What would YOU do with an Altoid tin?

After reading about several things one can accomplish with an Altoids tin, minimal crafting supplies, and some imagination, I decided to put out the APB for some of these little metal boxes. Using my trusty status update from a popular networking site, I plead for any of my 341 friends who partake of the Curiously Strong Mints to save their tins for me. A friend's mother responded with an offer to give me her son's collection from a period of his life where he was obsessed with Altoids. This was around 11 months ago.

Fast forward to last week. Yes, that was the time required for this transaction to take place. Don't judge. I went to my friend's house where the tins were being stored. I followed her to the garage. I was handed a box.

This is what I got!

Here's a side view.

But wait, there's more!

Total: 176 regular tins, 3 giant tins, and one tiny tin.

My first plan is to make name puzzles for each of my students. I'll glue their pictures along with their names on the lids, then place the individual letters of the name inside the tin. The trouble is, I'll have to wait until school starts to get their names and pictures, so I can't make them now. You can get an idea of what I'm planning here at at Jessica Meacham's Classroom Snapshots. While you're there, look around at all her names and alphabet activities- they're amazing!