Guess what day it is? Well, yes, it is hump day. However, the day I have in mind is recognized just once a year, yet what it promotes hopefully occurs a whole lot more often. Confused? Here’s the answer: today, January 28, is…drum roll, please…National Fun at Work Day! Now this doesn’t mean you can…
Teachers and Teaching
Tic-Tac-Toe Return
Here is the scenario: You haven’t seen your students in over a week, and they have a whole lot they want to share with you and with each other. You really want to learn about each child’s holiday; however, you also know there just isn’t time for everyone to share. Sound like your classroom? Then…
A New Year AND a Giveaway!
To be honest, I can’t think of a better way to welcome 2015 than with a First Friday Giveaway! January is Get Organized Month. This may not come as a total surprise. I would guess that getting organized is a popular New Year’s resolution. But here’s something you may not know: according to a survey…
Monthly Deliveries?
For years and years teachers have been asking The Mailbox to deliver teaching ideas every month of the year. And guess what? We are now doing just that! All Gold subscribers receive a fun- and skill-filled digital delivery of grade-appropriate teaching ideas each and every month of the entire year—that’s twelve digital deliveries in all….
Would You Like a Cutie?
Earlier this week, I darted into a drive-through to pick up a quick meal. Honestly, I was trying to accomplish too much in too little time, so I wasn’t entirely focused when I placed my order. This partially explains my confusion when I was asked if I would like a Cutie. I was certain I…
’Tis Giveaway Friday!
Yes sirree, it’s the first Friday of the month, which means it’s giveaway time right here at The Mailbox Blog. This month, we’re having our very first WOGO. You’re probably familiar with a BOGO—Buy One, Get One. Well, this month’s giveaway is a Win One, Get One. To put this another way, each winner wins…
Positive Reinforcement
It’s here! It’s here! The holiday season is upon us. You know the one—when students are more wiggly and giggly and chatty. You just might need to have something special that grabs their attention to reinforce positive behavior. I looked around on our Pinterest boards and found this really fun behavior-reinforcement plan. It’s hot cocoa–themed,…
Why School?
My great-niece Elise, who is all of seven years old, recently asked her dad why she must go to school. When he responded “to learn,” she promptly informed him that she already knew all her letters and numbers so staying in school was simply a waste of her time. Her dad, slightly amused, offered examples…
Do You Understand?
There have been times during my student career—times that really stand out—when I didn’t understand what was going on in the classroom: in third grade, when I was put in a high math group; in a European literature class in high school, when discussing Crime and Punishment; in that 8 AM philosophy class my freshman…
Burnout!
Classroom management is one of the main reasons for job burnout and attrition in first-year teachers. I remember that first year of teaching; as classroom management goes, it wasn’t pretty. There was pulling of hair and gnashing of teeth and wails of frustration—and that was me in the car on the way home from work…