Blogger Meetup: Folks You'll Want to Follow

I was so excited and nervous about the New England Blogger meet up that I could hardly sleep the night before!  I kept dreaming about being at school and having to fill out forms.  I think the children were "helping" me.  They were done wrong so I had to do them over and over again.  It was such a restless sleep that I actually felt relieved when the alarm went off.  I felt like I was done with work and going to play!


It was lucky I set my alarm early, both to escape the dream and to catch the train.  I left with plenty of time, but because I was unable to go to the station I'm most familiar with, I forgot where to pay, and had to wander around for a while.  I also realized I looked at the weekday times instead of the weekend times.  Oops.  Nevermind, I still had ten minutes on the platform to finish my bagel.

When I arrived at North Station, I knew that Science Park was the stop I wanted, and that I could walk the distance for a single stop.  I just wasn't sure which direction to go.  Fortunately there was a man on the train holding a sign for the Museum of Science.  With an arrow.  So of course I followed him.

I am not making this up.

Once I could see the building, I took a little detour through the park on Nashua Street to take pictures and soak up some sun.  Gotta stock up on vitamin D before the winter!  ;)  It was also fun to see the Duck Tour boats on the Charles.  I saw the one my husband and I rode last year.

I arrived 15 minutes early and found the right entrance and the cafe on my first try (anyone who knows me well will never believe that I found the first station, museum, entrance, and cafe without incident but I am not making this up either.  Props to the man with the sign and the arrow). 

I wandered around the cafe a few times, counting myself lucky that it was too busy for the staff to be concerned why I was doing this and not getting food.  After asking one woman sitting in a corner on a laptop (sounds like a blogger to me) if she was meeting Jodi and getting a no (glad I didn't ask "Are you a blogger because I can see you have a laptop), I sat near-ish the windows and Emailed her to say I was there and wearing purple. 

And within 5 or 10 minutes, there she was!

She didn't ACT like a celebrity, even though I know I wasn't the only one who was a little bit in awe of her.  I think it helps that she and I are practically neighbors (turns up she even lived in the same town I grew up for a few years).  So she was just so easy to talk to about local stuff and teaching.

Soon Mrs. Mack arrived, and once again I was starstruck (although her daughter is the bigger Instagram star; half my feed is of her little cutie!)  It was so surreal seeing a stranger posting on IG "walking my dog" one minute, and within the hour sitting down to lunch with her and putting a voice with the updates!

More people arrived, Furnell and Vera.  I didn't know I knew Vera until later on in the lunch when we started swapping business cards (feels weird to call it that...I'm a teacher.  I guess I'm a business person thanks to Teachers Pay Teachers, but really, even on there I feel like I'm a teacher.  Can we call them teachers' cards?).  That's when it clicked!  Vera!  The Tutu Teacher!  I have seen her around!  And she was so lovely to talk to.  She had such a wonderful story about making the move from Texas and how the tutus came to be part of her teacher persona.

I prefer taking photos to being in them!

It was great talking to Furnell too, because she had certain work experiences that I could relate to and learned from.  Next came Susan, who is one of my readers, and got the ball rolling on getting everyone's blog address and a group photo.  And finally, a grade level partnership from Connecticut arrived!  Props to Sara and Emily for driving out (even this MA native took the train in). 

It was so amazing to meet the bloggers I knew before, and those who I didn't know have some super cute blogs to follow.  I'm linking up at the bottom of the post so you can go check them out too.  It was a very casual meeting; we talked more about our home towns and teaching than about blogging.  But only because Jodi forgot to bring along her slideshow (joking).

Once we left I was not ready to leave so I went back to the park to enjoy the sun, make some notes, then tinkered with my phone until I was able to make it find me some "local places of interest."

I would not have guessed that the closest spot was the Cambridgeside Galleria; I haven't been there in years!  So I shopped until my feet hurt.  I was so ready for some updates to my fall wardrobe (and so in need of some sneakers).

If you're a blogger reading and not sure if you want to go to a blogger meetup, DO IT.  Part of me was nervous to send Jodi a confirmation that I'd attend, because I'm quiet in person.  Blogging is a great outlet for me to share ideas, and I wondered if many other bloggers would be the same.  But no, there was lively conversation throughout.  I'll definitely pursue the next opportunity if the timing is right.  Having a four day weekend (with our school letting out for Rosh Hashana) made this the perfect time to do it.  So I hope to see you (and the bloggers I met today) there!

Here are the bloggers I met (by the way, the grade range is K-3):
Jodi @ http://clutterfreeclassroom.blogspot.com/
Mrs. Mack @ http://thirdgradecupcakes.blogspot.com/
Furnell @ http://owlalwayslove2ndgrade.blogspot.com/
Vera @ http://thetututeacher.blogspot.com/
Susan @ http://pinkwatermelons.blogspot.com/
Emily @ http://munchkinsinc.blogspot.com/
Sara @ http://www.framptonsfundamentals.com/

I hope you find someone new to follow!

May Slant Box Part 2

Last week I wrote about the arrival of my first SLANT box.  This week my other partner, Andrea Emailed me to let me know that she received her box as well!  The system works.  :) 

Along with Emailing, I looked at Andrea's Blog, Teaching Little Smarties, her Facebook, and her Instagram.  Some things I learned about her are:

1.  She loves purple.
2.  She has good taste in fashion.
3.  Along with teaching first grade, she has 3 daughters, and coaches basketball at her school.
4.  She likes sour candy.
5.  She had a single inspirational quote in her social media:  "Choose a job you love, and you'll never work a day in your life."

So here are the contents I was inspired to include:

The glasses and purse (Post Its) were my nod to her designer tastes.  The folder was of course because of her team pride.  The purple notebook rounded out the stationery theme I was going for, because of course we teachers can never have too many stationery items.  And the Sour Patch Kids are my husband's go to for sour candy fixes so I knew that would work!

As for the last two items, one is hard to see with the glare.  The theme for the May Slantbox was to have a monogram or personalization.  Of course it had to have purple, so I used a few of my digital papers to create a binder cover sheet.  

 I left the spine insert blank so she can label it as needed.

As for the quote, I knew exactly how I wanted to incorporate this into a gift for Andrea.  As a mom of 3 and teacher of small children, I knew she must have a lot of love for her work.  So whether she wanted to feature her children or her students, I made her picture frame of the kids with the quote.


Step one was to paint a frame purple.  I added a little "bling" in each corner.  Next, I wrote the quote on a matte.

(I wrote it the same way as a font I created).

Finally, I printed off a photo from Andrea's blog about a day when her class was engaged and content with their new technology.  It looked like such a zen moment, I thought it would be the perfect placeholder until she could choose her own favorite.

Voila!

Finally, I boxed it all up and decorated the package with some Washi tape.  I wanted it to look like Christmas day was coming at the end of the school year! 

I was so glad when she Emailed to say it arrived and she loved it.  :)  I was a little nervous because this was my first SLANT box but I really tried!  Plus it was great getting to know Andrea and Stacey, and I had so much fun shopping and crafting. 

Have you participated in the SLANT box exchange?  I thought it was a lot of fun, and I'm looking forward to joining in again!  If you've never tried it before, here's Jameson's blog, "Lessons with Coffee." 

My May Slant Box Has Arrived!

I have never participated in the SLANT box exchange before, although I've checked in with Jameson's blog regularly to see what the themes were.  I knew one day a theme would call out to me, and this May was the one!  Our mission was to learn what we could about our partner and then include a monogrammed item in their package.  Who could pass on personalized teacher loot?

The other general rules were the same in terms of the spending limit and including at least one hand made item.  The sign up process was pretty easy (although the waiting is hard, haha).  I was paired with two other bloggers who are coincidentally both first grade teachers.  I was assigned to send a box to Andrea over at Teaching Little Smarties, and Stacey over at Monkeying Around in First was assigned to send a box to me.

I will write more about Andrea in another post because the the time of writing, I don't know if she has received her box yet and I don't want to ruin her surprise.  So for now, I wanted to share my experience with Stacey. 

Once the Google form was complete with our partners' contact information I went over to her blog to get to know her better.  I am SO JEALOUS; her blog is so beautiful!  I was already excited to get her for a partner because she clearly has good taste.  We even have similar color schemes, so I knew she would "get" what I like.  Her hobby is also art, like me. Along with checking out each other's blogs, we Emailed back and forth several times over the course of the month to get to know each other better.  I took a look at her TPT store and saw that she has some great clip art; I love her Happy Birthday freebie.

Then last night I had a feeling that my SLANT box might arrive today.  And sure enough; I got my package to open!  As I was pulling out the tissue paper I thought, "Wow, she even got me coordinating packaging for my blog," haha!  It's the little things.  :) 

Amazing!  Most of these things I really would/have purchased for myself!  Stacey, you did good!

I love the lime green spots on the card.  because it coordinates with my blog, which coordinates with my classroom colors.  Those note cards are too special for note writing; I'm definitely saving them for a bulletin board next year.  I've actually used lime green envelopes like those in the past for a bulletin board.

• Look at the handmade T for Thomas!  Not only does it have the colors I love, but those are not haphazard polka dots, people.  Look at the symmetry of it!  
• The notebook will be put to good use (I am just about to use up the last pages of my current one for staff meetings).  
• The Flair pens, well, I've only just recently become a convert from my old Pentel EnerGel pens.  Last year I swore by those but this year since trying out the Flairs I've been using them a lot more often than the EnerGels.  So again, this is something I buy for myself and use regularly! 
• The drawing pad and high quality pencil were specially there because Stacey asked me what I like to use for my artwork and I told her "just pencil."  I've bought that brand of sketchpad too, so again, this was perfect for me.
• It might be hard to tell, but the ink pad that goes with the T stamp is turquoise.  Also perfect.
• And finally, the Lindt bar.  Now, Stacey had asked me what my favorite chocolate was, and told her milk chocolate.  But what I didn't tell her was that I used to work at Lindt chocolate, and it's my favorite brand!  Good guess!

For my first SLANT box experience, you've set the bar awfully high, Stacey!  If I never do another one it's because I want to quit while I'm ahead, haha.  :)  Seriously though, thank you so much for the time and thought you put into this.  I hope you got one you love just as much from your partner.

Readers, if you've never done the SLANT box exchange but you're interested, Jameson's blog is Lessons With Coffee.  Just click on the "SLANT BOX" tab for the rules and information about it. 

"All New" Giveaway and a Sale

One of my blogging buddies, Meg from The Teacher Studio (formerly Fourth Grade Studio)  is celebrating a milestone: her blog is 1 year old.  It's hard to believe that she's only been at this for a year because I've learned SO much from her posts over the past year.  To commemorate her one year blogiversary her blog has a fresh new look which I'm a big fan of.  And even more exciting; this week she is holding a HUGE giveaway every day this week!   

Each of the 5 winners this week will each win over $100 worth of TPT products of their choice from the selected sellers who are participating!  Head over there now for a chance to win.  Then go back tomorrow for another giveaway, and again on Friday for yet another giveaway.  There is a different group of stores participating each day! 

To honor her "All New" blog theme, not only can you win $10 worth of products from my store (in addition to a handful of other bloggers' stores for a combined value of around $100) if you enter today's contest, I'm also putting my "All New" product on sale for 50% this week only. 

 I recently finished Math in Focus Chapter 2 with my fourth graders, and I always like to have some math review games at my disposal to help the kids retain their skills all year.  My

Prime or Composite Board Game and Least Common Multiple Dice Game have really helped since I created them last year, and this year I rounded out the set with my "All New" Greatest Common Factor Game. 

So if you're looking for some fun review, check it out while it's still on sale! 

Blog Follower Appreciation: To My First 100 (plus a few extra)!

This is an exciting week here at Shut the Door and Teach!  Not only do I have just one week left of school, I recently and very quickly (in just the last few days) reached 100 followers!  As a result, my regularly scheduled post about the science unit my class recently finished will go up on next week.  I wanted to use this post for a proper thank you.

First, I want to welcome my new followers.  I'm guessing at least a few of you found me through my friend The Peanut Gallery's giveaway (still going on at time of posting, but now closed). 

Second, I want to thank all my followers for signing up.  It's a wonderful feeling that I'm being heard by people all over the country, and even in other English speaking countries! 

As a thank you to everyone, new and veteran readers, I decided to do a giveaway.  Not a raffle...a giveaway.  That's right, for a limited time (one week) you can download a complete FREE copy of one of my fraction task card activities, normally available for purchase on Teachers Pay Teachers (sorry, this giveaway is now closed).  I hope you'll leave a comment below to let me know what you think! 

My Teacher's Appreciation

This has been an interesting teacher's appreciation week this year.

First, I was bitter.  Here in Massachusetts, it's MCAS time again, and my fourth graders were scheduled to have their tests during Teacher Appreciation Week.  I whined to my husband, "So all those catered lunches they've planned for us?  Mr. E. and I will get there after everyone else and we'll be scraping together whatever's left."  Oh boo hoo, right?

Then I got sick and I had to call out on Monday morning.  Again, I was mad.  "I'm missing all the good stuff they had planned for me!!"  I rested, had lots of tea and juice, but felt worse instead of better.  That afternoon I dropped off the MCAS review materials I spent all weekend creating because I was pretty sure I'd have to be out Tuesday too and I was not about to have all that work go to waste.

By Tuesday night, I was no longer whining about missing catered lunches.  I'd had zero appetite since Saturday night anyway, and now their MCAS test was tomorrow.  Do I go in with a fever of 101.7?  Do I...miss the MCAS?  I couldn't imagine this.  Sure, Mrs. L. missed it last year, but she gave birth the day before so it was acceptable.  I asked some of my teacher friends in the blogging world what I should do, and although they all said, "stay home," I didn't want to.  One even admitted that the year she had to be out, many of her kids blew it off and finished in 20 minutes.  Math was a HUGE focus this year in our district, for our grade.  We worked so hard this year to raise our math scores after the hit they took when we adopted a new program last year.  I was in tears the night before when I decided I had to make that phone call.

I wasn't able to stay awake very much this past week, but while I was awake, I was on the teacher's forums and blogs.  And I wasn't the only one having a difficult week.  I read stories about teachers whose principals forgot it was this week, who laid people off this week, and whose PTOs actively decided to do nothing for the teachers this week.  It made me realize that although it felt unfair that it had to be MCAS week, and then it felt unfair that I couldn't be there to receive it, at least I was actually appreciated! And even more special was the fact that some of these teachers enduring a lack of appreciation were spreading the joy that it wouldn't seem that they'd have.  They were showing their appreciation for OTHER teachers!  Calling them up and thanking them for making them better teachers.  It really changed my perspective. I was being pretty shallow up there in paragraph 2.  And at this point, I couldn't care less about getting trinkets.  I just wanted to get back to school and check in with my class and help them feel a sense of normalcy before their second session on Friday. 

After seeing the doctor on Wednesday and getting a handful of prescriptions, she told me to stay home at least until Friday.  And although most of my symptoms are in check and my fever's gone, I am still bone tired (which might be the medications, not the virus).  So I continued to rest up.  Still worrying about how it went yesterday, how my principal (or parents, or anyone) perceives my 4 day absence during MCAS, and how the kids are going to react tomorrow when I get there and basically have to say, "Sure I missed you all, but right now let's take this test."  

Then around 7 p.m. I got a phone call.

It was Mrs. K.

Mrs. K. is the reading specialist at my school.  When I was a first year teacher there, we had common planning time built into our schedule, and I knew right away that she was the nicest lady I would ever meet.  Just last week one of my students felt safe going to her to talk about a "girl issue" that I would have been embarrassed to even talk to my mom about at that age.  Mrs. K. always tells me that I'm an amazing teacher.  She told my mom that when I introduced them at a school event.  I asked her to read a passage at my wedding because she's always been an inspiration to me. 

Mrs. K. was just calling this evening to ask if I needed anything.

I told her I was finally on the mend now, but thank you so much.  She said she was worried because I've never been out this long.  Then she told me that the kids were fine yesterday; she proctored the MCAS for them.

I nearly cried with relief.  I had no idea my principal had moved people around.  Mrs. K. reassured me she's proctored before; she could practically recite the directions from memory.  She talked to the kids before the test, gave them a little time to relax before it and then they got right to work.  And they worked hard.  She told me if I needed to be out again tomorrow don't worry, she'd proctor that session too so to take care of myself.  I didn't think I was ever going to find out for sure what happened on Wednesday (well, maybe in October when we got the results).  It was such an amazing surprise to find out that it had been Mrs. K. in charge on MCAS day!  And the fact that she didn't even wait until I got back to put my mind at ease was amazing. 

I work with an amazing group of teachers, but Mrs. K. is the most inspiring person I know because she is the most giving person I know.  And she will definitely be getting her favorite treat (blueberry muffin) from Duncan Donuts tomorrow.  Happy Teacher's Appreciation Week, Mrs. K!