Introducing....The SLANT Box Exchange

Do you Birchbox, Ipsy, Julep, Umba, Love With Food, For The Makers, Kiwi Krate, Or BarkBox?

I do. 


Introducing.....
SLANT

Sending Love Across the Nation to Teachers


SLANT : Verb - Reach out and be rewarded!

Click Here To Sign Up

**** UPDATE**** International friends, there is plenty of interest to send abroad!  Please do not hesitate to join...We got no post code hate!!!

I really love getting mail; especially mail that does not involve me paying a bill.  I love the smell of ink on paper that someone spent time writing (really writing) a letter on.  Sometimes I can even get a whiff of that person who sent it to me.  

I also love presents.  So much so that I regularly get myself presents in the form of Birchbox, Ipsy and Julep (There are more that I am probably going to get, it's a sick habit.)  I used to do a fabric scrap swap and it was always so fun to see what the other person found for me every month.

I recently found a program similar to the monthly boxes but it is for women, you send a box to a woman, and she to you.  I is called the Cara Box.  You can find it at Wifessionals.  The button is to the left of this post.  You get to know her through her blog, or social media, or just email.  Then there is a theme, you pack a box up that that woman will love related to that theme and wait for for yours! \\\

Then I had an idea.  What an amazing idea for educators!  I GLOW every time I get any of the above boxes.  And while the women do a fantastic job choosing items I might like, I sometimes think that they just do not get it. I love jewelry, but I do not often wear it as it snags on my id badge, or kids rip it out.  I love coffee, but I do not have time to make a whole pot of coffee - nor can I afford to drink it for lack of bathroom time.  Non-educators do not know the glory that a fresh pack of post-its can have on a bad day, or the power of a Flair Marker.  

I have absolutely enjoyed meeting tons of new educators since the start of LessonsWithCoffee.  I started this blog as a global networking forum, a way to meet people that have the passion that I do for children and their future, it is quite literally a Professional Learning Committee.  I am floored by the creativity, energy, and commitment I see from you all on a daily basis.  I especially appreciate the kind emails and words of encouragement that we share with each other on a day-to-day basis, and appreciate the advice I have gotten from many of you - you encourage me to be a more reflective teacher not only in my classroom but in my personal life as well. 

So because I teach math:
1/3 Super fun things in the mail + 1/3 Meeting new educators + 1/3 Encouragement and Support = The SLANT BOX

We all know what SLANT means in the education world, but I have changed it to Sending Love Across the Nation to Teachers.

I'm starting a monthly box swap with the help from Mrs Price at Mrs Prices KinderGators and Miss Kelly at First Grade Fairytails. While this was my initial idea, I could not have done it had Mrs. Price and Miss Kelly have not agreed to help with the advertisement and organization and Miss Kelly created that super sweet little flyer up above!  We are very excited to roll out these boxes and all think that it is going to be so much fun! Each month there will be a different theme. Anything from a season, to a color, to a topic (like school lunch, or School Pride), to a book.

You must sign up by the 11:59 pm on the 3rd of the month (Central Standard Time.).  We will pair you with two other Educators; one you send to one sends to you, by the 5th of the month.  YOU MUST CONTACT BOTH OF YOUR MATCHES WITH IN 48 HOURS.  If you do not hear from one of your partners please let me know and I will make other arrangements.  You will email back and forth to get to know each other, totally creep read (and hopefully follow) their blogs and slightly stalk other social networks they may have. 

By the 25th of the month you will create a box, for the educator you were paired to send to, and ship it off, your other partner will return the favor. Who likes having a birthday?  I DO, I DO!  This is totally like having a birthday every month!  The best part is you can drop in and out whenever you want.  No yearly commitments.  You just make a one-month at a time decision.  Do you need some encouragement this month? Join us! Spent too much your Halloween costume? Come back next month!  You are re-paired each month with a new person so you can feel free to join, or skip whenever you please!  Listen we get it.  Conferences are coming up, you're a student teacher and have finals, your in your masters class and have to finish your theses.  No questions come back when you want!

BECAUSE EVEN THE BEST CLASS NEEDS THEM:
RULES
1) Packages must have a $10 value. This does not mean you NEED to spend 10$,  It just needs to value this. Use your judgment, but if you want to spend more, feel free!
2) Please do not stray from the theme of the month. Get creative! I know you have a Pinterest, get on it and use it!
3) Include a letter to say "hi!"  This letter could include support, encouragement or congratulations!  This is why you need to get to know your partners! Make an effort to know them through their blogs and social media.  THIS IS NOT OPTIONAL!  It is awesome-sauce getting gifts, but that letter will last forever!
4) Your box must include one item that is handmade, this could be the card you write rule 3 on.  It must also include 5+ items per box. Who wants a boring box? Again, we are educators; we are creative and inspired and can turn a toilet paper tube into something awesome.  Do it!
5) Your box may not include TPT gift certificates or access to any items from your store that count towards your 10$ value.  Not to be ugly on the topic but this is not an advertisement arena for your businesses...just a way to get to know other educators in a positive supportive way with out the guilt of having to purchase something.  That being said, you can create an item that you feel your partner might like- the time and effort putting it together for them would count towards your 10$ value. 
6) Once you received your box you will post (link up on blogs) or # on social media. 
Preferably the more the better.  We will use the # SLANTBOXES.
7) US residents you are totally in.  International friends, I will do my best.  I cannot make promises that there will be enough interest from your country.  (Therefore you might want to tell others!!!!!)  Just fill out the form like everyone else and I will try to get you matched up.
8) If you do not have a blog that is ok.  Hey I just got one.  But I do ask that you post on FaceBook or Instagram
9)  I tell my students all the time I am not their mothers.  Therefore, where I hope that no one flakes, and packages do not get lost in the mail, but I am not going to be responsible for "issues" after I send out the names of the senders/sendees. I highly recommend tracking your packages and sending your partner the tracking number. Along with package tracking I as cute as some of those bubble wraps are, get a "if it fits it ships" flat rate box.  You will thank me when your package only costs 5$ to ship rather than 15$ due to weight.  On that note, if you do not send a box, you will no longer be invited to participate, and if you feel as though your partner is being a flake please let me know ASAP!  I will try to work something out.  Bottom line, if I do not know about a flaker, I can not kick them out.  We tell our kids not to tattle, but I am saying tattle. 
10) Give yourself a hug and have some fun!

So that is the gist of the SLANT box.  If you are interested (and I hope you are) please click the link below or above to fill out a Google form and we will get your partners to you by the 5th of the month.

Past Themes:
A Few of My Favorite Things (August '13)

 
THE FIRST THEME WILL BE:
 “A few of my favorite things”
To start the school year off, get to know your partner, see if you have any similarities with them, ask them what they like, think about what you like.  Perhaps you find out that you both cannot start the day with out a cup of coffee – you might make them a coffee mug.  Perhaps you find out that you both think Justin Timberlake should have married you – you might find a JT poster.  ***(HINT HINT HINT)*** Be creative.  Think about what you LOVE and what someone else might LOVE, but most of all have fun!

Cheers!
Jameson 

Grab the button and spread the word! This is going to be awesome!
SLANT Box Exchange
<div align="center"><a href="http://lessonswithcoffee.blogspot.com/p/the-slant-box.html" title="Lessons With Coffee"><img src="http://i1277.photobucket.com/albums/y493/Jameson_Michelle/SlantBoxButton_zps9bdcd19f.png" alt="The SLANT Box Exchange" style="border:none;" /></a></div>



Comments

  1. I am so excited about this! Thank you for pulling it together.
    Jivey

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You know what is funny, You were the first to sign up after me...So on the form I am first then you. Just like it would be if we were in the same class! AWE!!

      Cheers,
      Jameson

      Delete
  2. WOW! What a great idea! I love it and am looking forward to participating!!
    Gina
    Beach Sand and Lesson Plans

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So glad you are excited! Can't wait for this to get going! This was one of the main reasons I wanted to start a blog!!!!

      Cheers

      Delete
  3. What a FABULOUS idea! Thanks for coordinating this - how fun! I will pass the word along :)

    ~Jessica
    Joy in the Journey

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much! I am obsessed with monthly subscription boxes. I got my bf one (birchbox men) and even my dog gets one (Bark Box)! I am so excited to have started this and to see the interest that has been expressed! Can not wait to see how many get signed up for just the first one!!!!

      Thanks again!
      Cheers,
      Jameson

      Delete
  4. I LOVE this idea! Thanks for putting this all together, Jameson! I love mail, too!! Can't wait to start shopping for my goodies!

    Molly
    Lucky to Be in First

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know right!!!!!! My favorite part of the holidays is buying gifts for others (of course I love to get them in return too!!!!)

      Thanks for signing up!

      Cheers,
      Jameson

      Delete
  5. I'm very excited about this, so much that I had to immediately blog about it after I signed up! Thanks for putting this together! Looking forward to the fun ahead! :)

    Hugs,
    Lynda
    Ms. Hamm's First Grade Funland

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hahahha awesome! Glad the SLANT box was an inspiration to you! And thanks for the publicity. We have 30 educators right now I would LOVE to see more!

      Cheers,
      Jameson

      Delete
  6. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha! I love her! WE are both Jivey's and is probably the reason I can't use Jivey sometimes for user names... :) I am super excited too and super excited that you joined! Love your blog!

      cheers,
      Jameson

      Delete

  7. Sounds like fun! Thanks for setting this up!
    Michele

    Coffee Cups and Lesson Plans

    ReplyDelete
  8. Just to be clear -- I am just a regular teacher, with no shop or blog. Can I do this? I really want to sign up, but want to make sure I can! Thanks,
    Darilyn

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I signed up because I know I can share on Facebook and Instragram! :) I've shared with a couple friends. This will grow exponentially, because we all love LOVE! Thank you for setting such a morale booster up for us!

      Delete
    2. Yes! You absolutely can join!!!!! And I am glad that you did!
      Cheers,
      Jameson

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  9. Such an awesome idea! Thank you for setting this up! :)
    Lindsay
    http://rodriguezteachon.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. As soon as I saw this on Facebook, I HAD to sign up! I am so excited to get paired up and "meet" new teachers. This is perfect because I love, love, love giving! Thank you for sharing and creating this amazing idea! I will be blogging about it soon!

    Elizabeth
    Seconds at the Beach

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  11. Love this idea!!! Will sign up when I get home and blog about it this week!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. This is going to be so much fun! Kudos to you for setting this up!! Cant wait!

    ReplyDelete
  13. EEEKKK! This is a FABULOUS idea! I am so excited to participate. Thank you for setting this up and giving us all the chance to join in on the fun.

    ReplyDelete
  14. This is an amazing idea! I can't wait!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I signed up and excited to get to know who I will be stocking, I mean following.


    -PFons-

    ReplyDelete
  16. This is awesome!! I am so excited to participate! Thank you so much for organizing this!
    ~Holly
    Fourth Grade Flipper

    ReplyDelete
  17. This is a fabulous idea. I can't wait to participate.

    Kim
    Quinnessential Lessons

    ReplyDelete
  18. awesome idea!!!

    So glad to be a part!

    Elizabeth
    Hodges Herald

    ReplyDelete
  19. This sounds like so much fun! Thanks for setting it up. I can't wait to start learning about another teacher and sending some goodies.

    Dawnn
    Funds of Knowledge

    ReplyDelete
  20. Jameson,

    This is such a great idea! I just started blogging myself (June), and this is a great way to connect to and meet other educators! Thanks!
    Caitlin

    ReplyDelete
  21. Oh my goodness! I LOVE this idea!! I am so excited to participate :)

    Rae
    Mindful Rambles

    ReplyDelete
  22. Thank you for this opportunity, and I HAVE to confess . . I have birchbox for myself and my husband. I take all the fun gadgets for me and give him the rest ;0)!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Fabulous fabulous fabulous! Thanks for organizing this!
    -Jen
    Tropical Teacher

    ReplyDelete
  24. This is AWESOME! I am from New Zealand. I've signed up, and I really hope some other international teachers do too!! I would love to get to know some more of you a bit better!!
    Erin
    The E-Z Class

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  25. This looks like so much fun! I am excited to get to participate! We could have lots of fun with different themes!

    Rosie
    Rosie's Rambles

    ReplyDelete
  26. Yay! This is a fabulous idea!

    I signed up, but hit 'submit' before reviewing everything. If I missed something please, please, please contact me!

    Can't wait to meet my new SLANT friend!

    Wendy Arentz
    Read With Me ABC

    ReplyDelete
  27. This sounds like so much fun! Looking forward to participating in it. Teaching with Giggles

    ReplyDelete
  28. This is such a cool idea! I just signed up and can't wait to start making a box to send! I'm your newest follower too. :o)

    œKaryn
    A is for Apple B is for Blog
    Kideducator@comcast.net

    ReplyDelete
  29. I'm loving this idea. I just signed up. Thank you for hosting this.

    Stephanie
    PolkaDotPalace

    ReplyDelete
  30. This is such a great idea!! I can't wait to put my box together! :)

    Jo Anne
    Teaching in Cardigans
    Follow me on Bloglovin!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Awesome idea!
    I can't wait this is going to be so much fun!!!!

    Heather
    The Busy Busy Hive

    ReplyDelete
  32. This is such a fabulous idea!!! Thank you for thinking of this and organizing it!!

    Kelly
    Koonce’s Korner

    ReplyDelete
  33. This is such a great idea! Thanks so much for organizing everything. It'll be fun!

    Marcy
    Saddle Up For 2nd Grade

    ReplyDelete
  34. I just signed up! This is so exciting. I really appreciate you taking the time to organize this!
    Mechele
    Barrow's Hodgepodge

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  35. Sounds like so much fun! Can I make a teeny, tiny suggestion? Some of us found out from other exchanges that even though you are using a "flat rate" box, it costs more sending it from coast to coast. If possible, could we get paired with someone in our general area? Not like same state or anything, but maybe a bordering state or at least within a time zone or two?

    Diane
    Fifth in the Middle

    ReplyDelete
  36. This sounds like a fabulous idea. Unfortunately, I don't use Facebook or Instagram and I don't have a blog. I do like to e-mail though...Can I still participate?

    ReplyDelete
  37. Just found out about your fabulous idea from Teaching Maddeness. We are so in!! Can't wait to start thinking about my package!!

    Stacy
    The Rungs of Reading

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  38. I love this idea! I don't have a blog(first year teacher here), but I did share it on Facebook. I can't wait to begin!

    ReplyDelete
  39. This is a fantastic idea! I'm a day late but I cannot wait to join next month!

    Adelle
    primaryjungle.blogspot.com

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  40. Are homeschool moms welcome to join?

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  41. I can't wait to do this. What a wonderful idea for us to network and meet new people. Thank you!
    Fantastical Fun in First Grade

    ReplyDelete

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