Liebster Blog

I'm smiling.  Want to know why?  

Jess and Kheila from Two Friends in First and Tess from The Teacher and the Frog have both nominated me for the Liebster Award.  I'm so flattered that they chose my little blog.  *Blushing*  
Thanks so much, girls, for thinking of me.  :)

If you haven't yet met these super sweet bloggers, you should hurry over and see their amazing blogs.

Award Background

Liebster is a german word that means "dearest," "lovely," or "cute." The purpose of this award is to recognize new blogs that are worth a look. 

The 'rules' to accept this award...

• Link back to the blogs that nominated me
• Nominate 5-11 blogs with fewer than 200 followers
• Answer the questions posted for us by my nominator
• Share 11 random facts about me
• Create 11 questions for my nominees
• Contact my nominees and let them know of their nomination

A Little Bit About Me 
Featuring questions from Jess and Kheila...

1. Why did you start blogging?
To make connections with other teachers around the world and to share my love of teaching and reading with others.

2. Where did you go to college?
Shippensburg University - BS, Western Maryland College - MS,
Cabrini College - Reading Certificate

3. What advice would you give new teachers?
Establish positive parent relationships from the first day.

4. What superhero power would you like to have for a day?
To be in two places at once...so I can spend quality time with my family and get my school work finished.

5. Who is your favorite musical artist/band?  Train

6. What is your favorite sport and sports team?
Whatever sport my husband is coaching and my kids are playing (football, lacrosse).

7. What are the sweet and salty snacks you can't live without?
Pop BBQ Chips, Multigrain Tortilla Chips, Sun Chips

8. Do you have any children?
Yes, a daughter and two step-sons.

9. If you didn't teach, what would you want to do?
 I love animals, so I think I'd be a vet.

10. What is your favorite clothing store?
Banana Republic - almost everything I wear is from there.

11. What is a famous quote that you love?
"Be the change you wish to see in the world."

And questions from Tess...

1. What advice would you give a first year teacher?
Establish positive parent relationships from the first day.

2. What is your favorite book to read aloud to your class?
Charlotte's Web - I have different voices for each of the characters. I read it to my students year after year.  I still cry every time. :(

3. Tell me about a memorable student that you taught.
I once taught the sweetest, most polite student on the planet. She would greet me every morning, "Good Morning, Mrs. Arentz," and ask permission to do every single thing, "May I have permission to sneeze?" She actually gave the mittens off her hands to another less fortunate student.  Her kindness wore off on everyone. It soon became the dream class.  So precious!

4.Tell me about your pets.
I have one super-cute little beagle, named Bailey. Love her. :)

5. What is the one thing in your classroom you can't live without?
Books - I'm a reading teacher.  ;)

6. What movie title would you pick as your life story?
Oh geesh, ...? I am terrible at remembering movie titles!

7. What is the last thing you purchased?
A Breville toaster oven online this morning.

8. What is your favorite music?
I love almost anything, but my current favorites are Mumford and Sons, Walk the Moon, Imagine Dragons, and Fun.

9. If you had to eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Homemade baked mac and cheese, without a doubt.

10. Why did you decide to start a blog?
To make connections with teachers around the world and to share my love of teaching and reading with others.

11. What are some of your favorite blogs you follow?
A Teeny Tiny Teacher is my all time favorite!

11 Random Facts About Me...

• I have the sweetest husband and three great kids.
• I have a serious sweet tooth for cupcakes, brownies, and pastries.  Mmm.  I'll be right back...
• I don't eat my vegetables.
• I worked at Hershey Park for one day.
• I drink cinnamon bun coffee every morning.
• I'm extremely ticklish.
• I hate feet. I think they're gross.
• I'm a reality TV junkie.
• I can't live without my kindle or my laptop.
• I'd be happy anywhere there is sand, surf, and sunshine.
• My dream vacation would be to the Mediterranean.

My Nominations

• Megan from Fun in 5th
• Lindsey from Teaching Snip-Its
• Karli from Creating a Thoughtful Classroom
• Debbie from Teise's Tidbits
• Kristi and Crystal from Teaching Little Miracles
• Jennifer and Priscilla If You Give a Teacher a Blog

My Questions for them...

1.  Tell us about your family.
2.  Where did you go on your last vacation?
3.  Coke or Pepsi?
4.  What's the last movie you watched?
5.  Favorite store to shop in?
6.  What would you pick as your last meal?
7.  Top three blogs you read?
8.  Share a quote that is meaningful to you.
9.  What super power would you like to possess?
10. Name one item you can't live without.
11.  Tell us a funny school story.

Thanks for sticking around to learn a little bit about me.  :)
Leave a comment; let's be friends!

PA Blogger Meet Up

Calling all Pennsylvania bloggers!  Come join us for a PA Blogger Summer Meet Up.  

We'll be meeting in Harrisburg on July 24 for lunch.  If you want to join in the fun click on the image and complete the form to RSVP.  Plan to attend!  

I can't wait to meet all of you and have a little fun before our summer vacation comes to an end.  :)

Monday Made It

I'm linking up with Tara from 4th Grade Frolics to share my Monday Made It project.

Incentives for Baggie Book Reading

I'm changing things up a bit this year with the incentives I'm using to motivate students to read on a regular basis.  Most of the students in 
Title 1 will return to me for more than one year.  I want to keep it fun and fresh.  

This year I'm using a reading rewards plan that was inspired by a coffee shop contest, "Roll up the Rim to Win".  I found this little gem at Tina's Teaching Treasures.  It has a Timmy's and a Starbucks version.  I'm using the Starbucks cups since that's our local coffee shop.

Here's how it will work:

The students will read for 20 minutes at home and fill out a reading log.

They will earn a sticker on their chart each time the reading homework is completed.

When a student's chart is full (12 stickers),  he/she will select a coffee cup for a chance to win a prize.

Each cup has a prize listed 
when the rim is unrolled...

Winner! Pick a new book!
Winner! Pick a new highlighter!
Winner! Pick a new bookmark!
Winner! Pick a new pencil!
Winner! Pick a new Post-It pad!

(The prizes are all tool to use for reading and interacting with text.)

OR 
Instead of a prize, they might find...
Sorry! Read again!



My students voted on this reward system at the end of last year and they are so excited for it to begin.

(Its difficult to find something that first through fifth graders ALL get excited over.)

Here's the "Made It" part...

I made these super cute paperclip bookmarks that can be used as one of the prizes - quick, easy, and inexpensive.  All you need is ribbon and paper clips.  Aren't they cute?  I think I'll be making more of them in other colors and patterns - for me.  ;)

When the bookmarks are attached to the book, they stayed clipped on.
They don't fall out easily. Love it!

Here are the prizes I've purchased so far.
I chose neon so that they appeal to both the boys and girls. 

What have you been busy making?  Link up with Tara at 4th Grade Frolics and share your treasures!

Picture Book Party

I'm linking up with DeAnne at First Grade and Fabulous for a picture book party.  

A great picture book can be the perfect hook to get students thinking about important topics like developing character.  Here are a few of my favorites...

Uncle Jed's Barbershop 
Topics:  Compassion, diligence, perserverence, self-discipline

Uncle Jed traveled for miles to tend to his customers.  He saved the money he earned hoping to build his very own barbershop. However his dream had to be postponed during the Great Depression.  Then one glorious day, a much older Uncle Jed finally opened the doors of his new shop.

A Chair for My Mother

Topics:  Cooperation, perserverence, self-discpline, love of family
After their home is destroyed by a fire, Rosa, her mother and grandmother save their coins to buy a really comfortable chair for all to enjoy.

Ira Sleeps Over
Topics:  Acceptance, friendship, honesty

Ira is thrilled to spend the night at his friend Reggie's house, until his sister raises the question of whether or not he should take his teddy bear.

What are your favorite books to use for character education?  Link up with DeAnne and share them!

Saturday Snapshots

I'm here with a big THANK YOU for the men and women who serve our country and protect our freedom.  America is a great country!  We are blessed to live here.  :)

I hope you have all been busy celebrating with friends and family.
  
Here is my Fourth of July week in pictures...

July 3rd picnic on the golf course with our family and friends.

The night culminated with an awesome fireworks display.

We spent Independence Day at the lake.

This was the view for picnic number two.  :)

Take me out to the ballgame!
 It was sunny and hot. We nearly melted at the game.

The home team lost this one, aw shucks!  But that's okay.  
The night ended with another incredible fireworks display.

What have you been doing this week?  Did you capture those moments on camera?  Link up with Miss Nelson at Run! Miss Nelson's Got the Camera and share them.  :)

Picture Book Party

I'm linking up with First Grade and Fabulous for a Picture Book Party.  

I love using picture books to introduce and reinforce math concepts.  It's an effective way to demonstrate how math is used in a real-world context. My favorite math read alouds are all from Stuart Murphy.  Here are just a few...

Hours

Subtracting

Halves

Bar Graphs

Estimating

I also love Tally O'Malley and Missing Mittens, but I had trouble finding good photographs of them.  What are your favorite read aloud books for teaching math concepts?  Link up with DeAnne and share!

July Goals

I may be a little late to the party, but I'm linking up with Jess from
I {Heart} Recess for her July Goals linky.  

Personal:  This month I am going to concentrate on making better choices with my time, health, and fitness.  I spend entirely too much time on my laptop and in front of the television.  

Family:  Less electronics.  More quality time.

Health:  Eat cleaner, keep on running.

School:  It's time to get my room prepared.  I love decorating!

Blog / TpT:  I'm thisclose to reaching 100 followers.  I'd love to hit that mark. Will you help a girl out? ;)

I'm also working on items for a little TpT store of my own.

Outside the Box:  Well, I kinda like being inside my box. :) But, this month I'm going to work on stepping outside and saying, "Yes" to things I would normally avoid.

What goals have you set for the month July?  I'd love to hear about them. Link up with I {Heart} Recess and share!