I Got a Liebster!

Well, this is a special post. Pixie Anne from Growing Little Learners nominated me for a Liebster Award.

This particular award is given to bloggers who have less than 200 followers and want to share their great content with more readers. I so appreciate this little perk because I myself have found some great bloggers by trailing the Liebster Award recipients. So THANKS Pixie Anne!

Click to see who else Pixie Anne nominated!

To accept the nomination I must:
1. Link back to the blog that nominated me
2. Nominate 5-11 blogs with fewer than 200 followers
3. Answer the questions posted for you by your nominator
4. Write 5-11 random facts about myself
5. Create 5-11 questions for your nominees
6. Contact your nominees and let them know you nominated them

Here come my answers to Pixie Anne's questions:

1.  Why and how long ago did you start blogging? 

I started last February. My primary motivation was sharing. I've been very involved in PD in my district, and in promoting sharing among teachers throughout my whole career. And I like to write. This seemed like just one more way to do that.

2.  What one word sums up the heart of your blog and why?

Ah-Ha! Is that a word? I hope when teachers read my posts they think, Now, that's a good idea, a new idea, or I could do that this way. Teachers are better teachers when they learn new ways of teaching and doing things.

3.  Is there something you learned late in your blogging journey that you wish you knew before?

Everything I know now– LOL. It really is a matter of you don't now what you don't know, and you can't know it until you need it. I guess I wish I had known someone already blogging so I could have some conversations. Everything I've needed to know, I've had to search out, and sometimes search hard. I SO appreciate those bloggers who comment, email, and answer questions. I want to do the same for others.

4.  What is your favorite past time other than blogging?

I love teaching, and it was the right career choice for me, but I've never doubted there are other things I can do. I like to make stuff, and fix up stuff, and write, and go to movies and read, and spend time with friends and families. My husband and I have often joke that we'd like to have a "gift toy antique boutique that specializes in custom interiors and catering."

5.  How many hours per week do you dedicate to your blog? 

Some weeks it is lots, and some weeks next to none. There are always things I could be doing and I keep a running list of ideas.

6.  What category of blog posts do you enjoy the most?

Sharing tips, ideas, learning strategies. Also, sharing a chuckle, especially when it comes from the kids. That is why I started Funny Kid Fridays-- weekly in the summer and monthly during school. Look for one this coming Friday. It's a linky, so you can add yours too. The stuff kids say and do and think is a joy of the profession.

7.  Where does your blog inspiration come from?

Most of my ideas come from time spent in the classroom and with kids. And I am inspired by things I want to try myself. Also, just always thinking about how to use things in the classroom as I go through daily life.

8.  Which blog post that you've written are you most proud of?

Hmmm, well, whether it's MY favorite or not, funny thing is that one single post has had more than ten times the views of others. I have no idea why. It is a review of the book Interrupting Chicken. It does have a great video read aloud of the book on it, but I don't get why it would have so many views. I actually say in the post that I wrote it in record time, too. Is that reason to speed-write in the future :) As to MY favorites– I love my Funny Kid Friday posts because I like to laugh and people have shared some funny stories. And several people have asked me about how I incorporate movement into my classroom (a big thing with me) and I love referring them to these posts- click to see.

Motor Kids Center

Standing Center Options

9.  Is there any post you've been planning to do, but have postponed for a while now?

Remember that running list of ideas I mentioned above? Well, it is lonnnggg.  I have a classroom display idea that is working well for my kids which I hope to share soon... and lots of others...

10.  What is your favorite aspect of blogging?

Oh, this one is easy– it's "meeting" people. I love knowing the teachers who are out there and how they think, learn, and do things both the same and different from myself. And I especially like finding teacher bloggers from around the world! Again, lots of same and different issues and ideas, even though sometimes from the other side of the globe.

11.  Which recipe, project, or idea on my blog would you be most likely to try yourself? 
I have most appreciated knowing about The Literacy Shed animations Pixie Anne posts about. They can hold teaching points for all sorts of things. The Happy Duckling with its pop-up format is fantastic. 

Here are some random things about me.  Can you relate?
1. I don't know how to swim! My brothers learned in one week while staying with family with a pool, but it never caught on with me. I made swimming a priority with my own kids though!
2. I am of Irish decent. My Irish Nana and Grumps (Gramps) were full of stories that they passed on, and I pass on today. I have a fondness for the fae- fairies, leprechauns, and the like- because of those Irish roots. When I went to Ireland as a child I spent most of my time looking for the fairy folk.
3. I like to cook and bake when I have the time, but on a regular daily basis, not so much.
4. Some of my favorite music is Paul McCartney, Fleetwood Mac, Elton John, ELO, Michael Buble.
5. If I ever win a lot of money, I'm getting a housekeeper so I can just do the fun stuff around the house!

And HERE are the bloggers I nominate for the Liebster Award.  Check them out by clicking on their buttons! Each one offers their own voice and ideas to the blogosphere in great ways!  

Racheal

Amanda

Alex

Kacie

Kristin

Lily

Paula

Natalie

Kristin and Lindsey

And, Ladies, here are my questions to you:

1. What one word sums up  the heart of your blog?

2. What is your favorite post, or your favorite category of post?

3. What one blog tip would you pass on to other bloggers?

4. What one thing would you most like to learn?

5. What's your favorite holiday and why?

6. How do you spend your summers?

7. If you could live some place else, in some other time, where would it be?

8. And I GOTTA ask this :) What idea on my blog is most useful to you?

I look forward to hearing from the Nominees and from readers alike on the new people they find through the Liebster.

The post I Got a Liebster! first appeared on kidpeopleclassroom.com