Working from home means the kitchen is SO CLOSE BY! Turn that temptation into a learning experience with Kitchen Chemistry: Cool Crystals, Rockin’ Reactions, and Magical Mixtures with Hands-On Science Activities (Nomad Press). Preview the experiments to use with your students, try them with your own family, or videotape them to upload and share with…
Cheers to you, teacher friends! This is my usual morning iced coffee with vanilla creamer. Everyone at The Mailbox® is working from home. So of course I’m doing my job in leggings and a hoodie sans makeup. It’s productive and quiet here—although my cats keep trying to sit on the work laptop. When I’m not…
Even in difficult times, there are always opportunities to be thankful. The Thank You Letter (Holiday House) shares a young girl’s story as one thank-you note leads to another, creating a cascade of thanks all around her town. What a great message for right now! One lucky teacher will be randomly selected to win this…
I love a good booklet that teaches print concepts as well as other required skills. And these booklets are super helpful because you can download them and send them to parents for youngsters to complete while staying at home. Check out two of my favorite booklets that are perfect for spring. Here’s a busy…
It is with a heavy heart that today I post my final blog for The Mailbox. You did not just cheer, did you? Nah, I know you didn’t. We’ve had some really fun times together. And not to worry, The Mailbox Blog will carry on in the very capable hands of Kim and Karen who…
You and your young readers will take heart from Don’t Worry, Little Crab (Candlewick). Little Crab is bravely venturing off to the big ocean–except the big ocean turns out to be very, well, BIG! Can Little Crab do it? One lucky teacher will be randomly selected to win this book. To enter the drawing, submit…
Some of you might be looking for different activities to take up time while self-isolating or sheltering in place. Have you considered submitting your original teaching ideas to The Mailbox®? We’re not looking for polished write-ups of classroom activities–just send us the gist of your idea. You’ll receive $20 for each accepted activity. And of…
How many of you are feeling cool as cucumbers in the midst of lockdowns, closings, and canceled events? Sort of difficult to pull off isn’t it. Dang that virus! Like the rest of you, I’m trying to do all the right things to curb the spread of COVID-19. Spreading kindness during this difficult time is…
At the start of the school year, no one could have predicted where things stand now—nor can we predict where things will stand in 2 weeks or 2 months. At the moment all we can do is be patient and encourage one another. With that in mind, this week’s prize is a book packed full…
For those of you who are in school districts that are still open, you probably have students who are uneasy and have lots of questions. (Most adults are uneasy and have lots of questions as well!) But your job is to be a logical and calming influence–so I decided to write my blog on ways…