A Sweet Award

A few days ago I read a comment on my blog from Barbara at Grade ONEderful that said she had a surprise for me on her blog.  I hurried over to see, and it was the Favorite Follower Award!

Wow!  I was deeply touched.  What a wonderful surprise! Barbara's blog is always inspiring and filled with easy, practical and worthwhile ideas, and they are free.

This award is a nice way to reciprocate to those who read and comment on one's blog. Wish I could pass it on to all of my followers because I greatly appreciate every single one! However there are three blogging friends whose support and cheery comments have really helped me, and guess what, Barbara is one of those!  So, here's looking back at you, Grade ONEderful!

Grade ONEderful

Kimberley at First in Maine is another favorite follower.  She's a new first grade teacher with interesting insights into the job. I value her comments and viewpoints.

Jill at Mrs. T's First Grade Class is also a super follower.  Her blog is just jam packed with the best ideas, many of them hands on activities, and there are links to free downloads.  I love reading her ideas.

 

Thank you everyone for taking the time to stop in to visit.  I appreciate you all.

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Hot chocolate adjectives lesson

Caitlin over at Kindergarten Smiles shared a really cute way to review adjectives.  Since it was exactly what we were working on, I couldn't resist trying out this fast, quick and fun review.  Check out the post on my classroom blog here.  I have pictures and the steps of the lesson in that post.  If you are looking for the template which is a free download, go here.

Thank you Caitlin!  This review lesson is a keeper!

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Currently, January

It's time to link up to Farley's Currently January.  There are already 119 blogs participating!  Yikes, I'm a bit late, but better late than never. So here we go.

My OLW (one little word) is tweak, because that's what I'm trying to do with everything in my life these days, just tweak little areas until they're just right.

I love reading everyone else's Currently.  119, phew, I do need more time!  Head over to Farley's Oh Boy Fourth Grade to get in on the fun!

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A Treasure Trove!

I'm so glad I've been vegging today, taking the time to just hang out at home.  Vegging mode for me means surfing the net, checking out blogs and other sites.  And today, I found a real treasure!

It's Mrs. T's First Grade Class.  I happened on her math page and it is chock full of fantastic hands on  activities that dovetail so nicely with the Everyday Math Program that my district uses.  If you have some time, head over there because her blog is a treasure trove of ideas.

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My Go-To Book, A Linky Party

Stephanie at Teaching in Room 6, is hosting a My Go-To Book Linky Party.  I can't resist this one!

Stephanie asked that we name our one Go-To book, the one resource we just can't live without, the one book that is above all others.  Well, for me that has to be Fred Jones' Tools for Teaching.

In 2001 I attended a 3 day Fred Jones seminar and it changed my outlook on classroom management.  Fred Jones observed "natural" teachers in their classrooms to determine what made their teaching style seem so effortless.  He looked closely at verbal and non-verbal communication between students and teacher.  His book is filled with common sense approaches to classroom management, and it's written with a touch of humor.

I have to add a second book.  7 Keys to Comprehension by Susan Zimmermann and Chryse Hutchins is a must have for me.

This book is written for both parents and teachers.  It includes crafting lessons for teachers and tips for parents.  I find myself frequently referring to this book before I teach each comprehension strategy.  It's definitely one of my all time favorites!

What is your favorite Go-To book?  Link up, or head to Teaching in Room 6 to read more.

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The Best Endings

Erika, from The Honey Bunch just started a new blog dedicated to books.  I'm thrilled to be one of the contributors!  You can read my first post here.  Here's Erika's introductory post. She explains the purpose of the new blog far better than I can. 

While there, be sure to check out the other posts.  If you're looking for ideas for your latest read, you might find something of interest.  What a great way to start the new year!

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New Year's Resolutions, Linky Party

A friend of mine described this vacation time as "defrosting."  I'd say that's pretty accurate for me.  After the hectic Christmas rush, with working up to and including the 23rd, then driving 190 miles to be with family for Christmas, followed by the return drive, well, I was beat.  So on Tuesday, my first really free day, I was defrosting.  In other words, doing nothing.  Yeah!

As I defrosted, I thought of my New Year's Resolutions and then found A Teacher's Treasure's Linky Party.  It's time to jump into the fun!

New Year's Resolutions

Personal

• To become a Weight Watchers Lifetime member.  I have about 10 more pounds to go, having already let go of 40.
• To clean out another of my flower gardens this spring
• To continue touring the night sky while the leaves are down and I can see it from my home in the woods

Professional

• To differentiate more, always something that is both necessary and beneficial, but not that easy to achieve
• To finish reading What Really Matters in Spelling by Patricia Cunningham.  I'm a big Cunningham fan.  This book is filled with research based instructional strategies that I can easily incorporate in my classroom.
• To continue blogging, a great professional development activity!

What are your New Year's Resolutions?  Link up at A Teacher's Treasure and join in the fun!

Happy 2012!

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