Wow! Have I got a scoop for you!
Wait for it…wait for it…Sizzle, sizzle pop!

Early next week, 15 brand-new The Mailbox books are being released! Now, I may be a teeny bit partial to The Mailbox publications. You’d expect that, right? But I’m being as impartial as I can when I say, “These books are awesome!” In fact, I’m positive you’d love to have one of these books in your collection. So I searched my treasure box, and guess what I found: two free book coupons! This means two blog readers can each choose and receive a brand-new book without spending a dime.

Now, how do you get your name in our free book drawing? There are several ways! You can tell us how you keep a handle on your school-related paperwork by responding to “Paperwork SOS“—that gets you one entry. You can respond to this blog post (see topic below)—that gets a second entry. And you can respond to any blog post I publish next week! (That might get you two, three, or four more entries!) All comments made through June 20 will be entered in the drawing. We’ll announce the lucky winners on Monday, June 21. I’m so excited! I hope you are too!

Smiles!

Diane

Topic: How do you discourage tattling, bullying, and other negative classroom behaviors?

84 Comments | Subscribe |  Email This

Can you guess which office is mine? Send in the clutter crew! When I’m deep in a project, I tend to use the “stack and shove” filing system rather than the “put away” filing system. My rationale? Why should I put something away when I’m going to need it again? I see it as a timesaver. (I really am in denial about the whole thing, aren’t I? ) I struggled to keep a clean desk as a teacher too. My desk was a drop-off zone. I dropped off teacher guides, student work, mail, office memos, and so on. My rationale? I needed to be with the kids. I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one who needs to come to grips with her paperwork issues. Maybe you have some tips to share? All ears! Diane

60 Comments | Subscribe |  Email This

I’m sure it’s June where you are. Yep, it’s June here too…sort of. Outside the office it’s June for sure, but inside the office we’re knee-deep in pumpkins and turkeys as we work on the October/November issues of the magazines. Right now I’m actually munching on candy corn. Seriously! A couple of weeks ago I purchased a bag of the sweet stuff to test a math idea. The leftover candies were just returned to me so, naturally, I dug right in. This is one of the little known perks of being an editor with The Mailbox. If an editor suggests a teacher use candy corn to complete a project, the project is tested with candy corn. And before a recipe is published, the recipe is made in our kitchen and tasted by one, two, three, or more editors! It’s a tough job, but someone’s gotta do it!

Many, many, many years ago we didn’t always test recipes. That procedure came to a screeching halt due to some extra salt—six teaspoons too much, to be exact! Yipes! Now we test everything we publish.

Well, I’d better get back to my candy corn. Christmas will be here before you know it!

Smiles!
Diane

8 Comments | Subscribe |  Email This

In my book, every Friday is sweet, but this Friday tops them all! Did you know it’s National Doughnut Day? Yes sirree! I mean, could there be a better pairing? A Friday and day you must eat doughnuts or suffer being pegged as a party pooper.

I did gasp when I pulled my prized pastry from its bag. Clearly I don’t buy doughnuts enough! I think my bookbag fell on it. But that didn’t matter one bit. I enjoyed every sweet morsel of my tasty treat.

Happy Doughnut Day to you! Remember, it lasts all day long! I sure hope there isn’t a National Carrot Day…

Smiles!
Diane

2 Comments | Subscribe |  Email This

I confess: my technological instincts stink. In fact, I think I’m missing the technogene! I suspected this all along, and now I’m certain of it!

Over the weekend I attended a digital scrapbooking party. I had a grand time! When the party wrapped, I zipped home. I was ready to give digital scrapbooking a whirl.  Well, my whirl was very short-lived. Why, you wonder? Here’s the truth: when I’m using a computer, I can’t problem-solve my way out of a paper bag! For instance, I needed to download a new browser. This task was supposed to take just a few minutes. Hmmmm…I tried and retried and retried for over an hour and never did successfully download it.

I know I’m not a total digital dweeb. I email, shop, read the news, pay bills, network, and blog online. But trust me—when I get stuck, I’m stuck like a duck in the muck. I have no idea what to do next!  Do you struggle with this? Or do you have advice for those of us who do?

Determined to improve,

Diane

5 Comments | Subscribe |  Email This

In one of my recent posts, I talked about my visit to the eye doc. I forgot to mention that it was Red Day at the clinic. All the docs, assistants, and office help wore red polos. I thought everyone looked sharp, and it also helped to know at a glance who was there to help.

I guess it might be a pain in the neck to remember what color to wear each day of the week. And perhaps wearing the same thing day after day would get boring. On the flip side, I think I’d like always having an answer to that dreaded question of “What am I going to wear today?”

Whatcha think? Would you be upset, elated, or somewhere in between if your school administrator proposed a fixed dress code?

On the fence,

Diane

8 Comments | Subscribe |  Email This