Classroom Bloggin'!

Oh my blueberries!!!  Where does time go?  I can NOT believe how long it's been since I've posted.  I do apologize...but I know that at the same time, many of you can relate!  I used to beat myself up when I skipped a week (or two!) between new posts...but now I have come to accept that sometimes life "happens" and you just can't be Wonder Woman every day, in every way!  So I'm settling for the occasional superhero status.  LOL. 

Even though I have been less-than-prompt on keeping up with my teacher-blog... I have done fairly well on my newest blogging adventure of having a CLASS BLOG.   For the past few years I have wanted to set up a classroom blog for students and parents.  I envisioned a place where parents could SECURELY log-in, with no fear of being at the mercy of public "creepers," to view what their kinder-babies are up to every week.   Until this year, I struggled with finding the right blog host.  I like the Shutterfly class blog set up...but my principal was NOT a fan of the regular advertisements and emails that parents were sent if you had a class blog with them.  So I continued to search.    This summer I found KID BLOG... and have been VERY pleased with it! 

Kid Blog allows YOU to choose your own security options.  You can leave it wide open to any visitor...or lock it up like Fort Knox, so only listed users with passwords can enter and view it.  My administration lovingly approved it!  YAY! It's also very easy to use.  Oh...and it's FREE!  You can post text, pictures, videos, anything!  The only slight downside I see is that currently you can not design your own background and graphic templates.  However, that is something they are working on!  It should be available soon.  Until then...you can choose from about 15 templates/color combinations.  

I could go on and on listing the details of Kid Blog, but if you like me you'd rather just SEE it and explore it yourself.   So...I'm going to give you my own classroom blog site info and let you login and do some snooping!   (Note: My school is one of those schools who likes to keep things rather secure and "unsearchable" to the public as a whole, so I have set up my blog to require you to log-in and enter a password.  Sharing this resource with other colleagues IS permitted, however!  So go explore...just please do not post these access codes on other public sites.)


Link:   http://kidblog.org/mrsehleskindergartenclass

Log-in: Guest (found in the drop down log-in menu)

Password:   Guest

(This login and password will expire November 1, 2013.  If you desire access after that date, email me or post a comment and I will send you updated info.)


Here are a few screen shots from my class blog, just to give you a peek!

Celebrate Student Birthdays In Style!

Since I STILL can NOT get into my classroom yet, I decided to check off another item on my long, long list of "to-dos."  {In case you have not heard, my building is under-going a summer renovation.  While I am so grateful for the upgrades...I am freaking out that I still am unable to even set foot in my classroom!   The "word on the street" is that I may be able to get in to my room on the 12th.  Guess what day my kinder-kiddos arrive for their k-assessments?   August 13th!!  That's 24 hours to prepare folks!  Can you say "All-Nighter?"  I'm thinkin' I gotta do a 24 hour picture post on what happens that night! You can watch me go CrAzY get prepared in a photo timeline! PRAY FOR ME, People!}

Tonight I knocked out a new classroom birthday celebration kit.  I gotta say... I do love it.  It's full of what I love most... happy celebration and chevron!   :) Here is a peek at what is inside:

I'm really excited about this kit because I truly feel like it is something that EVERY teacher needs....but rarely finds time to do his or herself!  

So... if you are looking for a super easy, yet very classy way to celebrate your students' birthdays, I hope I can help you with this kit.   I gotta say... I not only think it's cute {Chevron Love!  Chevron Love!}, but it truly is meaningful.  The "Happy Birthday Book" is the core of this kit.   When celebrating a student's birthday, all of his classmates are invited to complete a "My wish for you..." page.   Classmates illustrate a picture and can either write in the text for their birthday wish/gift...or the teacher can write the text as the child dictates the wish from his/her illustration.   All classmates' pages are then compiled into a class book, complete with a beautiful cover (which can be customized thanks to it's edit-able nature!), and then sent home with the birthday child as his class gift!  

Check out just one of the style options of "Birthday Books" below!

Parents TREASURE these books!  I've used them for a few years and let me tell you...they are a HIT!

There are many other items included with which you can complete your students' birthday celebrations, including:

* Student Birthday Book

* Happy Birthday Certificates

* Student Birthday Badges

* Birthday Goodie Bag Toppers

* Student Desk/Table Birthday Decor

* Happy Birthday Seat Signs

I hope you will take a minute to pop over to my TPT store {click here} and check out my lastest kit!  

I think it will be worth your while!  

Email me if you have any suggestions for this packet!   

New Tech Tool: Educreations

I have received several emails regarding my "digital portfolio" post... along with requests for the next techie-tidbit I promised.  I love ya'll so much that I'm going to stay up late on this glorious second day of a killer migraine to complete this post!   (Don't underestimate the power of  "blogger-love!")

As you know, one of my techie goals this year is to create and use digital portfolios in my classroom. After much research and advice from my techie mentor, Lori Elliott, I decided KidBlog was the best option for me to accomplish this.  {Click here to read my tutorial post about how to set up your own KidBlog account.   KidBlog can be used as a classroom AND student blog... as well as a class blog which contains student "portfolios" where all kinds of digital media can be posted, stored and shared with parents!)  

If digital portfolios are on your professional goal list for the year and you have followed the directions on my previous blog post to set up your own classroom KidBlog home page, you may be asking "What do I do next?"  

Well, here is the answer.....

Check out Educreations.com! 

Educreations is a program that turns your computer or iPad into a recordable interactive whiteboard that captures your voice {or your students' voices!} and handwriting to produce amazing video lessons that you can share online. Students and parents (and anyone else you grant access) can replay your lessons in any web browser, or from within our app on their iPads or iPhones. Check out the "Showcase" on the Educreations homepage or the "Featured" tab in our iPad app to view some great lessons that other teachers have created with Educreations.

Imagine....

Little Jenny has just demonstrated mastery of one of the common core standards with which she has been struggling.  Let's pretend it is a math standard on patterning.  You want to document her progress and help celebrate this goal.  You call Jenny over to your table and have her sit down with the iPad.  (You can use a computer too!)   You go to your Educreations app or computer program and create a new "lesson."   You press the "record" button so that your conversation will be recorded.   You then ask Jenny to watch you as you draw a pattern of red and blue circles on the screen, creating an AB pattern.   You stop after 7 shapes and ask Jenny what should come next.   She answers correctly.  Then you ask Jenny to create her own pattern using the different colors provided. You ask her to explain what she is doing as she goes.   She does a beautiful job explaining her work and her understanding of what a pattern is.    You hit the button to stop recording... then using the tools provided right there on the app/program you send off the digital video clip to mom and dad via email... and then you import the digital video into Jenny's digital portfolio folder on your KidBlog page!  This video joins 10 others you have created on Jenny's learning progress, perhaps including videos of her practicing reading fluency... or describing an imported photo of the landforms you are studying in social studies!  :)  

Click on the pic below to see an example!  {I made this sample myself,  People.   Put your imagination caps on... and enjoy my goofy voices!}

Sound good?   Sound GREAT?   

Your principal will think you are a...

TEACHING ROCKSTAR!!!

If you are ready to dive in, follow this simple steps:

1. Go to educreations.com

2. Click on the green "Sign up here" button. (See below.)

3. Choose the "Teacher" option. (See below.)

4. Fill out a few basic info questions and hit "sign up!" (No picture for this one. It's easy.  Trust me.)

5. You will automatically be sent to your new "dashboard." (See below. Note that mine has a few things in it already because I've been playing around with things!)

6.  To begin, hit "create a course" on the left hand side of the page.  (See pic above.)

7. This is what you will see!

8. Fill out the page to create a new "course."   Think of a course as a big folder that you will put your digital videos inside.  To begin with, I just named mine "Mrs. Ehle's Kindergarten Class."   I plan to just save everything "under" this course name to begin with.   If I see that I start creating so many educreations videos that I need to start creating subfolders like reading, math, etc.  then I will do that when the time comes!   I'm keepin' it simple to start with!

Hit "create" at the bottom when you have filled in your course info.

9. You will be taken back to your "dashboard" and you will now see your new "course" (I like to think of it as a folder) on the left hand side of the dashboard.   You will see this:

10. Now the FUN Begins!!! Click on "Create new lesson." (See above.)

Time to play around a bit!  

Here are a few simple tips to get you started...

* Click on the black, blue, red and green color squares at the top of the page to change the color of your "pen."  {Your "pen" is your finger or stylus if you are using an iPad...or your mouse if you are using a computer!}

* Hit the "Record" tab with the red button at the top right in the tool bar to record you or your students speaking.

* If you would like to import a picture to use, simply click on the picture icon in the bottom tool bar.

* The eraser is for erasing...and the trash can icon at the bottom is for deleting.  Imagine that!

* If you want to make a digital video with more than one "page," simply click on the arrows to turn and start a new page.

This is SUPER simple, friends!    

Just play around....and imagine the possibilities!

If you have ANY questions...ask me!   

OR...

Check out the Educreations FAQ page!

How do you think you can use Educreations in your classroom?

Share your ideas in a comment!

{P.S.  I GOTTA find a way to make "tutorial-type" posts cute!  This post was chock-full of info...but lacked some serious visual appeal!}

One of my FAV "go-to" WoRd WoRk" resources! Check this out!

Howdy, B2S Buddies!  I don't call my blog "Mrs. Ehle's Kindergarten Connections" for NUTHIN"!  I will be the first one to admit I do NOT have all the magical teaching answers at my fingertips... but I do know some of the BEST teacher-blogger-creators out there!   Whenever I find a resource that I have personally used and LOVED... I feel obligated to share it with you.   {Please note that any resource or product that I post about is ALWAYS done because I TRULY love it... and never because someone has "paid" me to post it!}  The resource below is one that I used EVERY WEEK in my classroom last year.  It was one of my absolute "go-to" resources every week in independent "word work" center rotations.  The best part is that no matter what "sight word" list or system you use... this resource can support it!  I printed off the masters, popped them into page protectors and filed them alphabetically in a binder.  Each week when I focused on new sight words, I just pulled out the word sheets that worked with my teaching order.   PER-FECT for everyone!   And this deal can NOT be beat!  The entire HUGE set is on sale now for 74% off!   CRAZY!!!  Here are the details:

74% Off on SIGHT WORD PRACTICE SET from Teaching in Blue Jeans 

You save $23.01

Sight Words – one of the underlying foundations to reading and writing.  A solid understanding and mastery of these most frequently used words in the English language help a child not only begin to read those first books, but also develop fluency and automaticity in their reading.  This in turn leads to comprehension which is the goal of reading – deriving meaning from words.  However, sight words are also some of the most difficult to learn because many do not follow the typical phonics patterns.   This set is designed to make the practice and review of sight words fun and engaging for the child.

Who is it for?

• Recommended ages 4-10 / Pre-K – 3rd grade
• Teachers and homeschooling parents who want a multi-sensory approach to practicing sight words
• Parents who want to help their child get ahead in reading
• Parents of a struggling reader looking for a multi-sensory approach to learning, reviewing and practicing sight words

What is included?  In this deal you will receive the following products focused on sight word instruction and review:

1.  Multi-Sensory Sight Word Practice Pages for the complete list of 220 Dolch Sight Words.  Each page includes a section to read it, trace it, write it, rainbow write it, find it and build it.  Perfect for whole group instruction, independent practice, or as part of a learning center rotation.  These pages are divided according to the Dolch word list which makes it easy to differentiate for students at different levels.
2. Multi-Sensory Sight Word Practice Pages for the common color words (black, blue, brown, gray, green, orange, pink, purple, red, white, yellow)
3. Multi-Sensory Sight Word Practice Pages for the number words from zero to ten
4. Sight Word Sticker Book for a fun and motivating way to encourage kids to learn and practice their sight words.  When words are fluently read, the child earns a sticker next to the word.  This set includes pages for the alphabet (to practice letter names and sounds), color words, number words, and 150 of the most common sight words.  Choose from four different cover options.  Also includes a progress monitoring data sheet for all the pages in the sticker book.

   

Look like something you may be interested in? 

This deal is offered for a few days only from Educents.  The website is super easy to navigate through and the daily e-mails keep me up to date of the latest and greatest offerings.  Like Groupon, each deal is only good for a set amount of time - but you can always find out how much time is left on the educents page.  The explanations are great, honest and straight forward.  I have yet to find something that is "talked up" but doesn't meet my expectations.  If you haven't tried educents yet, then I have a deal for you!  Click the picture below and sign-up for the daily e-mails.  By doing so you will get a $5 credit to use as you wish on Educents!  

  Who is the sassy, smart teacher-creator behind this

 favorite product of mine? 

 

Well, she is one of my "blogging besties."  I loved her blog and used her resources LONG before I met her.... but had the awesome pleasure of spending the week with her in Vegas this summer at "I Teach K."  I'm tellin' ya, friends... She is THE BEST!  

Amy Biddison is the teacher behind Teaching in Blue Jeans.  Although she doesn’t teach in blue jeans every day, her “Blue Jean” Mentality is one she carries into her classroom.  Amy’s goal is to create a classroom where her students are comfortable and safe, willing to take risks and try new things, and most importantly where learning is fun!  Amy has taught 6th, 7th and 8th grade reading intervention, 3rd grade and most recently, kindergarten.  You can find out more by visiting Teaching in Blue Jeans.

Looking for a great sight-word resource this year?    THIS is it!   

Go getcha-some!

Student BLOGs and Digital Portfolios

I don't know about you... but for some time now, I've been looking for a way to allow my students to securely create their own student blogs. I know what you might be thinking... "You teach KINDERGARTEN!"   Yes...I most certainly do...BUT... I feel like you are never too young to document what you are learning in fun, interactive ways.  So let me paint you a more detailed picture of what I am envisioning. I want to create a digital "space" where each of my students can document their learning...a "digital portfolio" of sorts!

Imagine...at back-to-school night, you share with parents a special link to your classroom blog. You explain {and perhaps show the blog on your SmartBoard} that this blog is JUST for your class...a special place to share classroom happenings, upcoming information, pictures, videos and links which can all be easily accessible via their Smartphones, computers or iPads. You continue by telling them that this is a completely secure site that can only be accessed by parents holding the class blog password.  -- Pause here as you see parents' eyes light up and hear sighs of "I'll never have to worry about losing classroom handouts again!" --Then dazzle them with this next tidbit. Explain that not only can they visit the blog to find out about general classroom happenings and events...but that they can also find their own child's name in the side column and check out what their child has been working on in class. You demonstrate this by simply clicking on a child's name and begin clicking on the contents...you see mini-videos of the child drawing colored shapes in a pattern, as you hear that little one's own voice explain what he/she knows about creating that pattern. You see another video of the child holding up his/her favorite book, identifying the characters and setting of the book...and then re-telling the beginning, middle and end of the story. You see sample pages from that child's writer's workshop book...and you compare for yourself how much the child has grown in his/her writing skills since last month. And on...and on...

Well, friends...it's not a dream!  It's a reality! And it's FREE!!!

My wonderfully incredible "Accidental Techie" mentor, Lori Elliott {SDE Presentor extraordaire}shared this "techie" tip with me at the "I Teach K" Conference in Vegas this month...and lovingly encouraged me to pass it on to you! If you do not know Lori yet...it's high time ya meet her! She is a classroom teacher...turned "accidental techie"...successful educational author...energetic presenter...rockin' momma...and well...just one of my favorite people on the planet!  Check. Her. Out!

       

{Before I roll into the simple "how-to" create your own classroom and student blogs/portfolios...let me preface this by saying that in today's post I am only going to explain how to set up the classroom blog site itself. In my upcoming posts, I will be diving in deeper into the specific programs and apps you can use to record and document your students' progress and knowledge. So definitely stay tuned! The programs and apps I am planning to share are AWESOME and can be used for many, many more purposes than creating blogs and digital portfolios!}


Let me introduce you to...

Kid Blog

1) First you will want to go to www.kidblog.com to create your "Kid Blog" account/class.  Click on the "Create a Class" button at the top right of the screen.

2) This is what you will see next...

Fill out the form on this page.

3)  Next you will see this...

4) First you will want to choose settings for the blogs. To do that...click on the "settings" tab near the top of the page. It's very straight-forward...so I won't walk you through ALL of the details. {In the settings you will want to make choices about your theme, posts, comments, and users. You can also add all kinds of widgets, or extra things, or take them away if you don’t want them.}  Below is an example of the "general settings" page.

5) Next you will want to create your "users" list.  "Users" are your students and guests. Simply click on the "users" tab at the top of the page next to the settings tab. You can add your students with a name and password, or students can enroll themselves by using the passcode provided when you set up the class.   You have lots of options on your users. You can password protect EACH student's account with a different password, use the same password for the entire class, or leave them open to free viewing. Play around a little. You will see what I mean! {Each user can --if you choose-- be listed at the side so that each student can have their own account to use as a student blog or digital portfolio.}

6) "Posts" are the place you type the recent news. Click on the "New Post" tab at the top to create a new post. You can simply type text...or add files and media also!  :) The "Review Posts" tab allows you to look at old posts or drafts that you have written. You can edit old posts at any time.

Those are the "basic" steps for setting up your own secure classroom blog...and student blog/portfolio pages. Play around a bit! Make up some "mock" posts just to practice...and delete them when you are done if you wish. I'm going to stop there for today. I don't want to overwhelm anyone! However...if you have questions, please post them! I will do my best to answer them, and if I can't, I will ask Lori to help us out! Set up your account and be sure to check back soon for further suggestions for using your class blog...in addition to some COOL programs and apps you can use to document student knowledge and growth. I can't wait to put my class blog into action...and build digital portfolios for all of my students this year! Won't parents just love them?? Imagine if you were "Mom"...connecting to the class blog from your Smartphone on your lunch break to check class schedules/events...and then taking a peek at your kiddo's digital portfolio and seeing videos and recordings of your child learning new skills and reading aloud to you!  

Just makes me smile thinkin' about it! If you are going to try using this in your classroom this year, please let me know! I'd love to create a little group that can discuss and support each other in this adventure!

While I'm Away....

As most of you know... I'm currently in Vegas for the "I Teach K" Conference.  And while I'm lovin' every minute of it.... as a "Momma" it is hard to leave my own kiddos back home in Indiana.  {Oh!  I'd better mention it's hard to leave Mr. Spouse too! He might check my blog!  LOL}  I try not to "over-share" on the personal details of my life, as I don't want to put ya'll to sleep....but as a blogger, I want you to know I'm "real" too!

Now, my life is NOT perfect...but I do feel VERY blessed to have 3 wonderful kiddos and an awesome hubby.  Here is a peek at my family, in case you haven't "met" them....

The little dude {on left in solid blue shirt} is Colton, my "baby."   

Alexa and Hunter are my twins {Super BFFs...never fight!  So blessed! Whew!}

Well... I'm a family-tradition "nut"... and one of the tradition-type things that I do is create a "While I'm Away" box every time I have to leave my kiddos for an extended period of time.  What I do is create little bags or envelopes for each day that I have to be separated from my family and fill them with a trinket or "token" type of surprise gift and then attach a goofy little rhyming note to them.  I place all of the bags/envelopes into a bigger box called my "While I'm Away" box.   Each day that I am gone, the kiddos get to open the box, find the marked bag or envelope for that day, read the silly note or poem that I wrote and attached to each one, and open their surprise.  {Now I do not put anything expensive or over-the-top in the packages.  I'm talking surprises from the dollar store.... like silly string, glow bracelets, puzzle books, etc.} My kids LOVE it!  They have gone from crying when I leave, to asking me when I'm gonna get out the door!  LOL   It's nothing spectacular on my part....but just a little love... which helps deter the "Momma Guilt" of going away for a week!  

Ok... Well I just had to share this part.  Last weekend, I left "While I'm Away Box" for my kiddos.  As usual... they gave me big hugs and told me they'd miss me...but they were also anxious to get me out of the door so they could read their note for the day and open their surprise!  Ha!   Well.. I had a little surprise of my own coming!    When I landed in Vegas and got to my hotel, I opened my suitcase. Guess what I found inside???   Yep!  A "While I'm Away" package of my own.  My youngest son, Colton, had secretly put together his own "While I'm Away" box for ME!!!  When I saw it... I didn't even care what he put inside... I just cried!!  What a sweetpea!

Here are a few of the notes and surprises he made me...

{Think "little guy" perspective here!  He gave what he had!}

This note said, "Here you go Mom.  You will need this."

When I opened the package I found his cross necklace. 

The Ehle family LOVES the Lord!

 This package said, "I know I can't come with you...but here is something that can."

Inside was this happy little dude!  :)

 

This package said. "This should remind you of all that we have done together."

When I opened it I found one of the mini-hats we made together by shrinking a styrofoam cup!

{What can I say... we are an arts-and-craft family!}

This package said, "And here is this... this that I use for all of my advenchures (adventures)."

Masking tape of course!  The kid goes through multiple rolls per month! Ha!

AND FINALLY....

  

This package said. "I am giving you this because it powers up my time-machine...just like YOU power up my heart!"  

(Colton is an "inventor" to put it lightly!  Just last week he invented a "time-machine" which he built himself out of an old booster seat, misc. trinkets... and LOTS of tape!  He used this gemstone as its "power source.")   This note DID make me cry!   

Seriously...this little man is going to make a great husband one day!

Alright... I'll quit babbling on for tonight!   Can you tell I'm missin' my babies???

I'm flying home tomorrow!  Can't wait to hug my little Ehles!!!

I promise I will  blog more VERY SOON about all of the wonderful things I learned in Vegas!

To all of my "I Teach K" and Bloggin' Buddies....

I miss you already!   Have safe trips home... and love on your families!  

What happens in Vegas.... CAN'T stay in Vegas! I gotta' share!!!

Oh, Friends.... This week in Vegas has been incredible!   I've been soooo busy, I haven't had much time to put up many posts!   I have soooo much to share with you!  There is NO WAY I can share everything I want to tell you in one post.  Seriously... it's gonna take the rest of the summer to get out all these tid-bits without overwhelming you!!!   {I'm about bursting at the seams to share all the AWESOME "techie" stuff I learned today!  Seriously....  life changin' -- at least in terms of teaching!}  The techie-tips will have to wait a few days...but check back because I assure you it will be WELL worth the wait!

For now... I just HAVE to share some "beginning of the week" highlights from the "I Teach K" conference! First off, I should tell you that prior to coming to Vegas all of the "kinder-bloggers" were invited to attend a Teacher/Blogger Vegas "Meet-Up."  I RSVP'ed {<--Is that a word?!  Hee!} like a good little blogger via a specially designated FaceBook group... and also began chatting a bit with others that were going to attend.   A few of us were traveling alone and we decided we should do a "PRE" Meet-Up--Meet Up!    We met for dinner on Sunday night at the Grand Luxe Cafe in the Venetian Hotel.   We were quite the WORLD-WIDE blogging group!

From left to right:  Amy from Texas{TeachingInBlueJeans.blogspot.com}, L.C. from Germany{TheBeezyTeacher.blogspot.com}, Michelle {JourneyIntoTK.blogspot.com} and Tracy {Mrs.BlackledgesClass.blogspot.com} from North Carolina, Susan {TeachingDoodles.blogspot.com} from the United Arab Emirates, Elizabeth {Kickin' It In Kindergarten} and lil' ole me, Holly {well... if you are reading this you know my blog! lol}

These gals are the greatest!  Seriously... so very, very sweet!  Some have been blogging for a while... and others have just started, but if you have the chance... you should definitely check them out!   Such incredible hearts... and each of them are "real," very down to earth, amazing teachers who love to share ideas and resources!  And isn't that what bloggin' is all about?!

Well... as I mentioned, we did have an AWESOME 

Teacher/Blogger Meet -Up.  

SO FUN!  Seriously...I would have traveled all the way to Vegas for the meet-up alone and it would have been well worth it!  Take a peek at some of the fun!  

Do I even have to write a caption for this one???

Yes... It's the incredibly beautiful Deanna Jump.  THE legend of TPT. 

Ya just gotta love her!  So super-super sweet and caring.  

{And we both feel tall when we stand together!  Hee!}

Hangin' with my buddy, Tad Hill... 

{Author of Rocket Learns to Read and many, many more great k-kiddo books!}  Oh my gosh... He is hilarious.  All I gotta say is that you will have to check out Michelle's blog (see first picture caption in this posting) in a few days to check out some hilarious pics from our... well, let's just say group chat with Tad. I'm sure she will post them! And for goodness sake... If you don't have Rocket Learns to Read and Rocket Learns to Write, GO OUT AND GET THOSE BOOKS NOW!  The kiddos LUV them.. and they are absolutely PERFECT for introducing guided reading and writer's workshop!   Seriously... my FAV books of the year!!!  

Hunk-A-Hunk-A-Burnin' Love!!!

Here we are {Me and Amy from TeachingInBlueJeans.blogspot.com}...with "The King!"   

{Ok.. is it just me or does Elvis look like he might need to use the restroom... or change his pants?! Bahaha!}

Now here I am with "The Queen!"  Hee!

Seriously... Dee Dee Wills IS like the queen to me!

I absolutely, positively LOVE this lady! She makes me a better teacher!

So. Inspiring. 

The beautiful and talented Kathleen Pedersen {Growing Kinders} is the most genuinely warm, and sweet SUPER-BLOGGER you will ever meet.  I sincerely admire her so very much!  She has got to be one of my teaching "soul-mates"... as if every resource she creates and blog post she writes were written just for me.  Hee!  Hee!  I seriously love this girl! Her creativity is out of this world.  Show her an odd shaped container and BAM! She can make a new kinder-game out of it in 2 seconds flat! :)

And Finally... Check out this group of IN-CREDIBLE LADIES!!!

What a super-savvy group of teacher-bloggers!

Thank you to you ALL... You all inspire me!

RaNdOm FUN PiCs FrOm ThE NiGhT......

Alessia Albanese and Deedee Wills

You have changed my "center" life!  Lol

Group shot!

Elvis isn't the only GREAT one!  

These teacher-bloggers ROCK!

Our gracious hostesses for the night!

The sweetest trio in the world!

Rachelle and Natalie {What the Teacher Wants} & Deanna {Mrs. Jump's Class}

Even John and Amy, the "Big Wigs" from TPT were there!

Thank you for supporting teachers!

{Thank you to Rachelle and Natalie for sharing these last few meet-up pics!  Check out www.WhatTheTeacherWants.blogspot.com for more great 2013 Vegas Meet-Up pics!}

More Vegas fun and learning resources to come!  Stay tuned!!!