Sunday Social

1. What is the name of your blog?
Beyond the Gradebook and Elementary Exploration

2. What do you love most about blogging?
I love 'meeting' new people who have similar interests as I do.  Whether you are a teacher or a personal blogger, I've connected my blog to the blogs of others who love to teach, cook, travel, take pictures, read, and so much more!  Because of this, I've learned so much.  And I've had a great time doing it!

3. Why did you start blogging?
I started blogging for me.  I wanted to document my life so that I could look back and see all that I have accomplished.  When I recently started my teaching blog, Elementary Exploration, I started that to share teaching ideas with other teachers around the country.

4. What is something you'd want to tell someone just starting out in the blog world?
Have patience.  It takes a little while to set up your blog and get in the groove of blogging.  It will all be worth it.

5. Biggest blogging learning experience you've had?
Blog for YOU!  Don't feel like you have to blog consistently.  Don't apologize for blogging hiatuses.  Don't blog something just because everyone else is.  

6. What are three blogs you love?
Young House Love - For all things house renovation and decoration, you'll love what this young couple blogs about!  And the best part...they live in Richmond, VA!  
Fourth Grade Flipper - One of my all time favorite teaching blogs!  She has the best ideas on her blog!  If you are an elementary teacher, you are missing out by not reading this blog!
A Bowl Full of Lemons - This blog is full of great organizational tips and ideas!  She's amazing!  And if you have a love of planners and/or FiloFax planners...you'll definitely want to check this out!

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Sunday Social

1. What is your favorite fall activity?
Watching the leaves fall, drinking hot apple cider, watching football and enjoying the beautiful colors outside.

2. Do you follow a football team?  If so, which one and why?
Yes - college only.  And the only team I root for is Virginia Tech!  Go Hokies!  My dad and grandfather attended there, and I grew up going to games.  So, even though I'm not a Hokie by choice, I'm got Hokie in my blood ;)

3. What is something fun about fall in your area?
Well - I would say the state and local county fairs, but I don't usually attend them.  I did visit the State Fair of Virginia a few years ago and it was a lot of fun.  I just don't usually frequent these events.

4. What are your favorite fall staple outfits?
Anything with a scarf.  And jeans with a Hokie shirt!

5. What things are you looking forward to most about this coming fall season?
The cooler weather!!

6. What is your favorite fall holiday?  Tradition?
Thanksgiving!  I love spending time with my family and enjoying a great meal together!

**Don't forget!  The other day,  I posted my next Donor's Choose project!  This is my second project and I'd love your support!  I'm looking for some new resources for my classroom!  My project from last year was all math materials, but unfortunately, I can't use any of them this year, since I'm not teaching math!  If you'd love to help out, please read that post!  Remember that within the next 9 days, you can use the code INSPIRE and Donor's Choose will double your donation!  How awesome is that!?!  Please, please, please consider supporting my classroom.  If you are not financially able, please pass the information on to someone who might be able and willing to help!  And check out yesterday's post to find out how to enter to win a $10 gift card!!

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Happies and Crappies

It's that time of the week - it's Friday, which means it's time for the Happies and Crappies link up with Sarah and Stephanie!  I just love these two blogs - so make sure you follow them AND link up with their Happies and Crappies link up!  Here goes!

Happies

1. It's Friday and I survived my first week back to school!  It's been a super awesome week - much better than expected - and I'm so glad about that!  I think this is truly going to be a great year!
 
2. I never thought I'd ever want to teach in a departmentalized setting, however, I'm teaching only English for fourth grade this year and I absolutely love it!  I love getting to teach reading to 60 some students, and not having to teach math at all!  It's great!!

3. I've started going back to the gym and it's an awesome feeling!  I'm running again for the first time since my 5K in June, and it feels so good!

4. I'm in the process of something really, really, really, (did I mention) REALLY exciting...but I can't share here yet.  Just know that if all works out, I'm going to be one big happy camper over here!  Cross your fingers for me!!

5. Yesterday, I posted my next Donor's Choose project!  This is my second project and I'd love your support!  I'm looking for some new resources for my classroom!  My project from last year was all math materials, but unfortunately, I can't use any of them this year, since I'm not teaching math!  If you'd love to help out, please read yesterday's post!  Remember that within the next 9 days, you can use the code INSPIRE and Donor's Choose will double your donation!  How awesome is that!?!  Please, please, please consider supporting my classroom.  If you are not financially able, please pass the information on to someone who might be able and willing to help!  And check out yesterday's post to find out how to enter to win a $10 gift card!!

6.  See the Crappies below.  No, I didn't forget to finish the post, and my last Happy is that I can't think of a single Crappy!!  How wonderful is that!!  :)


Crappies

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Have a great weekend, folks!

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Please Help My Classroom!!!

If you are a teacher, you have probably heard of DonorsChoose.org.  Basically, this website is an awesome resource for teachers to post projects they are working towards - materials for the classroom - that they aren't able to fund themselves.  So much of the things I have in my classroom come out of pocket, and it's tough to buy my students everything they need to make them successful in, not only the classroom, but in the future as well.  So, I've reached out to DonorsChoose.org to help me with my venture.

I'm looking to gain some new reading materials for my classroom to help fuel my students learning, expand their motivation, and boost their self-confidence.  In order to make this dream a reality, I need fabulous people, like you to help!  If you are financially able to donate something, even just $5 will help make a huge difference in my classroom!

Here's the best part!  For the next seven days, DonorsChoose will match ANY donation that uses the code INSPIRE!!  Please consider donating what you are able, and use the code INSPIRE to have your donation doubled!  You have no idea how much your support will help these young children!

If you decide to make a donation, I've got a fun surprise for you!  One person who donates will be entered to win a $10 gift card to either Target or Walmart (winner's choice)!  All you have to do is make a donation, use the code INSPIRE, and leave a comment here stating that you have donated!  That's it!  You will then be entered!  (This post is on both of my blogs, here and on Beyond the Gradebook, so the winner will be from the combined group of entrants!)  

If you are not financially able to give, I ask that you do only one thing.  Please send my link and the information about the INSPIRE code to someone you know, that might be willing to donate.  That's all! 

In a nutshell, here's the deal.

- Go to this link: CLICK HERE!

- Choose any amount you are able to give towards my project.

- Use the code INSPIRE to have your donation MATCHED!

- Feel good, knowing that you are making a direct impact on the lives of these students!

- Leave a comment stating that you donated for a chance to win a $10 gift card to Target or Walmart!

If you have any questions about this, please leave a comment below, or email me at the address above, and I'll be happy to talk!!

I thank you in advance for any way you are able to help!  Don't forget, here's the website, and don't forget to use the code INSPIRE!

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September Goals

It's been a while since I held myself accountable for monthly goals - but now that September is here and I'll be back in a routine, I'm getting back to the goals!  Here's what I'm planning for September!

1. I'm making myself go to the gym Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  No exceptions, unless something is happening late at school or I'm out of town on the weekends.  Otherwise, I'll be there!

2. It's been a while since I've finished a book.  And with school starting, I know I won't have a ton of time.  But I'm hoping that I can read one, just one, book!!

3. Lose 15 pounds.  It may be a slight stretch, but if I tell myself I can do it, I will accomplish it, right?!

4. I've been behind in updating my 101 in 1001 Goals page!  I need to get back on that!

5. I started Jillian Michael's Thirty Day Shred last week.  And only did it two days.  It's rough.  But my plan is to complete this when I wake up in the morning, before school.  It's really a great workout and is a great way to wake up in the morning!

What are your goals for the month?

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Sunday Social

1. What was your favorite trip/vacation/activity this summer?

That would definitely be my cruise to Alaska that I took with a coworker.  We were celebrating the completion of our first year of teaching - and we had an awesome time!  Soon, hopefully, I'll get that post up here on the blog so you can see!

2. What was your favorite outfit look/clothing item of the summer?

I can't say I really had a favorite, but I did wear a lot of dresses/skirts this summer - which used to be pretty rare for me.  I was really loving the dresses this summer!

3. What is one thing you wish you'd gotten to do this summer?

I wish that I could have read more.  I did read quite a bit, but not as much as I had hoped.  I also wish I had spent more time in my hammock this summer - which would have helped out the reading more.  However, I'm happy with the way my summer turned out!

4. What was your favorite song of the summer?

Any song off the Backstreet Boys cd.  The whole cd is amazing.  So, I can't choose just one!  And seeing them in concert this summer definitely makes love the songs even more!

5. What was your favorite movie/tv show of the summer?

I really enjoyed watching Cuthroat Kitchen (new on Food Network) and Cedar Cove (new to Hallmark Channel).  Cedar Cove is based of the books by Debbie Macomber.  I've never read those books, but I can't wait to start them after watching this show!

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