Here’s a quick question for y’all!

Which classroom displays will
you update for December?

Eager to hear!

Diane

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Have you ever wondered why The Mailbox magazine is named The Mailbox? It’s a bit of mystery for most folks. What does a mailbox have to do with teaching? I just happen to have the clues that can solve this mystery!

Clues

1. When the first issue of The Mailbox magazine was published in 1979, what was the most popular (and economical) method of cross-country communication?
a. the pony express
b. the telegraph
c. the postal service

2. Where is most postal mail delivered?
a. a bus stop
b. a library
c. a mailbox

3. What is the purpose of a mailbox?
a. a bird perch
b. a lawn ornament
c. to send and receive mail

4. What idea brought about The Mailbox magazine?
a. a postal strike
b. a lesson on compound words
c. a desire to be a mailbox for teachers—a place where teachers could send their best ideas and receive the best ideas from teachers around the country!

The answers: c, c, c, and c. I knew you could solve the The Mailbox mystery!

Have a great day!
Diane

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Turkey Day is almost here! I can’t decide what I’m looking forward to more—the turkey dinner or dessert. I’m such food fan! Right now, I’m still hanging onto the belief that I can successfully squeeze five days worth of work into three days! And you know what? It’s going to happen, yes sirree, as sure as I’m putting pecans in my pecan pie! Another thing I know is going to happen is me letting y’all know how thankful I am for your readership and your friendship! I love lots of things about my job, and being the host of this blog is like the cherry on top of a fudge sundae. (I really am on a food kick today, aren’t I?) So thank you and warmest wishes for your favorite kind of Thanksgiving Day celebration from your number one fan! Warmly, Diane

PS Along with Thanksgiving Day dinner, I’ll be cookin’ up a smokin’ giveaway to be announced real soon.

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H, I, J, K—well, you get the idea! I’m blaming my alphabet brain on alphabet cereal. The cereal isn’t a staple in my cupboard; however, it was on sale last week, so I grabbed a box for fun. Yes, I can be a bit impulsive. But I have to tell you that seeing all those letters first thing in the morning does seem to get my creative juices flowing!

Here’s my alphabet wonder. When you teach alphabet letters and sounds, do you plan specific center activities for each letter? For example, when your students are learning about the letter M, do they work with magnets, mittens, and marshmallows during center time? Sounds like the perfect opportunity to me! Whatcha think?

Happily,

Diane

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Okay, first I feel compelled to assure you that I am not as old as dirt. I do concede to falling into a somewhat mature age bracket. For example, I remember black and white televisions and phones with extremely long cords! I tell you this because two days ago I was asked by Jacob, a young neighborhood tot, if I ate Thanksgiving dinner with the Pilgrims. Yikes! And to make matters worse, Jacob’s mom rushed in to save the day with “Oh, Jacob! Miss Diane isn’t that old!” What can I say?

How do you incorporate the first Thanksgiving into your teaching plans?

Smiles,

Diane

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Here’s hoping your weekend was tops. I spent some time moving dust around in my attic. Lots of sneezing took place and a couple of squeals. I can’t help it; spiders—even dead ones—give me the creeps! I did unearth a dusty box of really, really old mementos from my school years. One project in particular tickled me, so perhaps I’ll share that later in the week!

Today I want to remind you that it’s the last day to enter our “Geeks-Are-Great Giveaway!” All you need to do is share a technology-based tip or activity with us before midnight. Not only will your name be entered in a drawing for a free book from The Mailbox, but our editors will also be reading your tips and ideas for possible purchase for use in upcoming magazines. And remember, no tip or idea is too simple—especially for anyone like me who is eager to learn but just a teeny-tiny bit clueless!

Your geek in training,
Diane

PS I’m talkin’ about ideas for computers, digital cameras, document cameras, interactive whiteboards, tablets, and any other electronic device you use!

Congratulations to Jennifer! She’s the winner of our giveaway!

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Tomorrow is Veterans Day here in the United States. So I’m sending out a gigantic thank you and a heartfelt salute to our veterans around the world. With the current demands on teachers and students, I imagine it’s difficult to squeeze in a Veterans Day project. However, if you are able to accomplish this, I’d love to hear about it! If you’re in a pinch (which seems to be the way I normally roll), check out the links below. I’m hoping I have something for all ages. Yes, I’ve been sneaking around MyMailbox Idea Center Gold…again. It’s the absolute best place to find ideas in a snap! Hip hip hooray! Diane

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I have a burning question for y’all this morning! I’d like to know what kinds of monthly ideas you use the most in your classroom. For example, do you mostly use literature to spotlight monthly events and themes? Or do you mostly use arts-and-crafts projects or center activities to spotlight monthly themes? Or maybe you bring monthly themes into your classroom through student skill sheets, writing prompts, or even partner games!

Hmmmm, where did that question go? Here it is!

What kinds of monthly ideas do you use most in your classroom?

Have a happy day!
Diane

PS Please include the grade you teach too!

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Congratulations to you! Not only have you’ve blazed through the first quarter of the school year, you’ve also taught your way through a week that was surely soaked in Halloween sugar! I’m totally impressed!

So how’s it going in your classroom? What’s your best memory of the first quarter? What has surprised you the most? Is there something your family from The Mailbox can help you with?

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Diane

PS Remember to roll your clocks back one hour this weekend! It’s a weekend with an extra hour—a big yippee! Enjoy!

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Our building is currently surrounded by geeks! Some construction is taking place nearby, so my guess is the local squad of computer-savvy geeks is here to work their computer magic. I find it funny that I spent the first 20 or so years of my life trying not to be a geek, and now I think geeks are totally impressive!

Speaking of computers and technology, I’m super-duper curious how you use technology in your classroom. If you use a computer, a digital camera, a document camera, an interactive whiteboard, a tablet, or any other electronic device, I’d love to learn how you are using it (or them!).

Oh, and the giveaway? To be entered, simply share your techno-success stories with us before November 15. Your name will be entered in a drawing for a free book from The Mailbox. And there’s more! The Mailbox editors will also be reading your suggestions for possible purchase to use in upcoming magazines. This means your comment alone could earn you a $20 gift certificate. Yippee!

Happy November!
Diane

Congratulations to Jennifer! She’s the winner of our giveaway!

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