Monster Awards

This school year is coming to an end and I am so sad that I will not be ending the year with the festivities, farewells and sweet hugs that I have always been accustomed to.  My little ones did an amazing job with their distance learning and a huge shout out to all the parents that became home school teachers on top of the million and one things they already do.  THANK YOU!!!!

I wanted to start by sharing a fantastic read aloud that helps young children understand exactly what a pandemic is.   My own son was struggling with missing school, family members, and friends, so I pulled out this sweet little book that a coworker recommended.  It was a perfect way to help him understand that other children feel exactly the same way he does.  It is a great story to share with any young child struggling to understand why things have changed.

 

It is hard to believe that this is my last full week with my Firsties.  We will not be able to hold our usual Awards Assemblies, or even send report cards as we would normally do, so I wanted to have a little something virtual for them.  In the past, I would send Monster Awards along with their report cards.   This year, I will send a virtual Monster Award to each of my students.  If you previously purchased these certificates, please re-download them HERE for the updated version.  The resource now contains full size certificates and they are editable.  

 

 

Sunshine Blogger Award

Kayla from Texas Teaching Fanatic just brought some sunshine into my day by nominating me for the Sunshine Blogger Award. 

I am supposed to start by listing 11 random facts about myself.
Here we go...

1. I once lived in Montana. So BEAUTIFUL!
2. This year, I tried creating clip art and I actually enjoy it! I find it relaxing, strange as that is. 
3. I was born in Germany! Yep, I'm an Army brat. 
4. I LOVE books.  My hubby should probably ban me from  Amazon and EBay. I definitely keep the UPS driver in business!  These are just my books at home!!!
   
5. I LOVE skiing! Texas is great, but I do miss the snow!
6. I have a huge respect for Speech Therapists.  My son was diagnosed with severe Apraxia last year.  We spend  several days a week at speech therapy.  I have also tried to learn everything I can about Apraxia, so I can continue therapy for my sweetie pie at home.
7. I love watching the Voice.  We actually have a gal from Corpus Christi on it this year.  Whoo-hoo, she got 4 judges to turn.
8. I have NO sense of direction.  Honestly, none at all!
9. I blog really late at night, so if you see any misspellings or something doesn't make sense, you know why.  I'm probably half asleep, or perhaps I'm sleepwalking!
10. I sleepwalk- Creepy, I know!
11. I am obsessed with monsters! My classroom is a wonderful mayhem of monsters.   I got these cuties for Christmas from my teaching buddy.  She made them by hand.  I am totally in love with them.  The one holding the heart is my fave!
    
    
    
    
    
    
     I got these as a gift from a wonderful parent.  They were made by hand and are super adorable!
    This little guy is a tissue box holder.
    
    
    
    

 Okay, next step is to answer the questions from the blogger that nominated you. 

So, here it goes with Kayla's questions...

1. Where are you from?

I grew up in the military, so home was wherever we happened to be stationed.  My children call TEXAS home!

2. What is your favorite animal?

 Cute Monsters- Does that count?

3.  What is your favorite thing about teaching?

The ability to touch so many little lives.

4. What is your favorite children's book?

Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell- It has a great message and how can you not love this adorable picture?

 5. Why do you blog?

I love to share ideas with other teachers. 

6. Who do you look up to?

Absolutely my parents!  They are my heroes.

7.  When did you become a teacher?

2004- Yikes, now I feel old!

    8. Would you rather have a side soup or side salad?

I guess that depends on the soup.  But, most of the time I go with soup.

9. If you could click your heels together and be anywhere, where would it be?

I'm right where I want to be! There really is no place like HOME!

10.  What is your favorite quote?

I tend to be a worrier by nature.  This quote helps keep me grounded.

"Worrying does not take away tomorrow's troubles, it takes away today's peace." 

 By Randy Armstrong  

11.  If you could read minds, whose mind would you love to read?

For sure, my little Greysen.  He is 4 and still learning to talk because of Apraxia.  I would love to be able to ease his communication struggles by reading his little mind. 

 

 Now, I'm supposed to nominate 11 bloggers who bring sunshine to the world and give them 11 questions to answer.  I'm going to be a bit of a rule breaker bender.  I have 3 bloggers I'd love to honor.  Kayla gave me such great questions, I'd love to pass those same questions on to my nominees.

Mrs. Heeren's Happenings

Tonya's Treats for Teachers

Granny Goes to School

Please check out their blogs and definitely check out Kayla's Blog below:

Liebster Award

Thanks bunches to Melissa at More Time 2 Teach for honoring me with the Liebster Award.  I'm super excited about it, and can't wait to pass it on to some fabulous blogs!

Here are the rules:
1. Copy and paste this award on your blog.
2. Thank the giver and link back to them.

3. Reveal 5 other bloggers and let them know by commenting on their blog.

Here it goes...

1. Jessica at Mrs. Heeren's Happenings.

2. Amanda at Teaching Maddeness.

3. Linda at Around the Campfire

4. Darleen at Third Grade Love

5. Heather at Teach it Today!

Congratulations!!!

Versatile Blogger Award

Thanks so much to Jessica at Heeren's Happenings and Lara at Organized Teaching Addict for awarding me the Versatile Blogger Award.  Please check out their fantastic blogs!

Here are the rules for this award:

1.  Thank the blogger who nominated you.
2.  Include a link to their site.

3.  Include the award image in your post.

4.  Give 7 random facts about yourself

5.  Nominate 15 other bloggers for the award.

6.  When nominating, include a link to their site.

7.  Let other bloggers know they've been nominated.

Let's see, 7 random facts...hmmm

1.  My favorite t.v. show is Game of Thrones.  The third season is so far away, I can hardly wait!  How do they expect us to wait so long for the next season?  I can barely remember what I saw a week ago, much less a whole year!

2.   I love chocolate, but only dark chocolate.  It's like Coke and Pepsi- no comparison! (Coke is better)

3.  My husband is a firefighter and he's the best! Love ya James!

4.  I love Texas, but one day I'd like to live in Tennessee.  No rhyme or reason...just because :)

5.  I sleepwalk- scary I know!!!  A dr. once told me that only children sleepwalk. Really...try telling my husband that!

6.  I won't eat anything that lives in the sea.  Weird I know, but true!

7.  I'm terrified of birds!  For  a long time my classroom was in a portable, and I swear some of those pigeons had it out for me.

I'd like to pass this award on to these 12 fantastic blogs. Sorry- kinda broke the rules and nominated 12 instead of 15.

1. Dixie at Teachin' Little Texans

2. Misty at 3rd Grade's a Hoot

3. Katrina at A Love for Teaching

4. Sarah at The Eager Teacher

5. Krista at The Second Grade Superkids

6. Jenny at Luckeyfrog's Lilypad

7. Stevi & Tamara at 2 Crazy Texas Teachers

8. Nicole at Mrs. Rios Teaches Second Grade

9. Katie and Lisen at Second Grade Smartypants

10. Ann at The Caffeinated Classroom

11. Jackie at Third Grade's a Charm

12. Jill at Tales from Second

Award

Thanks so much to Brandi from Success in Second Grade and Dixie from Teachin' Little Texans for the "One Lovely Blog Award".  I was super excited to get the award not only once, but twice! I really look forward to passing it on to some super great blogs.

Once you receive the award you have to pass it on to others! Here are the 3 rules to follow:
1. Follow the person that gave you the award.
2. Link back to the person that gave you the award.
3. Pass the award on to 15 new bloggers.


I'd like to pass the award to these great blogs!

The Bubble Gum Tree

Mrs. Heeren's Happenings

 

Mrs. McDaniel's Second Grade Super Stars