Liebster!!!

Happy Sunday!  I've had a busy weekend, that has been much needed to catch up on things around the house.  With that being said, I'm not totally ready for 1. Monday and 2. A new student tomorrow.  I'm trying not to stress, as I know all will end well.  So with that being said, I need to catch up on some important blogging!

I was nominated for a Liebster! :)

At first I was caught off guard and not totally sure what I did to get this nomination, but have since been able to do a lot of reading from other fellow Liebster award winners! I know that it's been a few weeks since this happened, but I'm ready to finally be able to sit down and give it the time that it deserves!!!  I have seen that people put a lot of work and time into this award, and I really wanted to be able to do just that as well.  A huge thank you to Kelli from Tales of a Teacher for nominating me for this award! I have enjoyed following you and now also finding some new blogs that are new to my following list! Enjoy my journey... click on any picture to head to the great blogs that I'm going to be talking about!

Here are the rules to go along with the journey:
1. Link back to the blog that nominated me
2. Nominate 5-11 blogs with fewer than 200 followers (this part is at the end)
3. Answer the questions posted for me by my nominator
4. Share 11 random facts about myself
5. Contact my nominees and let them know that I nominated them





Here are Kelli's Questions for me: 

1. What made you start a blog?
I have been blogging for several years personally and felt like I just never hit my stride with what I wanted to accomplish...like I was still looking for something more.  When a co-worker shared her blog with us at school I felt like I could really benefit from starting one on my own as well.  One thing that I love to do is share ideas and network...I just don't feel like I always get that opportunity especially with how busy the days get.  So then the blog was born!  I love every part of it!

2. What strategies do you use to keep your students engaged in their learning?
I use so many strategies, that picking one is just hard. I think the biggest thing that I do is always keep things changing.  I tend to structure my classroom the same each year, but change things up a lot for the current group of students.  Having these changes requires students to always be ready for what is next right along with me. 


3. Hot Chocolate, Coffee, Pop (soda), or other as your drink of choice?
A coca-cola from a glass bottle or from McDonalds trumps all beverages!!!!!

4. What piece of advice would you give parents?
One of my favorite quotes is.... 'I don't believe everything your child comes to school and tells me about you or home, so I certainly hope that you also don't believe 100% of what your child tells you about something that happened at school."  I think communication is so important between parents and teachers, and it sometimes gets hard when a student is trying to manipulate one or both sides of the conversation. 

5. What is your favorite subject to teach and why?
I love teaching language arts! I loves setting up work stations and centers and watching kids explore on their own, as well as working with small groups.  I feel like I really get to know who they are then!

6. First thing you do when you wake up on a school day?
Sadly, I check my email..... I know I shouldn't but I always feel like if there are any surprises waiting for me I want to know right away!

7. First thing you think when you wake up on a school day?
I wonder what will happen today that will put a smile on my face or make me laugh. (Kids have a great reputation of making each day interesting, that is for sure!!!)

8. What advice would you give to a first year teacher? (or second year teacher...hello.. me!!)
There will always be something that needs to be done.  Set a goal for the day and when that's accomplished do something for you, your family or someone else that doesn't have to deal with school.  You need to be able to have a healthy balance. 

9. Which task/teaching responsibility do you dread to do the most and why? (example: taking attendance, passing out papers, making copies, etc.) 
I am not a fan of recess duty.  Maybe it's because some days when I have lunch duty I barely have time to eat or go to the bathroom, or maybe it's because the cold and snow have been dreadful this winter... I'm not sure why. I'm not not a fan!

10. Have you had any weather related school closings this year? How many?
I'm in Wisconsin.  That should be all you need to know.  We're at 5 days off so far.  The polar vortex hit hard.  Not as hard as other places, but still hard enough.  We're currently making up 3.5 of those days.  Hopefully with March here, that means no more cold weather! :)

11. What is the best part about being a teacher?
I go to work everyday and it's always different.  Sure I teach the same subjects and have been in the same grade for several years, but between the kids, co-workers, parents, admins----the day is always a new and exciting thing! You NEVER know what is going to happen!


Here are my 11 random facts:

1. I am an 8-9 hour a night sleeper. I can't function without my sleep and must get a full night in.. or things get rough!  (I'm slightly worried to have a newborn in 7ish weeks!)
2. My husband and I have been married for 4 years and we have the most spoiled rotten puppy-kid named Ellie!  We treat her like a human, and love her to the moon and back. 
3. I've lived in SE Wisconsin since I've been 5 years old.  I grew up in Twin Lakes, and then moved to Lake Geneva after getting married.  
4. I will do just about anything for a coke and french fries from McDonalds!
5. My first job was at a grocery store.  I was a cashier.  I loved it!
6. During college I worked as a teacher's aide. I ended up student teaching in the very classroom that I worked in for 3.5 years. 
7. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the people I work with at school.  They are amazing at what they do and we have the best work environment ever. I feel so grateful each day!
8. I have the same name as my grandmother:  Ana Delia.  In fact my mom had me named and the birth certificate signed before my dad was back in the room from calling family.
9. I love crafty things. Scrap-booking, card-making, and anything DIY is right up my alley.  If Pinterest had been around when I was planning my wedding, I would still be planning it!
10. I'm addicted to shopping at Target. 
11. If I wasn't a teacher, I would have probably gone into advertising.  I don't know why...but I LOVE commercials.  I'm probably the only one in the world who doesn't fast forward them when watching something on the DVR.

Now here are 5 blogs that I have found that I enjoy reading and I feel deserve some applause!

Ms. Wu at Diary of a Second grade teacher always shares great ideas and pictures to go along with them. Her kiddos are doing amazing things! I especially love the variety of things that she does with students to engage them in learning!

I found Jennifer at Cupcakes & Curriculum after she found me.... I have enjoyed reading her blog and know you will too. This upbeat blog is full of classroom management and organization ideas, as well as some great technology suggestions!  Be sure to check out the QR code post!

Jayme from Trendy in Third has caught my attention with her technology posts, most specifically with using ipads.  Check out her blog for freebies, great ideas, and plenty of resources that I know you will use! I also love her suggestion of read alouds, I'm always looking for books to share with my students!

Ms. Ritter is a multgrade teacher who is always sharing the latest and greatest from her classroom.  I love how she has a great mix of personal and professional blog posts.  She's super crafty and I love seeing her ideas!  Be sure to check out her Wardrobe Wednesday linky where she shares cute outfit ideas for school.

  

Cassie over at Create-abilities, has really given me a lot of great common-core activities and ideas. I especially love the graphic organizers to go along with reading activities that she shares along with various sites and strategies to go along with common core ideas!

Here are my questions for the nominees: 

1. What has been your most memorable 'aha' moment from teaching?
2. How do you balance the long hours and demanding of teaching with your personal life?
3. What do you love about the grade level you teach or a specific grade level you have taught in the past?
4. What is your favorite guilty pleasure?
5. What read aloud do you HAVE to do each year with your class no matter what?
6. What is your favorite holiday to celebrate with your kiddos and why?
7. What advice for new teachers do you have?
8. What is the silliest gift you've ever gotten from a student?
9. What's your favorite field trip and why?
10. What is something that you want all parents of your students to know?
11. What is the best part of your job?

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Kelli for the nomination! I am so excited to continue to blog and make connections with teachers all over!  

Have a great week!