Three Teachers Talk

“I think the greatest gift that anybody can give anybody else. . .As a matter of fact, the only unique gift that anybody can give is his or her honest self.”  Mr. Rogers

Teachers give of themselves uniquely all the time. We know this. We live this.

We plan, teach, reflect, carry tote bags of papers home to grade at night and on the weekends. Okay, that doesn’t sound too unique. It sounds like every other English teacher we know.

But — you are unique, and we know you give of yourself uniquely to your unique students. Daily. And since this is a time of year we often get a chance to pause, give thanks, recharge, and give and receive gifts, it seems like a good time to share some of our 3TT favorite things — just in case you need some ideas on gifts for colleagues or ways to spend that stack of gift cards coming your way. (Sometimes it happens.) And just so you know, if you buy through our link, we will get a little something.

I asked Three Teachers’ Talk contributors questions about their favorites. (I already posted a gift list for favorite YA books.) Maybe some of these workshop necessities are already your favorite, too. Maybe they’ll serve as good gift suggestions.

What type of notebook do you purchase for yourself? Any particular size, shape, brand?

Rocketbook Everlast Reusable Notebook

Zequenz Classic 360 Softbound Journal

Mead Composition Notebooks

Paipur Notebook, softbound, 9.75″ x 7.25″

Moleskin Classic

Exceed Dotted Classic Notebook

Rocketbook Everlast Reusable Notebook

a regular spiral

What type of pen do you choose to write with most often?

• Papermate Flair pens original and more colors and more colors. (Top favorite!)
• Papermate InkJoy Gel Pens, black
• Paper Mate InkJoy, fun colors (Love the green!)
• Pilot Precise V7, black
• Pilot Precise V7, colors!

What classroom supplies can you not live without?

• Sticky notes.
• So many sticky notes.
• Of all sizes. Like this set.
• Even lined ones.
• And huge ones. (So great for anchor charts!)
• Glue sticks for adding papers to writers notebook
• Stands to display books
• Crayola markers in BOLD colors
• Ticonderoga pencils
• hand held metal pencil sharpener

Do you have any go-to games or activities you use with your readers/writers?

Bring Your Own Book. My juniors love this!

Taylor Mali’s Metaphor Dice

Story Cubes

The Autobiography Box

Quicktionary:  A Game of Lighting-fast Wordplay

Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty (I have this in lots of different colors. Great for fidgeters or serious thinking time.)

Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty assorted mini-tins