It's okay to sit! But I'm also Jumping for Joy!

Hey folks!  I am in that mode where if I sit too long around the house guilt starts to weigh me down....  My head says.... "No Kelly, get up, get outside, check off that to do list!" and the other hand it's saying; "So tired, take a nap, relax...."

What to do!!  Well, I have been teaching summer reading support to Kindergartens going into first grade Monday - Friday 8:00-12:00, I usually come home eat lunch and then do errands, work out, etc.  But summer is treating me really well.   I need to get my butt in gear (or not) and get blogging more!

Then along come Erin from It's "OWL" good in Kindergarten.  She is great, a fellow Wisconsin blogger, and has some sweet stuff!  She left a comment on my blog saying she was nomination me, yes me, who me? yeah?  WHAT? for the Liebster award!

Here are the rules that go along with the Liebster Award:

- Link back to the blog that nominated you.

- Nominate 5 to 11 blogs that have less than 200 followers.

- Answer the questions posted to you from your nominator.

- Share 11 random facts about yourself.

- Create 11 questions for your nominees.

- Contact your nominees via a comment or an email.

Here we go!  These are the questions that Erin had for me:

1.  What made you decide to become a teacher?

      I started working at a camp when I was 15.  I loved helping, teaching and working with children.  It didn't feel like "work" at all!!!
2.  What is your favorite subject/skill to teach?

       I love to teach readers workshop and integrate technology!

3.  If you could take a trip anywhere, where would you go?

       Australia and New Zealand
4.  What is one school supply that you must have?

         Skinny dry erase markers
5.  What song(s) get you through the day?

          Love listening to Kings of Leon in my own time.... 
6.  How would you describe a perfect teaching day?

        No kids absent, no missing folders, no kiddos are sick, we are all on task during daily 5/whole group time and math centers.  And I would see the lightbulb go off!  Everyone leaving with a smile on their face too!! :)
7.  If you could teach any grade, what would it be and why?

           I love Kindergarten and First Grade.  Both are wonderful ages!
8.  What is your favorite book?  (children's or adult)

           This is a tricky one!  Hmm... I love reading to the kiddos, especially books like; Pete the Cat, Eric Carle books, and Rainbow Fish.
9.  What is the one thing you wish you could change in education?

         Funding.
10.  How long have you been teaching?

          I will be starting my 5th year!  It has flew by!  Feels like yesterday I just started!
11.  What made you decide to start a blog?

         I started with pinterest and posted pictures, and then people kept asking me how I made this or that, I thought I should blog to share easily!  

Kinder Loves

Sarah @  Clearly Kindergarten 

Mrs. Gloudeman's  @ Behind the Scenes

Miss Mindy @ kindergarten kidlets

and...

Rachel @ Pencils and Chalk

What made you start want to blog?

Tell about your family...

What is your middle name?

What's the first thing you do when you walk into your classroom?

What grades have you taught?

Do you have any pets?

What is the funniest thing a student has said to you?

What is one teacher's tool you cannot live without?

How did you know you wanted to be a teacher?

Favorite children's book is...

Favorite music is...

opps - i forgot my 11 random facts!
1. i am the youngest of three
2. i have two older brothers
3. i used to teach snowboarding lessons
4. i was a lifeguard at a camp when I met my husband
5. i wish i could live on a lake
6.  i have a yellow lab
7. i lived in england for a year
8. i have traveled to Africa
9. my brother is very talented!
10.  I am 5'10"
11.  i wish i could travel to Australia and new Zealand   

P.S. anyone else wishing they were in Vegas for the I teach K!?  My news feed on Facebook and Blogger are blowing up.  I am jealous!!

Five For Friday!

It has been too long, so I am linking up with Doodle Bugs Five for Friday!!

I started teaching summer school on Monday.  It was hard getting right back into teaching, but the kiddos that are there need my support!  Push on!!  (next week is only 3 days, phew!!)

Summerfest is upon us that live here in Wisconsin... I love music!! Can't wait to catch a few bands like Empire of the Sun, and MGMT next week!  Wahoo!!

I spent 4 days in Nashville for a wedding.  We had such a great time being tourist.  I would highly recommend a visit there!

My end of the year gifts turned out fab!  I was thinking of just doing the crazy cup/straw with kool-aid and a note....

but then I went for a slideshow too! The kiddos and parents absolutely loved it.  I would do this every year now.  It brings tears to my eyes!

Lastly - please follow me using bloglovin!  It's the newest fad!!!

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Thanks for stopping by!!

iPad App Visual!

Just wanted to stop by and give you a quick tip on iPad app management.    I always had the problem of find all of these great apps, and then having to add them to the home screen or a folder, so then kids knew what to use, but still at the mercy of them opening, closing, opening, closing...repeat...repeat.... so enter iiiinnnnn..... iPad choice board!

It's amazing!  I just print a screen shot of the app, add it to the right section (we do Word Work, Read to Self and Math)  Velcro and then waalaaahh!  or wuhlah?  hmm.  either way, it works pretty smoothly even for Kindergarten!  :)

Maniac Monday!

Hello?  Anyone there?  Yes I am!  This month has been crazy busy.  From testing PALS, MAPS, & Running Records, and now onto report cards I am so ready to check out - and I am sure my kiddos are too!  They are doing a great job!

We also had our end of the year kindergarten program, and my Mom's surprise 60th which all went great!!

So I have my reasons right?!!

Here is a new way to show off your cool QR codes:  so neat!

How funky is that?

There are so many apps out there, but what does what?  Here is a nice flow chart to break it down.... Even I found this super useful!!

That's it for now - off to make dinner!  Tonight it is Beef and Snow Peas:  here is the recipe!  Have a great Monday folks!