Newbie Bloggers Blog Hop

I'm trying my first Blog Hop.  It is sponsored by


Here it goes. 

1. what state you are in
2. your current teaching position

3. your teaching experience

4. when you started blogging

5. share a blogging tip / blogging resource

1.  I live in Virginia. 
2.  I teach Kindergarten.
3.  I homeschooled my own kiddos for 11 years.  I have taught K, and 6-8 grade English in private schools.  I also worked as a library youth services reference assistant/ programmer for a total of 5 years.   I now teach Kindergarten at a public school where I am beginning my 5th year and I work part-time as a library youth services reference assistant. 
4.  I started this blog in April when I won a blog make-over.  I have previously hosted a blog that my older students used to review books.  I am learning as I go and making lots of mistakes. 
5.  My blogging tip is to use the save and draft button until your post is completely ready.  I keep finding typos after I post.
 

The Liebster Award

This award is named for the German word "Liebster," which translates to "beloved" or "favorite", and it is given to "new, up and coming bloggers."   Thank you Nicole from Lanier's Lions for giving me this award.  My very first award.

The rules:
1. Link back to the person who gave it to you.
2. Post the award to your blog.
3. Give the award to at least 5 bloggers with less than 200 followers.
4. Leave a comment on the 5 blogs to let them know that they have been offered this award. 

...Now the hunt is on. 
1.  

2.  

3.  The Madness that is Kindergarten




Okay, I found three.  As soon as I would find a fourth, someone else would post it.  I'll look for more later.  Check out these three blogs.  They are fantastic and I am proud to be the one to nominate them. 


 

Nature Walk

I just read the most inspiring post from Rubber Boots and Elf Shoes .  She uses nature in her classroom in the most amazing ways.  Her post reminded me of a nature scavenger hunt I send home every year.  The purpose is to have students and parents experience nature together.  The kiddos love this homework project and usually can't wait to share where they found their items.  We take the items and sort them into baskets.  We then sort them by size.  We plant the seeds to see what might grow.  We investigate all the items with magnifying glasses.  After all of this exploration the items all find their way into our science center. 
I wish I had pictures, but it is summer.  I did think I could share the scavenger hunt though.  The clip art is a mixture from Microsoft and DJ Inkers.   I hope this can inspire you in some small way. 
Don't forget, to show me some love and leave a comment.  I'm new at this, so advice is more than welcome.   
Nature Scavenger Hunt

Storytime Props

While I worked as a youth services programmer, I did lots and lots of storytimes.  I loved it.  I liked to mix up the media a bit and I used felt boards and music.  I thought I would share a few of my favorite felt board resources with you. 
I love April's Daycare.  She has the cutest feltboard sets.  They are durable and fabulous.  She includes the storyboard too...so no flipping through the book as you are telling the story.  Now that I teach Kindergarten I put these sets in my flannelboard/ retelling literacy center.  It is a very popular center in my classroom. 
  April's Daycare

Kidzclub has lots of storytime props to offer.  I love their printable storytime patterns.  You can print in color or black and white.  I print one set in color and I laminate them.  I put the smallest amount of velcro on the back to make them stick to the felt/ flannel.  You could also put a tiny magnet and they would stick to your white board and easel.  I print a black and white set for each of my kinder kiddos.  They color them and cut them out.  They put them inside a little plastic baggie and practice retelling the story to a friend.  Once they have practiced for a while, I have them take them home and retell the story to their family.  This is a perfect activity for my ESL students and a great phonologic awareness activity for all of my kiddos.  They have props for lots of my favorite storytime books.   I can't figure out how to post a sample...but trust me and click on the link.  These are wonderful. 

Kidzclub

Must Have Picture Books

I'm trying a linky.   My very first. 

Okay, here it goes...my first linky.  I've been tempted to try this before, but chickened out.  I hope this works.  I couldn't resist this linky.  I LOVE picture books.  I work part time as a children's reference assistant at a public library in addition to teaching Kindergarten.  I used to work as a youth services programmer at the public library.  I know my picture books.  There are too many that I can't live without, so I thought I would share some that make good read-alouds for beach themed interactive storytimes.  You can click on the book titles to check out the book in Amazon.  I copied the summaries from our local library website. 

1.  I love The Pout Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen.
The pout-pout fish believes he only knows how to frown, even though many of his friends suggest ways to change his expression, until one day a fish comes along that shows him otherwise.


2.  Way Down Deep in the Deep Blue Sea  by Jan Peck is another summer favorite. 

A child explores the treasures of the deep blue sea from the safety of a bathtub.

Jan Peck has written others in this series including Way Up High in the Tall Green Tree. 




3.  I'm the Biggest Thing in the Ocean  by Kevin Sherry is so very fun. 

A giant squid brags about being bigger than everything else in the ocean--almost.

There is a sequel  I'm The Best Artist in the Ocean. 

4.  I'm a Shark  by Bob Shea is a newer fun ocean book. 

A boastful shark is not afraid of anything, which impresses his underwater friends until they ask about spiders.

5.  A House for Hermit Crab  by Eric Carle is an older, but wonderful book. 

Poor Hermit Crab! He's outgrown his snug little shell, so he finds himself a larger one -- and many new friends to decorate and protect his new house. But what will happen when he outgrows this shell, and has to say good-bye to all the sea creatures who have made Hermit Crab's house a home? Children facing change in their own lives will relate to Hermit Crab's story -- and learn a lot about the fascinating world of marine life along the way.

Show More

Show Less

I have used all of these in a storytime and in my classroom and I checked to make sure they are still available.    My first linky. 

Earth Day

I had an awesome day with the family today.  We went to the Rappahannock Earth Day Fair.  I came away with lots of new ideas for the classroom.  The most exciting one was the newspaper seed pots.  I found a blog that has fantastic directions. 

Newspaper Pots (Link to Directions)

I also connected with a composting worm man.  He is going to set our classroom up with composting worms.  How cool is that?  I've had worms before, but I drowned them.  He has assured me that this won't happen under his guidance.  The kiddos are going to love watching our trash become compost. 

I also found out that last year's "frog eggs" were actually salamander eggs.  I spoke to some ladies who showed me the two different kinds of eggs.  No wonder my "frog eggs" didn't work out last year.  I think we had salamader eggs. 

Frog Eggs

Salamander Eggs

And we found a place to get rain barrels and composting tubs.  All in all a fabulous family day. 

Blog Updates

Look, I have a widget, a few comments, buttons to Pinterest and TPT.  I've made a whole .58 on TPT. 
I have favorite blogs, books and links.  It has been a successful Spring break.  I still have a lot to learn, and I am having tons of fun.