If Abraham Lincoln were still living, he would be celebrating his 208th birthday today. Have you ever wondered what Abe might think of our current world? This wonder occurred to me while I was investigating some of the “favorite apps” shared by teachers who have entered this February’s First Friday Giveaway. (There’s still time to…
Who’s the most special reindeer of all? Why, Rudolph of course! You’ll be reminded just how special Rudolph is when you discover how easy it is to add this reindeer-related activity to your lesson plans. All you need are large sheets of drawing paper, brown paper strips, scissors, glue, and crayons or markers. The activity…
Today’s December topic is the Gingerbread Man. You know, that brave cookie that thinks he can outrun anyone or anything! Well, he’s outrun me and for now I’m fine with that because I have something even better to offer you. Check out the links below—all follow-ups to that sneaky cookie’s tale! • a cut-and-glue sequencing…
What’s a decibella? Actually it’s a who and there’s a fifty-fifty chance you have a real one in your classroom. Decibella is a spunky, spirited book character who loves using her loud voice at all times. Her real name is Isabella, but everyone calls her Decibella because she is just soooooo LOUD. She simply doesn’t…
Do you know the apple man? He was born John Chapman on September 26, 1774, in Leominster, Massachusetts. Of course most of us know Chapman as Johnny Appleseed, the American pioneer who planted large numbers of apple trees along the early frontier. Did Chapman really wear a tin pot as a hat, a coffee sack…
What do a butterfly, a goose, a frog, and a chicken all have in common? Each one starts out as an egg! You knew that, didn’t you? Well perhaps this is more newsworthy—did you know you can get your hands on a life-cycle booklet activity for each of these critters at TheMailbox.com? It’s true! In fact,…
This week, schools across the country will be celebrating the birthday of perhaps the most loved children’s author of all times—Dr. Seuss! If you’re searching for a few last minute ideas for your Seuss celebration, here are two links that are sure to be helpful! This link takes you to the treasure trove of Dr. Seuss…
It’s our first First-Friday Giveaway of the new year, and do I have a prize for you! Now, it’s not a snow day or an extra pair of hands. If I could figure out how to deliver either one of those, I’d definitely do it! However, this month’s prize is something that can only be…
At some point during Thanksgiving Day morning, you’ll find me sacked out in my favorite chair taking in the sights and sounds of the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. One day, I’m hoping to watch the parade from a New York City rooftop and be nose to nose with those totally awesome and humongous caricature…
When I taught, many times while doing my lesson plans I would realize that I needed just a few more activities on a particular theme, a few more center ideas to round out the month, or some extra ideas for covering a particular skill. I didn’t need an entire book of ideas in those cases….