In my school, celebrating the 100th Day was serious business. We had a kindergarten teacher who had her kids count 100 paper clips, counters, shoes, neckties, you name it! Then they took 100 steps, hops, and jumps; drew 100 objects; and made and wore paper crowns with 100 sequins on them. Her enthusiasm was contagious! I found myself counting to 100 by twos, fives, and tens all day long. I looked forward to their 100th Day parade as much as I looked forward to any program our children did. Don’t you think the world would be a happier place if everyone took some time out to have a parade on the 100th day of the year?

In honor of the 100th Day, we’ve included a “purr-fectly” marvelous unit on pages 46 and 47 of the December/January Kindergarten Mailbox® magazine. The ideas are all so cute, but one of them really stands out to me. It’s called “Would You Rather…?” The idea has children deciding whether they would rather have, for example, 100 cupcakes or 100 pizzas. Hmm…tough choice. I can only imagine how much fun kids would have making, and explaining, their choices!

Now it’s your turn. How do your students celebrate the 100th Day? Let’s use this forum to talk about this great day…but don’t blame me if you can’t stop counting to 100!

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One thing I have always admired about teachers is their ability to juggle so many things at once. In the classroom, we are grading papers, planning lessons, and dealing with all the events and emotions that come with 26 to 30 students. Then, at home, many of us are managing a household with meals to cook, rooms to clean, and maybe even children to take care of. I, like you, have become very adept at finding shortcuts to getting dinner on the table. I began to depend on slow cooker recipes. One of my favorite recipes is this one:

I also found a few housecleaning shortcuts that helped me keep my home, well, if not spotless, at least neat and orderly. For instance, every morning before I left for school, I did what I called a quick “clean sweep.” I simply walked through the house picking up books, mail, and anything else that was out of place and returning it to its rightful place. Or, if I couldn’t get it to the right place before work, I would put it in a basket next to the door as a reminder to put it in its rightful place once I got home. In fact, the “clean sweep” is something I still do every morning.

How about you? What shortcuts have you found to help you balance work and home? What recipes do you use to make your life easier? Won’t you please share some ideas with us?

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There’s nothing quite like the texture of cotton balls mixed with glue and food coloring! I found myself experiencing this slimy, gooey texture when preparing to write the process art unit in the February/March issue of The Mailbox®, preschool edition. (Look below for the actual idea!) Testing the projects helps me write up the final idea—plus, as you can see, it’s a lot of messy fun! My office is currently messy, so I’m sure the paint splatters and piles of sensory goop just blend in.

Talk to me about art in your classroom. What is your favorite art project to do with your youngsters? How messy do you get with your art projects? Do you use strictly process art in your classroom or do you have students make craft-oriented projects as well? (Often teachers, centers, and schools have strong feelings toward one or the other.) I look forward to hearing your comments, ideas, and thoughts!

Your messy but enthusiastic blog cohost,

Kim Murphy

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Okay, upper-grades teachers, this month’s featured book series from The Mailbox® Books is for you! We know that trying to fit social studies and science into your already-packed day can be a challenge. Well, these books can help. We’ve paired the key science and social studies topics that you have to teach with reading comprehension skills. The result? Our Fascinating Facts books.

Each book has 50 sets of comprehension-building student pages. The first page starts with a fun, fascinating fact to pique student interest followed by a nonfiction reading passage. The second page reinforces the same topic with a fun follow-up activity.

Print the sample pages, try them with your class, and then be sure to check back and let me know what your students think of them. Everyone who leaves a comment will be entered into a drawing for a free Fascinating Facts book.

Congratulations to 2nd grade teacher, Karen Dilworth, at Ashley Elementary in Frisco, TX. She is the winner of the Grades 2-3 Social Studies book.

Science Grades 2-3 Sample Pages Table of Contents	Science Grades 4-5 Sample Pages Table of Contents
Social Studies Grades 2-3 Sample Pages Table of Contents	Social Studies Grades 4-5 Sample Pages Table of Contents

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Well, the first semester is winding down and soon many of you will be heading into the second half of the year. That, of course, means it’s time for report cards!

When I was a student in grade school, all of my report cards were handwritten. Teachers had to average grades using a calculator and then write each letter grade on every report card. That is probably more than 200 grades recorded in perfect handwriting, with a personal note to boot. Today, many gradebooks and report cards are of the digital variety. When I was a teacher, a computer program would average all my grades for me. All I had to do was type the grades into each report card, click “print,” and then send them on their way.

It’s funny, though: even with all the technological advances I used, I was still racing the clock down to the last minute, trying to get report cards done. The ink was still wet on some of the cards I sent home with students. (Many of my own teachers would probably scoff in disbelief, given all the advantages I had.)

I know that different districts have different ways of handling report cards and grades. Therefore every teacher has a slightly different perspective on the issue. What does report card time look like for you? Are you combing through piles of graded papers? Are you busy using a computerized gradebook and report card system?

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During the first few weeks of a new year, I always get the urge to reorganize and de-clutter. At home, this means that I start cleaning out closets, sorting through books that I’ve been meaning to read, and rearranging junk drawers.

When I was teaching, this time of year meant that I was looking around my classroom and reevaluating. I guess I have to admit that I was always on the lookout for ideas that would make my classroom more efficient. But the feeling of a new year and a new start really made me crave new ways to bring even more order to my materials. I had the feeling that if I could get things neater, tidier, and just a bit more organized, it would give me that much more teaching time in my busy day.

With that in mind, I’ve found several ideas that are sure to help you make your classroom more efficient.

Teacher Manual Organizer Here’s an inexpensive way to keep your teacher manuals accessible and orderly. I store them in a slotted wire dish rack. Then I place the rack on a desk or shelf for easy access. (from April/May 2008 Mailbox® magazine, grades 2/3)
	Attractive and Neat! Make piles of jumbled paper clips a thing of the past! Attach a strip of magnetic tape around a pencil cup. Then place separate paper clips on the tape. Whenever you need a paper clip, it will be right at your fingertips! (from February/March 2008 Mailbox® magazine, grades K/1)

No More Tangles!
Keep computer cords in order with this inexpensive solution! Purchase a length of ¾-inch foam pipe insulation and trim it to an appropriate size. Slide the computer cords into the slit in the insulation. Not only are the cords more organized, but the insulation also keeps little hands away from loose cords!
(from April/May 2007 Mailbox® magazine, preschool)

What ideas to you have for bringing order to the supplies and materials in your classroom? Leave a comment and share them with us. I’m eager to hear from you!

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I have some exciting news to share! Learning® magazine has launched a new blog called Tools of the Trade. Karen Brudnak, the managing editor of Learning magazine, will be your host. She’ll provide you with timely information on the latest and greatest products and services out there for teachers. Books, games, websites, grants, contests, freebies, and professional development opportunities—you’ll learn about these and much more at Tools of the Trade.

An excerpt from her first post is below. Don’t forget to subscribe via email or RSS feed. (Look for these options on the right-hand side of the blog page, just below the “About” box.)

Teachers need stuff—and these days, there are plenty of good materials out there. Whether it’s a book, game, manipulative, or website, the right resource can go a long way toward livening up your curriculum, catching your students’ interest, and making teaching more fun. As the editor of Learning magazine, I get to see hot-off-the-presses, just-released items that I know will make your job easier. I’m also lucky enough to… Read More

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Tuesday, January 20, 2009 is an historic day for our country. Barack Obama will be inaugurated as our 44th president. We’d like to start a discussion of the ideas and activities you plan to use in your classroom during the next few days. Are you a registered member at TheMailbox.com? If so, check your homepage for a few ideas to get started. What plans do you and your students have to recognize this major event? Will you watch the inauguration in your classroom? What topics will you discuss with your students?

We can’t wait to hear from you!

Amy and Hope

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As Hope mentioned in the previous post, several of us here at The Education Center® will be co-hosting this blog. I too am very excited to talk and share ideas with all of you.

Just to give you a better idea of who I am, here is a quick summary. With luck, we’ll have more than just a few things in common.

After teaching in Texas for several years, I joined the team here in 2004. As an editor for Teacher’s Helper and The MAILBOX magazine, I get to use not only my teaching certification in grades 1 through 8, but sometimes my art certification as well. I just love finding new solutions to problems and making your job easier!

In addition to being a former teacher and an editor, I am a wife and mom. I have a three-year-old little boy who likes to keep me on my toes and a husband who sometimes likes to do the same.

Now that I’ve told you a little bit about me, I’d like to know more about you. What grade are you teaching? How long have you been in the classroom? What state are you from? What one word or phrase would you use to describe a good teaching resource?

I can’t wait to hear your answers!

Amy

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I am so happy to welcome you to a new chapter of
The Mailbox® Blog! Until now, Debra has been your guide through The Mailbox Blog. Starting with today’s post, many of the editors here at The Education Center® will be taking turns hosting it.

In case we haven’t already met, please let me introduce myself. My name is Hope Spencer. Before I came to The Education Center, I taught first, second, and third grade in Bellevue, Nebraska, for ten years. Then I moved to Galveston, Texas, where I taught second grade for two years.

I’ve been at The Education Center for almost ten years. During that time, I’ve had so many great opportunities and responsibilities! Currently, I am the managing editor of Teacher’s Helper® magazine, grades 2/3; and Teacher’s Helper® magazine, grade 1. I also manage book products and write for the grades 2/3 edition of The Mailbox magazine and for The Mailbox® BOOKBAG®. There is always something fun to keep an editor busy around here.

There are so many things to talk about. Where should we begin? Let’s see. Maybe you’ve been reading this blog for a while. Maybe this is your first visit. Maybe you’re somewhere in between. I’d love to know what you want to see on the blog. Are you looking for ideas? For information about new products from The Mailbox Book Company®? Or are you looking for topics of discussion? Maybe you’re looking for something entirely different.

Please leave a comment and let me know what you’re looking for. Or just leave a comment and introduce yourself. I’m so looking forward to meeting you and interacting with you on this forum!

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