Sight words, spelling words, vocabulary words–words, words, and more words! What are your favorite word displays? Maybe you use a word wall. Maybe you use a pocket chart. Maybe you simply use the wall, the floor, a tabletop, or the ceiling! (Okay, that might be a stretch!) In a word, our editors would like to…
Student Activities
Fingerprints
Isn’t it interesting how something can catch your eye and you’re off and running with an idea? This happened to me. I recently read that July 28 is the day the first fingerprint was taken. I tried to verify this bit of trivia but couldn’t. However, I just can’t let go of the whole notion…
Simple Ways to Use Poetry
Today I have a super important request for my teaching pals. The Mailbox editors are wondering how teachers use poetry in their classrooms. In fact, the editors are soooo curious to discover the simple ways y’all use poetry in your classrooms that they are bribing me with chocolate! Okay, the chocolate part isn’t true. What…
Ten Things I Learned From My Teacher
For those you of who are working your way through the craziness of the final few days of school, here’s a quick and meaningful task for your crew. Ask each student to write a list of ten (or more!) things he learned from you. The results are certain to vary from taught skills, emphasized behaviors,…
Summer Learning
Imagine removing your shoes and traipsing through a patch of lush, green grass. Now imagine a summer filled with reading, writing, and arithmetic. I can speak only for myself when I say my vote goes to carefree tootsies. But wait a minute—summer learning doesn’t automatically make summer a bummer! The National Summer Learning Association has…
Cool Book Swap
I ducked into a local school earlier this week, and the first thing I saw made me smile! Right there by the school office was a rolling cart of children’s books labeled “Take a Book; Leave a Book.” You’d need some book donations to get the idea rolling, but after that, I’m thinking this book-sharing…
Fire Prevention Week
Yes, it’s Fire Prevention Week 2012 (October 7-13)! This year’s theme, “Have Two Ways Out,” reminds us that planning not one, but two escape routes is an essential part of any fire escape plan. Promise me you’ll spend some time this week discussing fire safety with your students. Better yet, tell me how you and…
National Picnic Month
Have you picnicked lately? July is National Picnic Month. The idea of a picnic always excites me; I’m just not real good at pulling one off—you know, packing the picnic basket and actually getting to a picnic location. About midway through, I’m thinking the shady spot in the backyard looks quite nice! As a teacher,…
Knock, Knock!
Knock, knock. Who’s there? Diane. Diane who? “Di-ane” to hear from you! I’m always dyin’ to hear from you! That’s no joke. 🙂 But here’s the real reason for my silliness. I’ve made a fun discovery! Monday, October 31, is National Knock-Knock Day. Yes, this is the same day as Halloween. However, that could be…
“Hide-and-Shoe”
Happy Wednesday, y’all! Yesterday a few colleagues and I went on a field trip. No, we didn’t visit a pumpkin patch. We went someplace even more fun (for us!)—a local preschool. Due to rainy weather, outdoor play became indoor play. This meant the little ones headed to a carpeted church sanctuary to let loose and…