Liebster Award!!

I received another sweet award today!! Thank you so much to Jenna Bailey at Mrs. Bailey's Kindergarten for nominating me for the Liebster Award. So kind of you to think of me and I am so excited to have been given this award!! I can't wait to share this award with my top 5 favorites! :)

What does Liebster Blog mean? The origin of this award is obscure, but it's probably German as the phrase "Liebster Blog" translates into "most favorite blog". The award is given to blogs that have less than 200 followers and deserve more recognition and encouragement.There are some guidelines that have to be followed while giving or receiving the Award.

The rules for receiving the award:

1. Thank the giver and link back to the blogger who gave it to you.
2. Reveal your top five picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.
3. Copy and paste the award on your blog.

Hope that the people you’ve sent the award to forward it to their five favorite bloggers and keep it going!

So to the top 5 blogs that I LOVE... I choose::

Loving and Learning in Pre-K
Criss Cross Applesauce in First Grade
Wheet Chic
Kindergarten is a Hoot
Ms. Smit

Thank you again, Jenna!!!

Last days in 6th grade...

So although it has been 2 weeks ago now, I never got to post about my last day at the Elementary school this semester. I had the most amazing group of 6th graders, EVER! However, before the semester began I was terrified of having 6th grade, since I had never been placed higher than 2nd grade! Much to my surprise, I fell in love with the kids and the content of 6th grade! Lately, I've been thinking to myself, how in the world am I going to go from 6th grade to 3rd grade in a month?! Nonetheless, I am beyond exciting to begin my student teaching Jan. 3rd!
Anywho, on my last day, I gave my teacher a wreath made out of crayons! This would mark my FIRST Pinterest craft ! Heres how I made mine:

Two embroidery hoops (I used a 10" and 14")

Box of 64 Crayola Crayons

Hot Glue & hot glue gun

Ribbon of your choice (I used red checkers)

Owls (Wal-mart craft section: these were made out of wood!) This is the teacher's room theme and she LOVES owls... I was so excited when I found them!!!

After an hour of carefully placing the crayons, I finally finished the wreath and here it is::

I am so very proud of how it turned out and she loved it as well!

I wish I had taken a picture of what I got the kids, but it somehow slipped my mind. I put a cookie into a little baggie and tied it with ribbon and a pencil. I left a note on each one that said, "Thank you for helping me Sharpen my Saw. Love, Ms. Shell." Sharpen the saw is one of the 7 habits of highly effective teens/happy kids that the school takes part in (it is called the Leader in Me). It means preserving and enhancing the greatest asset you have ....you. Click
Here to learn more about the 7 Habits!!

I love these books and it really is such a great way to teach kids to do the right thing!

Now, not only did I get the kiddos and teacher something, they in return got me a little gift. Something that meant more to me than they'll ever know...hand written cards!! Each student wrote their own card with a sweet note and drew pictures. Although I couldn't just pick one, this particular card made me cry my eyes out! How sweet is this note from a 6th grader! Touched my heart. ::

SO SWEET!!!

The teacher also got a little package together for when I travel to Germany, here's what the note read:

Isn't that the cutest idea!? I love it so much and will use everything when I'm in Germany!!! I am SOOO going to miss that school and group of people! They have been so wonderful to me!

Now that this is the last week of classes, hopefully I can blog more and ON TIME! I have so much I want to share but have had trouble finding the time to do so!!! Did I mention its the last week of class?!?! I'm officially done until Student Teaching ! WHOO HOO :)

Till' next time :)

Oh, Sunshine Day!

So, my email popped up earlier today with the sweetest, little notification. Ms. Julia, from Loving and Learning in Pre-K  has nominated, ME :) For the "Sunshine Award" !! Thank you so much, sister! Too sweet of you to think of me! I absolutely love your Blog, *everyone* check it out!! :)

1. Favorite Color?  Pink or Teal 

2.  Favorite Animal?  I love dogs! But recently my friend and mentor teacher has gotten me hooked on Owls. They're just too cute!!! 

3. Favorite Number? 3 or 7. Who knows why! Not me!

4. Favorite Drink? Oh goodness, probably a regular Coke. Yum! But for early mornings I love me a White Choc. Mocha from Starbucks. Delish! 

5. Facebook or Twitter? Facebook! 

6. Your Passion? I have many, many passions... but to name a few... family, faith, teaching/kiddos, friends! (Not to mention my new found passion for blogging!)

7. Giving or Getting Presents? I love, love giving gifts way more than getting. Especially my most recent gift I gave to a teacher friend! But, who doesn't love a nice gift from someone?! :)

8. Favorite day? Thursdays or Sundays. Thursdays because I don't have class on Fridays, it's like the start of the weekend, for now! And Sundays because they are my catch up days, lazy days, movie days, and sometimes after a week of procrastination.... loads of homework days!

9. Favorite flowers? I'm not a huge flower person... but I do have a new found love for Calla Lilies! 

So to those blogs I love, love, love and inspire me I nominate:::

Loving and Learning in Pre-K

Crisscross Applesauce in First Grade

Ms. Preppy

Innovated Connections

Pre K and Sharing

Here We Go Loopty Loo

Mrs. Bailey's Kindergarten

Wheet Chic

Confessions of a Homeschooler

Mrs. Bainbridge's Class

Till' Next Time :)

Gobble, Gobble, Gobble, Gobble

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, this could quite possibly be the first time I've actually sat down & thought about what I am thankful for! Sad, right? Although I recognize what I'm thankful for and feel blessed each day, I never take a "time out" of everyday shenanigans, just to let people know just how much they mean to me! I decided to make an Acronym for "Thanksgiving".

 I absolutely LOVE doing these with the kiddos. Just a few weeks back my 6th graders made one up for dividing fractions! IT IS possible to make an Acronym for EVERYTHING. Not to mention truly helps those little brains remember important stuff and make their own real life connections! :) 

T - I'm thankful for Teachers. I have been blessed with the most amazing teachers that have taught me to follow my dreams and to never give up! Without these special teachers, I'm just not so sure I'd be where I am today! :) I can only hope to impact children, the way those special teachers did for me!

H - I'm thankful for my Health and my family's. Life sure can throw a few curve balls, but I'm thankful to be a healthy woman with a healthy family! 

A- I'm thankful for Answered Prayers: There are so many times in life when I need the big man upstairs, and I’m here to tell you there’s nothing you can’t get through! With a little prayer and faith, you will find answers! :) Keep your head held high and don’t look back. The path is ahead of you!

N - I'm thankful for Nephews. I am so blessed to have the two most precious little rascals, Asher and Haden. They are so sweet and I have enjoyed watching them grow. (Can't wait to live in the same town again!) KISSES Asher and Haden!

K - I'm thankful for Kids. Whether it be my students, my precious nephews, my Godson, or a kid I pass walking in the mall, kids are so special! They certainly hold a very special place in my heart! I am just so thankful that kids, bring out the KID in all of us! 

S- I'm thankful for Sisters. I have the two most amazing sisters in the whole wide world! Whitney and Maggie have always been there for me, supporting every decision, and encouraging every dream I've ever had! Of course my brother, too! Love you, Brad! And to those "sisters" out there who may not actually be family, I'm very thankful for you too!!!  

G- I'm thankful for my everlasting father and eternal loving king, GOD! How good is he!?! I'm thankful he has a plan for me and I am just along for the ride :) What a blessing to have strong faith!

I- I'm thankful for Individuality. I have had such a variety of people in and out of my life and each person has made an imprint on my heart. I am so thankful that we are all different, after all, how boring would it be if we were the same!

V- I'm thankful for Voices. Without voices and music, I think I would go crazy! I love hearing people express their opinions, share stories, and "have a voice".... and I absolutely love music, singing, and lyrics. There is just something so wonderful about expressing yourself through songs! :)

I- I'm thankful for Inspiration. I have been inspired by SO many people and I feel that because of these people I have become a better person. I’m inspired by not only people, but quotes, songs, lesson plans!, and so much more! Inspiration brings meaning to life! (Chicago, anyone?! lol.)

N- I'm thankful for NONE-other: My Parents. (Did I just cheat?! We’ll count it!) My parents…where to even begin! I’m thankful for their love for me and for one another. They have shown me exactly what true love is through each other. They have taught me everything I need to know to succeed in life and have supported me through it all! I don’t know where I would be without those two! I Love you more than you’ll ever know Mom and Daddy!

G- I’m thankful for Girfriends. There is nothing better after a stressful day, the greatest day, or just a plain BlAh- day, than calling up your closest friends! I have been blessed with the most amazing girls that have supported me and been there for me through it all! Not to mention, all those special memories! Love you all!

I’m sure I left out many things… but that’s because there is so much I’m thankful for, that this blog would go on for days! To all those people who have made my life special (you know who you are!), THANK you! To all those who have made me grow, become a better person, and taught me right from wrong… THANK you! 

What are you thankful for?! 

Don’t forget to tell those special to your heart; life is certainly too short for it to go unmentioned!

Blessings!

Till’ next time :) 

November 20, 2011

Today marks my first blog entry, ever! I am so excited to share my experiences, thoughts, and opportunities  here! To share a few things about me, I am currently a senior at WKU where I am studying Elementary Education. I have been accepted into the WKU study abroad program, where I will spend four weeks of my student teaching next semester (April 2012) in Berlin, Germany! I am beyond blessed and excited for this opportunity! It is hard to believe that one of my biggest dreams...is coming true. I have always held a special place in my heart for the history of WWII and the Holocaust. To experience many of these things I have only dreamed of, firsthand, is going to be quite the adventure! I am especially excited to bring these experiences into my own classroom! Take a look at the beautiful city of Berlin, at night below! Pinch me! This can't be real life! In just a few months, I'll have my OWN pictures to share! :)

About a month ago, another Elementary Ed. student and I were asked by one of our professors to represent WKU and attend a conference for the Kentucky Reading Association. With no hesitations, Shannon and I were headed to Lexington, KY where we spent three wonderful days attending author's luncheons, meeting fabulous people, attending board meetings, getting lots and lots of freebies :) , and learning so much about literacy! We were also informed that we would be sponsored by KRA to become official board members and become a voice for literacy! It is such a great association to be a part of and I look forward to the many, many opportunities that are coming my way! Check out their website below to see how you can get involved and receive great information : 

http://www.kyreading.org/Default.aspx

Till' next time! :)