Button, button, who’s got the button? Buttons have been used for games and activities for years because they’re handy and inexpensive manipulatives. And it doesn’t hurt that they’re pretty and shiny as well! Since today is National Button Day, I thought you would enjoy some super Mailbox button-themed activities. Have students count the total number…
When we go back to school in the fall, there will no doubt be changes. I’m guessing that one of the changes we encounter will be an emphasis on social distancing. I can’t even wrap my brain around how that’s going to be accomplished. But let’s say that the six foot social distance rule is…
Are you smitten with mittens or gaga for gloves? I’m a glove gal myself on most days. When I wear mittens I have trouble hanging onto stuff. (Well, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it!) You’ll find a great selection of mitten and glove activities at themailbox.com. Search “mittens” and you’ll be lookin’ at…
In looking for some interesting facts to get kids excited about measurement, I discovered some real doozies. Here’s an example: a woodpecker’s tongue can wrap around its head twice. Right away, I envisioned that poor woodpecker with its tongue tightly wound around its head! Then I came to my senses and decided this fact was…
Tomorrow is World Mosquito Day! This makes me chuckle a bit because it sounds like we should be celebrating those blood-sucking little vampires. But after some digging, I found that this “holiday” celebrates the anniversary of the day (August 20, 1897) that Sir Ronald Ross, a British scientist, discovered that mosquitoes transmit the malaria parasite….
I recently read this article about a teacher who was allegedly fired for giving a zero grade for no-show assignments. The school has a 50% policy—even when students don’t turn in any work they will still earn 50%. With 50% policies, are we creating children who expect to get something for nothing? There’s fear we’ll…
If you give a teacher a muffin tin, will that teacher make a moose some muffins? Maybe. The tin might inspire a reading of If You Give a Moose a Muffin by Laura Numeroff too. However chances are the teacher will find plenty of other ways to use the muffin tin in the classroom. After…
October is a great time to let a few monsters into your classroom. I’ve rounded up three of my favorite monster books along with a few of my fave monster activities from themailbox.com. Wishing you a monstrously great time! Diane
What’s 92% water, classified as both a fruit and a vegetable, and is available in roughly 1,200 different varieties? That would be watermelon! In case you’re wondering, the heaviest watermelon on record to date is a 350.5 pound whopper grown in Tennessee by Chris…
The end of the school year is a good time to bring out activities that are BIG on both fun and learning. That’s why it’s a good time for paper airplanes! These folded creations have come a long way. I recommend having students create three different options (geometry, spatial skills) and then flying them to…