April 2011
Monthly Archive
May Lesson Plans
Posted by Diane Badden on 29 Apr 2011 | Posted in: Teachers and Teaching
May is almost here! How does this make you feel? Are you elated that the school year is winding down, slightly panicked because there are so few days left in school, or perhaps a little bit of both? What’s at the top of your teaching plans for the month of May?
Cheerfully,
Diane
PS: Remember that Saturday, April 30, is the last day to be entered in our Hot off the Press Giveaway! You won’t want to miss out on this one. It’s a doozy! 
What Do You Get?
Posted by Diane Badden on 28 Apr 2011 | Posted in: Teachers and Teaching
Y
’all, it’s the last Thursday in April, and you know what that means. I’ve got one last chance to make you grin, giggle, or guffaw with my weekly delivery of April silliness (in celebration of National Humor Month). Here we go!
What do you get when you cross a jaguar with an elephant? A fancy car with a BIG trunk!
What do you get when you cross a kitty with a comedian? A witty kitty!
What do you get when you cross a snake with a kangaroo? A jump rope!
What do you get when you put an elephant in your vegetable garden? Squash!
What do you get when you ask a line of 20 hares to step backward? A receding hairline!
Did I hear a giggle or two?
Diane
Hot off the Press Giveaway!
Posted by Diane Badden on 27 Apr 2011 | Posted in: Drawings and Giveaways, The Mailbox Books
Hold on to your socks! Why? Because I have exciting news that just might knock them off!
Here at The Mailbox, we are beaming over our brand-new line of hands-on activities called The Mailbox® Theme Kits. These kits—15 in all—are hot off the press and on their way to teacher stores across the country. And today (yes, that’s right: today) you can also preview (and purchase!) these kits online at TheMailbox.com.
Here’s the scoop:
- There are 15 kits in all (five for preschool, five for kindergarten, five for grade one)
- Each kit spotlights two popular themes and provides oodles of engaging hands-on skill practice such as centers, games, writing posters, sorting mats, and group-time activities—WOW!
- Each kit includes 16 oversize 11” x 17” heavyweight (and laminated!) sheets, a teacher’s guide, and bonus theme patterns
You’ve just got to see this new product line! You’ll love the kits; I know you will. In fact, I’ll say it right here. I think our editors and artists have delivered the best hands-on activities The Mailbox has ever published! How about that?
Oh, and that giveaway? Simply pick a level of kits to preview (see below) and tell me what you think! Everyone who responds before May 1 will be entered in a drawing for a free theme kit and a free pair of socks (just in case you lose yours!).
Have fun!
Diane
Preschool Kits |
Kindergarten Kits |
Grade 1 Kits |
Green Is Grand!
Posted by Diane Badden on 22 Apr 2011 | Posted in: Drawings and Giveaways, Holiday and Seasonal
Happy Earth Day, everyone! In celebration of this important day, I’m sneaking in a green giveaway. (Shhhh, don’t tell anyone!) To be entered, simply give a shout out to Earth Day by sharing a favorite environmentally friendly classroom tip or activity. As soon as you do this, your name will be entered in a drawing for one free e-book from The Mailbox. Don’t delay! We must hear from you before the end of the day Saturday (April 23)!
We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.
Native American Proverb
Thoughtfully,
Diane
Thanks for responding! Congratulations to Tara for winning an e-book!
Tongue Twisters!
Posted by Diane Badden on 21 Apr 2011 | Posted in: Holiday and Seasonal
It’s Thursday and y’all know what that means, right? It’s time for our weekly celebration of National Humor Month! Today’s delivery is a dizzy dose of tongue twisters.
Caution: Hysterical laughter is a common side effect when trying to quickly repeat 
a tongue twister with accuracy.
Have fun!
Diane
Five fat frogs flew past fast.
Sam’s shop stocks short spotted socks.
Flex flipped five flat, floppy flapjacks.
If Sue chews shoes, should Sue choose the shoes she chews?
In a Spin
Posted by Diane Badden on 20 Apr 2011 | Posted in: Organization and Supplies, Teachers and Teaching
Today I have a quick question for y’all! What’s the scoop on spinners? Do you use spinners in your classroom? Is a spinner a tool your kiddos can easily use? Does incorporating a spinner into a lesson keep students more engaged?
Okay, clearly I have more than one question about spinners, don’t I?
Here’s your chance to tell me exactly what you think of this learning tool!
All ears!
Diane
PS: It would be fun to hear how y’all use spinners too!
Teacher Tour Guide
Posted by Diane Badden on 19 Apr 2011 | Posted in: Drawings and Giveaways, Student Activities, Teachers and Teaching
Happy Tuesday! How’s your week going? Grandly, I hope. Today is my first day back from my spring vacation. My body is definitely here, and I’m hopeful that my brain arrives soon! You know that feeling, right?
My vacation was fab! I slipped away to Key West for a few days with my best friend and her hubby. Since this was our first time in the Florida Keys, we packed our days with sightseeing, water excursions, art galleries, and shopping. We even took a few guided tours, one of which made me think of y’all. Why, you ask? Because the tour guide, who was absolutely awesome, is a former teacher! Makes sense doesn’t it? After all, teachers definitely know how to share information in fun and engaging ways!
Speaking of trips, check this out. At the Upper Grade Exchange, Todd is announcing a giveaway: “Field Trip Season—Share Your Story and Win!” That’s right! Share a field trip story of success (or fiasco!) by leaving it as a comment on the Upper Grades Exchange blog, and your name will be entered in a drawing for a free book from The Mailbox. Awesome!
Cheerfully,
Diane
Going Green
Posted by Diane Badden on 15 Apr 2011 | Posted in: Inspiration and Motivation
With Earth Day only a week away, my guess is that the three Rs (reducing, reusing, and recycling) are getting discussed in classrooms around the country. I’ve always felt teachers were pros at reducing, reusing, and recycling. Wouldn’t you agree? I mean, after all, who else but a teacher can turn a gum dispenser into a vase or a potato chip canister into a paintbrush holder? Gotta, gotta love it!
So I suggest, in the spirit of Earth Day, we teachers unite and spill our secrets for going green in the classroom. Who knows? One of your ideas could end up in an upcoming issue of The Mailbox. Of course, you’d have to agree to take a $20 gift certificate from us first!
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Diane
PS: Remember that today is the last day to be entered in this week’s giveaway (”Monday Giveaway!“). Don’t miss out. It’s easy to enter!
The Corny Corner
Posted by Diane Badden on 14 Apr 2011 | Posted in: Teachers and Teaching
It’s a Thursday in April and I’m back with some severely corny riddles. I dare you even to try to suppress a grin! Have a really, really great day!
Smiles,
Diane
Why don’t teddy bears get hungry?
Because they are always stuffed.
Why did the tomato blush?
Because it saw the salad dressing.
What do frogs buy in the spring?
“Open-toad” sandals.
April Reading
Posted by Diane Badden on 13 Apr 2011 | Posted in: Literature Connections
I’m curious! Do you have a favorite read-aloud for the month of April? I’d sure like to hear what it is. I know that some of you may read several books to your kiddos during a single month (or day!); so if you can’t narrow your choice down to a single title, it’s perfectly fine to share two, three, or four. I can’t imagine anyone is going to complain about that!
Thanks for sharing!
Diane
