I'm just loving all the practical stuff that comes up on the list. With all the talk about colored pencils I couldn't help but chime in and tell you of my new love: Prang 6mm (core)colored pencils.
They might not be so new to some of you, but when I first came across them (at the last conference) you'd have thought I'd found the holy grail. Because of their size, I've found that they're "borrowed" (aka - stolen) less often, the colors are juicy (smoooooth layout), and my (usually jaded) 8th graders really like them.
What a geeky art-teacher. I hope there are others of you that are so easily excited..lol.