I love it when I hear from y’all! I learn so much! If you missed or haven’t revisited “Too Much Talking” from last week, be sure to check out the comments from your colleagues. The ideas and insights are awesome.

The challenges of classroom management have me pondering a classroom reality show for television. Can you imagine? Of course, I’d never suggest that a real classroom of students be put through something like this. That wouldn’t be fair to the kiddos. However, I would enjoy seeing the teachers-have-it-made myth put to rest. I’m a rascal, aren’t I?

Have a great day!

Diane

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According to a recent poll at TheMailbox.com, managing student talking is one of the biggest challenges today’s teachers face. I can’t honestly say these results surprise me. As a former teacher who occasionally volunteers in the classroom, I certainly understand the challenges of chatty students! I’ve even imagined using invisible duct tape to temporarily squelch the excessive talking of one or two kiddos! On the other hand, as a teacher, I know that learning in silence isn’t the answer either. I want students to actively engage in learning and learn not only from me but from their peers as well.

So what’s the answer? I’m pretty sure there isn’t just one! In fact, wouldn’t you agree that each teacher has to discover what works best for him or her? My best strategies were making certain my students understood why certain behaviors were not acceptable in my classroom; being consistent in addressing inappropriate behaviors; and the modeling, more modeling, and even more modeling of appropriate behaviors. I’d sure like to know what works for you!

Thoughtfully,
Diane

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Going outdoors? Staying indoors? How will your students spend their recess today?

Curious as ever!
Diane

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Happy Chinese New Year to you! Yes, today, January 23, 2012, is the first day of the Chinese New Year. Unlike the New Year in the US, which is based on the solar calendar and occurs on the same date each year, the Chinese New Year is based on the lunar calendar. This means the beginning of the new year changes from year to year.

If you’re like me, this celebration may have sneaked up on you. However, it’s really okay because, officially, Chinese New Year is a 15-day celebration! This means you have more than a week to incorporate one or more of the following activities from MyMAILBOX Idea Center Gold (my favorite online resource!!) into your plans: “Dancing Dragon Mask,” “It’s Chinese New Year!”, “Puzzle Parade,” “Happy Chinese New Year!”, “Time to Celebrate!”, and “What a Celebration!”. Have fun!

Happily,
Diane

PS: 2012 is the Year of the Dragon! Roar!

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Valentine’s Day is a few weeks away; however, I’m pretty sure y’all are already mulling over learning activities, crafts, and more for this special time of year. Annette commented on my January 9 post (“January Perks”) that, even though she’s taught for 25 years, she’s still in the market for some fresh Valentine’s Day ideas. So whatcha think? I say let’s spread our love of Valentine’s Day–themed activities!

Eager to hear from you!

Diane

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Here’s a penguin fact for y’all! This Friday, January 20, is Penguin Awareness Day. So why not dress for the occasion? It’s easy! Wear a pair of black pants, a white top, and a black jacket or sweater, and you’re ready to partake in a penguin parade. Imagine the fun you’ll have waddling your way through the day!

For an enlightening and easy-to-prepare teaching activity, read aloud both a nonfiction and a fiction book about penguins. Two great titles are Penguins! by Gail Gibbons (nonfiction) and Tacky the Penguin by Helen Lester (fiction). Students of all ages can then contribute to a conversation that sorts penguin facts from penguin fiction.

Will you spend some time celebrating penguins this Friday? Let me know!

Happily,
Diane

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Teaching a small group of students sure sounds like a piece of cake, doesn’t it? However, I think you’ll agree (and let me know if you don’t!) that, in reality, small-group time can be the most challenging part of a teacher’s day. It’s not challenging because it’s difficult to work with a small group of students. No, that’s not it at all. The challenge is in keeping tabs on the 20 or so other students in the classroom who are working independently!

I wish I had the answer to small-group classroom management. I don’t, but here are a few tips from my years in the classroom.

• Keep small-group sessions short.
• Move around the room between group gatherings to answer questions and offer encouragement.
• Consider assigning independent workers smaller tasks rather than one large task. Who doesn’t benefit from a sense of accomplishment?
• Keep smiling! A sense of calm confidence is contagious!

Now it’s your turn! What works for you?

Have a wonderful day!

Diane

PS Today is the final day to enter our current giveaway! To be eligible for a dandy duo of prizes, leave a comment at January Perks before midnight.

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It’s not the first Friday of the new year. It’s not the first Friday of the month. So what’s up with the title “The First Friday”? I can’t take credit for this reveal, but here it goes! Today is the first Friday the 13th of the year. Now, by itself, I agree that this info is hardly newsworthy. But get a load of this! I had no idea that the first Friday the 13th of the new year is also Blame Someone Else Day.

When I initially learned this news, I was quite stoked. After all, how cool would it be to be blameless for an entire day? No cereal? Not my fault! Pants too tight? Not my fault. Late on a deadline? Clearly not my fault! But then my wheels began to turn. If I can blame my missteps on someone else, doesn’t this mean someone else can blame me for his or her missteps? Yikes!

So here’s my solution. I’ve decided to rename this special day It’s Not My Fault Day. That way I can still have my faultless day without placing blame on anyone else.

Have a great weekend!
Diane

PS It’s not my fault!

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Teachers, I wish you could see my face at this very minute! Your responses to “January Perks” have me grinning from ear to ear! In fact, I grabbed today’s timely classroom blog topic from the fabulous list y’all are forming on Monday’s post. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

So let’s chat about Martin Luther King Jr. How do you plan to recognize the doctor’s birthday in your classroom? Please share! And if by chance you’re looking for additional teaching resources, check out the links below. You know where these teaching ideas are from, right? Yeppers! MyMailbox Idea Center Gold. I LOVE that site!

Have a fabulous day!
Diane

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I’m loaded with perks on this fabulous Monday: one perk for you and one perk for me! Your perk is that, when you leave a comment on this blog—all you need to do is answer one question—your name will be entered in a drawing for a one-of-a-kind giveaway from The Mailbox. I can’t divulge what the giveaway is; however, I can hint that it includes not one but two prizes!

Here’s the question:

In the year 2012, what classroom-related topics would you like me to investigate on
the The Mailbox Blog?

What’s my perk? I get to hear from you!

Smiles,
Diane

PS To be entered in the drawing, please comment before midnight on Monday, January 16.

Congratulations to Waynetta! She’s the winner of our drawing.

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