Do you believe that asking students to write stories about any topic they choose can turn students on to writing? According to author Bruce Coville, that’s how he discovered his love of writing. For him it happened in sixth grade. By the time he was 17, he had decided he was going to be a…
You’ll agree that smiling is contagious, right? I mean, didn’t you smile when you saw this photo? I sure did. I discovered lots of smiling photos on a fellow teacher’s Pinterest board. She maintains a board of smiles: smiling kids, smiling adults, and even smiling animals. I love this idea and intend to create my…
I recently read an informative blog about mattress tags that made me chuckle. I probably should be embarrassed to admit this, but for years I never removed a tag from a mattress! I mean, seriously, did I think the mattress police would track me down if I tore off that floppy piece of irritation? According…
One benefit of a short February is that the First Friday Giveaway for March is here sooner rather than later! So what’s on the prize table for this month? Drumroll, please. The winner of this month’s giveaway will receive a very special cupcake. Unfortunately the cupcake isn’t edible—however, what’s inside this pretty little cupcake is…
I’d heard of mood rings and mood bands. In fact, I even owned a mood ring at some point in my life. However, I’d never had the pleasure of seeing a mood duster! Check this out. It’s the perfect classroom management tool. Simply display a duster in your classroom—any type will do. Use the duster…
It’s our first First-Friday Giveaway of the new year, and do I have a prize for you! Now, it’s not a snow day or an extra pair of hands. If I could figure out how to deliver either one of those, I’d definitely do it! However, this month’s prize is something that can only be…
Please join me in congratulating Linda C., the winner of this month’s First Friday Giveaway. Linda has won the ginormous scarecrow bag and all the goodies inside. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to drive a brand-new car (or a used car for that matter) inside the bag. However, I feel certain Linda will be pleased with…
Well, shiver me timbers and a yo, ho, ho! Today, September 19, is International Talk Like a Pirate Day. I’m going to let ye in on a teeny secret. Now this is not the secret—the crew at The Mailbox are hardworking swashbucklers. We are diligent…
Our local school system has implemented a new safety measure. All school employees have been given fobs and must now “fob in” when they arrive at school and “fob out” when they leave. The accompanying explanation? In the case of an emergency a record will be available of who is in each building and who is…
“If you’re not making a mistake, then you’re not doing anything.” “In every mistake there is a potential for growth.” And here’s another great one: “It’s not how we make mistakes, but how we correct them that defines us.” Mistakes are made. You’ll make a few, and so will your colleagues. Your students will definitely…