Liebster Award

What joy! Looking through my google reader this evening and read on Jessica's blog, Joy in the Journey that she has nominated me for the Liebster Award. Thanks Jessica!

This award is given by bloggers to other bloggers who have less than 200 followers. It is to show new bloggers that they are appreciated and to help spread the word about new blogs.

I need to share 11 random facts about me. Answer 11 questions from Jessica. Nominate 11 blogs. And think of 11 questions for my nominees to answer.

Here goes.

11 Random Facts:

1. I love planning. Not necessarily carrying the plans out, but planning.

2. I think that green olives are an important part of all family gatherings.

3. Green olives also belong on homemade pizza.

4. I love the color red.

5. Goodwill and Eddie Bauer are my favorite stores.

6. I got married outside, in Kansas, in July 17 years ago. Some people say that it was a hot day, I don't remember that.

7. I could play any role (male or female) in The Sound of Music. I can sing, dance and recite ALL of the lines.

8. When my children were young I stayed home and was a daycare provider.

9. I saw two lambs be born last February. Amazing.

10. I really dislike mice.

11. My guilty pleasure is watching Dancing With the Stars. I've never voted, but have cheered loudly in my living room.

11 Questions from Jessica:

1. What grade do I teach and how long have you taught this particular grade? First grade, first year. (Previously taught a second/third combo class for one year, and elementary SPED for 9 1/2 years)

2. Do I prefer warm weather or cold weather? I think warm.

3. What is my favorite subject to teach? Why? Reading, because that is the subject that I have had the most PD in and feel most comfortable that I know what I'm doing (usually!).

4. How do I incorporate technology in the classroom? Occasionally I use the SmartBoard (wish I knew more about that), I also received 2 iPod Nanos from DonorChoose that I loaded books on CD so the kids can listen to books during our reading time.

5. What's my favorite activity for a rainy afternoon? A warm drink and a good novel. 

6. What's the best book you've read recently? I have read ZERO novels since school started. However, during summer I read through the whole Bailey Flanigan series by Karen Kingbury. Loved those books.

7. What's my most successful classroom management strategy? I started using Table Captains this past week. Why had I not done that before? It is wonderful! I read about it on A Teeny Tiny Teacher's tip post. "Table captains, wash the tables. Table captains, come get the papers. Table captains, make sure the floor around your desks are neat." It is great (and they loved it!)

8. What time you I wake up on a typical weekday morning? 5:15 am.

9. What, if anything, do I give my students for Christmas? Last year I made a special breakfast for them (mini muffins and sausage that I made in class). This year I think I may give each a book.

10. Do I decorate my classroom for the holidays? Not so much, but maybe this year...

11. What's my favorite vacation spot? Oregon coast. I've only been there twice, but it was amazing, and I want to go back. Mostly, where ever my family is, is my favorite spot.

11 Blogs that I am Nominating:

1. A New Journey

2. An Apple a Day in First Grade

3. Fantastic First Grade Friends

4. Fantastic First Grade Ideas

5. First Grade Fairy Magic

6. Groovy in 3rd Grade

7. Rhonda Roux

8. Sara at School

9. Shning and Sparkling in First Grade

10. Teacher Life in Room 102

11. Kindergarten in Ms. Horn's World

11 Questions for My Nominees:

1. What is your favorite classroom "tool"?

2. What is your most successful classroom management strategy?

3. When did you start blogging?

4. What grade do you teach and how long have you taught this grade?

5. How do you incorporate technology in your classroom?

6. What is your favorite professional book?

7. What do you like to do in your free time?

8. Do you give your students a present for Christmas? If so, what is it?

9. Do you have traditions or rituals in your classroom? If so, what is it?

10. What is your favorite book to read aloud?

11. What is your favorite subject to teach?

Don't forget to leave me a link to your blog when you have answered! I can't wait to read more about you and I hope you enjoyed learning a little something about me.