Okay, teachers! I’m putting together a list of the top ten tips for setting up a classroom at the start of the school year. And I need your help. Send me one tip, two tips, or more that will help other teachers stay cool, calm, and confident as they set up their classrooms for a new…
Back-to-School
What’s Your Theme?
When I plan the features for The Mailbox® magazine Preschool edition, I always struggle over what to put in the “Welcome to School” unit in the August/September issue. It’s such an odd time of the year because you’re working on classroom routines and rules, plus you’re getting acquainted with your little ones. Yet I know…
New or Reuse?
Yesterday, I spent five enjoyable hours at School Tools, a teacher supply store in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Spending a day in a teacher supply store pairs two of my favorite things: teachers and school supplies. My day was a blast, a bit of a gabfest really. I was there to talk with teachers about the…
Blog Winners and Student of the Week
First, let me clarify. All readers of The Mailbox Blog are winners in my book. Being a teacher and a member of The Mailbox family defines winner! Today, I’d like to congratulate both Peg and Mary for being the winners in the random drawing for the “Make a Difference to Children Giveaway.” Both Peg and…
First Friday Giveaway!
It’s the first Friday in August and y’all know what this means, right? School supplies are on sale! Oh, and it’s time for a giveaway, too. 🙂 I’m thinking one lucky blog reader will be tickled to have an extra $20 to spend on school supplies for his or her classroom. And guess what? That’s…
#BeTheDifference and Win Weekly Prizes!
Teachers’ hard work can sometimes go unnoticed, including all the effort that goes into preparing for a new school year. That’s one of the reasons why I love what we do at The Mailbox! We’re all about celebrating the ways you make a difference in your students’ lives—and giving you the best tools to help…
Pop Poll!
In case you’re unsure of what a pop poll is, it’s a surprise poll. I considered a pop quiz, but it didn’t fit the bill, because there are no right or wrong answers to the questions I’m asking. And besides, who wants to take a pop quiz in summer, right? To thank you for taking…
A Summer Promise
I promised myself that this summer, I would experience some new things. So a couple weekends ago, I joined a mob. No, not the mob—a mob! For about an hour, I was a member of a local cash mob. I did a bit of research before I showed up. After all, I wasn’t interested in…
Parent-Teacher Groups
A few nights ago, I joined my best pal for a late dinner. When I saw her, my eyeballs popped. She had come directly from her school’s back-to-school night and her attire was, in my mind, a bit surprising. She was sporting a bright purple T-shirt with large letters that spelled “Make My Day!” I…
Back-to-School Headlines
School buses are rolling! Today is the first day of school in our local district. I have to admit that my stomach is temporarily housing a few first-day butterflies—for teachers, students, principals, school staff, and school bus drivers. Our local news media is bustling with back-to-school news ranging from the introduction of student tablets at…