As I write this blog post, it is Dictionary Day (October 16). Now, as a writer, I love both words and dictionaries, as well as the magical ways in which words can be sequenced to convey meaning, tone, and point of view. I could have just said syntax, but that word doesn’t pack the weight…
books
I Bought Myself an e-Reader
At the beginning of the summer, I bought myself an eReader. It’s a popular one from an online retail powerhouse. And it’s okay. My reasons for buying it were simple: portability and an end to space- and paper-consuming physical books. This device was going to revolutionize my reading habits (which had suffered the last few…
40 Years of Change
As you’re no doubt aware, The Mailbox is celebrating 40 years of helping teachers by delivering creative ideas and activities that engage students and help meet Common Core standards. In the early days, we were known for our creative teacher workshops. Today, it’s our books, magazines, mobile apps, and digital and online resources. We’ve come…
The Unexamined Colors of Summer
Goldenrod, salmon, lilac, buff, aqua. By any other name, they’re still just the colors of fast and frequent handouts coming at the end of the year. Whether it’s for summer camps, sports leagues, or other activities, your students’ backpacks are probably stuffed to bursting this time of year. On the opposite side of the coin,…
March Into Literacy, Part 3 — Gone to the Dogs
I was talking with my wife about this series of blog posts when she suggested I mention my own favorite novels that work well for students in the upper grades. Not quite official book reviews so much as a few suggestions and a way for you to get to know me better. You know, what…
March Into Literacy Month, Part 2
We’re a reading family. We have more bookcases than any other single item of furniture, yet there’s always a stack of books teetering on some nightstand or chair arm somewhere in our house. My four-year-old has his favorite books and will sit down to “read” them to himself even though he’s not fully reading yet….