Today, 285 spelling champions from across the country are in Washington, DC, to compete in Scripps National Spelling Bee. My hat is off to each of them. When I was a kid, spelling bees were a common practice in elementary schools. I spent a lot of time sitting at my desk after missing words. Honestly,…
Lesson Planning
Tooth Fairy Revelation
It’s been a long time, and I mean long time, since I’ve had a visit from the tooth fairy. Yet I can still recall the excitement that accompanied an anticipated visit from the winged wonder. Since next Saturday, February 28, is National Tooth Fairy Day (and February is National Children’s Dental Health Month), I decided…
Just Let Them Read!
I took three graduate level reading classes this summer and the underlining theme of all three courses was to give students time to read and talk about reading. We have overwhelmed students with busywork: reading worksheets, reading quizzes and reading test, all of which take away valuable reading time. I am blocking out time just…
First Day Jitters
The first day of school can be very nerve racking. What will my classroom look like? Did I pick the right clothes? Will I know what to do? Will I have any friends? If this is what I’m thinking, I can only imagine how nervous the kids are! Here are a few tips I found…
The More You Give, The More You Get
Back when I used to teach, I was always thankful when my teacher friends shared their most useful resources with me. Now there’s a great opportunity that benefits both you and your friends. If you’re currently a Gold subscriber, you can refer your friends – and you’ll get one free month of access for each…
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…
“Eeee-zy” First Friday Giveaway
Happy Friday, y’all! How about we “eeee-ze” on into summer with an “eeee-zy” first Friday giveaway? Simply answer one “eeee-zy” question, and you’ll be entered to win a set* of ten grade-specific eUnits from The Mailbox! “Wow-ee”! That’s nearly a $25 prize! Except for our eUnits for preschool, our eUnits are aligned to Common Core…
First Friday of 2014!
Happy New Year, y’all! Here’s wishing each of you the best in 2014! I just took a peek at January celebrations and its seems as if they’re a bit scarce. This year, Martin Luther King Jr. Day will be celebrated on Monday, January 20. It’s National Soup Month—now that makes my stomach growl! Oh, and…
I Flunked!
I’m not a gal who spends hours stirring pots atop the stove. I’m much more adept at tapping the touch screen on my microwave. Nonetheless, I thought I was fairly safety savvy in the kitchen. Not so much. My score on the 2013 Fire Prevention Week Quiz was a shocker. It was less than 50…
Let’s Make a Plan
One of my favorite websites is all about pencils. I’ll let that sink in for a moment. Talk about straddling the borderlands between past and future! A website about pencils. I don’t even know what to compare it to, but it’s a regularly updated blog about pencils, notebooks, and the collision of the old and…