For an upcoming issue of The Mailbox magazine Preschool edition, I’m writing a feature on one of those classroom management issues that every teacher of young grades encounters: how do you get youngsters to raise their hands instead of just blurting out their thoughts, answers to questions, or random information that happens to be on…
Preschool
Merry “Thanksgiving-mas”!
During my morning commute, I flip between two different radio stations—back and forth and back and forth—looking for appealing music. About two weeks ago, one of “my stations” went to all Christmas music. I did a lot of grumbling and ranting and muttering about how we have to jump into every holiday way too early….
Got Ideas?
So I need some activities on Simple Machines. And here’s the kicker- the activities need to be appropriate for preschoolers. I know, I know. Couldn’t I ask you for something easier – like a unicorn that blows rainbow bubbles or a cheesecake that doesn’t have any calories? No. It has to be Simple Machines for…
What Would You Miss?
Lately, I have been demonstrating creative activities for YouTube videos from The Mailbox. (They haven’t been posted quite yet, but they will be soon!) I found that sharing these fun activities takes me right back to the classroom. I almost feel like there should be a bunch of wiggly students gathered around me. (In reality,…
What Does the Fox Say?
So I tend to get songs stuck in my head, and once there, they cycle around and around until I want to scream. Lately, the song featured in my head is “What Does the Fox Say?” by Ylvis. I like the song, but it’s ridiculously catchy. A friend of mine forced it out of my…
Favorite Classroom Themes
Favorite Classroom Themes This morning, I had my first cup of hot chocolate of the season. It’s finally gotten chilly enough here in North Carolina for a hot beverage in the morning to taste pretty soothing. (Being a Michigan native, I’m all about cold weather—bring on the sweaters and scarves!) “Hot Chocolate” is actually one…
Fall Leaf Activities!
What can you do with fall leaves (besides walk through them and listen to that fabulous crunch, crunch, crunch!)? If the October/November edition of The Mailbox Preschool magazine is any indication, the answer is a lot! Here are some of the things we did with fall leaves—and you can easily implement them in your early…
Beach, BBQ, Back-to-School?
Back-to-school? Yep, you read that right. Hang with me! This is great back-to-school fun! You see, the back-to-school issues of The Mailbox magazine are on their way to mailboxes, in-boxes, and dealer stores right now. And every reader of The Mailbox magazine, no matter what grade level, is in for a fun surprise! Guess what?…
Embracing Change
Change is good, right? I know it is, but here’s my confession—sometimes change scares the heck out of me. And yet I know I embrace change on a daily basis. I guess it’s the big changes that can throw me for a loop. To this day I vividly remember the afternoon my principal informed me…