Yes, we’re up to some Halloween hoopla around the office today! Officially, it’s our Fall Festival celebration. Later this afternoon we’ll have a costume contest, make a craft, and go from cubicle to cubicle trick-or-treating. I’ve got my camera handy, so there will be more photos posted first thing Monday. You won’t want to miss those!

I simply wanted to say boo and I wanted to remind you that we have a giveaway in progress. (See “We’re at It Again!” for details.)

Happy Friday!

Diane

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You know that y’all are our number one priority, right? We value every single ounce of your feedback! In fact, it’s your feedback that got us busy giving TheMailbox.com a fall touch-up! We’ve refreshed, regrouped, and reorganized the site with the intention of making your daily visit even more engaging, informative, and rewarding!

Give it a look! Nah, you’d better do more than just that. Take some time to locate your old favorites and discover some new ones. Poke around a little, gather some free tips and activities, and then leave a comment to let me know what you think!

To thank you for your feedback, your name will be entered in a drawing for a $20 gift certificate for The Mailbox Books. Just be sure to comment on this post before the end of the day Friday, October 29!

You’re gonna love it!

Diane

Our lucky drawing winner is Sandi–congratulations! And thanks to all of you for your helpful feedback!

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I have a bunch of questions about student portfolios! In fact, I have so many questions that I think it’s only fair to make this a giveaway post!

My first question is this: do you collect work samples for student portfolios? I’ll admit that as a teacher I wasn’t very consistent when it came to student portfolios. I had great intentions—and I did fairly well during the first few months of the school year. After that, not so much!

This leads me to my next questions (for those of you who maintain student portfolios). How and when do you collect student work? For example, each year do you designate select activities and assessments as portfolio materials? Or do you randomly choose student work throughout the year? Do you invite students to add to their portfolios too?

And what about that giveaway? Is it copy paper, a stop-the-stress kit, or a free book from The Mailbox Books? Well, I’m going to let you decide! Simply respond to this post by the end of Wednesday, October 27, and your name will be entered in the drawing!

Thanks so much for sharing!

Diane

Congratulations to our winner, Maria!

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Happy Friday to you! Guess where I’ll be this afternoon? Here’s a hint: it’s the same place where you spend most school days. Right on—I’m spending my Friday afternoon at a local elementary school. I’m very excited!

A couple of months ago a teacher friend of mine—she’s actually my best friend—invited me to help her this fall during a school-wide event called Hawks Hobbies. (The school mascot is a nighthawk.) The event takes place over several Friday afternoons. Teacher and parent volunteers work together to offer a variety of hobbies for students to experience. My friend is very artistic—last spring her group created colorful banners which now decorate the school cafeteria. This fall’s project has something to do with an office wall, squares of canvas, purple paint, glue, and torn paper. Yipes! What have I gotten myself into?

What’s the next special event on your school’s calendar? Maybe a fall festival, a visit to the pumpkin patch, a classroom guest? You tell me what you’re looking forward to and I’ll report back on my school visit!

Have a great weekend!

Diane

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Is copy paper a precious commodity in your school? Around our office, we think about a teacher’s paper supply a lot. I bet you didn’t know that, did you? Well, we do!

Do you think you’re using less copy paper now than you did, say, three years ago? And, if so, how have you reduced the amount of paper you’re using? For example, are you sending home fewer parent notes? Are your students completing fewer worksheets? Are you more likely to use both sides of a sheet of paper? What other paper-saving strategies do you have?

Okay, here’s one last question! Should I put a box of copy paper in my prize closet for future blog giveaways?

Happily,
Diane

PS: Speaking of giveaways, today is the last day to enter the drawing for a free book from The Mailbox Books. See “Classroom Wall Giveaway!” for details.

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Okay, I’m not giving away a classroom wall—I’m thinking you probably have enough of those to contend with already! But I do have a few questions about your classroom walls, and I have a free book to give away. So please keep reading!

When thinking about the displays you change the most, are they… a) seasonal b) student work c) both a and b d) none of the above If a classroom-wall fairy godmother granted you one of the following, which would you choose? e) a book of 100+ display ideas f) three ready-to-use character cutouts g) two ready-to-use titles with matching borders h) a class set of wipe-off labels for displaying student work If a certain blogger offered to put your name in a drawing for a free book from The Mailbox Books if you answered the above questions, which would you say? i) Yahoo! Put my name in the drawing! j) No, thanks. I don’t like free stuff.

Can’t wait to hear from you! Be sure to respond by the end of Wednesday, October 20, if you’d like to be entered in the drawing!

Here’s to a great week of teaching!
Diane

Congratulations to Brenda, our drawing winner!

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Okay, my teaching pals, let’s show our silly sides. I ran across some supersilly riddles for October that tickled my funny bone, and I just have to share a few with you. I’ll admit I tested the riddles out on a friend of mine and his eyes rolled so far back in his head that I began to worry! But, hey! He’s not a teacher, so what did I expect?

I sure hope these riddles bring a smile (or a groan ) to your Thursday! And I’d love it if you shared a kid-friendly joke or riddle as well.

Smiles!

Diane

Why don’t skeletons ride roller coasters? They don’t have the guts for them. What do birds give out for Halloween? Tweets! What do you give a broken pumpkin? A pumpkin patch. What’s black, white, and orange and should not be bothered? A skunk with a pumpkin.

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I’m not exactly sure how to start this post. Darn you, bullies! There, I feel somewhat better. I’d feel tons better if this type of student behavior didn’t exist! Unfortunately, that’s not the case, so I suggest we focus on positive strategies and solutions for addressing student bullying.

So, then, how do you handle bullying in your classroom and on the playground? What strategies do you teach students for dealing with the aggressive behaviors of others? And what about the child who continues to bully? What tips and strategies do you have for helping this child as well?

Let’s join together and do our part to put a stop to bullying!

Hugs,

Diane

PS: I recently discovered a delightful picture book that addresses bullying. The book, Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns About Bullies by Howard Binkow, features an endearing bunny who is repeatedly bullied at school by the Snorton twins—two very inconsiderate hogs. It’s a fun read that’s packed with valuable insight for children and adults. Give it a look!

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Oops, teacher buddies! Columbus Day 2010 sneaked up on me. I really missed the boat for generating some Columbus Day teaching ideas! Sorry about that. (And I’m sorry about the terrible pun too! Sometimes I just can’t help myself. )

Wait a minute! Today is the federal holiday (in the United States) on which Christopher Columbus is honored, but October 12 is the actual anniversary of Columbus’s arrival in the New World. We still have one day left!

So is Columbus Day on your teaching calendar? I don’t believe there’s any doubt that Columbus arrived on October 12, 1492 (even though some dispute whether he really was the first to discover America). I’m not interested in controversy here; what I’m really wanting to know is how you approach Columbus Day in your classroom. Do you have a favorite idea to share?

Thanks, matey!

Diane

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So what’s up with homework these days? Do you assign your students homework? Do you have a weekly homework plan? Does your school have a homework policy?

Around our office there’s a fair amount of homework-related chatter. It’s interesting because I see it as the flip side of homework. I know students groan over homework—been there, done that! What is somewhat of a surprise is that parents groan over their children’s homework too. And teachers, well, if you’re a teacher who assigns homework, won’t you admit to groaning over the additional paperwork that homework creates?

So here’s my burning question: is there great value in assigning bunches of homework to elementary-age students? Yipes! I’ve asked the question. It’s a hot one, I know, and I’m prepared for your honesty!

Wondering,

Diane

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