3. Appreciate Your Partner: If you have a caring and loving partner, think twice before letting them go. Remember, someone else might want to be with them.

4. Solve Problems Together: Work through disagreements with your partner. Listen to each other and avoid gossiping about your relationship.

▪︎Tips for Confidence

1. Pause Before Responding: Take a moment to think before you speak.

2. Speak Slowly: Talking slowly shows you are confident.

3. Good Posture: Stand tall and keep your shoulders back.

4. Smile with Your Eyes: When you smile, let your eyes show it too.

5. Don’t Beg for Attention: If you’re not invited, don’t ask to be included.

6. Accept What You Can’t Change: Let go of things you can’t control.

Shanel Academy, keep shining ✨️

10/01/2026

THE STINGY OLD WOMAN 😁📖

She went to Egya Koo and said:

“I will no longer allow you to steal the aroma of my food. You must pay me GH¢10.00 each month in exchange for the smell of my food. Otherwise, I’ll take you to court!” 😳

Mena Araba meant every word.

She was a stingy old woman who lived in a village in Ghana. She was very neat and kept her house very clean. She was also a very good cook. She prepared delicious meals: rice and stew, fufu and all types of soups, which she sold from her chopbar.

But Mena Araba was extremely mean. She never gave the leftover food in her pot to the hungry children who hovered around her chopbar hoping to have a taste. Even her faithful dog had difficulty getting a bone from her. She made sure she washed the pans herself.

Near Mena Araba’s chopbar, which also served as her house, lived a jolly old man called Egya Koo.

Egya Koo was poor, but he did not care about money. He lived on the generosity of the forest and gathered whatever he could get for his meals.

One of his greatest pleasures was simply smelling the wonderful aromas from Mena Araba’s cooking.

The cool fresh breeze carried the pleasant smells towards his hut throughout the day. He especially liked the aroma of palm nut soup. Sometimes, he would imagine a bowl of fufu and palm nut soup sitting right in front of him.

And that was exactly what Mena Araba could no longer tolerate.

She worked very hard to prepare meals for her customers. She was so miserly that she employed only one labourer to help her. Knowing that Egya Koo was enjoying the aroma of her food without paying anything made her angry.

She thought Egya Koo was lazy and should not be allowed to enjoy the sweet aromas from her meals free of charge.

That was why she confronted him and demanded GH¢10.00 every month for smelling her food.

Egya Koo gave a hearty laugh. He thought it was a good joke.

He told the people in the village about Mena Araba’s special “smelling fee.” Soon, Mena Araba became the laughingstock of the village.

She was furious.

So she did exactly what she had threatened to do, she took Egya Koo to court. 😳

The magistrate had a good sense of humour. He listened to Mena Araba’s complaint and called both of them to appear before him.

But there was one interesting instruction.

Egya Koo was told to bring the GH¢10.00 with him.

Mena Araba was delighted.

She could already feel the coins between her fingers. 😁

A lot of villagers came to the courtroom out of curiosity.

Mena Araba spoke at length about the delicious aromas she produced every day from her tasty meals. She explained how Egya Koo had enjoyed those smells for years without paying anything.

Sometimes, she said, he would even chew a piece of kenkey or cassava while enjoying the aromas.

“This has gone on for years and he has not even paid a pesewa,” cried Mena Araba.

The magistrate listened quietly and patiently.

Then he turned to Egya Koo.

Had he really been enjoying the aromas without paying?

“Yes, your honour,” Egya Koo replied. “It is true.”

Then came a strange instruction.

The magistrate said:

“Take the GH¢10.00 in coins from your pocket. Shake them in your hand so we can hear the noise.”

Egya Koo was surprised, but he did as he was told.

The coins jingled in his hand.

The magistrate turned to Mena Araba.

“Did you hear the sound of Egya Koo’s money?”

“Yes, your honour,” she replied.

“And does the sound of the coins please your ears?”

“Yes,” said Mena Araba.

Then the magistrate gave his judgement:

“Egya Koo has enjoyed the aroma of your soup and stew. In return, Mena Araba has enjoyed the sound of the coins. Case dismissed.”

🤣🤣🤣🤣

He enjoyed the aroma.
She enjoyed the sound of the money.

IF YOU WERE THE MAGISTRATE, WOULD YOU HAVE GIVEN THE SAME JUDGEMENT? 🤔

09/30/2026

CLASS 4 — UNIT 7

A VISIT TO THE CHIEF’S HOUSE 👑📖

Who remembers this story? 😁

Last week Dede’s teacher said, “We shall go to the chief’s house and learn about some of the things there.”

The teacher went to the ɔkyeame. He said, “Sir, my class wants to learn something about the things in the chief’s house. Can you take us there?”

The ɔkyeame said, “I’ll first tell the chief about it.”

The next morning, Ɔkyeame Asare took the class to the chief’s house.

The chief said, “Children, I’m happy to see you here. Ɔkyeame Asare will take you round.”

The ɔkyeame took the class round the house. First he showed them the umbrellas. He said, “The chief uses the big umbrellas on important days. He uses the small ones on other days.”

The ɔkyeame took the class into a big room. They saw big drums and small drums. Ɔkyeame Asare told them the names of the drums. Then he took two sticks and played the atumpan. The children liked it.

Mensa said, “Isn’t this Radio Ghana?”

Ɔkyeame Asare said, “Radio Ghana also plays this!”

In the next room, they saw many state swords. Ɔkyeame Asare said, “These state swords show the chief’s power. All the people in the town do what he tells them.”

Ɔkyeame Asare then pointed to a room. He said, “We keep Black Stools in that room. When a chief dies we make a Black Stool for him.”

At last Ɔkyeame Asare took the class to the chief again. He said, “Look at those stools. The chief’s stool is the biggest stool. His elders sit on the other stools. That big chair near the chief’s stool is the asipim chair. The chief sits on the asipim chair on important days.”

Ɔkyeame Asare showed them the palanquin on the wall. People carry the chief in the palanquin on important days.

The teacher said, “Thank you very much, Nana. And thank you, Ɔkyeame.”

The chief said, “I’m happy you came. But remember that in the North the chief does not sit on a stool; he sits on a beautiful skin of an animal. He does not ride in a palanquin; he rides on a horse.”

EXERCISE A ✍🏾

1. Who went to see Ɔkyeame Asare first?
2. Name any three things the children saw in the chief’s house.
3. What does the state sword show?
4. When does the chief sit on an asipim chair?
5. What do chiefs in Northern Ghana sit on in the house?

😁 How many of these things did you first learn about through this Class 4 story?

Shanel Academy

10/10/2026

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09/30/2026

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