Did you lose an hour’s sleep this weekend? Here in the Carolinas, we did. I know the time change is described as springing forward; however, I’ve yet to feel like springing anywhere after this timely change! How about you? Do you have any sleepyheads in your classroom today?

This week I’ve rounded up a few Irish proverbs to share. Here’s one for today. Let me know what you think!

Praise the young and they will blossom.

Smiles,
Diane O’Badden

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Happy Friday!

Please don’t read too much into this post title: The giveaway part is absolutely true. The pot of gold? Well, let’s just say that if a little green-clothed fella drops off a pot of gold for me, I’ll gladly share it with you!

I’m a big fan of St. Patrick’s Day. Perhaps it’s the Irish in me. Or there is that slim chance that it’s because I have a teeny tiny mischievous streak. How about you? What will you and your students do on St. Patrick’s Day?

Share your St. Patrick’s Day plans (or a favorite St. Pat’s activity) before next Wednesday and your name will be entered in the drawing for our Pot of Gold Giveaway. I have a feeling there will be more than one lucky winner!

Smiles!

Diane

Congratulations to the winners: Liz, JAZ, and Colleen!

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You tell me! Are you a reader? If so, leave your reading shout-out here; then head on over to the Upper Grades Exchange and join Todd’s weeklong conversation about favorite books, student reading habits, and much, much more!

Here’s my shout-out:
I LOVE to read!

Diane

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Pajama Day? Have I lost my mind? Not totally! I do get that this special day is not appropriate for all school settings. But don’t you agree that tucking in a few special days throughout the school year boosts the spirits of students and teachers?

Not long ago, I walked into the middle of a school-wide Hat Day. It was delightful, and preparation was minimal. Families were simply informed that students (and teachers) were invited to wear hats to school on that day. I can’t begin to tell you how many smiles I saw! And, best of all, some of those smiles were from students who I don’t often see smiling.

So what are your favorite special days? And what advice do you have for someone who is new to special days?

Aloha!

Diane

PS: These photos are from our Luau Day!

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Let’s chat about learning centers today! Many of you have a specific center time. Others may offer centers to early finishers. Still others may incorporate centers into reading or math time—when I met with small groups, my third graders rotated between assigned morning work, center work, and small-group time.

What I’d like to know is what part of the whole learning center thing you find most challenging. Is it the management of the centers? Is it the preparation of a specific center? I’m curious because I’d like to better understand how to help you and how y’all can help each other! Please share!

Happily,
Diane

PS: Remember that today is the last day to enter the “Yippee-Skippy Giveaway” for a free book from The Mailbox. I’ve been grinning, giggling, cheering, and smiling from ear to ear over your “yippees”! What’s mine for today? Yippee for you!

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Yippee #1: It’s Friday!
Yippee #2: The days are getting longer!
Yippee #3: I just found a piece of (wrapped) chocolate  in my desk drawer!

Did you know that three or more yippees equal a yippee-skippy? It’s true! Okay, I just made that up, but it seems reasonable. To make sure your day is yippee-skippy, we’re having a Yippee-Skippy Giveaway. All you have to do is share three of your own “yippees” before the end of Monday and your name will be entered in a drawing for a free book from The Mailbox.

Love ya!
Diane

yip•pee / ˈyi-pē
interjection: expressing wild excitement or delight

Yippee for our winner, Amber!

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I’m curious, what does the lost and found at your school look like? Is there any type of organization to it? Or does it more closely resemble something you might find in a teen’s bedroom?

I dreaded walking past (let alone rummaging through) my school’s lost and found. I guess that’s why, during a recent school visit, I was intrigued by the purpose of a hallway garment rack. Sure enough, it’s the school’s lost and found for hangable items. And judging by the contents of the rack, the system seems to be working.

Post “Like” if you like this idea! And if you have other ideas for taking control of the lost and found, please share.

Looking for solutions,

Diane

PS: Remember that today’s the final day to be entered in our latest giveaway. Visit “Good Morning, Inbox!” for details.

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I wonder how the great Theodor Seuss Geisel would feel about having a kitty named after him. I wouldn’t tell the great doctor this, but my kitty Theo (who shares a birthday with Dr. Seuss) was first named Thelma. That, of course, was before I discovered that Thelma was a Theo! If Dr. Seuss were still with us, I’m sure he’d be delivering a silly rhyme right about now.

Hoping your day is “Seuss-ical!”

Diane

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Each morning when I get to work, I plop down my work bag, log on to my computer, and quickly scan my email inbox to see whether there’s something I need to address right away. Does this sound like your morning routine too? In thinking about you, my brain took a leap, and you know what that means. I have a question for ya, and here it is with a giveaway!

What could be delivered to your inbox daily to brighten your teaching day? For example, would you enjoy an inspirational quote, an inspiring fact about teachers, a funny quote from a child, a wacky fact, a seasonal tip or idea? A combination of things? What might it be?

I’m excited to hear from you! Post your comment by the end of the day Thursday and your name will be put in a drawing for some March goodies from The Mailbox!

Thinking of you!
Diane

Congratulations to Wendy, the drawing winner!

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