A New Look and {LINKY} Reminder 

Hi!  So I have thought a lot about the look of my blog over the last couple of months and have finally decided on a new design that says a little more about me and who I am.  Although I love teaching and this is mostly a teaching blog, I wanted to show more of my character. This new layout is from LeeLou Blogs and reminds me a lot about summer time. I love that the colors are more subtle and cool. They remind me of the beach which is my ultimate destination of choice. 

I have a new blog button too, I just have to refresh my memory on how to add it to my blog so be watching for it to pop up in the next day or so.

Stay tuned....I'm going in next Wednesday to set up my ALL N-E-W classroom!  I can't wait!  I will be sure to post some pictures of the progress although we don't have to be back for another 2 weeks. 

I have created a Linky for teachers to share their lunch ideas since we don't have long to eat and can't order out or leave the campus for lunch.  Click on the picture to link up!

Happy weekend to all!!

Liebster Award--Thank You!!

A huge thank you to 2 fellow bloggers who nominated me for this award. I am so honored!

                                          

There are a few rules for this before I can pass it on, though.

1. Link back to the blog that nominated me.
2. Answer the questions posted for me by my nominator.
3. Share 11 random facts about myself.
4. Create 11 questions for my nominees.
5. Nominate 5-11 blogs with fewer than 200 followers.
6. Contact my nominees to let them know that I nominated them.

11 questions from Carrie:

1. Why did you decide to start blogging? I started blogging because I was so inspired by all of the fellow teacher bloggers. They always had great things to share and I wanted to be a part of it. 
   
2. Have you always wanted to be a teacher? Yes!!
3. What is your favorite non-teaching website? TARGET!  I love everything Target!
4. Do you have pets, children, or both?  How many? I have 1 daughter (2.5 years old) and a boxer (1year old).
5. What goals do you have for summer? I just plan to relax and enjoy my family since the school year is so hectic. I also have a plan to work out/get fit and start making it a part of my lifestyle again.
6. What was the year, make, and model of your first car? 2001 silver, beetle
7. Have you always taught the grade that you teach now? No.  I have taught K, 1 and 2.
8. What do you like to do when you aren't teaching/grading/lesson planning? I like to cook and spend time with my family. 
9. Out of all of the places that you might have lived, which is your favorite? I have only lived here and I LOVE but my ultimate dream place is the beach (Nags Head)
10. What is your must-have accessory for your work outfits? Earrings and a watch
11. What has been your least favorite vacation destination?  Why? I have only vacationed at the beach and I've loved it every time!

11 questions from Jen:

1. What is your favorite grade to teach? I love teaching kindergarten!

2. If you could be anything other than a teacher, what would you be? I'd be a waitress at Stack Em' High pancake house in Nags Head.  Leave at 2:00 and spend the afternoon on the beach. Couldn't ask for better!

3. What is your favorite food? It is a split between Mexican and pizza. 

4. How do you spend your free time? I spend my time relaxing with my family and enjoying life. 

5. What do you like best about your classroom? I like that it is big and open with lots of space.

6. What do you like least about your classroom? I am changing schools this year!!  So my least favorite is that I am not yet in my new room.

7. What are you currently reading? Teach Like A Pirate, How to Win Friends and Influence People and Fundations

8. If money and time was no object, where would you spend your summer vacation?  Any beach but I love Nags Head.  If money and time were not an object, I'd spend the whole summer there!!

9. What is your favorite pet? Dog - boxer

10. What is your favorite TV show? The Good Wife

11. What is your must have beauty product? I'd have to say my shampoo and straightener (I have naturally curly Jair). 

11 questions for my nominees:

1. If you could be any actor or actress, who would it be and why?

2. What kind of books do you enjoy reading?

3. Do you have any kids or pets?  What are their ages? 

4. What is your favorite teacher store?

5. What is your favorite clothing store to shop for work wardrobes? Why?

6. If you could be on a reality show, what would you choose and why?

7. What do you do on the weekends?

8. How many years have you been teaching?

9. What is your favorite subject to teach and why?

10. What is your preferred teacher duty assignment?

11. If you were on a desert island, what would you want to have with you?

My nominees are......drumroll please......(their pictures are hyperlinked)

             

A Day at the Beach with Fourth Grade

Thanks for such an honor!  I'm excited to see what these ladies have to offer!  Enjoy!

HORRAY! I have 10 Followers!!!!!!!



 

Thanks to Sonya Dehart Design for the digital paper and to The 3AM Teacher for the fun boarder.

 Ok, ok, ok...for you advanced bloggers this is no big deal.  However, my first post was on April 16, 2013.  So I have only blogged for 1.5 months.  I am so thankful to those teacher friends who have chosen to follow me.  If you haven't checked out my TpT store, do so now and pick a product that you would like.  (click my button below to get to my store) I'll email it to you.  Please leave a comment with your product request and your email address so I can send you the file. 

For those of you who are not following me, my store is on sale for 20% off in celebration of 10 followers.  Consider following my blog and I'll have another celebration at 20 followers!!



Question....I need your help!!!

Since I'm new to this whole blogging thing, I have tried to figure out all the cool things I have seen on my favorite blogger's pages.  One of the biggest things I've enjoyed most about blogging is commenting on other people's posts.  I usually just leave my blog sight address but would love to know how to hyperlink it in my comment. 

Do you know how to do this?  Please help!!!!!!!

Next Year Linky...

I am linking up with Finding JOY in 6th Grade!  Click the picture below to see her linky post and all the others who have linked up.

Here are a few things I'm going to do next year....

This year I begun to create or alter products that I have found based on my students needs and abilities.  It has been the most eye openning experience for me to see such a value in my student's ability to practice more challenging skills.  (Click the image to see my TpT store)

I have re-created my classroom with such a wonderful resource of teacher bloggers!  The past 2 years, I have spent time reading and following my favorite bloggers.  Now, I'm trying to encourage my teacher friends to follow me in this journey.  Just in a few months of blogging, I have earned 5-10 free products through posting comments and  free giveaways.

When I decided last Fall to begin selling my creations on TpT, my goal was to eventually blog about them.  My experience with blogging has helped me to reflect on my teaching as well as share ideas with other teacher bloggers out there! If you like what you're reading....follow me!!

What do you like most about blogging? Do you have any other suggestions for me in my new adventure?  Do you like buying products from others or creating your own geared toward your students' needs?

Budding Blog Linky - I'm a new blogger!!!

Today I'm linking up with I Heart Recess for her Budding Blog linky.  I'm a new blogger so please check out my blog and consider following me!

1. Why did you start blogging?

I started blogging because I was inspired by a lot of teacher-bloggers 2 summers ago when I was beginning to use Debbie Diller's Math Work Stations.  Deedee Wills at Miss Kindergarten was my biggest inspiration since she hosted this Blog Party all about Ms. Diller's book.  If you haven't seen it, you must check it out!

2. What is your favorite subject to teach and why?

I LOVE teaching Math!  It is a huge passion of mine.  This summer I am going to spend some time at professional development to revise/create some math assessments geared toward the VA SOLs.

3. Describe your teaching style.

technology driven

passionate about my students

hands on learning

student lead classroom

4. Give three interesting facts about you.

- I was born in Heidleburg, Germany.

- I want to live at the beach some day.

- I could eat mexican food for breakfast, lunch and dinner!  I LOVE it!!!!

5. Do you have a TpT store? If yes, post the link :)

I have a TpT store!  Click my button to visit and consider folllowing me!  I have a lot of Math Work Station Games and just posted a free money assessment.  Go check it out.

Tried-It Tuesday Linky

I am linking up today with Fourth Grade Flipper for her Tried-It Tuesday Linky. 

  Today, I would like to just share the fact that I am a new blogger!!  I have been selling some products I made on TpT since October after following the many teacher-bloggers out there.  I got my main inspiration from Deedee Wills.  I have loved the idea of blogging and am just trying to find the time to be able to fit it into my schedule.  Please consider following my blog (to the right on my blog) and my TpT store (click the button below).     

I'd love to hear from you in my comments about your journey to becoming a teacher-blogger.    Where and when do you do your blogging?  Do you have to give up time with your family/friends?  Do you blog at school at home?