Blog Awards

I HEART YOUR BLOG Award (10/8/11)

Whoa, Batman, another award! I can hardly believe it. It seemed like just yesterday that I was checking my traffic stats and the only people coming to my site were a dear friend (and fellow blogger) and my mom! I can’t believe that virtual strangers are now blogging friends and that Jennifer from Rowdy in First Grade would think enough of my after school activities blog to honor it with this award (Thanks, Jennifer!! I HEART YOUR BLOG, too!).

Here's the story behind this award:

I Heart Your Blog Award: A dear friend of mine taught me a profound lesson several years ago when she shared her personal mantra, "There is only love." Since then, I have realized that by adopting this mantra in my own life, I have changed my whole approach to everything I experience. That being said, as a total newbie to the teacher's blogging world, I discovered this gold mine of amazingly creative and talented teachers out here in cyber space. There are so many of you spreading the teaching LOVE around the globe by sharing your ideas and experiences. I just had to create a blog award to celebrate those of you who touched my heart and inspired me, increasing my LOVE of teaching. 

1. Give the "I Heart Your Blog" Award to your favorite Top 10 blogs that have touched your heart and inspired your teaching by listing them on your blog.
2. Contact that person and let them know of their heartfelt award.
3. When you receive the award, copy and paste the graphic on your blog and give a shout out to the person who nominated you.
4. Spread the LOVE by passing the "I Heart Your Blog" Award on to your Top 10.

Since I just shared 15 of my new faves by passing the Versatile Blogger award torch, I’m going to focus this list exclusively on teacher’s blogs that I have a soft spot for.

[Drum roll please.] And the I HEART YOUR BLOG awards go to …

3^rd Grade Gridiron

Debbie’s Dabblings

Eberhart’s Explorers

Frogs, Bees, and Under the Seas

Miss Kindergarten

Step into 2^nd Grade with Mrs. Lemons

Sunny Days in Second Grade

Swamp Frog First Graders

The First Grade Parade

What the Teacher Wants

All of these teachers do the very thing I hope my son’s school teachers do for him – mix the right amount of information with a touch of structure and loads of creativity. Simply put, they make learning in the classroom fun. I had some teachers like these when I was a school girl and as a daughter of two teachers, I am thrilled to see these educators sharing their ideas with others and spreading their love for the profession (it’s infectious!). Their attitudes and passion speak volumes about the type of person you have to be in order to teach and do it so well.

I tip my hat to these blogging teachers, and all the others whom I adore, for inspiring children and instilling in them an excitement for learning!




The Versatile Blogger Award (10/6/11)

This past week two amazing bloggers awarded me with the Versatile Blogger Award! I am SO flattered. It’s amazing that so many people are following me on my journey to raise kids that love learning. The blogging community has been extremely supportive and my followers have made writing and sharing these posts very rewarding.

Thank you to Cindy at Love2Learn2day and Rebecca from The Teacher’s Chatterbox for passing on this award to me!

To accept the Versatile Blogger Award, I need to:
1. Link back to the bloggers who awarded it to me. (Check. I did that above.)
2. Share 7 things about myself.
3. Nominate 15 other blogs.

Without further adieu, here’s me in 7 (okay, it’s really 9) sentences:

• I toyed with the idea of being a high school English teacher in college but settled on double-majoring in English and Art History.
• I am a freelance journalist and part-time copywriter. I LOVE to write and the part of writing that most people loathe (research and composing the outline), I truly relish.
• If I had the whole world’s supply of men to choose from, I’d still pick my husband to marry (11 years and counting!).
• My two favorite yoga poses are tree and pigeon. [Namaste]
• Coffee and candy are my weaknesses. (They’re great alone but together, it’s euphoria.)
• I like to raid the recyclables whenever possible to use them in activities with my son. I’d be lost without empty cereal boxes, not to mention sticker paper and Microsoft Publisher.

And the blogs I’m passing this award along to follow (in no particular order):

Life in the Unknown

Sarah is full of amazing ideas that are both simple and smart. She’s a mom of two boys (sound familiar?) and teacher who shares my love of books. What a kindred spirit!

Science Sparks

I like science but am pretty clueless about how to bring practical science into my son’s life. This blogger has it all figured out. Who knew making meringue could be a science lesson?!?!? I do now, thanks to Science Sparks!

Lory’s Page 

Lory Evans creates the most amazing printables (I’m talkin’ cute to the extreme) and frequently shares them FREE on her blog. She’s one of the most generous bloggers I follow.

Art is Basic

I don’t know what I’m in awe of more – Marcia’s creative art lessons or her students’ work. Stop by to get your art on, blog followers!

Boredom Busting Mommy

The name says it all. I doubt this gal’s kids have ever uttered the proverbial “I’m so bored!” I just recently discovered Mandi’s blog and am so glad I did!

2 Love Learning 

Shoregirl is on a mission to instill a love of learning in her 3^rd grade daughter. Her lessons have lots of layers and she’s ever-so-kind to share book recommendations and links to the resources she’s using. I love (and appreciate) that.

Fun in First Grade 

Jodi’s lessons are so enjoyable and engaging that even I want to be back in first grade. Aspects of her classroom activities can easily be adapted for homeschoolers and after school supplemental learning. If you haven’t visited, stop by for some serious fun!

Little Wonders’ Days 

I love the art and cooking Kelly does with her kids. Her children’s crafts are practical, beautiful in their simplicity, and inspire both imagination and learning. Oh yeah, and who could forget about her Afterschool Linky?!? (That’s TOTALLY my kinda thing.)

Pencils Proverbs Pandemonium & Pins 

Dianne’s literature-inspired activities are educational and fun. The printables she shares for FREE are outstanding too; her generosity astounds me.

Our Creative Day 

Liberty is doing some amazing things with her first-grade daughter Holly and toddler son Hudson. Lucky for us, she’s sharing them on her blog! I just found her site and look forward to following their homeschooling journey.

I Heart Crafty Things 

I don’t have any idea how Rachel comes up with the amazing craftiness she posts about, but I’m so glad her cup runnith over with inspiration. If you haven’t visited (ever or lately), what are you waiting for? Her site is chock full of fun ways to use traditional and non-traditional materials to create with your kids.

The Learning Hypothesis 

Kim is a teacher who’s on a mission: to make science more approachable at home and in the classroom. Don’t you just love that?!? I do! If you’re not following, you’re missing out.

Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas 

When I think of homeschooling parents that go above and beyond, Bernadette comes to mind. The activities she does with her girls are multi-faceted and fun, too! I always look forward to her posts.

The Educators’ Spin on it 

If you haven’t stopped here, you should! The tagline for this blog is “parenting with purpose” – that’s something we all aspire to. Multiple educators contribute to this blog and the ideas range from crafts and science to bilingual lessons, cooking, and advice.

Teach Beside Me 

Karyn has a wealth of great ideas to engage kids in learning – tackling many subjects I’ve found intimidating, like history and other cultures (her recent posts include projects to teach about Egypt and Ancient Egyptian culture as well as cave paintings and fossils). Her math lessons are pretty awesome too!

This list barely scratches the surface of the blogs I love and bloggers I respect (for more, visit the Like-Minded Bloggers list in the right-hand column). I tried to pick some sites you might not be aware of, those that deserve far more followers than they have, or are new to me. Enjoy!