Budding Bloggers Linky Party

     I've linked up at I {heart} Recess for a Budding Blog Linky Party.  if you are new to the blogging world and have fewer than 200 followers you can link up too!  It's a great way for us to 
get to know and support each other. 

Here are my answers:

     
     I started blogging after being inspired by my fabulous 3rd grade students. I want to share our classroom experiences with others and share some (hopefully good!) ideas as well. 

     My favorite subject to teach is reading. I love to help students who claim to "hate to read" find the right book (or article, blog, poem, etc) that grabs their interest and never lets go. 

My teaching style is very nurturing and consistent while maintaining very high standards for myself and every single student. I look at every student as an individual with gifts and talents to share. Every student is capable and will show growth in my class. I have very clear and consistent standards that everyone is expected to follow, but I also know that my students have extremely different needs and I do everything in my power to differentiate my instruction to meet those needs. 

I am an advocate for every one of my students. I am going to do everything I can to help them learn whether it be getting them the modifications they need, getting them set up with AG classes, shaping and supporting a behavior plan, getting their family set up with food or getting them glasses. I do whatever it takes to make my students feel successful. They know that we are a family in our classroom and that we respect each other for who we are as individuals and as a classroom community. 

    Three interesting facts about me: 
I am 6 feet tall. 

I was diagnosed with Type I Diabetes at the age of 11. 

I am scared to death of clowns. Even typing that freaked me out a little. I (obviously) will not be posting a picture for this fact. 

     My meager lil' TPT store can be found at http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Amanda-Applegate

I am looking forward to reading your answers! :c)

1. Why did you start blogging?

2. What is your favorite subject to teach and why?

3. Describe your teaching style.

4. Give three interesting facts about you.

5. Do you have a TpT store? If yes, please post the link.

Why I Teach

        I believe that teaching is the most rewarding, positive, and powerful career that one can be fortunate enough to have. Teaching is so much more than curriculum and standardized tests. Teaching is an adventure every single day. Teaching is being a good listener and a shoulder to cry on. Teaching is knowing how to get 24 eight year olds to be quiet by simply raising your hand. Teaching is knowing when to use your “teacher voice” and when to just observe the magic that is happening around you. Teaching is taking advantage of the opportunity to learn something new every single day and sharing that with others. Teaching is being able to work yourself to the point of exhaustion one day and being excited to do it all again the next. 

        I find rewards in teaching every single day. That moment when a student suddenly understands how to solve the dreaded multi-step word problems. The moment when a parent tells you that you changed their child’s aversion to reading and now their child asks to stay up 15 minutes later than normal so they can finish the chapter they’re on. That moment when your most difficult student ever (seriously, I could write a book AND an after school special on this one) tells you that you were the first person to ever believe he was smart. 

He came into my class of 28 in October with a huge chip on his shoulder and no respect for anyone who crossed his path. He spoke of gangs, weapons, and drugs like other boys talk about cartoon characters, toy cars, and candy. He had an IEP for literacy and was brilliant in math. He broke most every rule, got suspended numerous times, and intimidated his classmates. I knew I could help him. 

We eventually formed an understanding of each other. He needed to be treated as a 9 year old. He needed to know it was okay to be successful and that he was so capable of being whatever he wanted to be.  He began to understand how much I cared for and believed in him. He began to enjoy school. The day I sat next to him on the playground steps and told him that he scored 4’s on his EOG we both got tears in our eyes.        

        He came back last year to tell me that he was doing really well in 7th grade and still wanted to be a lawyer when he graduates from college. It doesn’t get better than that.  

SLANT Box goodness.

Oh my gosh, I have had SO MUCH FUN with the August SLANT Box exchange. I was matched to send treats to Terry Stouffer from First at Bat and have really enjoyed getting to know her.

Thank you to Jessica from Joy in the Journey for all of my fabulous August SLANT box gifts. I have really enjoyed getting to know her and she did such a good job picking out things that I love and needed for my classroom. She sent me adorable owl reading certificates and  cut outs since owls are one of my favorite things. She sent really pretty ink pens and markers which is fab because I love writing in different colors. Some cute star stickers, popcorn (one of my favorite snacks), and a beautiful hand made card with a very sweet note. Everything was in a plastic container with a turquoise (one of my favorite colors!) lid.

My SLANT box came wrapped in the CUTEST polka dot wrapping paper! 

So clever! 

All of my fab treats from Jessica!

I can not WAIT to find out my SLANT Box matches for September! If you sign up it could be you! Check out the SLANT Box sign up at Lessons with Coffee to get started.