As I gear up for my second year, I have reassessed the kinds of things that would be useful to get in the mail.
I don't want anyone to feel under obligation to send me things, but I had a number of people sending me packages, and so if anyone is so inclined, these are some things to keep in mind:
1) I currently have more stickers than I know what to do with (but I will come up with ways of dolling them out) but should you find some really awesomely cool stickers, feel free to send them my way.
2) Individually sealed candies can be a great way to fill in the nooks and crannies in a package. Try to think of candies that don't melt so easily and that ants will have a harder time getting into.
3)Music is great. Pop-music aimed at kids or on one of those kidz bop CDs are good mood setters and motivators. I now have portable speakers to help liven the classroom.
4) I have taken up a good deal of cooking, so spices and flavors that will keep on a shelf and might be hard for me to find are great. You can ask me what in particular my kitchen is lacking once I've been there a few weeks. (I didn't cook so much last year, so I really don't know what i will be missing.) Also, instant oatmeal.
5) Art and Science project supplies. All summer, especially in any craft store/section my mouth would water at the idea of buying supplies, but it simply wasn't practical to pack. Look for bargains, or easy projects. Little craft-things can go a long way. If you have an art or science project in mind PLEASE share it with me. I was never meant the be an art teacher. I have just under 20 students, so don't over do it on fancy things, keep in simple, but I don't have access to/money for many crafts.
6) Books aimed at third-fourth graders. Pictures are good. Stories are good. Non-fiction is good. You can even go younger if you want. I had a great library last year in my room, but the school seems to be lacking in classroom books for upper-elementary. Any books you send will be left to help future generations of students. All books should be in English (unless they are children's books for me) and ESL specific is also excellent.
7) Books aimed at me are also great. I love reading in my spare time and last year I read all the books in the teacher's room. That means I will not have that resource this year. William Goldman, Orson Scott Card, Paulo Coelho, or anyone else you might think I'd like. I recommend people bargain hunt before sending me books, though because books are heavy and chances are I won't be bringing them back with me.
8) Decorated pencils (I have half boys and half girls.)
9) Magnets, velcro, googly eyes, those new shape bracelets the kids are raving about
10) Last but not least, Holiday or season appropriate decorations. For this one in particular, I would like to remind you that it takes roughly 3 weeks for a package to get to me. I do not have glass windows, but I can tape things to my door. Halloween is not really smiled upon.
I love getting mail, not just packages, so for about 98 cents you can send me a letter! I will write back!
I could really use art ideas and science experiment/demonstration ideas. So, if you recall a favorite project from when you were in school, even if you don't send the supplies, tell me about it! I have a few multi-class ideas like making jewelry for Mother's Day, tye-dye clothes, and making t-shirt pillows. If you want to send supplies for any of those, please talk to me first so that I can 1)make sure I don't get a double-up on it and 2) we can talk about the kind of supplies that are cheaper for me to get here and what I would need from the States.
All in all, I just like to keep in touch, so even if you don't send any form of snail mail, e-mail me and tell me about life. :)
Sarah Barr
Mayatan Bilingual School
Copan Ruinas, Copan, Honduras
Take care y'all!
No comments:
Post a Comment