One of the things I miss most about my classroom is the wonderful routine of decorating it to match the current season or holiday. I had so much fun creating the colorful bulletin boards, displays, and window decorations that gave my classroom a timely feel as well as an energizing face-lift.

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I’m hunched over a grid, sweat furrows my brow, and my brain aches with the agony of indecision. What could possibly be causing this intense stress and concentration? Why, I’m trying to decide what themes to put in next year’s issues of The Mailbox® magazine preschool edition! I’m only making the process sound stressful to garner your sympathy. I actually enjoy it very much.

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Have you ever read Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak? Why, of course you have! It’s a classic! I always try to tuck classics into The Mailbox® magazine because you undoubtedly have them in your classroom. You know them well, and you have probably built units around these deservedly popular books. Of course, I also enjoy tucking more recent books into the magazine---ones that may, with time, become classics as well.

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Boo! I'm back with great seasonal ideas from the current grades 2-3 and intermediate editions of The Mailbox® magazine! Enjoy! Ready to Order To prepare this seasonal center, write each sentence of a step-by-step description on a different sentence strip...

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I always look forward to fall; don't you? It's the relaxing time right before the busy holiday season kicks in. The weather is cooler but not too cool. The excitement of a new school year is still in the air. And, of course, Halloween is on its way! When I was a child, I spent the whole month of October planning my costume for the big day. I would change my mind three times a week until it was finally time to get dressed. What fun!

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Hollywood is at it again! This time they have chosen to make a screen adaptation of Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. I'll admit it: I cannot wait to see what the moviemakers do with this rollicking story. I have wonderful memories of Max and his wild pals. My mom read this story to me again and again. I read it to my younger brother and then, years later, shared it with my students. This is one you just can't keep to yourself!

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I know it sounds cliché, but I just can't believe that it's time to get ready for a new school year already! Preparing the classroom for my students' arrival was one of my favorite things about teaching. I know that establishing a routine can make all the difference in the classroom, so I've scanned the August/September 2009 issues of the Mailbox® magazine to find tips you can incorporate into your planning.

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Now that you've had a chance to read the August/September issue, The Mailbox® magazine editors want to hear what you think! We write the magazine with you and your students in mind, and we want it to be the best it can be—for YOU!

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Have you heard? We’re sponsoring a sweepstakes this back-to-school to celebrate 10 Years of The Mailbox Companion! Join us in celebrating this milestone by entering our sweepstakes for your chance to win lots of great stuff.
Here’s what you can win…
Grand Prize: $2,000 Cash and $250 Gift Certificate for THE MAILBOX Books
First Prize: $500 Cash and [...]

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During my second year of teaching, I was across the hall from an incredible teacher named Ms. Dunn. Ms. Dunn shared so many wonderful teacher secrets with me! I couldn't wait to see what she had planned each day. Her students were always engaged in the best learning games, and everything in her room was so organized. People stopped by to see her colorful wall displays, and she knew all kinds of tips and shortcuts. After several months of copying what she was doing, I was convinced that she was the smartest teacher ever!

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