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…
When I discovered that this Saturday, September 9, is Teddy Bear Day, well my brain was overtaken with teddy bear thoughts. The idea that the Teddy Bear was named after President Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt has always warmed my heart. (For a quick review of how this came to be, click here.) I’m also a fan…
Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy—it’s another giveaway! Today’s National Teacher Appreciation Week Giveaway prize is five nature-themed books. The collection includes a wordless picture book that reminds readers of the importance of bees in our ecosystem, a stunning picture book that introduces seventeen fantastic flowers, two books about trees that beg to be compared…
As a classroom teacher and in my position here at The Mailbox, I’ve always approached Mother’s Day (and Father’s Day) with extra care. Perhaps it’s because I lost my mother at a young age. Fortunately, I had a grandmother who welcomed my school-made Mother’s Day cards! There are a whole bunch of wonderful projects and…
Are you already wondering how you’ll wrap up this school year? Ouch! Did one of you just reach out and thump me? Okay, it is still April—which means you may not think you’re ready to read about an awesome end-of-the-year wrap-up that’s easy for the teacher and keeps kiddos focused and behaving until the very…
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,…
If one day is better than another to have your head in the clouds, I suggest tomorrow. Here’s my reason. Thursday, March 23, 2017, is World Meteorological Day. (Say that fast three times, and you’ll wish your head was in the clouds today!) Anyway, this year’s theme is “Understanding Clouds.” You probably know that clouds…
Unfortunately, I haven’t discovered a pot of gold at the end a rainbow that I can share with you. However, I do have a super-clever activity that is darn near as great as gold! The idea, submitted by a teacher, will appear in a later issue of The Mailbox magazine. But you get a sneak…
• never wore a powdered white wig? • wore what would today be considered a size 13 shoe? • stood at six feet two inches tall? • ran unopposed for the first President of the United States? • was 57 years old when he took office? • didn’t have a middle name? • was the…
Since I have a thing for alliteration, I’m calling this idea “One Thing Thursday.” But honestly, the idea can be called “One Thing Monday,” “One Thing Tuesday,” “One Thing Wednesday,”—you get the idea. And here is the idea. Pick one day of the week and routinely invite students to respond in writing (or verbally for…